Flying can test anyone’s patience. You might spend hours dealing with traffic, airport crowds, security lines, delays, or a tight connection before you even reach the gate. By the time boarding starts, it’s easy to feel tired and irritated.

Flight attendants see all of this every day. They also get a pretty good sense of a passenger’s attitude during the first few minutes of boarding. A person’s behavior toward the crew, fellow passengers, and basic flight rules can say quite a bit about how the rest of the trip might go.

Of course, one awkward moment doesn’t make someone a difficult passenger. Travel days can be stressful, and everyone has bad moments. Still, these are some of the behaviors experienced flight attendants say tend to raise a few concerns.

Rushing Down the Jet Bridge

Everyone wants to get settled and find their seat, but boarding in a frantic rush can make an already stressful situation worse.

A passenger who arrives at the aircraft visibly angry, demands immediate answers, or starts complaining before finding their seat may continue that behavior once everyone is on board. Flight attendants often notice that early attitude because they may be dealing with the same passenger for several more hours.

Ignoring the Crew During Boarding

The flight attendant greeting you at the aircraft door isn’t just making small talk. A quick hello or acknowledgment is an easy way to start the interaction on a friendly note.

Walking past without saying anything isn’t automatically a problem, of course. People can be distracted, tired, or nervous about flying. Still, passengers who repeatedly ignore crew members or respond rudely can give the impression that they’re already irritated before the flight has even started.

Forgetting Basic Courtesy

A little courtesy goes a long way on a crowded flight.

Flight attendants spend much of their shift answering questions, helping passengers with their seats and bags, serving food and drinks, and handling unexpected situations. A simple “please” or “thank you” can make those interactions much more pleasant.

Passengers who are consistently polite tend to stand out in a good way. The same goes for passengers who snap at crew members, interrupt them, or act as if basic courtesy doesn’t apply to them.

Boarding While Clearly Intoxicated

Having a drink before a flight is fairly common. Showing up at the gate or aircraft noticeably intoxicated is another matter.

Flight attendants have to pay attention to passengers who appear unable to behave safely or follow instructions. Alcohol can also make existing behavior worse once the flight is underway.

A passenger who is already loud, unsteady, argumentative, or disruptive before takeoff may create a much bigger problem after the cabin doors close.

Starting Arguments Over Seating Assignments

Seat disputes can become tense very quickly.

A passenger may discover that someone is sitting in their assigned seat, realize they aren’t sitting with their travel companion, or try to convince another traveler to switch. Most of these situations can be handled calmly, but problems start when someone refuses to follow the seating assignment or becomes aggressive about getting the seat they want.

Flight attendants have to keep boarding moving, so a passenger who turns a simple seat mix-up into an argument can make things harder for everyone.

Blocking the Aisle While Organizing Belongings

There’s nothing wrong with taking a moment to put your bag away or get settled. The problem is stopping in the aisle for several minutes while other passengers wait behind you.

Some travelers start unpacking their carry-on, searching for headphones, moving items between bags, or reorganizing everything they brought with them. By the time they’re finished, a long line may have formed behind them.

A little preparation before boarding can make this much easier. Keep the things you’ll need during the flight somewhere easy to reach and save the bigger bag shuffle for after you’re seated.

Refusing to Follow Simple Instructions

Flight attendants have plenty of rules to enforce, and many are related directly to passenger safety.

Someone who immediately argues about where to put a bag, refuses to follow a crew member’s instructions, or pushes back over basic boarding procedures can quickly become difficult to deal with.

A disagreement doesn’t automatically make someone a problem passenger. People can ask questions or raise legitimate concerns. The issue is how they respond once a crew member explains what needs to happen.

Playing Audio on Speaker

Nobody wants to listen to a stranger’s phone call or video while sitting in a packed airplane cabin.

Using headphones is a basic courtesy, especially when you’re sharing a small space with dozens or even hundreds of other people. Playing music, videos, or phone conversations through a speaker can irritate nearby passengers and attract unwanted attention from the crew.

The same goes for holding loud conversations on speakerphone during boarding. A little consideration makes the cabin more comfortable for everyone.

Constantly Complaining Before the Flight Even Begins

Flights rarely go perfectly. Maybe the seat isn’t what you expected, the overhead bins are full, or boarding is taking longer than planned.

Most passengers deal with these annoyances and move on. Others start complaining about every little thing from the moment they step onto the plane.

Flight attendants may take notice when a passenger is already upset before takeoff. Someone who complains about the gate, seat, temperature, boarding process, and luggage situation may continue finding problems throughout the flight.

Treating Flight Attendants Like Personal Assistants

Flight attendants do much more than serve drinks and snacks. Their primary responsibility is passenger safety, along with helping keep the cabin running smoothly.

Passengers who snap their fingers, demand attention while a crew member is helping someone else, or repeatedly ask for favors outside the normal service can make an already busy flight harder for the crew.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. A polite request is usually all it takes. The difference is whether the passenger treats the crew like people doing their job or like personal assistants who are there to meet every demand.

A stressful travel day can bring out the worst in anyone. A delayed flight or frustrating airport experience doesn’t make someone a bad passenger. What tends to stand out to flight attendants is a repeated pattern of rude, disruptive, or unsafe behavior.

A little patience, basic courtesy, and respect for the crew can make the flight better for everyone, including the person sitting in the next seat.