U.S. Transportation Department Restores Civility on Flights

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated a new campaign aimed at promoting civility during air travel. This initiative, named “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You,” coincides with the upcoming busy holiday travel season. The campaign was announced in a press release and includes a minute-and-a-half video that juxtaposes nostalgic imagery of air travelers from previous decades with more recent footage of disruptive incidents on flights.

Campaign Details and Objectives

Secretary Sean Duffy emphasizes the importance of restoring courtesy in aviation. The campaign aims to foster a nationwide dialogue on enhancing the overall flying experience. It highlights how civility not only improves travel for passengers but also enhances safety for all involved, including gate workers and flight crews.

Key Messages from the Campaign

To encourage positive behavior, the DOT poses five questions for passengers to reflect on:

• Are you assisting others, such as pregnant women, with their bags?
• Are you dressing appropriately for your flight?
• Are you expressing gratitude to flight attendants and pilots?
• Are you maintaining a respectful demeanor on board?
• Are you contributing to a pleasant travel environment?

Addressing Unruly Behavior

The campaign comes in response to a notable increase in unruly passenger incidents. Since 2021, there have been approximately 13,800 reported cases of bad behavior in the skies. Remarkably, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted a staggering 400% rise in in-flight disturbances since 2019.

In 2023, nearly 2,000 incidents were reported, reflecting a decrease compared to the pandemic’s peak when mask mandates led to numerous confrontations.

Holiday Travel Outlook

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the FAA projects this season to be the busiest for air travel in the last 15 years. Notably, the highest volume of travelers is expected on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts that around 6 million individuals will take to the skies in the United States during this holiday period.

This wave of travelers underscores the importance of the DOT’s campaign for civility. It seeks to encourage passengers to foster a respectful and safe environment as they navigate their travel plans.