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AirTalk

Amid increase in reported ‘air rage’ incidents, a look at causes and ways to prevent them

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24:  The interior of the new Boeing Dreamliner 787 as it sits on the tarmac at Manchester Airport during it's tour of the world  on April 24, 2012 in Manchester, England. The Boeing Dreamliner 787 is made of composite materials and uses 20% less fuel than equivalent aircraft. Thompson Holidays were the first Uk company to buy the new 787.  (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The interior of the new Boeing Dreamliner 787 as it sits on the tarmac at Manchester Airport during it's tour of the world.
(
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
)
Listen 15:04
Amid increase in reported ‘air rage’ incidents, a look at causes and ways to prevent them

Incidents of unruly passenger behavior are increasing aboard commercial flights. That's the finding of a new airline industry report which found a 14-percent year-to-year increase in incidents of passengers gone wild.

Most of the incidents involve verbal abuse, failure to follow instructions, and general antisocial behavior. Eleven-percent involve physical aggression toward passengers or crew, or damage to the aircraft itself. The report adds that alcohol or drug intoxication is a factor in about a quarter of the cases.

The report, from the International Air Transport Association claims most of these cases involved people who boarded the flight drunk or high.

If you're an airline professional like a flight attendant or commercial pilot,or even just a frequent flier, what are you experiencing in the air? Are passengers generally acting out more? If so, what do you think is the reason? Have you seen a particular notable episode of threatening behavior by a fellow passenger? How was it handled?

Guest:

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants; she tweets