New Research Reveals What Naughty Things Passengers Do on Planes

Passing the time on a flight can be awfully challenging, and while many choose to entertain themselves with things like conversation, movies, music, books and magazines, it turns out that as many as one in eight Americans have instead opted for sexual stimulation in the lavatory.

A new study from flight-comparison site us.jetcost.com found that 12 percent of Americans who have boarded a flight within the past two years admitted to having pleasured themselves in a toilet onboard a flight.

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What's more, as many as 18 percent said they've had sex in the bathroom. Remarkably, that's the same percentage of people that have read a book to pass the time, according to Jetcost's research.

The survey of more than 5,000 American adults also discovered that 14 percent of flyers have smoked or vaped in the bathroom even though it's strictly banned. Just last month, an Alaska Airlines flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia was forced to divert to Chicago when a passenger lit a cigarette in the cabin.

Nearly one-quarter of Americans (22 percent) said they've been caught in an illicit act in the lavatory, oftentimes by a crew member.

Interestingly, only 15 percent of those passengers who were caught in the act said they were punished as a result, with one-third receiving a fine and even 3 percent getting hit with a lifetime ban from the airline.

Other annoying behavior flyers admitted to include removing their shoes and socks in-flight, with nearly one quarter getting a little too comfortable. Meanwhile, 19 percent have clapped when the plane landed and a further and 14 percent have reclined their seat while the person seated behind them was eating.

"Being on a flight can become boring at times, especially when on a long-haul flight, however, there are far more appropriate ways to spend your time," a Jetcost spokesperson said in a statement. "Download some films on to your phone or tablet before a flight to keep you entertained or bring a good old fashioned book to read. If all else fails, why not talk to your fellow passengers? They may be traveling alone and appreciate the company, helping both of you to pass the time."

Another recent Jetcost survey found that Alabama is the state Americans least want to fly to, with 35 percent saying they wouldn't fly to the Heart of Dixie because of "high rate of crime," "lack of things to do" and "unfriendly locals." Nevada and New York also received little love from respondents.