Having your seat kicked from behind is the behavior that most Swedes find unacceptable on board an airplane, according to a new Sifo survey, conducted on behalf of TUI.
Almost half of those surveyed, 49 percent, say that kicking the back of a seat is the most disruptive behavior during a flight. This is followed by passengers using their mobile phones or tablets without headphones (33 percent), coughing without covering their mouths (31 percent) and drunk travelers (30 percent).
– The survey shows that good airline etiquette is above all about showing consideration for each other. Kicking the back of the seat and loud noise from the mobile phone without headphones are things that can really disrupt the travel experience. Small ways of showing consideration can make a big difference for everyone on board, says Dian Martinez Valencia, communications manager at TUI.
Younger and older people are bothered by different things
The survey also shows clear generational differences. Among people aged 56–79, four in ten believe that drunk passengers are unacceptable, compared to two in ten among 18–34-year-olds.
Younger travelers, on the other hand, are more sensitive to noise from mobile phones and tablets without headphones, with 36 percent of younger travelers reporting this, compared to 29 percent of older travelers.
Top 10: Swedes' biggest annoyances on board
- Kicking the back of the chair – 49 %
- Mobile or tablet without headphones – 33 %
- Coughing without covering your mouth – 31 %
- Drunk passengers – 30 %
- Nail care on board – 29 %
- Smelly food brought in – 26 %
- Release weather – 22 %
- Putting your hair over your neighbor's seat – 16 %
- Take off your socks – 13 %
- Watch movies or series with nudity or sex scenes – 10 %
About the survey
The survey was carried out by Fifty5Blue (formerly Kantar Media) on behalf of TUI. A total of 1,070 Swedes aged between 18 and 79 took part in the survey. Data collection took place between 6 and 12 May 2026. The sample is nationally representative.
