What irks air travellers

Who hasn't cursed about one or more of the following when traveling on a plane?

"If you don't bother to bathe before heading to the airport, you kick the back of the airline seat in front of you or you let your kids run wild in the cabin, you may be the most hated passenger on your flight.

Such behaviours were among the most annoying violations of airline etiquette cited in two separate studies released last week.

The second annual Airplane Etiquette Study, based on a survey by the travel website Expedia, named "rear seat kickers" as the most annoying etiquette violator, followed by "inattentive parents" and "aromatic passengers."

The Travel Pet Peeves Survey by Honeywell Aerospace listed the "smelly traveller" as the most offensive passenger.

The survey also found that 37 per cent of those who were questioned said they believe children should be placed in a designated section of the plane on flights longer than two hours.

Women were more likely than men (40 per cent versus 31 per cent) to support segregating children on planes.

And if there is a crying baby on board, 45 per cent of those surveyed said all passengers should get free earplugs."

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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