TOP 15 MOST ANNOYING AIRPLANE EXPERIENCES
TOP 15 MOST ANNOYING AIRPLANE EXPERIENCES
Every traveller has experienced an annoyance while flying. Some might find the flight attendants snobbish and or impolite. Others might say other passengers (never themselves) were annoying. Whatever or whoever causes our annoyances, it could be mentally tiring to cope with until we disembark the aircraft. Therefore, I am here to share my top 15 most annoying airplane experiences from my previous travels, and what you should possibly look out for on your next trip.
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1. Armrest “Hoggers”
I am sure that many of you have had some run-ins with one or more “armrest hoggers.” These passengers behave as though the armrests are their entitlement for the entire flight. We refer to them as “armrest hoggers” because once they sit, they prevent anyone else from using the armrest throughout the flight.
Even worst are those occupying the middle seats who act as though they are at home in their armchair and take both sides of the armrests. Likewise, those occupying the aisle or window seats already have one armrest but take the middle armrest as well.
I know how it feels to be in the middle seat with both arms in my lap. As I remembered years ago, when the airline assigned me a middle seat, the passengers on both sides of me “hogged” the armrest on both sides for the entire flight. That was the last time I occupied a middle seat on any plane.
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2. Passengers with Poor Hygiene
A passenger who, for whatever reason, has poor hygiene and sits next to other passengers is very inconsiderate. There is an airline rule in the carriage contract that deals with passengers with unpleasant odors that causes other passengers to feel ill. The flip side to that is, do you want to be the passenger who reports and causes someone to be kicked off a flight!?
I recalled eight years ago; I was sitting next to a man who smelled so horrible I almost fainted. The moment I sat, I began looking in the seat corners to find the source of the foul smell on the plane. I then realized it was the gentleman sitting next to me. It was one time I wished I could have opened the window on the plane. I flew the entire six hours with my head twisted over my shoulder in the plane window. On disembarking the plane, I felt like I had whiplash.
Passengers with foul odours can cause others to begin any trip on an unpleasant note. So be sure to get someone to check you out before embarking on your flight, especially if you were in transit for many hours or spent the night at the airport.
3. The rambunctious group of Loud-mouths
Don’t we all dislike those rambunctious, noise-making groups on the plane!? They behave as though they are watching a sports game at home, without consideration for other passengers. Most people want a quiet flight to their destination, but these loud-mouths (probably drunk or high) can spoil this. Being loud in such a confined space should be a no-no. It can piss anyone off, especially if they are sitting near you.
Top 15 most annoying airplane experiences cont..
4. The super loud Snorer
What can be more annoying than a snoring passenger (especially in the middle seat) whose snores are so loud that they sound like a freight train? The noise emanating from a snorer is a deal-breaker, whether day or night, home setting or not. It is a big annoyance, not only for myself but for many others too. In cases like this, a noise canceling headset comes in handy and can bring some much-needed peace.
5. Overhead luggage bin Grabbers
Don’t those people who hurry onto the plane to grab luggage space piss you off? They either take up more luggage space than they should (with items bought in duty-free shops) or put their bags in the overhead luggage space above a seat unassigned to them. Then they sit in their assigned seats three or four rows behind.
What happens when other passengers arrive after them? Sometimes they cannot find space for their luggage and must place them away from where they are sitting, especially if the flight is full. It is a selfish act done so that as soon as the plane lands, they skip rows to get ahead of other passengers and exit the plane faster.
6. Seat Occupiers (with attitude) in unassigned seat
Are you one of those who arrive at your aisle or window seat you took the time to select, only to find someone in it? You point out to the person sitting in it that the seat number is on your boarding pass. What do you get? Total attitude and grumbling, “you can sit in the empty seat because I am already seated.”
They offer no apology, just total attitude because you insist on sitting in your assigned seat. What a way to start your journey. Then you sit next to this person for the entire flight with tension. Nobody wants to go through this.
What is my advice to those who do this? Web check-in, or book and pay for your seat of choice. Because unlike you, for many people like myself, advance seat selection (exact location and seat on the plane) is serious business. For this reason, we will not relinquish it for anything or anyone else.
7. The loud music or video game Players
Imagine you are trying to sleep, relax or read and the person next to you is playing loud music or playing a video game without a headset. The music, especially if offensive, can be downright irritating, similar to the annoying dings and pings from the video games. Moreover, if it is a night flight, the bright glare from a laptop or tablet can deprive you of your sleep. It is always uncomfortable to ask your seatmate to be considerate. In all likelihood, you might have to “grin and bear it.”
Top 15 most annoying airplane experiences cont..
8. Smelly Food
We have all experienced travellers who bring and consume their favorite food on board. These spicy, pungent-smelling fast/street foods leave you smelling like the food on disembarkation of the plane. Most times, it’s greasy (rancid oil) junk food from food outlets that you hate smelling. I think people should eat these meals before boarding and have a light snack or something less odorous on board. It would be considerate of passengers to think about other passengers.
