All frequent flyers have their own share of funny and crazy air travel stories to tell. After all, bringing a group of total strangers with different personalities together in a confined space may result in some interesting situations.
Here are some of the most hilarious and sometimes infuriating things people have ever seen while flying on a plane:
#1 ‘Snakes’ on a plane
Remember that aptly titled Samuel L. Jackson movie? This flyer might have just accidentally walked into the set of the movie’s sequel, judging from this photo.
#2 Legendary service
In a way, selling the airline is one of the jobs of flight attendants. Despite delays and turbulence, it might just be good service that makes passengers choose the airline once again the next time they fly. Unfortunately, it seems that this flyer is totally unconvinced.
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#3 Seenzoned in flight
Did you know that passengers can now chat with their fellow flyers while traveling? Sounds exciting? Too bad this traveler got hyped over nothing since nobody actually wanted to chat.
#4 A sign of acknowledgement
Although it’s Muslims that get more of a bad rap in the press, Sikhs often get mistaken for the former and unfortunately get stereotyped. Luckily, these brothers in faith are easy-going enough to take the matter lightly.
#5 Getting more comfortable
The thing with flying commercial is that things can quickly get too close for comfort. Case in point is this poor woman who ended up being her sleepy seatmate’s pillow.
#6 Coughing competition
Ever notice how one cough can start a chorus of subsequent coughs from other people nearby? Well, as it turns out, the same thing happens up in the air.
#7 Traffic delays
While Dave has a point, we do have to keep in mind that there are an estimated 9,728 planes flying at any given time every day. The sky is big for sure, but you don’t want to risk the chance of colliding with another aircraft on your way to your destination, do you?
#8 Preemptive warning
Traveling with kids can be tricky. So, we hope Mercedes was understanding when this poor dad warned her in advance about his son.
#9 Bad choice of entertainment
Of the many shows and movies that they could’ve watched, they really had to pick one where a plane crashes? Here’s to hoping life didn’t imitate art that day.
#10 The ultimate showdown
Most times, travelers have to suffer through just one of these two evils. But it was an extra unlucky day for Jake and his co-passengers.
#11 Just contemplating
Kids under two can fly free as long as they sit on a parent’s lap. But this dad doesn’t seem to be in the mood for cuddling his son for hours and is probably weighing the pros and cons of leaving his baby in the overhead cabin.
#12 Partying up in the air
We have got to give it to this guy for taking the party wherever he is. And it’s extra impressive how neat he kept his area despite how drunk he must be judging from those nine bottles of beer.
#13 Just airing them out
This guy certainly boarded the plane prepared. Too bad his fellow passengers weren’t and probably had to suffer through the smell of his shoes the whole time.
#14 The look of absolute determination
Who can blame them, though? The task is a herculean one and requires 100% of their brain and arm power.
#15 All about priorities
Frequent flyers have seen it all, so they’re pretty calm about almost everything that happens onboard. Case in point is this guy who has managed to take a selfie despite the chaos around him.
#16 Surprise passenger
Just when you thought you were safe from the creepy crawlers that roam the planet, a giant spider appears to remind you that there’s nowhere left to run. They can get in just about anywhere.
#17 A strong gut feeling
You’ll never know who you’re about to meet when you fly. We wonder if this medium in training can also ‘feel’ whether the plane was going to land safely or not.
#18 Look alike
Good on this guy for making light of a potentially offensive situation.
#19 It happens to the best of us
Don’t feel too bad about your social anxiety. Even singer Troye Sivan contemplates his seat position and need to pee while flying to perform around the world.
#20 No touchy!
Kids haven’t quite gotten the concept of personal space yet. Thus, things like this happen during the most unexpected of times.
#21 Calling a ‘you-ber’
Hmmm… wouldn’t it be nice if people could charter flights conveniently at an affordable price? Some people do have their best ideas when drunk.
#22 Stark difference
We wonder if flight attendants have noticed the same thing? We bet they prefer the silent return flights than those rowdy flights to Vegas.
