The most misconduct-prone tourists of 2024
In the after-pandemic era, there's been an unprecedented surge in travelers, shattering prior records. Unfortunately, this boom also welcomed an abundance of disruptive traveler incidents in 2025.
CNN Travel suggests the following New Year resolutions for globetrotters and adventurers like you: Let's amend our behavior in 2026.
1. On flights, I won't harass, attack, or spew hateful remarks
The Federal Aviation Administration investigated around 2,000 disrespectful passenger incidents in 2025. This represented a significant decrease from the record of 5,973 incidents in 2023, yet still almost twice the number reported before the pandemic.
Following an argument over seat recline etiquette during a September flight from Hong Kong to London with Cathay Pacific, a couple was banned from future flights. The dispute escalated into xenophobic slurs and physical violence.
In October, a passenger launched a sudden, unprovoked assault against another passenger sleeping on a United Airlines flight. More often, though, flight attendants were targeted with violent and criminal behavior.
An incident on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight, scheduled for Seattle, ended with a male passenger biting a female flight attendant.
An American Airlines flight en route to Montana had to be diverted to Texas in January, as a passenger punched a flight attendant several times.
In September, a man from California was charged after attempting to choke a Frontier Airlines flight attendant and threatening to assassinate everyone on board a diverted flight to San Francisco.
A month later, an American Airlines flight was forced to return to Albuquerque after a man attempted to open the emergency exit. On another American Airlines flight in November, bound for Dallas, a passenger was duct-taped after attempting a similar action.
A Chinese flight was delayed by four hours due to a passenger tossing coins into the engine, an act apparently intended as a good luck charm.
Finally, a disruptive Australian passenger was ordered to pay the airline over $5,000 to cover fuel costs after causing his Sydney-bound flight to turn around and return to Perth.
2. I won't stash animals, contraband, or weapons in my luggage
Airport personnel worldwide continued to intercept individuals trying to sneak animals through security checks in 2025.
A man attempted to smuggle 100 live snakes down his pants. Another traveled with 300 tarantulas strapped to their bodies. 90 giant African snails were discovered in Detroit, and an endangered red panda was found in Bangkok, along with 86 other animals.
Smugglers tried unsuccessfully to conceal methamphetamine in creative ways.
A man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after he allegedly packed two suitcases with meth-covered clothing, including a cow pajama onesie.
In early December, Canadian customs officials seized more than 10 kilos worth up to $2.2 million of meth disguised as Christmas presents in a woman's hand luggage.
LAX was also the scene of a woman being detained after 82 fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms, and a canister of pepper spray were discovered in her hand luggage.
3. I will remember that ‘hands-on’ doesn't equate to groping or vandalism
Italy remains one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but not all visitors are mindful of its rich cultural heritage and history.
In July, authorities were hunting for a woman who had been photographed simulating sexual acts with a statue of Bacchus, the god of wine and sensuality, in Florence. The images went viral on social media.
A tourist visiting Pompeii, the ancient city frozen since Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 CE, was caught carving initials into one of its 2,000-year-old homes in August.
In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera, a group of parkour enthusiasts from London caused damage by jumping and colliding with historic structures.
Japan attracted over 33 million visitors in 2025 – a record number – due in part to a weaker Yen and increased direct flights.
However, this popularity brought its own set of problems. A Japanese town erected a barrier to protect a popular viewpoint of Mount Fuji from the litter and traffic issues caused by the influx of tourists.
Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, imposed penalties for paparazzi harassing geishas and tourists arrested for defacing the gate of a shrine and having sexual encounters inside a shrine.
4. Before posting on social media, I will consider the consequences
The 3,922-step Haiku Stairs in Hawaii were built by the US Navy during World War II and have been closed to the public since 1987. Since then, the number of illegal visitors has grown exponentially with the popularity of social media.
Due to the significant presence of YouTubers, TikTokers, thrill-seekers, and other tourists illegally visiting the picturesque yet off-limits site, authorities decided to dismantle the stairs, at a cost of $2.5 million. A lesson about the importance of preserving and respecting our environment.
A fresh attraction, comprising of two public sculptures situated in New York and Dublin with a constant 24-hour video link, debuted in May yet encountered issues right off the bat.
It was uncovered that when individuals can observe but not communicate, some might resort to lower forms of interaction - such as exposing themselves or displaying explicit and unpleasant content. This "Portal" eventually met its end permanently in September.
An influential duo from Arizona faced backlash for perceived neglect of their children during a cruise, while a British presenter stirred up controversy when she posted about allowing her 15-year-old son to travel independently across Europe without an adult.
Social media trends including mid-air "raw-dogging" (isn't the evolution of language fascinating?) and capturing artistic photographs of airport food trays created quite the uproar.
Even video evidence emerged of an airplane passenger seemingly posing inside an overhead bin. To shed light on why this is an absolutely terrible idea, here's some insight.
5. I'll preserve our planet for future generations
What risky or damaging activities occurred in America's national parks during the year?
Two Nevada residents were indicted in August, accused of vandalizing ancient rock formations in the much-adored Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Yellowstone, the primary and most visited national park in the United States, witnessed a few noteworthy incidents.
In April, a man was charged with kicking a bison, which in turn caused injuries to him. Later, in July, a car with five passengers veered off the road and into one of the park's iconic hot geysers - miraculously, everyone managed to escape the vehicle unhurt, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Littering remained a persistent issue. Even a discarded bag of Cheetos could have significant repercussions on fragile ecosystems, according to a video from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in September.
Authorities in Nepal also took action to reduce pollution. Mount Everest climbers are now required to remove their waste - human excrement has become a concern on the world's highest peak.
6. I'll honor local rules and customs
One of the most degrading slangs of 2024 was "gate lice," a term for individuals who crowd around their boarding gate before it's their turn to board the plane.
In October, American Airlines introduced technology designed to reduce line-cutters. When someone attempts to board before their designated group, an alarm sounds, and the offender must return to the waiting area.
New Zealand had concerns regarding loitering in the car park drop-off zone, resulting in the introduction of a time limit on hugs at one specific airport. Describing airports as "emotional hotbeds," Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono commented, "Our team have seen peculiar happenings over the years."
A favored Australian nudist beach north of Byron Bay lost its clothing-optional policy following reports of "offensive, vulgar, or antisocial behavior."
For advice on losing your clothes without losing your decorum, take a look at our perennial guide to nudist beach etiquette.
Afterward, you might also be interested in understanding common traveler mistakes in France and how to avoid the "ignorant tourist" stereotype when voyaging abroad.
7. I won't rent an e-scooter to my Airbnb while shouting on a loudspeaker
Tourism forms the backbone of numerous economies globally, but 2024 marked the peak of negative consequences of mass tourism in protests across Europe and an increase in tourist taxes and visitor limits worldwide.
Barcelona banned short-term apartment rentals for tourists, Italy outlawed Airbnb self-check-ins, and Amsterdam prohibited construction of new hotels.
Melbourne banned e-scooter rentals, Florence prohibited the use of tour guide loudspeakers, Prague banned bar crawls, and Milan considered limiting the sale of pizza and gelato past midnight.
Despite these restrictions, savouring your stay while respecting locals and supporting local businesses remains legally acceptable almost everywhere, so let's embark on this new year with that in mind.
- The increase in travelers has led to an unfortunate rise in disrespectful behavior, with the Federal Aviation Administration investigating over 2,000 disruptive passenger incidents in 2025, despite a decrease from the 2023 record.
- In an effort to make travel safer and more enjoyable for all, it's crucial to remember that disruptive incidents like harassing, attacking, or spewing hateful remarks on flights should be avoided.
