It feels like air travel is more turbulent than ever! From “gate-lice” crowding the boarding zone, to passengers letting out of control kids run wild, to genuinely disturbing incidents of “air rage,” inconsiderate and bad-tempered people seem to be even more numerous in the un-friendly skies.
Airlines and destinations are fining, banning, redesigning—and reminding travellers that bad behavior at 30,000 feet will have consequences. In 2025 alone, Canada’s WestJet, Ireland’s Ryanair, and the country of Turkey have all implemented new initiatives to restore civilized jet-iquette.
Are you “on board” with these new moves?
Ryanair — Fines, Lawsuits & Last Calls
The giant, low-fare, Irish airline is the mainstay for groups of ‘high spirited’ bachelor and bachelorette parties heading to cheap Mediterranean destinations and fans heading for pints and the party atmosphere at soccer tournaments in Europe. In 2025, it announced it would be charging unruly passengers £500 (about USD 675). Furthermore, it would sue offenders for costs if a flight ended up diverted. And it’s urging airports to limit pre-flight alcohol sales.
Turkey — Charging Aisle-Rushers
There’s always that person at the back who thinks they deserve to the first off the plane. But if you’re flying to Turkey, don’t even think about standing up before the aircraft comes to a complete standstill. Let alone opening your overhead bin. Turkey’s aviation regulator will slap you with a fine of about USD 70.
WestJet — Declining Reclining
Conflict-avoiding Canadian airline WestJet has simply taken away passengers’ ability to invade the space of the person behind them. New “fixed-recline” seats in economy aim to stop seat-back squabbles and preserve peace. Less tilt, fewer temper tantrums.
Those new initiatives are just the latest crackdowns on bad behaviour:
Ireland — #NotOnMyFlight Campaign
Ireland isn’t joking when it comes to bad behaviour before, during, or after your flight. In addition to Ryanair’s new hardline policy hitting unruly passengers in their pocketbooks, Irish airlines, airports, and police join forces with a bold message: “Disruptive behavior won’t fly.” Posters, videos, and staff briefings reinforce zero tolerance.
American Airlines — Eradicating Gate-Lice
That’s right. Digital boarding systems now flag passengers who try to board before their zone or cut the boarding line, cutting chaos before take-off and sparing gate staff the stress of crowd control.
India — Stow it! Preventing Flaring Tempers with a Shared No-Fly List
With one of the world’s toughest deterrents against unruly passengers, India has defined three offence levels, instituted bans up to a lifetime, and developed a national registry of flight hooligans shared and accessed by all Indian air carriers.
U.S. FAA — Zero-Tolerance Enforcement
Thousands of cases, record fines, and criminal referrals to the FBI remind travelers: disobeying crew isn’t a bad habit—it’s a federal offence.
European Airports — Sober in the Skies
Across the EU and U.K., airports are tightening alcohol access and posting warnings at gates—‘cutting off’ passengers and problems associated with too much pre-flight tippling.
Avoid Being ‘That’ Passenger: the New Rules of Jet-iquette
- Follow boarding zones and don’t jump the lines.
- Stow your carry-on luggage above your own seat.
- Feel like reclining? Just don’t do it.
- Stay seated until the crew says otherwise.
- Check your temper as well as your bags.
- Keep kids entertained and in their seats.
- Dry in the sky: You don’t have to avoid all alcohol, although it’s especially dehydrating in the air. But keep the big celebrations for your destination.
- And of course: Follow crew instructions—always.
How to Deal with ‘That’ Passenger?
Sigh. When others forget to be considerate of those around them, the best thing the rest of us can do is: never engage. Try to find your own little pocket of serenity and focus on anticipating your enjoyment of your upcoming destination.
START YOUR TRIP!
Image: Getty
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