#23 Bad timing
Sometimes, circumstance makes a fool out of us mere mortals. We hope Dan’s confidence was able to bounce back from that embarrassing incident.
#24 Throwing plane etiquette out the window
We really want to be angry at this insensitive lady and her lack of plane manners. But we have a feeling that the gentleman behind hwe doesn’t really mind and has even made the best out of the situation.
#25 New airline feature
Now, that’s something they don’t have in first class. Too bad his seatmates probably had to suffer through the smell of drying socks.
#26 Pics or it didn’t happen
Thank god for camera phones. Now, when something cool happens, people can always snap a pic as proof.
#27 Not about you
This lady was probably one of those entitled customers people often hate to encounter. She gets a pass this time, though. That was a hilarious one-line comeback.
#28 A healthy dose of passive aggression
Sometimes, getting into a screaming match with an annoying passenger isn’t worth the time or the effort. In those cases, a simple yet biting passive-aggressive note will do just fine.
#29 Getting comfortable
While we do sympathize with tall people flying cramped in coach, this passenger just took things to a whole level. Now, we feel sorry for the people sitting next to them.
#30 Did you know that I’m vegan?
Now, this is one good vegan joke with the perfect build-up and all. While we don’t think this has ever really happened, you never know.
#31 Tell me a joke
In a way, airports are the great equalizer. Famous people and regular people alike have to go through the TSA screening. Not all have the same courage or comedic timing to pull of what comic Jim Gaffigan did, though.
#32 Window seats are overrated
Flying really is sort of magical. It’s not every day that people get a peek at the world from above. Too bad most of them prefer watching TV.
#33 She’s been meaning to unpack
The only thing as annoying as packing for a flight is, you guessed it, unpacking afterward. We bet Lauren wasn’t exaggerating and still has some stuff left in her luggage from a 2009 trip.
#34 He shredded too hard
Being this cool takes energy, you know? So, let the guy have his rest so he can shred once again on his mini keyboard.
#35 Strictly no smoking
Here’s one more incentive to finally quit smoking. You don’t want to be literally thrown out of a flight…
#36 The holy winemaker
Hey, it’s not every day that people get to fly with Jesus. We have a feeling the passenger who took the picture was already drunk off of Merlot when he asked fake Jesus for another glass.
#37 Status: It’s complicated
Who needs Tinder when you fly often? Certainly, not Elijah and his new elderly man boyfriend!
#38 The only one
Flight delays during the holidays are always frustrating. But the upside is that everyone is in the same boat. Well, except for this woman who is the ‘only’ one to have her Thanksgiving ruined.
#39 Stinky passenger
Some passengers really don’t have any consideration for the other people on their flight. We feel extra sorry for this little girl who had to suffer through this stranger’s smelly feet.
#40 Now he knows…
With seats being so close together, it’s kind of hard not to let the nosy side in people prevail. Good thing Arthur wasn’t too offended and even made light of the intrusion of his personal space.
#41 A dream come true
We bet flying like this feels just like owning a private plane. Even better is that he got to hoard a lot of free snacks he can use during his trip.
#42 A big oopsie
If this isn’t the most embarrassing thing to ever happen at an airport, we don’t know what is. Sometimes it really does pay off to keep your cool.
#43 What a monster
Watching videos without earphones is one thing, watching videos vertically is a worse crime. Even as a concerned bystander, this is frustrating to watch.
#44 The perfect flight seatmate
It’s a whole new world for this duck. We bet he never thought he’d be able to fly this high.
#45 The entertainer
People often scoff at babies on a flight because of the ruckus they make. These passengers were lucky to have the one well-behaved baby on their flight, though.
#46 Not a reassuring sight
Here’s something you don’t want to see when flying. ISIS has really ruined a lot of things flight-related.
#47 A few gadgets late
Can you blame this airline? Gadgets come and go so fast these days that they ouldn’t possibly keep up with the latest ones.
#48 Just announcing his/her presence
Flight can be boring especially for kids. Fortunately, this playful child found a way to entertain himself and other people without causing much of a bother to everyone.
