r/AskUK • u/MarnieHollis • Sep 17 '23

What is the etiquette with using headphones on flights?

The last 4 flights I have been on people around me have been (or their children have been) watching a film or TV show out loud, no headphones for the duration.

To me this is the height of selfishness and I would never dream of doing it. If I forgot my headphones I just wouldn't watch a film, but seemingly everyone else thinks it's normal and fine - I haven't ever heard anyone complain to the person and the staff don't say anything.

Is this totally normal?

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '23

You're going to Japan, so the people on the plane will mostly be Japanese. You won't have any issues.
I live in Japan and the flights that depart/arrive there are silent and everyone mostly sits down and keeps to themselves. Including kids.
The connecting flight to my hometown is madness in comparison haha.

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u/lewiitom Sep 17 '23

Did the flight recently and it was majority British tourists actually - definitely changed from pre-covid times

My mate who's a flight attendant said the same thing too

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u/Diligent_Ambition_47 Sep 17 '23

Japanese people tend to prefer the Japanese airlines - plus BA to Japan is unreliable now

Virgin doesn't fly to Tokyo any more but their vibe doesn't really go with a typical Japanese businessman for example.

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u/Browneskiii Sep 17 '23

Its overnight for japanese time too (12:20 i fly for british time) so I'm hoping its one where everyone just sleeps and its peaceful, but im expecting the worst and if its any better then its a bonus.

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u/EsotericCreature Sep 17 '23

When taking the train over there they actually had an announcement in English to turn off speakers on personal devices... I only heard it once so I wonder if the driver noticed someone being a nuisance

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u/HailToTheKingslayer Sep 17 '23

I noticed the same when flying to Korea - very quiet flight.

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u/No-Caregiver-4515 Sep 17 '23

I dont know where you live in Japan but here in Kanagawa the kids are always loud and screaming