The 20 Worst Things That Can Happen On A Plane

Flying is usually exciting, but sometimes things can go wrong at 30,000 feet. From delayed flights to uncomfortable seating, certain travel nightmares can quickly turn your dream vacation into a stressful experience.

Whether it’s missed connections, lost luggage, or turbulence that won’t quit, these 20 most dreaded flying scenarios are the ones that make passengers wish they had stayed home instead.

Let’s explore the situations that can take all the fun out of flying and leave you wishing for smoother skies.

1. Lost Luggage

Arriving at your destination only to find your suitcase didn’t make the trip is truly gut-wrenching. All your carefully packed clothes, toiletries, and maybe even gifts for loved ones have vanished into the airline system abyss.

I once spent three days in Barcelona wearing the same outfit while the airline tried tracking down my bag. The worst part isn’t just missing your stuff—it’s the helpless feeling as you fill out paperwork while watching other passengers happily grab their bags.

Did you know? Airlines lose approximately 25 million bags each year worldwide, though most eventually find their way back to their owners.

2. Crying Babies for Hours

Nothing tests your patience quite like a screaming infant on a long-haul flight. Those tiny lungs somehow produce enough decibels to penetrate noise-canceling headphones, making sleep or concentration virtually impossible.

The parents are usually more stressed than anyone, frantically trying everything to soothe their little one. I remember a 14-hour flight across the Pacific with twins alternating their crying shifts—when one stopped, the other began.

Though it feels endless in the moment, remember that babies cry because they can’t equalize ear pressure like adults can, causing them genuine pain during takeoff and landing.

3. Seat Kicked Nonstop

The rhythmic thumping against your seat back quickly transforms from annoying to maddening. Each kick sends vibrations through your entire body, making reading, sleeping, or watching movies practically impossible.

If you’re lucky, a polite request to the parent might solve the problem. If not, you’re trapped in a metal tube with your own personal drummer for hours. On my last flight to Chicago, a 7-year-old used my seat as a soccer goal for three straight hours.

Flight attendants can sometimes intervene, but they’re often reluctant to get involved in passenger disputes unless the situation becomes truly disruptive.

4. Overhead Bins Full

You’ve carefully packed everything into your carry-on to avoid checked bag fees, only to board and find zero space left in the overhead compartments. Now you’re forced to squeeze your bag under the seat, sacrificing precious legroom for the entire flight.

What’s particularly frustrating is watching passengers stow multiple items or unnecessarily large bags while others struggle. I once had to check my laptop bag containing work documents because the bins were stuffed with coats and shopping bags.

The mad rush to claim overhead space has become so competitive that many airlines have modified their boarding procedures specifically to address this problem.

5. Turbulence Anxiety

The sudden jolt as your plane drops feels like the bottom falling out of your stomach. White knuckles grip the armrests while drinks spill across tray tables and the seatbelt sign dings ominously.

Though pilots assure us turbulence is rarely dangerous, those moments of violent shaking can trigger genuine panic. I’ve witnessed grown adults in tears during severe rough air over the Rockies. The worst part is the unpredictability—smooth flying can instantly transform into a rollercoaster ride.

Flight crews actually have turbulence forecasts before takeoff, but air pockets and clear air turbulence can still catch even experienced pilots by surprise.

6. Rude Seatmates

Being trapped beside someone with zero concept of personal space or basic courtesy can make even a short flight feel eternal. From armrest hogs to loud talkers to those who remove their shoes revealing questionable hygiene—the possibilities are endless.

I once sat next to a man who spent three hours loudly commenting on every aspect of my behavior, from my choice of beverage to how frequently I used the restroom. When confronted with such situations, you’re left with limited options: endure, request a seat change (if available), or awkwardly establish boundaries.

Flight attendants report that passenger conflicts have increased significantly in recent years, with cramped seating often cited as a contributing factor.

7. No In-Flight Entertainment

You settle in for a long flight, reach for the screen to browse movies, and discover it’s broken. Or worse, the entire plane lacks entertainment systems altogether. Those next few hours suddenly stretch into an eternity.

