Brits warned ‘most annoying habit’ on flights could land them with a hefty fine

Going on holiday is an exciting prospect for most of us – but being stuck in a plane cabin with dozens of other people can be a frustrating experience.

Some tourists can be exceptionally annoying to those around them whether by"screaming kids"at the wrong time, getting their reclining their seat on the plane or by being loud. But, one study has now discovered the behaviour that is found to be the most annoying passenger habit – and falling foul of the rules could land you a big fine.

READ MORE: Cabin crew share things that make them 'immediately hate' passengers

A new poll from Go.Compare has revealed some of the biggest ‘horror stories’ Brits have endured while flying on a budget airline. Among the many complains were delays, wild fellow passengers and at the top of the list… those who've hit the booze too hard.

The survey found that a common grievance with Brits is being sat too close to drunk passengers. One respondent shared the struggle of flying with a stag do, and said their journey involved: "drunk men being rowdy and making passengers feel unsafe as flight personnel struggled to calm them down".

The study found that getting drunk is the most annoying thing you can do on a plane. A total of half of Brits said it was an irritating part of flying.

But, if you get too wasted on-board it’s not just your fellow holidaymakers you could be putting out. Drunkenness on a plane can land you a £5,000 fine and even two years in prison.

The sentence for endangering safety of an aircraft is up to five years, claims the Civil Aviation Authority. Disruptive passengers can also be asked to pay the airline back for the diversion.

The cost can vary from £10,000 all the way up to £80,000 depending on the size of the aircraft and where it lands – so you could be paying them for a very long time. It’s a costly rule break so take it easy on the booze.

If you’re visibly drunk at the airport you could also be denied boarding. Your insurance or airline won’t cover the cost of another flight so you’ll be out of pocket.

It wasn’t just being drunk that passengers found annoying – "screaming kids" were also deeply unpopular.

There are some things you can do to make children more comfortable on flights. Many cry because their ears pop during take-off or landing and feeding them during this time can help to prevent the pain.

Many of the ‘horror stories’ begin before even boarding the flight. Brits shared their experience of airport issues, including rude staff, cancellations, or waiting in line for hours. To avoid excess baggage costs, one flyer said they chose to "wear many layers of clothes in order to reduce weight of suitcase".

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Others complained of their cheap flights becoming more expensive. Especially when delays mean you have to secure another flight on a more pricy airline.

In contrast, many said they were happy with the service they’ve received from budget airlines. One survey respondent even said: "Can honestly say I’ve never had any issues, I go in with low expectations and that is what I’m delivered, no harm no foul".

Ceri McMillan, travel expert at Go.Compare, says: "Sometimes, travel plans don’t go smoothly and bad experiences can cause great disruption to our holidays. It’s important to be covered for travel disruption to minimise the financial damage it may cause, especially in these uncertain economic times. Comparing travel insurance policies will help you get the right protection for the right price, minimising any issues you have during your trip."

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