A recent nationally representative survey of 2,500 U.S. adults, commissioned by The Points Guy and conducted by YouGov from July 29‑31, reveals that a clear majority think airplane etiquette has slipped in recent years. Forty‑two percent say passenger behavior has worsened, while only ten percent feel it has improved.

Who’s to blame?

When asked who is most responsible for the decline, 52% pointed directly at fellow passengers. Just 8% blamed airlines or their policies, and another 8% cited social‑media influencers.

Top annoyances on the plane

The survey identified loud conversations or video playback without headphones as the biggest irritation, with 27% naming noise as the most bothersome behavior. Close behind, 21% said passengers reclining their seats too far back without warning was the next biggest grievance. An additional 8% were annoyed by travelers removing shoes or going barefoot on board, while 12% reported they were not bothered by any passenger conduct.

Reclining seats: a middle‑ground view

Opinions on seat recline fell near the center. A slim majority (51%) said it is acceptable to recline in economy only after checking behind you, whereas 21% felt it is fine to recline at any time after takeoff, and just 10% believe seats should never be reclined. The consensus emphasizes courtesy over outright prohibition.

Armrests and window shades

Only 11% think the middle‑seat passenger should automatically receive both armrests. Twenty percent say the middle passenger should have priority, but most (31%) feel armrests should be shared equally. Regarding window shades, a narrow majority (51%) believe the window‑seat occupant should control the shade, while 28% think the entire row should decide together.

Attire and deplaning

Comfort tops the dress code, with 72% saying passengers should either wear whatever is comfortable (38%) or opt for casual athletic and loungewear such as leggings, sweatpants, and T‑shirts (34%). Only 1% each felt pajamas or revealing clothing were appropriate.

Orderly deplaning also garnered strong support: 65% favor leaving the aircraft row by row from front to back, compared with just 10% who think it’s proper to move ahead whenever a space opens.

Seat‑swap requests

When it comes to asking another traveler to change seats after boarding, 44% said it is not rude, while 34% considered it rude and 22% were unsure. The survey notes that seat‑selection fees may make passengers less willing to swap.

What travelers want

Overall, respondents said they do not want more rules but rather more courtesy. While 40% think airlines should not ban phone or video calls during flights, 33% support a ban and 27% remain undecided.

The findings suggest that a simple return to basic respect—using headphones, checking before reclining, sharing armrests, and deplaning in order—could greatly improve the flying experience for all passengers.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.