‘Restore Courtesy And Class:’ DOT Wants Travelers To Bring Back ‘Civility’ To Flying

On November 19, just ahead of this year’s Thanksgiving travel boom, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a campaign calling for “civility” in air travel, with passengers at the helm.

The campaign is called “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You.” A press release notes that the campaign’s purpose is to “jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel.” In addition to maintaining safety, the transportation authority feels a shift from air travel’s current climate could also spark community.

“There’s no question we’ve lost sight of what makes travel fun — the excitement, the relaxation, the cordial conversations. Americans already feel divided and stressed. We can all do our part to bring back civility, manners, and common sense,” said the DOT. “When we can unite around shared values, we can feel more connected as a country.”

The transportation authority additionally stated its belief that bringing “class” back to air travel would be beneficial to all those involved — including passengers and airline workers. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy offered questions for Americans to ask themselves before they hit the skies this holiday season. Among the considerations were “Are you dressing with respect?” and “Are you saying please and thank you in general?” The other questions revolved around whether a flyer is “keeping control” of their children in the airport, whether they’ve offered to help pregnant women or older people with their luggage, or if they’ve said thank you to their flight attendants.

“Manners don’t stop at the gate,” Duffy stated in a campaign video. “Things aren’t what they used to be — some would call it the ‘Golden Age of Travel.’ Let’s bring civility and manners back… The Golden Age of Travel begins with you.”

What Else Is There To Know About The DOT’s Air Travel Civility Campaign?

The “Golden Age of Air Travel” is often considered to have taken place around the mid-20th century, when air travel included free-flowing cocktails, gourmet food served on real plates, in-flight lounges, more legroom, smoking, and put-together attire from everyone on board.

The DOT shared percentages and numbers regarding how unruly air travel has been in recent times. The source noted that “Since 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration has seen a 400% increase of in-flight outbursts — ranging from disruptive behavior to outright violence.” Moreover, the DOT said “1 in 5 flight attendants experienced physical incidents in 2021,” and there have been “13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021.”

Even if well-intentioned, the DOT’s air travel civility campaign has landed as controversial to some. For starters, the campaign mainly puts the onus on passengers to change the unsatisfying atmosphere many experience when flying. That is rather than asking airlines and airports to address their employees. Critics argue that the responsibility of making it more enjoyable to go through the airport and fly should be on the corporations and transportation organizations running air travel. Additionally, the average modern-day air traveler may not find dressing up for their flight worth it when they’re not getting to experience the perks associated with the Golden Age of air travel, such as fine dining and more spacious legroom and comfortability.

The DOT’s emphasis on the “Golden Age” of air travel doesn’t mention that flying was significantly more expensive and, therefore, less accessible to the masses. Though recent headlines are riddled with mentions of “unruly passengers,” more people than ever can now fly safely, affordably, and on the fastest routes.