Sit Down! Fines for standing up too early on airplanes are being issued

Passengers who stand up before their plane has fully stopped at the gate or who crowd the aisle too early now risk facing large fines. This rule, put in place by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey, is meant to tackle safety issues and make the process of getting off the plane better for everyone.

The rule clearly states that passengers must not unbuckle their seatbelts, stand up, open overhead bins, or block the aisle while the plane is still moving. GB News reported that even after the seatbelt sign is turned off, passengers must stay seated until their row is called to exit. This targets a common problem: passengers in a hurry to leave the plane before it has fully stopped, often causing crowding and slowing down the whole process. The fines, which are said to be around $70, are meant to discourage this behavior.

The reason for this rule comes from a noticeable rise in reports of passengers ignoring safety rules while getting off the plane. According to the Washington Post, Aviation officials have pointed out the safety risks of passengers standing while the plane is still taxiing. Even small, sudden movements can make the plane less stable and could lead to injuries for passengers and crew. The disorderly rush to exit also raises the chance of people bumping into each other or damaging carry-on luggage.

Impatient airline passengers will receive fines for crowding isles

Besides safety, the new rule is meant to make airline operations run more smoothly. An efficient exit process is key to keeping flights on time and reducing delays. Right now, delays often happen because passengers block the orderly flow of people trying to leave the plane. By enforcing the “stay seated” rule, authorities hope to create a more organized and faster process, leading to smoother connections between flights and better overall airport operations.

We’ve seen plenty of airline incidents happen. Passengers have made a fuss over being told what to do, and airline employees have gone viral for clapping back. Airlines can do what they want as long as you want to use their airplanes.

The effects of this rule go beyond Turkey. It impacts millions of passengers each year who travel through Turkish airports, and if it works, it could inspire other airlines worldwide. Several big international airlines are said to be looking at similar rules to improve passenger flow and safety. This includes possibly adopting comparable stay-seated rules during the exit process.