I’m glad I’m not alone. Nine out of ten frequent flyers expect to be annoyed by passengers using mobile phones on flights and only one in 20 suggest it won’t bother them.
I could have told you as much, but I suppose a survey of more than 3,000 members of the International Airline Passengers’ Association is marginally more reliable than my canvassing among friends and acquaintances.
IAPA found 57% of frequent flyers would accept some use of text and email on flights, but only 9% want the full use of phones even for limited periods. IAPA suggests airlines should take note, and it’s difficult not to agree with the respondent who warned allowing mobile calls would be “a recipe for air rage”. Unions representing cabin crew have said the same.
Why not avoid being driven to beat up the person next to you on hearing the words “I’m on the plane” by registering your concern in advance? IAPA can be found at http://www.iapa.com. Better still, why not tell any airline you fly with what you think?