Turkey to fine passengers for standing up too soon on planes

Airline etiquette is about to become a legal matter in Turkey, where aviation officials are cracking down on impatient flyers who stand up before it's safe or jump ahead in the deplaning process.

The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation has approved new rules aimed at curbing unruly behavior during aircraft disembarkation. Under a directive issued by Director General Kemal Yüksek, passengers who ignore in-flight crew instructions and disrupt orderly exits can now face financial penalties.

Cabin crews on flights landing in Turkey have been instructed to warn passengers that those who “do not respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you” may be reported to authorities. These individuals could face an administrative fine in line with Turkish law, Yüksek said.

The policy targets behaviors such as unbuckling seat belts while the aircraft is still taxiing, retrieving bags from overhead bins before stopping, and crowding the aisle before it's one’s turn to exit. Yüksek emphasized that these actions have been increasingly reported and pose “passenger and baggage safety and security” risks while also ignoring “the satisfaction and exit priority” of others.

While the directive does not specify a fine amount, Turkish broadcaster Halk TV reported that offenders may be charged approximately 2,603 Turkish lira — about USD 67.

Disruptive behavior during deplaning is not just annoying — it can also delay flights. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations in the US, if someone stands while the plane is still taxiing, flight attendants must inform the pilot, potentially delaying docking at the gate.

Travel etiquette experts generally advise passengers to wait until the rows ahead have cleared before stepping into the aisle, unless someone has a tight connection.