American transport authorities have launched an urgent appeal to passengers, calling for a return to the 'Golden Age of Travel' amid concerning statistics about disruptive behaviour on flights.
Campaign for Courtesy Takes Flight
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has initiated a new 'civility campaign' titled 'The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You' ahead of the busy holiday travel season. According to a Department of Transportation statement, the initiative aims to 'jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel.'
The campaign comes with stark warnings about passenger behaviour. The DoT revealed that since 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration has witnessed a 400 percent increase in in-flight outbursts. Since 2021, there have been 13,800 unruly passenger incidents reported, with unruly passenger reports multiplying sixfold between 2020 and 2021 alone.
Concerning Statistics Behind the Campaign
Further alarming data shows that one in five flight attendants experienced physical incidents in 2021, while 2024 saw double the number of unruly passenger events compared with 2019. The department emphasised that improving passenger behaviour isn't just about comfort - it's crucial for ensuring the safety of passengers, gate workers, flight attendants and pilots.
The campaign features a compelling video contrasting the elegant travel era of BOAC jets with modern scenes of air rage incidents and flying faux pas. The footage shows everything from feet on seat headrests to passengers using their toes to operate touchscreen televisions.
Questions Every Traveller Should Ask
Secretary Duffy posed several questions he believes every flyer should consider this holiday season: 'Are you helping a pregnant woman or the elderly with placing their bags in the overhead bin? Are you dressing with respect? Are you keeping control of your children and helping them through the airport? Are you saying thank you to your flight attendants?'
He added: 'There's no question we've lost sight of what makes travel fun – the excitement, the relaxation, the cordial conversations. Americans already feel divided and stressed. We can all do our part to bring back civility, manners, and common sense.'
Context and Criticism of the Statistics
However, questions have been raised about the framing of these statistics. The FAA acknowledges that over 70 percent of incidents in 2021 were mask-related, reflecting the unique pressures of pandemic-era travel with federal mask mandates in place.
Additionally, reporting practices changed significantly following the January 6 Capitol riots and associated chaos on DC flights. The FAA's Zero Tolerance order signed in 2021 required airlines to report every single incident, no matter how minor, potentially inflating the statistics.
Travel correspondent Simon Calder of The Independent questioned the statistical claims, noting discrepancies between DoT figures and International Air Transport Association data, which cites only a 2.5 percent annual rise in disruptive passenger incidents worldwide when adjusted for growing flight numbers.
The campaign launches as Airlines for America projects that US airlines will carry more than 31 million passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday period from November 21 through December 1 - an all-time high. US airlines are expected to fly 2.8 million passengers per day during this period, offering 45,000 more seats daily than in 2024.
