Americans are weird about what they like and don't like while flying

This is what annoys U.S. flyers while on airplanes

10. Not set their devices to airplane mode

9. Exit the plane before people in the rows in front of them

8. Not pay attention during the safety demonstration

6. Use both armrests when someone is sitting next to them

Half of people are okay with hitting seats

Chatting with with strangers is generally okay

This is what annoys U.S. flyers while on airplanes

Flying isn't always fun but there are some very bizarre things that seem to annoy American travelers when they're on airplanes according to a survey from YouGov published back in May 2024.

Polling reveals the oddity of Americans

YouGov polled 1,152 Americans on flight etiquette and manners in the air and discovered the 10 major things Americans find the most unacceptable while flying on a plane, and what some find acceptable might surprise you.

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10. Not set their devices to airplane mode

Acceptable: 16%

Unacceptable: 64%

Not Sure: 19%

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9. Exit the plane before people in the rows in front of them

Acceptable: 14%

Unacceptable: 65%

Not Sure: 21%

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8. Not pay attention during the safety demonstration

Acceptable: 20%

Unacceptable: 66%

Not Sure: 15%

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7. Eat strong-smelling food

Acceptable: 14%

Unacceptable: 68%

Not Sure: 17%

6. Use both armrests when someone is sitting next to them

Acceptable: 11%

Unacceptable: 74%

Not Sure: 15%

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5. Leave trash in the seatback pocket

Acceptable: 11%

Unacceptable: 79%

Not Sure: 9%

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4. Watch a movie without headphones

Acceptable: 11%

Unacceptable: 81%

Not Sure: 9%

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3. Leave their seat during turbulence

Acceptable: 7%

Unacceptable: 82%

Not Sure: 11%

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2. Get drunk

Acceptable: 9%

Unacceptable: 82%

Not Sure: 8%

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1. Let their kids play in the aisle

Acceptable: 5%

Unacceptable: 86%

Not Sure: 9%

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Baffling findings!

How 11% of Americans surveyed could find using both armrests or watching a movie without headphones acceptable is a bit baffling but luckily YouGov also made a few interesting discoveries about some other things Americans find acceptable on planes.

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Half of people are okay with hitting seats

51% of people said that it was okay to switch seats with another passenger, which makes a lot of sense in some situations where one hasn’t paid for their specific seat choice.

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Chatting with with strangers is generally okay

Another 46% of people said that it was acceptable to make friends and chat with a stranger sitting next to them on the flight even if the same percentage of people said that they traveled by plane once a year or less.

Other acceptable things on a plane

It is also interesting to note that 37% of those surveyed think it is acceptable to bring a dog on board a plane while 26% said the same for cats. Closing the window during takeoff got a 56% acceptability rating, which seems wrong if you’re sitting next to others.

Oh... and its okay to pass gas

32% of those surveyed said that it was okay to silently pass gas while traveling on a plane. 46% said this was unacceptable and another 22% weren't sure...