Former royal butler Julius Smith has warned UK travelers against common rudeness as the summer holiday season peaks. He highlights behaviors such as early morning drinking and baggage belt crowding as particularly off-putting.
The decline from the golden age of elegant air travel
The current state of airport behavior is a far cry from the mid-century era of glamour. Speaking to the Daily Mail,Julius Smith noted that the "glory days" of aviation—characterized by elegantly dressed movie stars and dedicated baggage handlers—have been replaced by passenger conduct that he describes as "downright shocking."
This shift reflects a broader trend in global tourism where the democratization of flight has led to increased congestion and a corresponding dip in social decorum .. As airports across the UK brace for the school summer break, the friction between high passenger volumes and dwindling patience often manifests in the very faux pas Julius Smith seeks to eliminate.
Why Michael O'Leary wants 6 a.m. airport pints banned
One of the most contentious issues in terminal etiquette is the consumption of alcohol during the earliest hours of the morning. Julius Smith expressed bafflement at passengers who drink spirits or beer at 7 a.m., noting that the smell of alcohol is an unpleasant experience for fellow travelers sitting nearby on a plane.
This sentiment is shared by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary,who has taken a harder line on the issue. As reported in the source, Michael O'Leary told The Times that alcohol service at airports should be restricted to standard licensing hours, arguing that early morning drinking contributes to an increase in aggressive and drunken passenger behavior.
The hygiene risks of barefoot boarding gates and lounge buffet jumping
Beyond alcohol, Julius Smith identifies specific physical behaviors that disrupt the travel experience. he specifically criticized the trend of passengers removing their shoes while waiting at boarding gates, questioning the hygiene of walking in socks or barefoot in areas traversed by thousands of strangers.
The etiquette expert also flagged a growing issue within airport lounges. While these spaces are designed for relaxation, Julius Smith observed that some passengers who pay an entry fee believe this payment exempts them from queuing at the buffet, leading to friction among business and first-class travelers .
The Reddit debate over four-bag carousel collection
Baggage claim remains one of the most volatile areas of the airport, as evidenced by a viral Reddit dispute involving an American passenger. The traveler was confronted by a college student who claimed it was rude for the woman to collect her four large bags as they arrived, rather than walking further down the carousel to retrieve them.
This incident highlights a lingering ambiguity in airport etiquette: does the "correct" behavior involve standing back to let bags flow, or is it acceptable to grab luggage immediately to clear the belt? While the Reddit community largely defended the woman, the clash underscores how high-stress environments like baggage carousels can turn minor procedural differences into heated confrontations.
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