Unveiling the Root Cause of In-Flight Passenger Meltdowns and Violence

Cases of unruly air travelers, including incidents of drunkenness and brawls, have increased by 47% globally between 2021 and 2022, with 250 cases referred to the FBI in the US, according to the International Air Transport Association. Experts attribute this rise to the stripping of creature comforts during the pandemic, poor customer service due to employee turnover, and the prevalence of "no-frills airlines." The current flight conditions, which include additional fees for seat selection and checked luggage, have led to a lack of passenger compliance and disregard for flight attendants' instructions. Recent incidents range from physical altercations to demands for planes to turn around.