Press Release

Seat Squashers Scourge of Skyways

February 6, 2007

INCONSIDERATE seat reclining has been voted the most annoying habit of air travellers, according to a new online survey on plane etiquette.

Seat kicking, screaming babies and bodily odours were also high on the list of the most annoying habits of fellow plane passengers.

The survey, conducted by totaltravel.com, asked people the question "When flying, what are the most annoying habits of fellow passengers?"

A total of 738 people participated in the survey between December and January.

One third of respondents (33%) believed inconsiderate seat reclining was the worst.

"There's nothing worse than someone reclining their seat on a plane while you are eating and your food and drink ends up in your lap," totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said.

"Seat recliners are also notorious for reclining their seat so far backwards that they squash the passenger behind them and they have no room to move.

"These seat Nazis seem to think they own the place!"

Other pet peeves were seat kicking (22%), screaming babies and children (19%), bodily odours (19%), talking loudly and incessantly (six%) and frequent visits to the bathroom (two%).

"When flying it's wise to be on your best behaviour, as passengers are seated in very close quarters for extended periods of time," Mr Fisher advised.

"In this age of the low-cost carrier, where space is at a premium and there's reduced leg room for passengers - people are bound to get annoyed with one another very quickly in such close confines.

"It's clear from this survey that good manners go a long way."

ENDS

Media enquires:
Paul Fisher
Global Marketing Manager
totaltravel.com
Phone +61 (0)2 6680-8755
Mobile 0404 057 367