What YOUR flying habits say about you…from armrest hoggers to barefoot brigade & the ‘just one final call’ makers

ARE you a stinky food smuggler or perhaps a brazen barefooter? Because how you behave while on your flight this summer could reveal a lot about your personality. New research by Booking.com has found that two-thirds of Brits treat the aeroplane cabin as a home-from-home, with a tenth admitting they kick off their shoes and go barefoot. Choosing to hog both arm rests is a daring decision, but it says a lot about you according to psychologist Emma Kenny More than four million people are due to fly from British airports this month Credit: Getty Major bugbears included passengers eating smelly food, watching films without headphones, leaning over fellow travellers to take photos of the sky, and doing manicures. With more than four million passengers set to fly from British airports this month, The Sun’s Lynsey Clarke asks psychologist Emma Kenny what the most common in-flight behaviours say about you. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! Among the biggest pet peeves for people – whether it’s on a plane or on public transport – are space hoggers and ‘manspreaders’. If your seat is in the middle and you take up both armrests, you may irritate your neighbours, but Emma says: “You probably have a strong sense of what you consider fairness. “Many people believe the middle seat has earned both armrests, so if you confidently claim them, you’re likely someone who values unwritten social rules. “Just remember there’s a difference between quietly claiming your space and elbowing your neighbours into submission.” BAREFOOT BRIGADE Those who sneakily take off their shoes and socks during flights have attracted anger from the public Reddit threads consistently cite this as one of the most disgusting cabin behaviours and some passengers have even uploaded photos of the so-called ‘barefooters’. Speaking about those who did this, Emma says: “Comfort is clearly your priority. Most read in Travel “You probably become so relaxed in your surroundings that you momentarily forget you’re still sharing the space with hundreds of strangers. “It’s less about being deliberately inconsiderate and more about becoming so comfortable that your social awareness quietly checks out.” BLACK COFFEE BORES Your choice of drink, whether it’s a boozy tipple or a hot drink says a lot about you If you shun the delights of the cabin crew’s trolley and prefer to order a simple black coffee, then this flight is not your first rodeo. Emma says: “If you order black coffee you’re probably a seasoned traveller who sees flying as a practical part of the journey rather than the start of the holiday. “You tend to be organised, forward-thinking and focused on arriving feeling your best. “Black coffee drinkers often give the impression of someone who’s done this many times before and has their travel routine down to a fine art.” SEAT STICKLERS Those who book the same seat time and again like routine, Emma says Credit: Getty Images Do you always book the same seat every time you fly? Emma says: “You’re probably someone who likes routine, predictability and being in control of your environment. “Knowing exactly where you’ll be sitting removes one more decision from the journey, helping you feel organised and relaxed. “It’s a habit often seen in people who like planning ahead and minimising unnecessary stress.” MOVERS AND SHAKERS Some daring passengers skip reserving a seat entirely and hope a kind fellow flyer will let them switch seats Credit: Getty However, if you tend to skip the seat reservation, and hope others will swap so you can sit with your party, it means you’re a glass half-full kind of person. Emma says: “You’re probably optimistic and naturally spontaneous, with a tendency to believe everything will somehow fall into place. “While that flexibility can be one of your strengths, it can also mean expecting other people to accommodate plans you didn’t make in advance. “It’s a classic example of assuming everyone shares your relaxed approach, which is very rarely the case.” CHATTY NEIGHBOUR Being sat next to chatty passenger isn’t always the dream scenario Credit: Getty If you are always up for a good chinwag with the person sitting next to you, it says a lot about you. Emma adds: “You’re likely highly sociable and energised by conversation. “For some people, talking also helps reduce anxiety and makes unfamiliar situations feel more comfortable. “The trick is recognising when your neighbour is equally chatty, or when they’ve put their headphones on for a very obvious reason.” SEATBELT TWITCHER Those who quickly unfasten their seatbelt before the sign instructs are positive people It isn’t easy being constrained in the seat for long periods. And if you’re someone who unbuckles before the seatbelt sign goes off and talks through the safety presentation, then you are probably optimistic by nature. Emma says: “You’re probably experiencing what’s known as optimism bias, the belief that nothing is going to happen because nothing ever has before. “Familiarity can make us complacent, but experienced travellers know that paying attention to the safety briefing and waiting for the seatbelt sign to switch off before unbuckling is a small habit that can make a big difference.” BACKPACK BASHER ‘Bagpack bashers’ are laser-focused people according to Emma Credit: Getty Images If you’re the passenger who keeps your backpack on right until you get to your seat, then you are very goal focussed. Emma says: “You’re probably so focussed on reaching your seat that you lose awareness of what’s happening around you. “Psychologists call this attentional narrowing, we become so focussed on one goal that we overlook how our behaviour affects others. “Unfortunately, the people you’ve accidentally whacked with your backpack are usually very aware of it.” JUST ONE LAST CALL-ERS Refusing to end a phone call until the last moments shows you’re a ‘sharing’ person Some passengers find it difficult to switch off and insist on making one last Facetime call, or filming a TikTok video before take-off. Emma says: “You probably enjoy sharing experiences as they happen. “You’re someone who likes documenting life and bringing friends and followers along for the journey. “The challenge is remembering that not everyone wants to be an extra in your travel content.” AND…RELAX-ERS Nervous flyers may go for a boozy tipple to take the edge off flying Credit: Getty Images A quarter of Brits drink alcohol in the airport and one tenth admit to ‘getting drunk’ mid-air, according to a survey for the Institute of Alcohol Studies. Emma says: “For many people, the holiday begins the moment they clear security, so ordering a beer, wine or G&T is all part of switching into holiday mode. “It often reflects someone who enjoys marking occasions with little rituals and embraces experiences rather than simply getting from A to B. “For nervous flyers, though, it can also be a way of taking the edge off pre-flight anxiety, although alcohol isn’t the best remedy for that.” Comment now