How To Deal With Difficult Co-Passengers On A Flight

The company you have on a flight can often change your air travel experience for better or worse. Here are some suggestions for when it's mayday because of an unruly passenger
A representative image. Photo Credit Shutterstock
A representative image. Photo Credit Shutterstock

An unruly passenger can effectively ruin your experience, regardless of the destination or duration of your flight. There&rsquos no telling why some passengers behave in unpleasant ways, but they do, often with alarming consequences. Be it a troubled toddler, a drunk old man, some quarrelsome person right next to you, you can always do something to de-escalate and assuage the situation. We hope you may never have to deal with the likes, but here are some suggestions for the same if you get unlucky

Avoid Direct Confrontation

Be it due to temper tantrums or intoxication, people on flights can often be unpredictable. If conflicts arise and someone initiates physical intimidation, your best bet in these situations would be to maintain your distance and avoid engaging directly. Frequently, due to the lowered cabin pressure having drier air, and reduced oxygen levels, people cannot handle their liquor and get drunk quickly. 

Engaging directly with such a passenger out of their wits can often result in physical fights due to the adrenaline rush coursing through such people, with the temporary loss of motor skills not helping them. In such situations, alerting the cabin crew is your best option, as they will promptly stop serving alcohol to the person and persuade them to change their seats.

Seek Help From Cabin Crew for Anxious People

An aeroplane is a technological marvel. The speeds at which flights operate, the dramatic takeoff and landing procedures, not to mention the mid-air manoeuvres pilots make to alter their flight patterns are sometimes all it takes to make your fellow passenger anxious. When this happens, people often become extra talkative, which can hamper your experience. Being understanding of their fears with a few words of kindness can help, but if the situation worsens, consider reaching out to the cabin crew calmly, as they are trained in reassuring passengers about the dangers involved. This is also a great way to deal with the situation without getting directly involved. 

Use Noise Cancelling Headphones To Ignore The Sounds

The cabin crew is always there to assist you, but sometimes the person bothering you can be innocent and friendly. A family member breaking down in tears over a personal loss or a baby hungry for food and irritated in a flight&rsquos distinct atmospheric conditions are examples of situations out of your control. Noise-cancelling headphones are a type of headphones that are designed to reduce unwanted ambient sounds of specific frequencies. These headphones can significantly reduce the incessant chatter and irritating sounds in such circumstances. The Bose QC 35 IIs, Apple's AirPods Pros, and Sony WH 1000 MX 5 are some of the most popular options to choose from in the market for this audio equipment.

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