A new travel trend is causing hilarity and consternation on social media after Redditors started a debate on which type of “lice” is worse: “gate lice” or “aisle lice”? These neologisms are hot on the heels of other popular travel-related words like “flying naked,” “raw-dogging,” “hobbiday” and “snail girl,” to name a few. Here’s what you need to know about the meanings of “gate lice” and “aisle lice” and how to avoid being labelled as one.
The term “gate lice” refers to passengers who cut lines ahead of their designated boarding time. In 2024, American Airlines tried to cut down on this phenomenon by using technology that turned down a traveller’s boarding pass if they attempted to board the flight before their zone was called.
“Aisle lice,” on the other hand, refers to passengers who push through others in an attempt to deplane before anyone else. On the r/delta Reddit forum, one flyer asked, “Who do [we] hate more? Gate lice or aisle lice?” The user shared that they were on a flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to LaGuardia Airport and witnessed “aisle lice” as soon as the plane landed. “Not only do the two people next to me decide to stand up, but [somehow] the guy from the window seat shoves his way forward and is the first of all of us to get off the plane,” wrote the user.
This type of behaviour is typical of people with “main character syndrome,” a term for seeing yourself as the protagonist in your life story and acting accordingly. Getting up from your seat the moment the seatbelt sign is off and pushing past people to get ahead is poor etiquette and doesn’t actually get you off the plane any quicker than if you had followed the deplaning process in an orderly fashion. However, one must keep in mind that some “aisle lice” could be in a rush if they have a short window to catch a connecting flight.
After the user on the flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to LaGuardia Airport made their post, the comments flew thick and fast, with people describing their personal flying experiences.
One person admitted that they strongly disliked “aisle lice” compared to “gate lice.” “Gate lice do not bother me since most people want to get on first for the bin space,” they said. Another user wrote, “I blame the airlines for that. If you don't have a tight connection or any other "emergency" then wait your turn to get off the plane.” Yet another said that “Aisle lice are exponentially worse imo [in my opinion]. Who really cares who gets on the plane first, you’re all getting on anyways.”
While many chose the problem on the plane, others shared their hatred for those who crowd the gate before people get on. “Gate lice are annoying when it's an airport where the gates are small and they block your path to seating. I blame the airline on this,” someone said. “Gate lice, for sure,” another user said.
One user made it clear that they don't like either practice. “The fact we have to choose between these two is ridiculous. Neither is emblematic of appropriate adult behavior. Yes, sure, there are exceptions. However, literally everyone does it—watch on your next flights. Everyone cannot be the exception,” they said. Another user responded directly to their comment: “Sure they can. Selfishness knows no bounds.”
