Quiz: what type of passenger are you?

We’ve all been there. You’re settled in your seat, buckled up and ready for take-off – and then… thud. A small foot kicks the back of your seat. Again, and again.

Let’s be honest – nobody wants to deal with this on a flight. And if it bothers you, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, 36% of people say that children kicking the back of their seat is their top in-flight irritation. But what other habits send tempers soaring at 30,000 feet?

The UK’s top flying frustrations

In a new survey of 2,000 air passengers, we uncovered the top 20 flying frustrations – and chances are, you’ve experienced a few of them yourself. From crying and disruptive children to fellow travellers not using headphones or speaking too loudly, it turns out that there’s no shortage of in-flight irritations.

Survey results

According to our survey, the top 20 most common passenger pet peeves are:

1. children kicking the back of your chair
2. crying or disruptive children
3. seat reclining
4. drunk passengers
5. using a device without headphones on
6. people talking too loudly
7. people taking ages putting their bags in the overhead locker when first boarding
8. people standing up to get their bags out of the overhead lockers before the flight has officially ended
9. people getting louder the more alcohol they drink
10. people pulling the back of your seat to stand up
11. sitting next to a chatty stranger
12. children running up and down the aisle
13. queuing for the toilet
14. people who keep getting up to put something in and out of their bag in the overhead locker
15. passengers constantly coughing
16. the person next to you falling asleep so you can’t get out to use the toilet
17. double armrest hoggers
18. poor quality flight food
19. people who sit in the wrong seat when first boarding
20. snoring passengers

Are we all guilty of being bad passengers sometimes?

It’s easy to point the finger – but interestingly, 15% of those surveyed admitted they might be guilty of some of these behaviours themselves, particularly when it comes to claiming both armrests.

Bringing so many different people together in one enclosed space for hours can be intense. What feels like normal behaviour to one person might be irritating to someone else. Of course, most of us try to be considerate passengers. But when we’re tired, flustered, or just eager to get going, it’s easier to slip into bad travel habits.

What kind of airplane passenger are you?

Take this quiz to find out what kind of airplane passenger you are. By answering a few simple questions, you’ll discover if you’re the dream seat mate, or if there’s room for improvement next time you get on a plane.

Why not share it with friends and family to compare your answers?