Have you ever encountered rude passengers on a plane who didn’t even show courtesy to the flight attendants?
This collection shares the true stories of travelers who have exhibited justified behavior only to face the consequences. Find out how fate intervened to teach these individuals a much-needed lesson.
While many of us look forward to our trips, especially vacations, not everyone enjoys a pleasant experience on board.
The passengers mentioned here had their trip disrupted by fellow travelers who acted in a shocking and rude manner. A silver lining? Watch how karma quickly dealt with these unscrupulous individuals.
1. The not-so-elegant first class passengers
Due to a mechanical problem with our plane, I was stuck in Newark for a staggering 22 hours. When we were finally ready to board the new flight, the flight attendant announced that passengers with additional needs and families with children would be the first to board.
Furious at losing a day due to the delay, the businessman stormed forward and shouted that it was “disgusting” to wait longer despite being in first class. The flight attendant, calm and composed, smiled and agreed to let him board first. But then, with a quick movement, she announced through the microphone that this gentleman needed to board before passengers in wheelchairs and mothers with babies.
The rest of the passengers stared at him in disbelief as he tried to back away, insisting that he didn’t mind waiting. However, the flight attendant stood firm and the embarrassed man boarded the plane, clearly humiliated.
2. Last in, first out
As the last passengers were boarding our flight from NYC to PDX, a large, sweaty man appeared clutching a pizza box. Although the overhead bins were full, he insisted on finding room for his pizza.
After the flight attendant told him she couldn’t store the pizza upstairs, he argued loudly, claiming it would squish. He finally shoved it under the seat, but his troubles weren’t over.
The flight had barely started before he pulled out his phone and started arguing with his landline provider. When the flight attendant asked him to put the phone down, he ignored her request and waved at her. But she persisted and he eventually hung up, only to continue aggressively stretching and cracking his knuckles.
The flight attendants had enough and in a few minutes, the plane returned to the gate. The captain appeared and informed him that he had to leave because he was bothering the crew. Despite protests, the pizza guy was brought out and the rest of us breathed a sigh of relief.
  3. When entitlement meets empathy
A drunken passenger and his family caused chaos on a peaceful flight from Sacramento to Seattle. The man demanded that the woman with the service dog make room, but when she refused, he threw her bags into the aisle and tried to drag the dog away.
The woman began to cry and the flight attendants quickly intervened and threatened to take the family away. The man reluctantly sat down behind her, but the tension didn’t end there. During the flight, his wife changed diapers in the seats and stuffed dirty diapers into the seat pockets while their child pulled the hair of other passengers.
After landing, the family caused further problems by pushing the disabled woman aside during baggage claim. Although the flight attendants eventually removed them, the damage had already been done.4. The man who couldn’t handle the fog
At check-in, a well-dressed businessman became upset about the delay in the fog and demanded that the airline “do something”. Quick on her feet, the counter-agent suggested he try waving his arms outward to dispel the fog, causing the entire queue to laugh and let out his rant.
5. Free drinks for snorers
On my first flight as a flight attendant, a man complained about a passenger snoring loudly behind him. He demanded a new seat, but when I offered it, he refused, saying that he had paid for his seat.
He screamed so loudly that the snoring passenger woke up. I couldn’t move him to first class because it was full, so I gave the complainant two options: move or continue the argument. I also treated the snorer to free drinks for the rest of the flight.
6. Sudden stop
On a flight where passengers ignored the rules, people got up and started removing luggage before the plane even stopped. The flight attendants tried to restore order, but it was too late. Sensing the chaos, the captain suddenly stopped and sent everyone back to their seats. Then the flight attendant’s voice rang out: “THIS IS EXACTLY why we have rules!”
7. The Nanny’s Impossible Request
On the flight to Utah, our enthusiasm quickly waned when the captain announced an emergency landing in Chicago due to engine failure. Amid the uncertainty, one woman who claimed to be a nanny insisted that the flight attendants somehow get her to Utah to care for the children.
She was told there was no way to fix the engine mid-flight and the situation remained unchanged. She reluctantly returned to her seat, realizing that there was no magical way to solve the problem.
8. Tonka Truck Trouble
During a 1990s flight, a kid with a metal Tonka truck kept running up and down the aisles, banging passengers on the head. After the child hit the mother, I handed the truck over to the flight attendant who refused to return it to the family.
The situation escalated when the family tried to release the child, despite numerous warnings from the crew. Finally, after a stern warning from the cockpit, the child was finally apprehended, but not before the family was greeted by the police upon landing.
9. Three warnings and he was out
During the flight, when the passenger demanded alcohol even before the plane started to take off, the flight attendants warned him several times to calm down. When his behavior became intolerable, the crew returned to the gate to remove him, much to the relief of the other passengers.
10. We paid to be first
On a flight where air marshals boarded before other passengers, an elderly couple complained that they had boarded before others. The woman demanded an explanation, while her husband insisted they pay the boarding fee first.
I explained the situation that the first boarders were veterans invited by the captain, and their indignation immediately subsided. The couple’s indignation faded when they realized they didn’t have as much right as they thought.
These stories remind us that kindness and consideration can go a long way, especially in the confined space of an airplane. Have you encountered similar situations? Share your stories in the comments below.
If you liked this compilation, check out the next one: Outrageous Wedding Requests! From pay-by-the-slice cakes to extravagant gift lists, you’ll be glad your invitation got ‘lost’. Get ready to laugh (and cry) as we dive into 10 weddings where the price was more shocking than the vows!
In the world of air travel, passenger behavior can greatly affect the experience for everyone on board. While many travelers remain polite and considerate, there are always a few individuals who seem to forget the basic principles of respect and kindness. The stories shared here serve as reminders of how entitled behavior can lead to unexpected consequences, often turning what should be simple into a lesson in humility.
Flight attendants and other passengers in these scenarios have proven that handling difficult situations with grace and fortitude can lead to a calmer environment. Whether it’s calmly addressing a rude passenger in first class or ensuring safety and order in chaotic moments, the crew’s professionalism often ensures that the experience ends on a positive note, even if the entitled passenger faces consequences.
Ultimately, these stories highlight the importance of empathy, patience, and understanding, especially in the high-stress environment of flight. The next time you find yourself on the road, remember the value of treating others with respect and you may be spared the consequences of acting out of authority.