Survey reveals that kindness to airline attendants goes a long way. As it turns out, travelers value courteous customers above all else. The vast majority (62 percent) found it unbecoming to argue with TSA employees, flight attendants and other airline employees.
SAN FRANCISCO – New research from TripIt, the travel-organizing app from Concur, reveals the top 10 travel faux pas and how to keep the peace. Knowing the behaviors that are the biggest turnoffs to travelers can make everyone’s experience better during the travel-heavy Thanksgiving holiday, and year-round.
TripIt conducted a survey in September 2014, among 400 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, to explore the biggest pet peeves while traveling. As it turns out, travelers value courteous customers above all else. The vast majority (62 percent) found it unbecoming to argue with TSA employees, flight attendants and other airline employees.
“You can take the tension out of conversations with airline and hotel staff by having your confirmation or reservation number handy when you approach the service desk,” said Amy Jackson, Senior Director for TripIt at Concur, and frequent traveler. “In addition, TripIt Pro makes it easy to look up alternate flights with open seats right from the app, so you save a lot of time for yourself and the attendant by providing the flight number you would like to be re-booked on if there’s a delay or cancellation.”
As for those kicks against the back of your seat? Not disciplining children when they’re disturbing passengers and seat “hogs” took the second and third spots respectively. While not intentional, seat “hogs” have the tendency to crowd your seat (including both armrests) while in flight or utilize the limited seating available in crowded boarding areas to house their personal belongings.
“When your neighboring passengers are too close for comfort or knocking the back of your seat, it’s easy to forget that they probably don’t realize their actions are affecting you,” said Jackson. “To keep the peace, ask calmly for armrest space or a lighter touch on the touchscreen. That usually takes care of it. If a child is the source, then ask the parents so they can help enforce it.”
Of the 60 percent of travelers that plan to stay in a hotel over the Thanksgiving holiday, the majority of these hotel patrons (65 percent) felt that being a loud neighbor is the most irritating faux pas someone could commit.
“Noisy neighbors can add extra stress when travelers are trying to get a good night sleep away from home, so keep the revelry in the lobby bar or outside the hotel,” said Jackson. “If all else fails, call the front desk and have them deal with the situation directly. In general, noise canceling headphones can be a lifesaver on planes, in loud airports or hotels.”
Top 10 Flying Faux Pas: What other travelers find the most annoying
|
Rank |
Faux Pas |
Percent of Travelers |
|
1 |
Travelers being rude to crew/ staff |
62% |
|
2 |
People who don’t discipline their children when they’re are misbehaving or disturbing other passengers |
57% |
|
3 |
Someone that crowds your seat and/or hogs the “extra” middle seat |
51% |
|
4 |
Travelers talking loudly on the plane |
49% |
|
5 |
People blocking the baggage claim area for others |
44% |
|
6 |
Those that recline their seat into your seating area |
44% |
|
7 |
People that bring stinky food on the plane |
44% |
|
8 |
Travelers that hog the carry-on bin |
43% |
|
9 |
Those that rush off the plane versus waiting for passengers in front to exit |
41% |
|
10 |
People who block the aisles during a flight |
41% |
Top 10 Hotel Faux Pas: What other travelers find the most annoying
|
Rank |
Faux Pas |
Percent of Travelers |
|
1 |
Hotel guests that are loud neighbors |
65% |
|
2 |
People who are rude to other travelers and hotel guests |
64% |
|
3 |
Guests that are rude to hotel staff |
56% |
|
4 |
Those that line jump for a taxi or “steal” a taxi from another guest |
51% |
|
5 |
Hotel guests that make a mess in common areas |
45% |
|
6 |
Travelers that complain about being interrupted or woken up by housekeeping when they don’t put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign |
34% |
|
7 |
Travelers that take things from their hotel rooms that they aren’t supposed to |
33% |
|
8 |
Guests that don’t tip bellmen, porters or housekeeping |
24% |
|
9 |
Travelers that have more people stay in their hotel room than allowed |
22% |
|
10 |
People that leave their luggage in the hall |
19% |
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
