2025 was a wild year for the travel industry.
The calendar included impacts felt from the longest government shutdown in history, in addition to natural disasters and geopolitical tensions.
New tourist taxes were introduced, brand-new resorts opened, and exciting new cruise ships launched. However, some of the year's biggest headlines were reserved for some exceptionally bad-behaved travelers.
In case you missed any, here's a recap of the naughtiest travelers and craziest travel stories from 2025.
Passengers Busted Following Bizarre Threats
Authorities in Australia recently arrested a man after uncovering his plan to hijack a plane to the Middle East.
Perhaps fueled by antisemitism, the plan was described by officials as "bizarre" because planes heading to the Middle East from Australia typically need to refuel multiple times.
In the U.S., an American Airlines flight had to be evacuated after a passenger created a Wi-Fi hotspot titled "There is a bomb on the flight."
An Allegiant Air flight was forced to make an emergency landing over the summer after a passenger claimed that his laptop was a bomb.
Pilots, Crew Members Join the Naughty List
2025's naughtiest moments weren't limited to passengers as multiple pilots found themselves in hot water this year, including a pilot who forced a flight cancellation after blowing over the legal alcohol limit on a random breathalyzer and a pilot who was escorted out of the cockpit on charges of child sex crimes.
In January, another pilot was busted for DUI just before takeoff.
Meanwhile, a flight attendant was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison for secretly filming young women in airplane lavatories.
2025 also featured fake flight attendants and naked, drugged-out dancing crew members.
Travelers placing items in bins at TSA security line. (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)
TSA Makes an Unusual Discovery
TSA officers at airports nationwide confiscated some wild items over the course of 2025, but none more weird than the live turtle uncovered in a passenger's pants at Newark Liberty International Airport in March.
"We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes and in their luggage; however, I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants," said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.
"As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions."
Dramatic Cruise Rescues, Brawls
Cruise ship leaving port. (Photo Credit: Mariusz Blach/Adobe)
Over the summer, a dramatic scene unfolded aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship when a father and his child had to be rescued after going overboard.
The man reportedly propped up the child on a plexiglass wall on the fourth deck for a photograph before the child fell backward and the father jumped in afterward.
"The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. We commend our crew members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes," Disney Cruise Line confirmed.
"We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols."
There were also some noteworthy brawls aboard cruise ships this past year, with some travelers being banned as a result.
Notable Unruly Passengers
While the uptick in unruly passengers continues to be a disconcerting trend, 2025 saw some notable flight disruptors, including a man who was arrested after yelling racist slurs and threatening flight attendants with a skateboard on a cross-country flight.
The 46-year-old even broke restraints twice on the chaotic Breeze Airways flight.
Another passenger had to be subdued by fellow passengers after kicking out the window on a Frontier Airlines flight, while an irate woman delayed a Southwest Airlines flight after stripping naked and walking the aisle while demanding to be let off and let into the cockpit.
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