Modern travelers often forget to download content beforehand, assuming all flights offer robust entertainment options. I learned this lesson on an overnight transatlantic flight when my screen froze permanently on the welcome screen, leaving me staring at the seat back for seven hours.

If your device battery dies too, you’re left with only the in-flight magazine and safety card—which you’ll eventually memorize out of sheer boredom.

8. Missed Connections

Racing through an unfamiliar airport, desperately following signs to your connecting gate only to arrive as the door closes is uniquely heartbreaking. Your carefully planned itinerary crumbles as you face the prospect of hours (or overnight) in airport limbo.

The domino effect of one delayed flight can derail an entire trip. I once missed a connection in Atlanta that resulted in a 22-hour airport stay because the next available flight was completely full.

Though airlines sometimes hold connecting flights if many passengers are affected by the same delay, they typically won’t wait if it’s just a few people—leaving you to navigate the complex rebooking process while exhausted from travel.

9. Spilled Drinks

That sudden turbulence jolt sends your full cup of coffee cascading across your lap, electronic devices, and important documents. Now you’re soaked in liquid with hours left in your journey and limited cleanup options.

If you’re wearing light-colored clothing, prepare for a memorable stain. I once had red wine spilled on me by a flight attendant during turbulence, forcing me to attend a business meeting in purple-splotched khakis.

The tiny cocktail napkins airlines provide are woefully inadequate for serious spills, and the bathroom paper towels disintegrate immediately on contact with liquid—making this simple accident a lasting problem until you reach your final destination.

10. Broken Seat Recliner

Settling in for a long flight only to discover your seat is permanently stuck in the fully upright position is a special kind of torture. While everyone around you leans back in comfort, your spine remains rigidly vertical for hours on end.

Even worse is the seat that won’t stay upright, forcing you into an awkward slouch throughout the journey. I experienced a red-eye flight from Seattle where my seat slowly reclined itself without warning, repeatedly startling the passenger behind me.

Though flight attendants can sometimes offer seat reassignments, fully booked flights often mean you’re stuck with your mechanical misfortune for the duration of your journey.

11. Stuck on the Tarmac

Few aviation experiences match the unique frustration of sitting in a motionless plane just yards from the gate. The captain’s periodic announcements grow increasingly vague as minutes stretch into hours with no takeoff in sight.

Being trapped in a sealed metal tube without the amenities of actual flight is mentally exhausting. The worst tarmac delay I experienced lasted nearly five hours due to thunderstorms—with limited food, dwindling device batteries, and increasingly restless passengers.

Though regulations now limit tarmac delays in the US to three hours before airlines must allow passengers to deplane, exceptions exist for safety and security concerns, potentially extending your ground-based captivity.

12. Delayed Takeoff

Watching your departure time slip further away on the airport monitors creates a special kind of anxiety. Each announcement promising “just 30 more minutes” compounds the stress, especially when connecting flights or important meetings await at your destination.

Weather delays are frustrating but understandable. Mechanical issues, however, plant seeds of worry about the aircraft’s condition. My worst delay involved sitting at the gate for seven hours due to a missing pilot, watching multiple flights depart for my destination while we waited.

The uncertainty is often worse than the delay itself—not knowing if you’ll leave in minutes, hours, or if the flight might be canceled altogether keeps you in an exhausting limbo.

13. Overbooked Flight

Hearing gate agents ask for volunteers to take later flights is the first warning sign. Then comes the dreaded announcement that the flight is overbooked, and involuntary bumping might occur—despite your confirmed reservation and on-time arrival.

The compensation might seem generous, but it rarely accounts for missed weddings, funerals, or critical business opportunities. I witnessed a family of four being split up on Christmas Eve because their flight was oversold by six passengers.

Airlines have sophisticated algorithms predicting no-shows, but when everyone shows up, someone has to be removed. Though vouchers and future flight credits are standard compensation, the disruption to your plans remains a significant inconvenience.

14. Forgotten Headphones

Realizing you’ve left your headphones at home just as the baby two rows back begins wailing is a special kind of regret. The airplane’s ambient noise—engines roaring, passengers chatting, service carts clattering—suddenly becomes inescapable.

