As the holiday travel season ramps up, a new survey from Saily exposes the quirks, faux pas, and guilty secrets of American travelers. The findings reveal that nearly nine in ten U.S. travelers admit to committing travel sins — and that the behaviors that irritate them most often come from their fellow passengers.
The survey identifies the top annoyances. Leading the pack are two seemingly simple but universally aggravating offenses: coughing or sneezing without covering up, and leaving trash on the beach, both cited by 52% of respondents. Noise is another common frustration: loud arguments (47%), music or videos without headphones (44%), and speakerphone calls (44%) round out the top five. Other irritations include over-reclined seats, talking too loudly, smelly snacks, and seat-hogging.
Interestingly, most of the aggravation happens in transit rather than at the destination. Classic vacation annoyances like pool chair hogging or late arrivals didn’t make the top 10, suggesting that patience is tested most on planes, trains, and buses before the real trip begins.
Yet Americans aren’t entirely innocent themselves. About 27% admit to taking off their shoes on planes or trains, and 34% confess to scrolling on their phones instead of enjoying the scenery. The survey’s most eyebrow-raising revelation? Nearly one in four (24%) admits to peeing in the sea, lake, or ocean. Other confessed behaviors include overeating at buffets (28%), standing the moment the plane lands (22%), and clapping on landing (18%). Despite these admissions, 57% of travelers say they’ve confronted others about irritating habits, showing that Americans are willing to speak up when etiquette is breached.
Globally, these frustrations aren’t uniquely American. Australians and Brits share the top annoyances — sneezing uncovered and beach littering — while Germans rank littering and speakerphone use highest, and Spaniards cite beach trash and over-reclined seats. The findings suggest that inconsiderate travel is a universal issue.
Saily CEO Vykintas Maknickas encourages travelers to smooth the journey with a few simple tips: pack smart with headphones and tissues, respect others’ space, plan connections ahead, and monitor noise levels. Being considerate doesn’t just reduce frustration — it can turn a stressful journey into a more pleasant experience for everyone.
For the full survey and travel etiquette insights, visit Saily.com.