Etiquette on the plane: the 10 behaviors that annoy Italian passengers the most
Etiquette on the plane is changing along with the habits of Travellers. According to research commissioned by Booking.com, 54% of Italians believe that passengers today take too many liberties on board, while 48% admit to behaving during the flight as they would in their living room.
It is no longer just the reclined seat or the management of the armrest that creates greater discomfort, but videos without headphones, footage for social media, bare feet, manicures and physical activity in the cabin.
The study, conducted by Opinium between 5 and 9 June 2026 on a sample of 1,000 Italian adults who had taken at least one international flight in the last year, photographs a new form of coexistence at high altitude, influenced by the search for comfort and the constant presence of smartphones.
The plane becomes a living room, but the space remains shared
Comfortable clothes, television series downloaded to the phone and shoes taken off immediately after take-off are now widespread habits on flights, especially on longer routes. Comfort is in fact the priority for 74% of Italians during a long-haul trip.
However, the research highlights a contradiction. 77% of respondents say that the same decorum required on the plane should be maintained on other means of transport, but 12% admit to taking off their shoes as soon as the aircraft reaches cruising altitude. The problem arises when the desire to be comfortable invades the space, tranquility or privacy of other passengers.
The most annoying behaviors during a flight
At the top of the ranking of the least tolerated habits by Italians is the consumption of intense-smelling or particularly bulky foods, indicated by 44% of respondents. In second place appears walking barefoot during the flight, a behavior considered irritating by 38% of the sample. This is followed by passengers who lean out or invade their neighbour's space to photograph or film the view from the window, reported by 37%.
36% can't stand watching videos or listening to music without headphones, while 35% fear unintentionally appearing in footage or social content made by other passengers.
The ranking continues with some practices related to personal care and physical activity:
- Bringing on board foods that smell strong or difficult to consume: 44%
- Walking barefoot during the flight: 38%
- Invading the space of the neighbor to photograph from the window: 37%
- Watching videos or listening to music without headphones: 36%
- Unintentionally filming other passengers in social content: 35%
- Flossing during flight: 33%
- Walking down the hallway to reach your daily step goal: 30%
- Manicure, filing or cutting nails: 29%
- Record videos for TikTok or other social media: 26%
Stretching or yoga in the aisle and cabin spaces: 22%
Videos, TikToks and selfies change etiquette at high altitude
The spread of social media has introduced new reasons for tension among passengers. Making a video during the flight may seem harmless, but it becomes problematic when the footage involves people who have not given their consent or request to occupy other people's spaces.
44% of Italians would like greater attention to those who photograph or film other passengers without authorization. On the other hand, 49% ask for more decisive action against those who listen to music or watch videos without using headphones.
For those who travel, the simplest rule remains to consider the cabin as a public space: it is possible to photograph the panorama or tell about one's journey, but avoiding filming recognizable faces, getting in the way of the corridor or invading the seat next to it.
The demand for a "Quiet Zone" on the plane is growing
Silence is becoming one of the most desired forms of comfort while traveling. 65% of Italians would like a real "tech etiquette", with clearer and stricter rules on the use of smartphones and social media on board.
Even more significant is the data relating to quiet areas: 76% of respondents would be in favor of creating a "Quiet Zone" on the plane, where videos, loud conversations, sound chats and recordings for social media can be limited.
A solution of this type could be particularly appreciated on medium and long-haul flights, during which rest, concentration and tranquility become fundamental components of the travel experience.
What to do when a passenger disturbs during the flight
When a behavior exceeds the limit, 40% of Italians prefer to contact the cabin crew directly. 31% instead choose to speak politely to the passenger concerned, while 21% try to solve the problem by asking to change seats.
To prevent the situation from turning into a conflict, the most prudent solution remains to involve flight attendants, especially when the behavior concerns safety, aisle occupancy, privacy or failure to comply with the crew's instructions.
The new bon ton to travel better
The research shows that personal comfort remains central, but must be reconciled with respect for shared spaces on the plane. Using headphones, keeping shoes on, avoiding intense odors, not carrying out personal care treatments and asking for consent before photographing other passengers are simple precautions that can improve everyone's journey.
The new air etiquette therefore does not require complicated rules. It starts from an essential principle: what is normal in the living room at home is not necessarily appropriate in a cabin shared with dozens or hundreds of people.
The most searched destinations by Italians for summer 2026
In addition to onboard habits, Booking.com also analyzed searches for flights made between January 1 and June 30, 2026 for trips scheduled from July 1 to September 15.
The destinations with the most significant growth are:
Data that confirm the interest of Italian travellers in Asia and long-haul itineraries, where comfort, silence and respect for other passengers become even more important to start the holiday in the best way.
