Whether you're a frequent flyer or occasional traveler, you've likely encountered disruptive behavior on a plane or in a hotel. Expedia's global research on flight and hotel etiquette pinpoints the top three pet peeves: seat-kickers, barefoot passengers, and excessively chatty or loud companions.
The seat-kicker claims the crown as the most annoying flight passenger for the fourth straight year. Over half of respondents worldwide flagged those who repeatedly kick, grab, or punch the seat in front as the worst offenders.
Top-ranked worst flight passengers:
Seat kicker/puncher/grabber (51%)
Aromatic passenger (43%)
Inattentive parent (39%)
Personal space violator (34%)
Audio insensitive (29%)
More than 90% of global travelers agree: going barefoot on a flight is a no-go. Peace and quiet are prized—whether airborne or in bed. To kill time in-flight, 69% prefer sleeping over chatting with fellow passengers (28%). And 77% fear ending up next to an overly talkative seatmate.
Top-ranked worst hotel guests:
Inattentive parents (45%)
Revelers in the room (41%)
Complainers (29%)
Partygoers and bar visitors (27%)
Other key findings:
Travelers worldwide are most horrified by bed bugs, used condoms, cigarette smoke, or foul odors in hotel rooms.
South Koreans lead in getting drunk on flights, followed by Thais and Americans.
Passengers typically leave their seats only on flights over three hours or when heading to sleep.
54% deem it acceptable to wake snoring passengers, and most have no qualms rousing sleepers to pass by.
Hotel habits reveal that many travelers hide valuables from housekeeping and 'borrow' room items.
