In airline crew shorthand, VIP doesn't get you an upgrade. It stands for "very irritating passenger" — a code name cabin crew use for the demanding, rule-ignoring, entitled travellers who make everyone's flight worse. The term was shared by travel experts at vacation rental company Wander, and it's worth knowing what lands you in that category before your next boarding call.
The profile, according to an anonymous American Airlines flight attendant who spoke to Travel and Leisure, typically involves intoxication, blatant rudeness, and loud behaviour that draws unnecessary attention. Crews try to defuse these passengers quickly. "Within reason, I try to give them exactly what they want to get them seated and settled quickly," the attendant said — killing them with kindness, in other words. But don't count on that treatment from everyone. Word travels among crew members, and one attendant's VIP label can follow you onto other flights and other crews' radars.
So how do you steer clear of the tag? Mostly common sense and manners. Board, stow your bag, sit down, and stay put. If you need the bathroom or a drink, wait until the plane reaches cruising altitude and the seatbelt sign goes off rather than disrupting boarding. A bit of patience costs nothing and makes the crew's job dramatically easier.
Travel expert Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer Media, adds a passenger-to-passenger angle: show sympathy for whoever got stuck in the middle seat. In her view, that person owns both armrests, so don't crowd them out. Her other tips include helping a struggling family with kids, accepting that economy air travel isn't always comfortable, and being just as polite to fellow passengers as you are to the crew. Basically, treat the cabin like shared space, not your personal stage.
Why does this matter to ordinary travellers? Because most people who get labelled VIP probably don't think of themselves that way — a couple of sharp complaints, a refusal to sit down, a few drinks too many, and suddenly you're the story the crew tells later. Staying courteous isn't just about being nice; it can genuinely shape your flight. Crews remember helpful, easygoing passengers, and a good relationship with the people running the cabin never hurts, whether that means a little extra patience with your requests or simply a smoother, less stressful few hours at 35,000 feet.
The takeaway is simple: keep the main character energy in check, mind the armrests, and save your complaints for when they're actually warranted. Nobody remembers the passenger who sat down quietly — and that's exactly the reputation you want.
Story via Explore.com.