#49 Airport prices
It’s no secret that everything is much more expensive when sold at an airport. Hey, we don’t make the rules.
#50 ‘Nightmare at 20,000 and Two Feet’
The Twilight Zone was wrong to tell you to fear monsters on your plane’s wings. The real monster is right behind, and this is how it announces its presence.
#51 Just a therapy pet
We’ve officially seen it all. Dogs are fantastic companions and therapy animals, but there’s just something extra comforting about having a turkey it seems.
#52 A new friend
If you could choose between having ducks or crying babies on your flight, we bet you’ll pick the former. Who wouldn’t, right? Well, as long as the ducks don’t turn aggressive and start biting people.
#53 The pilot has joined the chat
Oh, nothing to see here. Just a ‘pilot’ who wants to kick it with everyone. Now, this is a good use of the group chat feature available on planes.
#54 Wasted at 20,000 feet
So, apparently this guy got drunk on some duty-free alcohol and began grabbing women next to him. Luckily, the people on the flight thought of a foolproof way to contain him until they landed.
#55 Mission: Impossible
This lady just wanted to keep her eyebrows well-groomed during her vacation. Too bad tweezers are now considered to be dangerous weapons.
#56 Money well-spent
When something this strange happens, you have to do everything in your power to tweet it and share it with the world. Because if you don’t, did it really happen?
#57 We know how things end
You know things are about to go down literally when you’re seated next to Lost’s Hurley Reyes himself on your flight. Godspeed, old man.
#58 Welcome to the annual Hunger Games
We knew this flight attendant looked awfully familiar! May the odds be ever in these passengers’ favor.
#59 Nothing beats the first time
Can you really blame them for being excited? Flying is almost magical and a once in a lifetime experience for some passengers.
#60 Just trying to meet new people
Aww, who could resist not petting this cute passenger? Sitting next to a puppy is probably like winning the plane ticket lottery.
#61 Travel buddies
Oh, don’t mind them. They’re just getting ready to pitch their business proposal to investors.
#62 What does he want?
Poor Kevin is so confused about the niceness of the male flight attendant on his flight. Its practically their job description to treat you well, just so you know.
#63 Just why?
That looks like a tasty snack, but why would someone leave it like that? No tissues or plastic containers or anything? Did they eat the wrapper first?
#64 When life tests you…
Ouch. We bet that hurt. Hopefully, Bill Lawrence chose to do the right thing at the end.
#65 Just royalty things
When you’re the Saudi prince, you can do just about anything. This includes flying 80 hawks on an airplane, just because.
#66 Getting comfy
We feel for this dad. He’s probably too tired to deal with his kid right now and just let him do whatever he wants.
#67 Rapunzel, Rapunzel…
It probably took all of this photographer’s self-control not to cause a scene because of this travesty. This is probably why the TSA confiscates scissors.
#68 Fighting the cold
This guy has life figured out. Not only is he warm and cozy, but he’s also got the privacy he’ll never get when flying coach. Respect.
#69 Where the cabin crew naps
Ever wonder where the cabin crew goes on layovers? Oh, nowhere special. They just get a quick nap lying down (or up) in the overhead cabins.
#70 Ladies’ man
When you behave yourself on a flight, you get the recognition you deserve. And this baby sure looks proud of himself.
#71 No judgments
Hey, if it’s how you can get comfortable without bothering other people, who are we to judge? In fact, we bet his seatmates are kind of jealous about his fluffy pillow.
#72 Sleep tight
Now, we don’t know whether he bought all these seats just to lie down or if he was lucky enough to not have seatmates. But we’re pretty sure he didn’t find it comfortable when his plane went through turbulence.
#73 Best seats in the house
These are the most coveted seats in coach because of their more considerable legroom. But these people just didn’t find the space big enough.
#74 Crossing boundaries
We’re all for stretching during long flights, but this just took things to a whole new level. Not cool.
#75 Jesus’ other talents
Imagine waking up in the middle of a long flight to see and hear Jesus himself shredding on the flute. You would think you had died and gone to a weird version of heaven.
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