Summary

• People stand up on planes for various reasons, including the need to stretch their legs, fears of flying or being in confined spaces, and the desire to feel a sense of control after a potentially stressful situation.
• Medical professionals recommend standing up and doing in-seat workouts during long flights to maintain circulation and prevent blood clots.
• It's important to be understanding of other passengers' reasons for standing, whether they have a phobia, a medical condition, or a practical need to catch a connecting flight. Let's all follow the crowd and keep standing!

Inconsiderate plane passengers can be annoying, from rear seat kickers and window hoggers to stinky travelers and pungent foodies. Sometimes, it seems that with the reduction of space between passengers, people are becoming both more frustrated… and frustrated simultaneously. Everyone does annoying stuff while flying, although some are worse than others.

And there they are, the passengers who stand in the aisle as soon as the plane lands - even before the seat belt sign turns off. The doors are not open, no! But there are people already standing with their butts, having a conversation with your face. Why? Is there a second Great Human Migration?

Interestingly, according to a survey, 35% of people find so-called queue jumpers really annoying. Even though people, including airplane crew, think that passengers who stand up as soon as the plane lands are inconsiderate, the truth is that psychology plays a huge role in this behavior.

UPDATE: 2023/11/17 19:07 EST BY NOAH STAATS

People Stand Up On Planes For Many Reasons

This article has been updated with a new reason people stand up on planes, as well as expanded points for the other causes/symptoms of this. We all feel wonky after a long flight, so sometimes it's okay to stand up and get the blood circulating!

Sometimes You Have To Get Up And Get Your Blood Flowing

One of the reasons most people stand (from a medical standpoint) is they have to get the blood flowing to their legs, and after a long flight, nothing feels better. For those who have 5+ hour plane rides or even flights 12+ hours, standing up every hour or so is recommended to keep your circulation normal and cramps at bay. Per a medical study, blood clots can form during long flights, which nobody wants to deal with. Don't be afraid to get up and wiggle around!

Although standing up immediately as the plane lands might irritate some, as long as there isn't anyone obstructing the walkway, it's entirely fine. Older people may be especially sensitive to long plane rides, so bear with them as the plane reaches the gate.

• Stand up to stay healthy: Medical professionals suggest standing up and doing in-seat workouts while sitting on airplanes for long periods.

It may even be worth it to wear these comfortable plane ride outfits the next time you fly.

Dealing With Phobias Can Be Hard

Some people scared of flying really need to exit as quickly as possible to overcome their emotional discomfort. According to science, flying phobias are similar to agoraphobia - an anxiety disorder in which people fear places that make them feel helpless. Hearing about flying disasters and accidents does not help either. Some queue jumpers, on the other hand, may have ADHD, so sitting for hours can be simply too difficult for them. The same goes for kids! So let’s stop judging families with toddlers - you listening to loud music or talking loudly can be more annoying than a chatty child.

• Some people hate flying: One cause for standing on planes is that people are nervous about flying or have phobias of being in confined spaces.

The Illusion Of Control: Some People Simply Think They'll Exit Faster

Another scientific explanation is people’s urgency to take control of their lives. Moreover, many people believe that standing in the aisle as soon as the plane lands will help them get off and collect their luggage quickly. Well, I have to admit that I’ve done that as well, and it did help me leave the airport quickly… But I had the aisle seat in the last row, only a small carry-on bag under the seat in front of me, and no family or friends to wait for. Unfortunately, according to stats, this trick works only for the first 30 people to get off.

• Taking control: Many people who stand at the end of a flight want to feel a sense of control after what could be a stressful situation.

Breaking Bad Habits Can Be Tough

Bad habits simply die hard. It’s not a secret that for people who enjoy nicotine products, flying can be stressful, especially with all the strict policies around the globe. Long-haul flights, in particular, can be a real nightmare. In fact, experts suggest avoiding drinking as alcohol consumption and other vices often go hand-in-hand. And talking about bad habits, let’s not forget about the power of crowds, a habit we cannot kick as it’s deeply ingrained in our mentality and survival instincts. It’s been proven that when someone stands, others also need to stand. And as a result, we have the whole aisle blocked.

• It could be a habit: Some people stand as the plane lands out of sheer habit.

We All Have Arms And Legs To Stretch

Let’s admit it! We all have arms and legs to stretch. While this is not an excuse for breaking airplane rules and doing yoga in the aisle, just like Hilaria Bawdin, some people need to stand up to feel physically better. Note that cabin air pressure causes less oxygen to be taken by the blood and gases to expand. Individuals with sinusitis, inflammation, eye problems, abdominal surgery, or other injuries might find flights not only uncomfortable but (literally) painful. Here, we should note that companies are trying to gain more and more profit by disregarding passengers; some low-cost companies have introduced standing seats, often described as torture chambers.

• Spreading out feels good: Considering everyone has arms and legs to move around, getting up and walking around a landed plane only makes sense.

These are things guys do on planes that flight attendants can't stand.

Some Passengers Simply Do Need To Get Off ASAP

Lastly, some people simply have practical reasons to stand up. We are not talking about you, Mr. and Mrs. Business Class. Many travelers simply have other planes to catch, so it’s no surprise that worrying about a connection can make passengers impatient. And let’s not forget about medical emergencies that give people the right to exit first.

There’s no doubt that flying is one of the greatest inventions ever. As a matter of fact, flying began to change in the 50s. Flying is no longer an adventure but a stressful necessity; we should also mention that with the increase in passenger traffic, the personal service level has drastically decreased. These awkward photos taken on planes say it all.

That said - while there’s no excuse for breaking safety rules and airplane etiquette by standing up as soon as the plane lands - there are various scientific and practical reasons behind this phenomenon. Perhaps nobody will exit and get through customs quicker, but let’s just follow the crowd and keep standing!

• Some are in a rush: Regardless of where someone's seat is on the plane, there's a chance they may be standing because they have to catch another flight.