Air Rage is on the Rise

Air rage is a term used to describe all kinds of unruly passenger behavior, not just anger or rage. It can apply to travelers who are simply rude and disruptive when it comes to interacting with the flight crew or fellow passengers, but it can also apply to passengers who cause disturbances due to excessive alcohol consumption, a fear of flying or a mental health condition. According to the International Air Transport Association, air rage is on the rise, with one such “air rage” incident occurring once for every 1,053 flights.

But why? According to a survey from Dignity Health, travel stress could play a role, as 82 percent of travelers find travel Apstressful, with millennials cited as more likely to find travel stressful compared to other generations. The most stressful parts of travel were named as the rushing required to stay on schedule, the long waits that often accompany air travel and the boredom that sometimes accompanies air travel. Travel is particularly stressful for parents as well.

One way to attempt to lower air rage incidences? Dignity Healthy encourages travelers to remember we’re all dealing with the same stress of travel and show a little kindness while in transit, as it can go a long way.

“At Dignity Health, we believe in the power of human connections, whether it helps a patient heal in our hospitals or puts a traveler at ease during a busy travel season,” said Mark Viden, senior vice president of brand, Dignity Health. “There’s something to be said about the fact that more than half of travelers feel better simply by being kind toward others and it goes to show just how important it is to express human kindness, even in moments when we might feel stressed or pressed for time.”