Probably stating the obvious a bit, but the list of issues that passengers have with other passengers – and air crew (particularly those who talk loudly about the last exotic stay-over they have had and their love life) – is long and continues to grow.

However the most annoying issue for travellers is actually not on the aircraft.

TripAdvisor, the portal that collects feedback on travel, hotels, restaurants and so on, undertakes annual surveys to find out what annoys – and pleases – travellers the most. The latest survey sprung one or two suprises.

The most annoying issue that TripAdvisor’s third survey found was, you guessed it: Fees. Checked baggage fees were the biggest naughty (46% of those surveyed), followed by 24% for seat selection fees and 18% for carry-on baggage fees.

Fifty six percent of travellers said they regularly carry on bags to avoid additional charges. An analysis of this trend would suggest that low cost carriers, in particular, are the main culprits as they seek to maximise profits through numerous add-ons to offset the lower basic fare. Of particular annoyance, through personal experience, is the habit of some airlines to include the extras in online check-in requiring customers to be fully alert to saying 'no' or face the fees being automatically charged.

A positive, for airlines and airports at least, from the TripAdvisor survey was that 51% of travellers were comfortable with airport security. In fact 82% of travellers in the United States would opt for a full body scan over a full body pat down at the airport, a sign that customers will accept any initiative that speeds up the security process despite misgivings amongst some people about civil liberties.

Another interesting, positive trend for travellers was the increased use of smart phones for flight planning (26%). Twenty-one percent use the phone to research flights but a lowly 5% researched and booked through the phone. This percentage is bound to increase, however, as countries like Japan and South Korea lead the way on smart phone booking and boarding, using bar code technology and avoiding the use of paper coupons.

Annoying Things
Now for some more annoying things. This is just a selection, but there are bound to be many more.

• Be careful using your table tray to avoid annoying the person in front.
• Turn off your personal light if not in use.
• Limit conversation so others around you cannot hear.
• No flatulence, except in the toilet! Do so at your own risk in the cabin.
• Limit the size of your carry-on baggage.
• If in an aisle seat, try to be courteous to those wishing to get into the aisle. On a long flight it's human nature to want to go to the toilet (especially after one too many complimentary drinks).
• Keep the window blinds down if on a window seat and everyone else wants to sleep.
• If you have dentures refrain from soaking them in a clear plastic cup and placing them on the tray table next door (rare, perhaps, but it obviously has happened).
• Cut down on the favourite perfume or aftershave for the flight. There's nowhere to escape the smells.
• If you're tall and in economy class be careful about jabbing the seat of the person in front. Violence can erupt.
• Put the seat back in the upright position if not trying to sleep.
• Large family groups who congregate noisily in one place are a no-no.
• Don't ask a fellow traveller to move somewhere else "so I can sit with my friend".

Children and their parents.
Children are a special case in flights. Noisy, crying, out of control children are one of the most annoying issues raised by travellers.

Here are some suggestions for parents:

You, yes the parents, need to get a grip on your responsibilities in flight and pay more attention to your child’s needs than the next drink or inflight movie (hard to believe but neglect of a bawling kid is common).

Much more can be done by airports to help parents, who, after all, generally don’t want to upset other people and are normally embarrassed by childrens’ behaviour on board, even though the child, most of the time, cannot help crying or running around. It’s what children do.

Airports, for example, could invest in specific, secure children play areas to tire little Johnny and Jenny out before the flight. Some airports are working on this. If such an area is not available, the airport terminal itself can be a giant playground. Hide and seek around the chairs, for example. The big problem here is another danger of air travel with children: they get lost.

If you're travelling business class with children, some airlines, like Thai Airways International at Suvarnabhumi Airport, have play rooms where small children can safely play by themselves and be ready to sleep later.

Whatever the land or air facilities, travelling is an exciting experience for most people, especially those on holiday, but it is up to individuals to decide how enjoyable the journey will be for fellow-travellers.