{"id":18081,"date":"2013-12-09T17:21:57","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T17:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=18081"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:46:48","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:46:48","slug":"expedia-2013-airplane-etiquette-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/expedia-2013-airplane-etiquette-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia 2013 Airplane Etiquette study"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cRear Seat Kicker,\u201d \u201cAromatic Passenger,\u201d \u201cBoozer\u201d and \u201cChatty Cathy\u201d Round Out Top Five;\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

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Seat-Recliners Held in Low Regard, Yet 80% Admit to the Practice<\/span><\/div>\n

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Bellevue, Wash., December 9, 2013 \u2013 Expedia.com<\/span>\u00ae<\/span> today released the results of the 2013 Airplane Etiquette Study, conducted on Expedia\u2019s behalf by Northstar. Northstar surveyed 1,001 adult Americans to rank and respond to a range of in-flight behaviors, from seat-reclining and seat-swapping to drinking, eating and canoodling. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlanes are flying full, and the holiday season is traditionally hectic, so in-flight etiquette is at a premium,\u201d said John Morrey, vice president and general manager, Expedia.com.\u00a0\u201cMost of us, when we look at the list of offending behaviors, can admit to having committed one or more of the violations. So this season, perhaps we can all take care to be as friendly and accommodating to our fellow passengers as possible. After all, we\u2019re quite literally all in this together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The study found that \u201cInattentive Parents\u201d (41%) and \u201cRear Seat Kickers\u201d (38%) ranked first and second on the list of \u201cMost Annoying \/ Offensive Airplane Etiquette Violators<\/span><\/strong>.\u201d Americans with children under 18 were slightly more sympathetic, ranking Rear Seat Kickers slightly higher, while Americans without children had less sympathy. The \u201cAromatic Passenger\u201d ranked third on the list of violators, at 28%, edging \u201cThe Boozer\u201d (26%) and \u201cChatty Cathy\u201d (23%).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sixty-three percent of American travelers surveyed \u201coften feel annoyed\u201d at parents traveling with loud children, so much so that 49% of Americans would pay extra to be seated in a designated \u201cquiet zone,\u201d should airlines elect to create one. A full 59% of Americans aged 34 and under would pay for this service.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The wailing of children is by no means the only noise that sets fellow passengers on edge: talkative fellow passengers inspire \u201cdread\u201d in 73% of Americans<\/strong>. Eighty-five percent of travelers agree that \u201ca little small talk\u201d is acceptable, but ultimately prefer to keep to themselves. Despite this, more than one-third (34%) of Americans reported they \u201coften use flights as an opportunity to talk to and meet new people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Mile High Club is Packed<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ten percent of Americans report having \u201cbeen intimate\u201d with someone on a plane. \u201cThe Amorous\u201d passenger ranks #15 on the list of worst etiquette offenders. On the whole, Americans prefer that their fellow passengers remain dressed while in flight; \u201cThe Undresser\u201d (defined as someone who removes shoes, socks or too many layers of clothing) ranks 17th<\/sup> on the list of offensive passengers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The full list of \u201cMost Annoying \/ Offensive Airplane Etiquette Violators\u201d follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Inattentive Parents:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 41%<\/li>\n
  2. Rear Seat Kicker\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 38%<\/li>\n
  3. The Aromatic Passenger\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28%<\/li>\n
  4. The Boozer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 26%<\/li>\n
  5. Chatty Cathy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23%<\/li>\n
  6. Audio Insensitive\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19%<\/li>\n
  7. Seat-back Guy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13%<\/li>\n
  8. Carry-on Baggage Offenders\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13%<\/li>\n
  9. The Back-Seat Grabber\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12%<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    10.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Queue Jumper\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12%<\/span><\/p>\n

    11.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Armrest Hog\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11%<\/span><\/p>\n

    12.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Mad Bladder*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11%<\/span><\/p>\n

    13.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Pungent Food Eaters\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9%<\/span><\/p>\n

    14.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Mad Dasher**\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9%<\/span><\/p>\n

    15.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Amorous\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9%<\/span><\/p>\n

    16.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Overhead Bin Inconsiderate\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9%<\/span><\/p>\n

    17.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Undresser\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9%<\/span><\/p>\n

    18.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Pre-Boarder***\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6%<\/span><\/p>\n

    19.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>The Seat Switcher\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5%<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Great Seat-Back Debate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cSeat Back Guy,\u201d defined as the passenger who reclines his seat fully once the plane has left the ground, ranks #7 on the list of travel-etiquette offenders. Thirty-five percent of Americans report having experienced \u201cmajor discomfort\u201d due to a reclining seat, and 42% would like to see reclining seats banned entirely, or at least restricted on short-haul flights.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Despite this, 80% of travelers admit to reclining their seats during flights.<\/span><\/strong> Forty-one percent admit to reclining when they sleep, while 38% do so when their flight is three hours or longer. Just under one in five (18%) recline immediately after take-off, while 15% do so once meal service is complete, and another 15% do so whenever the passenger in front of them reclines.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Seventeen percent of Americans admitted that they would recline their seats even if the passenger behind them was noticeably pregnant; 23% would do so if the passenger was elderly or frail; while 36% would do so even if the passenger was particularly tall. Forty-five percent of Americans give no warning when reclining, while 22% do warn their neighbors (but do not ask permission) and 33% ask permission.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Additional findings from Expedia\u2019s 2013 Airplane Etiquette Study include:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n