These 10 Passengers Will Ruin Your Flight

Passengers From Hell

1/11
Flying can be stressful sometimes, making it all the more important to practice proper passenger etiquette. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Global airline safety and product rating website AirlineRatings.com asked travelers to rank the most frustrating passenger types from the most irritating to the least and the results may surprise you.

Smelly Passengers

2/11
Smelly passengers are public enemy number one on an airplane, with stinky flyers receiving the leading number of complaints. "There has been a significant shift in passengers' gripes about their fellow travelers, who are either not conscious of their odor or don't care," said AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas in a statement.

Unruly Kids

3/11
Unsurprisingly, a majority of passengers don't want to spend the duration of their flight babysitting. Travelers with out-of-control children are the next biggest offender.

Seat Recliners

4/11
Passengers who recline their seats and infringe on their neighbor's already limited legroom aren't as despised as they once were but they are still among the most annoying flyers.

Armrest Hoggers

5/11
While airplane etiquette dictates that the middle seat passenger gets both armrests, many flyers are content to hog the precious padding, much to the chagrin of their seatmates.

Carry-On Abusers

6/11
Today's passengers are also annoyed by the increasing amount of carry-on luggage. If you're boarding with excessive or bulky baggage, don't be surprised to catch some serious side-eye.

Weak Bladders

7/11
Passengers who are constantly getting up from their seat to use the lavatory are the sixth-most frustrating as conditions in economy tend to be cramped.

Chatterboxes

8/11
Talking too much or being loud are surefire ways to anger everyone around you. Basically, don't be like Del Griffith from "Planes, Trains & Automobiles."

Aisle Athletes

9/11
Do your stretches before you board the plane. Passengers who use the already narrow aisle for exercising prior to takeoff or even mid-flight are guaranteed to draw the ire of their fellow flyers.

Demanding Passengers

10/11
Passengers disapprove of fellow flyers who are arrogant, demanding and constantly pestering flight attendants with multiple requests. That said, don't treat the cabin crew like your personal butlers.

Window Hogs

11/11
Although it certainly isn't the worst in-flight behavior, hogging the window is still a no-no, according to many passengers. Keep your head back so your seatmates can see out and consider asking them before you pull the shade down.

Next Slide > >

< < Prev Slide

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Get To Know Us Better

Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me
Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me