A recent airplane incident highlighted the discomfort caused by a fellow passenger playing a show at full volume on their phone, disturbing others nearby. The individual, estimated to be in their 20s, watched the show loudly enough that other passengers began to complain and give disapproving looks.
Despite the growing annoyance from surrounding travelers, no one initially addressed the issue, leading to an uncomfortable situation where the noise persisted for an extended period.
Eventually, one of the passengers decided to take matters into their own hands and politely asked the loud passenger to lower the volume. Although the request was met with compliance, the passenger’s companion rolled their eyes in response.
The confrontation, while brief, was a departure from the usual behavior of the passenger who typically avoids such interactions. The noise had been so disruptive that they felt compelled to speak up rather than endure the uncomfortable situation.
This situation isn’t unique, as many others have had similar experiences with passengers who are unaware of how loud their devices can be. One commenter shared that a man in his 50s was playing videos and Facetime calls at full volume before and during the flight.
Other passengers exchanged uncomfortable glances and attempted to call flight attendants for help, but nothing changed until one person finally asked him to turn the volume down or use headphones, which he did without hesitation.
In both cases, the loud passengers appeared unaware of the impact of their actions. After being confronted, the passengers seemed somewhat embarrassed, as they likely didn’t realize how disruptive their behavior had been to those around them. This suggests a common issue where people may not be conscious of how their phone volume can disturb others in a confined, quiet space like an airplane.
Travel advisor Nicole Campoy Jackson suggested that such issues should be addressed by flight attendants, as they are trained to handle conflicts on flights.
Flight attendants can often provide better solutions, such as moving passengers or addressing the situation in a way that passengers may not feel comfortable doing themselves. Jackson recommended involving flight staff in these scenarios to ensure that the issue is resolved smoothly and respectfully for all involved.