Bad Behavior on Planes Worldwide Worsening

The International Air Transport Association, a Geneva-based airline trade association, has found a 14% increase in "unruly passenger incidents" reported worldwide in 2015 compared to the previous year.

In 2015, there was one in 1,205 chance of encountering a drunk or disruptive passenger on a flight. In 2014, the odds were one in 1,282.

The majority of incidents noted by the IATA involved verbal abuse and failure to follow lawful crew instructions, Cntraveler.com reported. Only 11% involved physical altercations or aircraft damage. Alcohol or drug intoxication was identified as a factor in nearly one-quarter of the incidents.

“It does seem the issue is getting worse,” says Chris Goater, IATA spokesman in Geneva.

Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's director general and CEO, said the increase in reported incidents "tells us that more effective deterrents are needed".

Academics have started to examine airborne behavior issues more closely. A new study published in September in the Social Science Journal found that imprudent behavior on planes relates, not surprisingly, to lack of self-control and is more likely to come from males, infrequent fliers or people who are more self-centered, according to Wall Street Journal.

"Airlines have trained crews in techniques to de-escalate confrontations and to know when to stop serving passengers alcohol," Goater said.

In many alcohol-related incidents, passengers have loaded up in airport bars or brought duty-free liquor onboard. IATA is currently trying to work with airports to better train bartenders to cut off passengers who have had too many.