Those tiny earbuds sold onboard for $10 deliver sound quality reminiscent of 1980s technology. I once had to endure a 6-hour flight with nothing but my thoughts after leaving my noise-canceling headphones in the Uber.

Without headphones, you’re also forced to watch movies in mime or listen at such low volume that you miss half the dialogue. This seemingly small oversight can transform your in-flight entertainment options from plentiful to practically nonexistent.

15. Bad Food Smells

The confined space of an aircraft cabin transforms even slightly pungent foods into olfactory assaults. When your seatmate unwraps that tuna sandwich or hard-boiled eggs, you’re suddenly sharing their meal whether you want to or not.

Air circulation systems can’t keep up with strong food odors. I once sat next to someone who brought an entire container of kimchi for a 10-hour flight—the smell permeated the entire cabin within minutes.

While most airline policies focus on allergens rather than odors, some carriers have begun implementing “considerate eating” guidelines. Until these become universal, however, you remain at the mercy of your fellow travelers’ food choices and their varying definitions of “appropriate airplane snacks.”

16. Cabin Pressure Issues

The sudden, stabbing pain in your ears when cabin pressure changes abnormally can be excruciating. Those with sinus infections or colds suffer most intensely as their blocked Eustachian tubes struggle to equalize pressure.

When pressurization systems malfunction, oxygen masks may deploy—turning a routine flight into a genuine emergency situation. I experienced a rapid depressurization event where my ears felt like they might explode before the aircraft quickly descended to a safer altitude.

Most concerning is when these issues occur without warning. Though modern aircraft have multiple redundant pressurization systems, even minor pressure fluctuations can cause significant discomfort, headaches, and occasionally lasting ear damage if severe enough.

17. Snoring Neighbors

The rhythmic rumble begins shortly after takeoff—your seatmate has fallen asleep and is now producing sounds rivaling a chainsaw. On overnight flights, this unwanted serenade makes your own rest impossible.

Noise-canceling headphones can’t fully block the vibrations that seem to travel through the shared armrest. I once sat next to a gentleman whose snoring was so thunderous that passengers from several rows away were shooting annoyed glances in our direction.

The social awkwardness compounds the problem—do you wake them? Ask for a seat change? Endure it? With limited options in a confined space, this seemingly minor issue can transform your flight into hours of sleep-deprived frustration.

18. Sick Passenger Nearby

The sound of violent coughing or sneezing from the seat beside you instantly triggers anxiety in our post-pandemic world. Each recycled air circulation feels like it’s delivering germs directly to your face.

With nowhere to escape, you’re essentially trapped in a flying petri dish. I sat next to someone with obvious flu symptoms on a flight from Denver, and despite my attempts to lean away and limit interaction, I was sick three days later.

The confined space of an aircraft, combined with reduced humidity and pressure, actually creates ideal conditions for virus transmission. Though HEPA filters help, they can’t eliminate the risk when someone ill is coughing directly in your shared airspace for hours.

19. Long Bathroom Lines

The moment you can no longer ignore nature’s call, you discover half the plane had the same idea. Standing in the aisle, doing the subtle bathroom dance while waiting for what feels like eternity is uniquely uncomfortable.

Turbulence can extend your agony when the seatbelt sign flashes on, forcing everyone back to their seats. My worst experience involved a 40-minute wait on a fully-booked transatlantic flight after the meal service, when one of four bathrooms was also malfunctioning.

The timing always seems terrible too—just as you reach the front of the line, the drink cart blocks your return path to your seat, forcing an awkward standoff in the narrow aisle until service completes.

20. Wi-Fi Not Working

You’ve paid $19.99 for in-flight internet access, only to watch the connection drop every three minutes. Important emails remain unsent, work deadlines loom, and the progress bar on your browser eternally spins.

The frustration multiplies when you’ve specifically chosen this flight for its advertised connectivity features. I once needed to complete an urgent project during a cross-country flight, but the Wi-Fi was so spotty that I could barely load a single webpage, despite multiple resets and assistance from flight attendants.

While airlines continue improving their connectivity technology, the reality of accessing reliable internet at 35,000 feet remains hit-or-miss—with passengers often paying premium prices for subpar service that wouldn’t be acceptable on the ground.