The Absolute Worst Parts of Flying According to Fliers
Flying isn’t what it used to be. And no, not just in terms of legroom or ticket prices, but in how the entire experience feels from curb to cabin. Even though commercial air travel has become more accessible and efficient, it’s also packed with recurring annoyances that wear people down.
Frequent fliers have developed a running list of complaints, and they show up across surveys, social media, and terminal conversations. These factors paint a clear picture of what modern passengers actually dread about getting on a plane.
People Who Fake Disabilities to Board Early
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Some passengers request wheelchairs at the gate to cut ahead in the boarding process. Frequent travelers say the abuse of pre-boarding policies delays those who genuinely need mobility help and creates skepticism around requests that should be met with empathy, not doubt.
Carry-On Hoarders Who Take All the Overhead Space
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Instead of checking a bag, some travelers board with a full-size roller, an overstuffed backpack, and a third item that barely passes. Once they’ve filled the bin with their gear, others are left scrambling for space or surrendering their bags to the cargo hold, regardless of who boarded first.
Travelers Who Crowd the Baggage Carousel
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Rather than hanging back to spot their luggage, many travelers plant themselves inches from the conveyor and form a wall that’s hard to get around. It’s a common complaint: the crowding doesn’t make bags arrive any faster and just leads to awkward shuffles and frustrated sighs.
Bare Feet in Shared Spaces
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Taking off shoes mid-flight is one thing. Wandering barefoot into the restroom is another. Witnessing people get a little too comfortable while flying happens more often than most would like to admit.
Flight Delays With No Clear Updates
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Travelers can accept a delay, but the silence that often accompanies it is what wears people down. When hours pass with only vague updates like “awaiting further information,” passengers feel trapped and unprioritized, even if the actual delay is unavoidable.
Unsupervised Children in Busy Terminals
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Some children run through airport gates, race in wheelchairs, or shout across rows of chairs without correction. Travelers report that these outbursts often occur while the parents are focused on their phones. Most complaints focus on the lack of supervision in crowded public spaces.
Seat Assignments That Split Families and Groups
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Certain airlines use random seat assignments for lower-cost fares, which separates couples and families unless they pay extra. During boarding, they ask others to switch seats, often targeting passengers with better locations. This creates friction before takeoff and slows the seating process for the entire cabin.
Dirty or Overused Restrooms Mid-Flight
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Cabin bathrooms on packed flights tend to degrade quickly, especially on long hauls. With limited airflow and constant use, odors build, supplies run low, and queues stretch into the aisles. Travelers often plan ahead just to avoid these mid-air restroom gambles.
Invasive and Inconsistent Security Checks
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Security checkpoints vary widely by airport and often feel needlessly invasive. They remove belts, shoes, liquids, and electronics, only to get pulled aside for manual screening anyway. Former agents have admitted that some full-body scans add little safety but open the door to staff misconduct.
Applause After Landing
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Clapping when the plane touches down is a habit that continues to divide passengers. For many, it seems unnecessary on a routine flight. Unless the pilot just pulled off a risky emergency landing, it’s unclear what the celebration is for.
Turbulence That Interrupts the Whole Flight
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Even experienced travelers find turbulence annoying. It rattles drinks, interrupts sleep, and causes unexpected jolts that throw people off balance. In recent surveys, more than half of fliers named turbulence one of their least favorite parts of flying, even when they understood it posed no danger.
People Who Stand Up the Moment the Plane Lands
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Before the aircraft even reaches the gate, some passengers are already on their feet, pulling their bags from the overhead bins. It doesn’t make the exit quicker. In fact, it slows it down. The rush to stand often blocks others and occasionally leads to reminders from the crew.
Seats That Keep Getting Smaller
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The space allotted to each passenger keeps shrinking. Aisles are tighter, seat widths are narrower, and those stuck in the middle often feel it most. Travelers with long legs or broad shoulders notice the squeeze even more on older aircraft.
Panic-Inducing Announcements From the Cockpit
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Passengers have shared stories of unsettling pilot announcements. One crew reported “all four engines have stopped,” and another said the “plane is on fire” before landing. Even when things turn out fine, these updates raise an alarm. Poor phrasing can make a minor issue feel like an emergency.
Sales Pitches for Perfume, Scratch Cards, and More
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Mid-flight shopping announcements might catch first-timers off guard. For others, it’s just one more interruption. Airlines hawking fragrances, scratch cards, or branded souvenirs during the flight can feel intrusive, especially when passengers are trying to rest, work, or eat in peace.