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11 Bad Behaviors That Make Everyone Around You Miserable on a Flight

If you want to be a nice traveler, then you need to avoid doing these 10 things.

By Moriah Chace , Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated April 3, 2026

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For many Americans, flying is routine. However, lately, the experience has become more frustrating than ever. Thanks in part to longer lines and added pressure at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

According to USA Today, the partial government shutdown led to record-long airport wait times, with some waits in line approaching nearly 5 hours.

When airports are this crowded and stressful, basic courtesy goes a long way. Still, some passenger habits continue to make the journey worse for everyone.

Be aware of these bad behaviors that can just add more misery and stress to all passengers on the flight.

Taking your shoes off on the airplane

You know that kind of traveler who rests their feet in the aisle of the plane. We have to take our shoes off at security, but that's why socks were invented. Otherwise, it's unsanitary for you.

Also, no one needs to see your feet. So keep those tucked away in your shoes where they belong.

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Talking loudly on the phone

We've all been in situations where we've been bothered by someone talking loudly on the phone. It gets irritating to anyone who's near them.

Be aware of your volume while speaking on the phone, whether in the airport or on the plane. Doing this lets you avoid situations where people may be angry with you.

Not showering before the flight

Personal hygiene can be hard some days, but it is crucial to take care of it before you travel. Everyone is on an airplane together, and the air is recirculated. Not showering before a flight will inconvenience your fellow travelers.

Also, make sure you wear deodorant. No one wants to smell bad on a flight, and no one wants to be able to smell you on a flight.

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Pretending that your dog is a service dog

Service dogs are welcome on airlines. For your dog to become a service dog, however, you must have a disability that's defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Additionally, your dog needs to be able to act appropriately in intense situations and perform at least one task that mitigates your disability.

It's a crime to impersonate a service dog because you could endanger actual service dogs and other people surrounding you. Plus, it's just bad form.

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Approaching service dogs on flights

Service dogs are working dogs, and it's incredibly rude to approach them or try to touch or distract them.

Service dogs are medical assistants for their owners. Distracting a service dog can cause the dog to miss a critical alert or task, and it can compromise the handler's safety. Just don't try to approach them; let them do their job.

On a similar note, don't approach the handler to talk about their dog. Like you, they're just trying to get from one place to another. It can be exhausting to field questions about their dog, what it does, or how they got it.

Not using headphones

We all get that you'd like to watch or listen to something while on a flight. It keeps you occupied and distracted while on the flight.

However, not using headphones or earbuds while listening to things/watching things disrupts other fliers.

When you don't use earbuds or headphones, everyone around you also has to listen to what you're watching or listening to. It's just not a considerate thing to do on a flight.

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Clapping when the plane lands

We get it, you're not trying to be rude, and you want to congratulate the flight crew for a good flight and a safe landing.

However, what you considered a good landing could have felt very different to the pilots. Your applause could come across as sarcastic rather than sincere.

So do the pilots and crew a favor, and don't clap.

Rushing to get off the plane

You may want to get off the plane after a long flight, and you don't care how you have to do it. That train of thought is very understandable.

However, it's not good practice to follow through on these thoughts. Everyone else wants to get off the plane, too.

It's understandable to be antsy about it, but pushing and shoving people to get off the plane is just plain rude.

Mistreating airline attendants

Airline attendants are just trying to do their job and ensure no incidents happen on the plane. That means they may not always say what you want them to say. They will enforce the seatbelt rule, even if it irritates you.

Not hearing or getting what you want is not an excuse to be rude to them. They're doing what they can to keep you safe.

You may not like what they do, but they're people too. Think about how what you say or do will affect them before you do it.

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Complaining about the food options

Passenger planes aren't Michelin-star restaurants. Though a small snack bag might not be what your palate demands, that's likely all the staff can offer.

If you have dietary restrictions, the attendants may be able to accommodate. In any case, plan your travel day to ensure you get your regular meals. You are allowed to bring a meal on the plane (just make sure it's not stinky).

Drinking too much

Having a beer or glass of wine at 35,000 feet feels like the peak of luxury. And by all means, have a drink.

But consider your co-passengers before you ask for another. Be honest with yourself. Will you start acting differently? When you have more than one or two, do things tend to get out of hand?

Even the constant need to go to the bathroom can disturb other passengers. So save the partying for when you land.

Bottom line

Flying commercially can be a fantastic experience if you and your fellow passengers follow proper guidelines and are mindful of others' experiences.

For example, whether you avoid pushing and shoving to get off the plane or stay seated until the fasten seatbelt signs turn off, you can make a difference in the entire vibe of the flight.

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