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9. The Shoe removers with Stinky feet
Travellers who habitually remove their shoes as soon as they get on a plane should refrain from doing so. Many know they suffer from bromodosis aka “sweaty/smelly feet,” but continue to disregard the comfort of others. The smell of their feet can cause other passengers to feel ill, and similarly to offensive body odor, this is against the airlines’ policies and they should exit the plane.
A plane cabin is an enclosed space, and everyone must coexist in this space for a few hours. Foot odor is displeasing and very obnoxious. The airline should discourage passengers from removing their shoes. I remembered during a previous flight, I saw a lady with her shoes off, her feet on the seat, and would you believe it, clipping then filing her toenails. Talk about going from bad to worst. Prohibiting this will solve the problem.
10.The perfume & cologne Sprayers
Not everyone can tolerate the smell or the tones (floral, citrus, woody, etc.) of some fragrances. Others who use these “version of” fragrances are unaware they can be nauseating for some people like me. It can bring on cold sweat and headaches for hours.
The pheromones in some of these perfumes can be overwhelming to many, and we should use them after leaving the plane.
A confined space like an aircraft is the wrong place to spray fragrances during a flight.
11. The Chatterbox
There is absolutely nothing wrong with striking up a brief conversation with your seatmates or having sporadic chats with them during the flight. However, when they relentlessly and constantly want to talk or engage you, it gets annoying, especially if you prefer to sleep, read, or listen to music.
When a chatterbox is sitting near you, it can be overwhelming even if they are not speaking directly to you.
If you are a “chatterbox,” know when to cut the talk short. Observe the passenger’s body language, and you will know they are being polite by entertaining you.
12. The Restless or weak bladder Passenger
I try to avoid restless seatmates once I am seated on a flight. Consequently, I am a big advocate for the pre-selection of your ideal seat. Because some people need to use the washroom more often than others for medical reasons, they will need to leave their seats regularly. Similarly, a restless passenger who enjoys walking around, checking overhead bags, etc. can annoy other passengers who need to get up to let them pass.
Sporadic interruptions can affect one’s rest or sleep. To avoid this, I think such people should pre-book or web check-in to select and secure an aisle seat. Likewise, if you are like me and don ’t like to be bothered on flights, choose a window seat before your flight. Failure to choose your seats before boarding is one of the travel mistakes you should not make. Problem solved!
Top 15 most annoying airplane experiences cont..
13. The Seat kickers
This impulsive and insensitive act by passengers who periodically kick the back of seats can cause anyone sitting in said seat to trip off. This is such an annoying experience, and just when you think it has stopped, it suddenly restarts and can start a fight. It doesn’t matter if it is a restless child, teenager, or adult. That crap can be downright frustrating. I hope the guilty ones reading this, will stop this practice ASAP, because temper flare-ups have increased recently on many flights.
14. Crying babies or misbehaving Children
Let us be honest! We all love children, but no one wants to be in a confined space with crying babies or misbehaving children. It is even more aggravating when the parents act like they can care less about their child’s behaviour. This results in you flying for hours with children crying and running around the plane. For this reason, I always travel with my iPod with my favorite music to zone out.
I also avoid seats (with the bassinets) that most airlines assign passengers with young children. Consequently, being in this situation especially on a long-haul flight can leave you with a throbbing headache. Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to survive and prepare for a long-haul flight by choosing the perfect seat location.
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15. The Seat recliners (for the entire flight)
In my view, this is the worst of 15 most annoying airplane experiences, especially when it is happening to me. Let us be real! Most of us fly economy, and we know how the legroom can be a problem (even without reclining) on most airlines (big or small). Short to average height travellers complain about cramped economy legroom, so imagine the taller people with longer legs, then add a reclined seat to this for hours. Some people are so uncompassionate that they instantly recline their seats as the seat belt sign is off. Why? Just because they can and want to be extra comfortable. To hell with the passenger behind.
All airline passengers who share the same confined space should practice some flight etiquette. We all hate when the passengers in front of us recline their seats, yet we do it to others. At mealtime, sometimes you have to ask them to straighten up their seats so you can have room and comfort to eat.
I try not to recline my seat on flights under seven hours as a sign of courtesy. If I do, it is because the passenger sitting directly behind me has reclined theirs, then I will do the same for a nap, to relax, or during a night flight. As soon as meals are about to be served,
As soon as meals are about to be served, I straighten up my seat without being asked to do so.
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In Conclusion
Flying has many pleasant experiences and memories, notwithstanding the random annoyances. On your next trip, keep an eye out for some of these top 15 most annoying airplane experiences, and prepare to avoid or deal with them without losing your cool.
Please share some of your most annoying airplane experiences not mentioned in this article and how you dealt with them. Also share this article (using the sharing buttons on the page) with your contacts if you found it helpful.
Safe Travels!!
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