Turkey fines passengers £50 for standing too soon after landing
Air travel often comes with frustrations, especially when passengers rush to leave the plane. Turkish authorities have now taken action against those who stand too soon after landing. A £50 fine will apply to anyone removing their seatbelt early or rising before the aircraft reaches the gate.
This move targets so-called 'aisle lice'—travellers who jump up the moment the plane stops, even before the seatbelt sign switches off. Such behaviour slows down disembarkation and can cause delays for everyone on board.
The standard procedure for leaving a plane is straightforward. Passengers should wait for the seatbelt sign to turn off, collect their belongings, and exit row by row from front to back. Flight attendants also advise putting shoes back on before disembarking to avoid holding up the queue.
Despite these guidelines, some travellers ignore them. On a recent Frontier Airlines flight, one passenger blocked the aisle and refused to move, creating chaos. Others argue they stand early to avoid missing tight connections, but this often backfires by causing bottlenecks.
Another common annoyance is the 'luggage lounger'—people who camp by the baggage carousel, sometimes leaning against it and blocking access. Flight attendants stress that aisle-blocking is not just rude but can have real consequences, particularly for those racing to catch another flight.
To avoid becoming 'aisle lice', passengers are urged to stay seated until necessary. Gathering belongings while waiting and checking for all items before standing can help keep the process smooth.
Turkey’s new fine aims to discourage early standing and seatbelt removal. The rule reinforces existing advice from flight crews, who emphasise patience and order during disembarkation. For now, the measure applies only in Turkey, but it highlights a growing push to improve in-flight etiquette worldwide.
