Before the rise of cheaper airplane travel, jetting off somewhere was the glamorous preserve of the rich. The post-war period had marked a change in aviation – from serving a functional military purpose – to escorting wealthy globetrotters in style. Air hostesses, paid to travel to faraway places most people would never see, were the envy of ordinary Americans. But as the cost of flying by airplane has fallen, so has the glamour it has long been associated with.
Cheaper air travel has brought with it the opportunity for more people to explore the world. It’s also brought us as packed air cabins, $5 peanuts and cabin crew worked off their feet. The lack of legroom, security checks, extra charges and delays are the most common things that annoy airplane passengers. YouGov found out what air travelers’ biggest gripes are by asking its nationally representative US panel, of which 85% have flown by airplane:
- 22% say the expense of air travel is still the worst aspect of flying
- 9% say fear of flying makes airplane travel stressful
- 16% dislike the security checks before boarding a plane
- 9% say uncomfortable airplane seats makes air travel annoying
- 11% wish they had more legroom when flying
- 5% say their biggest gripe is when their flight is delayed
- 4% dislike being charged for oversize or overweight baggage
Convenience is a major plus for half of Americans who have flown before – it outweighs downsides such as the expense, security checks and lack of legroom. Despite slashed flying costs over the past few years, 22% still say that expense is the worst thing about flying. Women are much more likely to be put off by the cost of airplane travel – 27% of female flyers said they dislike the expense, and only 17% of male flyers. In contrast, men tend to find security checks more stressful – 20% said this is the worst part of flying (compared with 12% among women).
Uncomfortable seats and no legroom are among the top annoyances for airplane passengers. With increasing passenger numbers, airlines have tried to fit in more seats to their aircraft. United Airlines revealed it would be cutting the cushions on its seats in order to free up more space in economy class. The new seats, which will roll out in 2013, have smaller cushions with an ergonomic design. Passengers who already feel squashed while flying might not welcome the plans to make seats smaller – but United says the new design will actually increase comfort for passengers and they will not lose legroom.
A significant proportion of Americans are afraid of flying. 35% of both flyers and non-flyers admitted to a fear of going on an airplane. And out of the 14% of Americans who have never flown before, 26% said this was because they are too afraid. The most common reasons for not flying were:
Maybe respondents from 50 years ago would have rated the glamour as the best thing about airplane travel. For modern travelers, who say the best thing about airplane travel is the convenience, it seems the getting there is no longer half the fun.
