Not every flight is bound to be a perfect one
New Research: The Top 10 Most Annoying Things About Flying—Ranked
Published on May 20, 2025
Air travel is nothing short of amazing, a marvel of modern science and engineering. To think that the first commercial flight took place only a little more than 100 years ago and to see how far flying has come is truly incredible. But, for as far as air travel has come from the early days of flight, it’s still not a perfect means of transportation, and all of the air-travel tips in the world can’t prevent inconveniences from popping up from time to time.
Of course, airlines do their best to deliver a seamless experience for every customer, but there are some things about flying that are just plain annoying. A recent study set out to find which aspects of flying travelers find most irritating, from busy bathrooms to flight delays.
Keep reading to find out which everyday air-travel issues were voted the top 10 most annoying things about flying, and whether you agree with the rankings.
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How was the research conducted?
To find out which aspects of flying are the most annoying to fliers, Bounce surveyed more than 2,000 travelers from the U.K. The survey asked travelers to rate different factors on a scale from 1 to 10 as to how uncomfortable, frustrated or uneasy they make those travelers feel during flights. All of the data for this survey was collected in January 2025. Read on for the rankings from least annoying to most.
10. Busy restrooms
Out of all of the respondents who took the survey, 25.7% said that busy restrooms made them feel annoyed or uneasy during a flight. Some aircraft only have a few bathrooms, as opposed to others that have them evenly distributed throughout. The end result is long bathroom lines and passengers walking up and down the aisle more frequently, which can understandably put some people on edge. (When you gotta go, you gotta go!)
9. The cabin being too hot or cold
Being physically uncomfortable during a flight is definitely annoying, which is why 25.8% of people surveyed said that being too hot or cold can make air travel uncomfortable. Planes have a reputation for being cold, but every once in a while, they can run hot, and either way, it’s not a great experience.
8. Randomly allocated seating
There’s something comforting about knowing where you’re going to sit before you arrive at the airport. But certain airlines randomly assign seats, which can be stressful for some fliers: 28.1% of survey respondents said that randomly allocated seating is annoying and can make them feel less than relaxed during air travel.
7. Overcrowded aisles
Too much hustle and bustle aboard an airplane can definitely make a flight feel more stressful. In fact, 33.9% of people who took the survey said that overcrowded aisles—often the result of a narrow aircraft, passengers who need to move a lot during the flight and long bathroom lines—are frustrating and hinder the travel experience.
6. Unfriendly cabin crew
According to 34.7% of respondents, the cabin crew can make or break an air-travel experience. Being served by an unfriendly cabin crew makes for a far less pleasant flight all around. It just goes to show that a friendly smile and good customer service go a very long way.
5. Smelly toilets
Whether you’re in the sky, on land or just about anywhere with a bathroom, a smelly restroom is always an inconvenience. Nearly 40% of survey respondents said that a foul-smelling bathroom is one of the most annoying aspects of air travel, which may be why so many fliers try to avoid using them as much as possible.
4. Delays
Flight delays can disrupt your entire day, not to mention your entire trip, so it’s no surprise that 40.3% of people who took the survey said that flight delays are among the most annoying things about air travel. While there are a lot of delays caused by weather and other factors outside of an airline’s control, delays caused by individual airlines can put a bad taste in passengers’ mouths, negatively impacting brand loyalty.
3. Loud people around you
Some things are just a matter of common courtesy, like being aware of the people around you. Unfortunately, not everyone is entirely self-aware, and according to 46.7% of survey respondents, being surrounded by loud people can be very annoying during a flight, not to mention disruptive if you’re trying to work, listen to music or watch a movie (with headphones on, of course).
2. Turbulence
Not every flight is smooth sailing. According to 51.5% of people who took the survey, which is more than half of the respondents, air turbulence is one of the most annoying things about air travel. While seasoned travelers may be used to it, turbulence can be unnerving for new or infrequent fliers.
1. Screaming children
Flying is exhausting and stressful for adults, but it can be doubly so for young children, who have a harder time managing their emotions. According to 51.6% of survey respondents, screaming children is the most annoying thing about flying. No matter how hard parents may try, there are some occasions when it’s impossible to keep children calm. It’s always helpful to fly with earplugs and even a sleeping mask to help you block out any unwelcome sounds, just in case.
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Source:
- Bounce: “The Best Airlines for Nervous Flyers”
