U.S. Transportation Department Launches Civility Campaign for Air Travel
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated a "civility campaign" aimed at encouraging improved passenger conduct during the upcoming holiday travel period. Named "The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You," the campaign was announced via a press release last week.
Campaign Details
A minute-and-a-half video released by the DOT juxtaposes historical airline travel imagery with contemporary clips depicting disruptive passenger behavior, including in-flight altercations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy presented a series of five questions intended for air travelers to consider during the holiday season. These questions address aspects such as passenger assistance, appropriate dress, and expressions of gratitude towards flight personnel.
The DOT stated that the campaign seeks to foster a national dialogue on restoring courtesy in air travel, with the aim of enhancing the travel experience and ensuring the safety of passengers and airline staff, including gate workers, flight attendants, and pilots.
Data on Unruly Incidents
This initiative responds to an observed increase in disruptive incidents aboard flights. The agency reports 13,800 incidents involving unruly passengers since 2021. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recorded a 400% increase in in-flight outbursts since 2019. In 2023, the FAA documented nearly 2,000 such incidents, marking a decline from figures reported during the peak of the pandemic.
Holiday Travel Projections
This Thanksgiving holiday is projected by the FAA to be the busiest for air travel in 15 years, with Tuesday anticipated as the day with the highest volume of air travelers. AAA forecasts that 6 million individuals will travel by air within the U.S. during the Thanksgiving holiday period.