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Nine in 10 Americans judge plane clappers and those hurrying to be the first one to disembark — but 82% admit they’re guilty of these peeves, according to new research.
A survey polled 2,000 Americans who travel for leisure or business about their experiences before, during and after a trip.
The findings from a survey conducted by Talker Research for Navan reveal what travelers forget, how they prepare and which in-flight behaviors bother them most.
What travelers forget and what it costs them
On average, travelers start packing three days before a trip and forget three items.
Gen Z is likely to forget an average of four items, compared to baby boomers’ two.
Respondents estimate they’ve spent an average total of $363 replacing forgotten items, including toothbrushes (32%), chargers (32%), toiletries (25%) and even underwear (13%) at their destination.
Gen Z has spent nearly triple what older travelers have on these last-minute essentials, with younger Americans racking up a grand total of $427 compared to boomers’ spend of just $154.
Results found that before a trip, respondents don’t leave anything to chance: More than half check their flight status or look out for delays (53%), while nearly half check the weather (46%) or airline updates (44%); about a quarter check Wi-Fi guidelines (23%) before the trip.
“Travel can stress out a lot of people. Half of travelers check their flight status or look for delays before a trip to avoid surprises at the airport,” said Erika White, Chief Marketing Officer of Navan.
“Preparing well ahead of time also helps people deal with some of the uncertainty. On average, travelers start packing three days before their trip, yet many still leave home without a charger or toothbrush and end up spending $363 replacing forgotten items. Gen Z does this even more, spending nearly three times the amount on forgotten items as boomers.”
What travelers do when they get to the airport
Although it’s typically recommended by airlines and airports to arrive two hours before a domestic flight, just 10% stick to that guideline.
Instead, the average respondent arrives only an hour before departure, with baby boomers likely to get there earliest.
Similarly, the average respondent arrives for an international flight 75 minutes before it leaves — less than half the recommended time.
Once at the airport, more than a third agree that the first order of business is checking to make sure their gate “exists” (36%).
One in seven say one of the first things they do is have an alcoholic drink, as early as 8:15 a.m. Gen X is the likeliest to kick their trip off with a pre-flight pour (18%).
How Americans feel about plane etiquette in 2026
According to the survey, some of the biggest plane peeves include being seated near someone with body odor or poor hygiene (35%), listening to loud or personal conversations (31%) or loud snoring (26%).
A quarter of Americans say taking off your shoes or socks (25%) and listening to music or watching movies without headphones (24%) are also a hard “no” for them.
In fact, nearly a third of those surveyed would rather have their flight delayed by two hours than tolerate having a seat neighbor doing their biggest pet peeve (29%).
Yet, respondents admit to their own misdeeds on flights. Despite their complaints, one in six take off their shoes or socks and admit to listening to music or watching movies without headphones.
Others own up to eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation (22%), getting sucked into a movie or TV show on a neighbor’s screen (16%) and letting their eyes wander to someone else’s texts (13%).
How travelers stay connected and entertained in the air
If it’s good company you’re after, it might just take saying “hello” to the person next to you. Half of those surveyed don’t mind talking with their neighbor, but won’t initiate it. Just 11% hate talking to someone else on the plane.
Whether chatting with other passengers or scrolling on their screens, in-flight entertainment is crucial for respondents.
More Americans would rather endure a delayed flight if it meant they’d have perfectly working WiFi as opposed to an on-time flight without it (51% vs. 42%).
From staying connected the entire way to picking their perfect seatmates, those surveyed would be willing to pay an extra $376 beyond the original trip cost for their “perfect” flight.
“When it comes to flying, almost everyone has a pet peeve, and nearly three in 10 would rather have their flight delayed by two hours than sit next to someone doing their biggest pet peeve,” said White. “The best flights aren’t perfect; they’re the ones where people give each other a little grace.”
Most commonly forgotten items when traveling:
1. Toothbrush — 32% [TIED]
2. Chargers — 32% [TIED]
3. Toiletries — 25% [TIED]
4. Sunglasses — 25% [TIED]
5. Headphones — 23%
6. Socks — 21%
7. Glasses — 17%
8. Shoes — 16% [TIED]
9. Over-the-counter pain relievers — 16% [TIED]
10. Jacket — 15%
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 people who travel for business and/or leisure who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Navan and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 5 and Oct. 14, 2026.
