Are you making this shocking in-flight mistake that has travellers furious?
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Air travel: it’s a modern marvel, but let’s be honest—sometimes it feels more like a test of patience than a journey to your destination.
From the moment you step onto the plane, you’re sharing a small space with dozens (or hundreds) of strangers, each with their own quirks and habits.
Some are harmless, like the person who insists on standing up the second the wheels touch down. Others, however, can leave fellow passengers fuming.
Recently, a story from a Ryanair flight has taken the internet by storm, sparking a heated debate about courtesy, cleanliness, and common sense at 30,000 feet.
And it’s got us wondering: have you ever witnessed (or committed!) an in-flight faux pas that left your fellow travellers less than impressed?
The Case of the Plastic-Wrapped Seat
A social media user recently shared a photo that’s been making the rounds online, showing a woman who, in an effort to protect herself from germs, covered her entire seat with a large plastic bag.
Now, we all know planes aren’t exactly the cleanest places on earth—tray tables, armrests, and seat pockets can be a breeding ground for germs.
But this woman’s solution created a whole new problem: her plastic-wrapped seat blocked the person behind her from accessing their tray table, safety card, and even the all-important sick bag.
The post quickly attracted hundreds of comments, with most people agreeing that the woman’s attempt at cleanliness had crossed the line into inconsiderate territory. After all, while we all want to stay healthy, it shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else’s comfort—or safety.
What Should You Do in This Situation?
The online community was quick to offer advice. Some suggested a polite word with the woman might do the trick—perhaps she simply hadn’t realised the impact of her actions.
Others recommended enlisting the help of a flight attendant, who would almost certainly ask her to remove the obstruction, especially since it covered up the safety instructions (a big no-no in aviation).
Also read: You won’t believe why a woman tried to open a plane door at 33,000 feet
A few commenters, however, took a more direct approach: 'It’s just a plastic bag—rip it open!' one person wrote.
Another added, 'I would honestly try to move the plastic upwards just enough to uncover the tray. If that doesn’t work, I’m ripping the thing out. Some people really have no consideration for others.'
Source: @island_architect / Reddit.
The Unwritten Rules of Flying
This incident is just the latest in a long list of in-flight etiquette breaches that get travellers’ blood boiling. Here are a few more that might sound familiar:
Also read: ‘I was almost defeated by someone’s feet’: Destiny’s Child alum shares her wild flight story
How to Handle Inconsiderate Passengers
If you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else’s bad behaviour, what’s the best way to handle it? Here are a few tips:
1. Stay calm and polite: Most people don’t mean to be inconsiderate, and a gentle word is often all it takes to resolve the issue.
2. Ask for help: If a direct approach doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to ask a flight attendant for assistance. They’re trained to handle these situations and can often resolve things quickly.
3. Pick your battles: Sometimes, it’s easier to let the small stuff slide—especially on a short flight. But if it’s affecting your comfort or safety, speak up.
Read next: She’s 64, brought her own bottle, and refused to sit down—this flight did not end quietly
Have you ever encountered a fellow passenger whose behaviour left you gobsmacked? Or maybe you’ve got a clever tip for keeping the peace in the skies? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
From the moment you step onto the plane, you’re sharing a small space with dozens (or hundreds) of strangers, each with their own quirks and habits.
Some are harmless, like the person who insists on standing up the second the wheels touch down. Others, however, can leave fellow passengers fuming.
Recently, a story from a Ryanair flight has taken the internet by storm, sparking a heated debate about courtesy, cleanliness, and common sense at 30,000 feet.
And it’s got us wondering: have you ever witnessed (or committed!) an in-flight faux pas that left your fellow travellers less than impressed?
The Case of the Plastic-Wrapped Seat
A social media user recently shared a photo that’s been making the rounds online, showing a woman who, in an effort to protect herself from germs, covered her entire seat with a large plastic bag.
Now, we all know planes aren’t exactly the cleanest places on earth—tray tables, armrests, and seat pockets can be a breeding ground for germs.
A woman on a Ryanair flight caused a stir after covering her entire seat with a plastic bag, making it impossible for the passenger behind her to access their tray table, safety information or spew bags. Image source: Louis Magnotti / Unsplash.
But this woman’s solution created a whole new problem: her plastic-wrapped seat blocked the person behind her from accessing their tray table, safety card, and even the all-important sick bag.
The post quickly attracted hundreds of comments, with most people agreeing that the woman’s attempt at cleanliness had crossed the line into inconsiderate territory. After all, while we all want to stay healthy, it shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else’s comfort—or safety.
What Should You Do in This Situation?
The online community was quick to offer advice. Some suggested a polite word with the woman might do the trick—perhaps she simply hadn’t realised the impact of her actions.
Others recommended enlisting the help of a flight attendant, who would almost certainly ask her to remove the obstruction, especially since it covered up the safety instructions (a big no-no in aviation).
Also read: You won’t believe why a woman tried to open a plane door at 33,000 feet
A few commenters, however, took a more direct approach: 'It’s just a plastic bag—rip it open!' one person wrote.
Another added, 'I would honestly try to move the plastic upwards just enough to uncover the tray. If that doesn’t work, I’m ripping the thing out. Some people really have no consideration for others.'
Source: @island_architect / Reddit.
The Unwritten Rules of Flying
This incident is just the latest in a long list of in-flight etiquette breaches that get travellers’ blood boiling. Here are a few more that might sound familiar:
- Bare feet on display
– Removing shoes and exposing bare feet in shared spaces is unhygienic and unpleasant for others. - Seat recliners
– Suddenly reclining your seat can invade someone else’s space and make the flight uncomfortable, especially on short-haul trips. - Overhead bin hogs
– Treating the overhead bins like a personal wardrobe can leave fellow passengers with nowhere to stow their bags. - Loud talkers and phone users
– Booming voices and video calls disrupt the cabin's peace—sometimes, all people want is a bit of quiet.
Also read: ‘I was almost defeated by someone’s feet’: Destiny’s Child alum shares her wild flight story
How to Handle Inconsiderate Passengers
If you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else’s bad behaviour, what’s the best way to handle it? Here are a few tips:
1. Stay calm and polite: Most people don’t mean to be inconsiderate, and a gentle word is often all it takes to resolve the issue.
2. Ask for help: If a direct approach doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to ask a flight attendant for assistance. They’re trained to handle these situations and can often resolve things quickly.
3. Pick your battles: Sometimes, it’s easier to let the small stuff slide—especially on a short flight. But if it’s affecting your comfort or safety, speak up.
Read next: She’s 64, brought her own bottle, and refused to sit down—this flight did not end quietly
Have you ever encountered a fellow passenger whose behaviour left you gobsmacked? Or maybe you’ve got a clever tip for keeping the peace in the skies? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
