Unruly incidents mid-air have become increasingly prevalent, with social media flooded with videos every other day. Episodes like urination, spitting, or inappropriate behaviour by co-passengers, especially male ones, have become a cause of concern for female travellers who often find themselves in difficult situations. Here are some tips solo women travellers can follow if they are sitting next to an unruly male flyer.
When confronted with an individual behaving unpredictably, focus on de-escalation. Refrain from actions that might worsen the situation. Respond in a composed manner if they engage with you. Instead of mirroring their agitation, try rephrasing their words to convey understanding. If you wish to end an uncomfortable interaction, consider putting on headphones, earplugs, or an eye mask, signalling an intention to rest.
If the situation continues, remember that flight attendants are there to assist. Stand up—perhaps suggesting a restroom visit—and approach a flight attendant in the galley to provide information. Flight attendants receive training to manage situations. It's important to highlight that almost 99 per cent of incidents are addressed daily by aviation's first responders, even though these instances often go unnoticed.
Refrain from taking extreme action and seek professional assistance, ideally away from the disruptive passenger's hearing.
Ask a flight attendant politely about the availability of other seats. Moving away from the unruly passenger can help alleviate the situation.
If you feel comfortable, quietly inform nearby passengers about the situation. They might be willing to assist. If appropriate, discreetly use your phone to capture images or videos of the unruly behaviour. This documentation can be helpful as evidence if you need to report the incident later.
After the flight, submit a report to the airline. Provide details about the behaviour of the unruly passenger and the responses from the flight crew. This information aids airlines in managing such matters and improving passenger safety.
