The top 20 most annoying air travel behaviours revealed

A study of 2,000 flyers has revealed the biggest bugbears when travelling by plane, with passengers having too much to drink at the top of the list. Others get fed up with those who queue at the gate long before boarding begins, clap when the plane lands or stand right next to the spot where luggage comes onto the carousel. Draping hair over the back of the seat – and across the screen of the person behind – is also an unpopular behaviour, along with reclining seats back just as food and drinks are served and holding up security or check-in queues by not being ready. A spokesperson for Skyscanner, which commissioned the research to launch its Travel Hacks Hub, said: “For many, getting on a plane is the start of your long-awaited holiday, but the dos and don’ts of air travel can often cause a big debate. “Navigating an airport – check-in, security and queues – is often considered a stressful experience, meaning our tolerance levels are lower than usual. “With many on the plane heading off on holiday, they could be forgiven for relaxing and getting into vacation mode early. “But it’s important to consider your fellow travellers when doing something that could be seen as irritating – if you would be annoyed by it, it’s probably a sign that you should try and avoid doing it yourself. “Our recent survey found that although many travellers could point out behaviour they didn't like to see when travelling, some admitted to being guilty of the faux pas themselves. “We all know that sometimes travel doesn't go to plan, but Skyscanner's advice pages and social media channels are full of travel hacks for more seamless trips." The study saw 12 per cent of those polled admit to doing some of the annoying behaviours themselves. A quarter of those have taken their shoes and socks off on the plane while 19 per cent have held things up at security after forgetting to remove certain items. And 17 per cent stand up as soon as the plane lands in a bid to get off as soon as possible. Gen Z believe themselves to be most guilty of unwanted plane behaviour (22 per cent), followed by millennials (18 per cent), Gen X (12 per cent) and Boomers (seven per cent). The younger generation think they are the biggest culprits for overpacking and holding up the check-in queue as they repack, reclining their seats while the food is being served or draping their hair over the back of their seats. But Boomers admitted they are most likely to forget to remove metal items before going through security and standing up as soon as the plane has landed. When it comes to the right thing to do, 74 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, think you should ask the person behind if they mind you reclining your seat before you push the button. And 81 per cent would support a rule banning passengers from reclining their seat while food and drinks are being served. More than two thirds (69 per cent) would also like the plane to be disembarked row by row to stop people standing up as soon as the plane as landed in the rush to get off.