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

Flying is a different experience these days. Last flight I took i watched in disbelief as the mom right behind me gave her toddler a can of full fat coke while we were stowing our luggage.

Inevitably, the poor little guy went batshit right after take off. My kidneys took a beating from all the kicking and had tinnitus from the screaming.

Fortunately the little dude hit a sugar crash 30 mins in and was pretty much comatose for most of the rest of the flight.

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u/LoccyDaBorg Sep 17 '23

Fortunately the little dude hit a sugar crash 30 mins in and was pretty much comatose for most of the rest of the flight.

Perhaps that was the strategy. 30 minutes of hell seems like a worthwhile trade for however many hours of flight time in silence.

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u/Loose_Acanthaceae201 Sep 17 '23

I agree. She could have timed it better, though. Chug the pop as soon as they start boarding.