Survey results reveal that it’s not those pesky aisle seats, the emergency exit row, or even close proximity to the tiny restrooms – it’s the seat next to the person who plays their audio without headphones!
As we gear up for the busy holiday travel season, the leading audio brand, JBL, has released the first Tune out the Noise report. By surveying 1,000 Americans, they’ve uncovered the biggest travel stressors – from lost luggage to noisy seatmates – and just how important a solid pair of headphones are to tune it all out.
From crowded airports to delayed flights, 83% of Americans report that the right pair of headphones/earbuds will get them through most travel challenges. In fact, Americans report that they couldn’t travel without earbuds and headphones (42%), ranking them higher than other flight perks like extra leg room (11%), in-flight meals (9%) and even travel pillows (12%).
Please find more survey highlights below:
- Americans report that earbuds/headphones are essential for mental health (75%). Travelers will use earbuds or headphones for streaming content (24%), pass the time with apps (22%), with the goal of drowning out as many distractions as possible (20%).
- Friends are most unwilling to let out their earbuds/headphones. The next time you realize you’ve forgotten an item at home, don’t expect friends to be so generous – 47% will not lend a pair of earbuds/headphones, 36% will not lend out toiletries, and 34% will not lend out clothing.
- A quiet airplane ride is all people want this holiday season. Americans are most worried about sitting next to someone who plays audio on their phone instead of using headphones (27%) and sitting next to children (26%).
- Are headphones the universal “do not disturb” sign? Maybe. 21% of travelers admit that they will wear earbuds/headphones to avoid speaking to people while traveling, while the majority are just passing the time with entertainment (51%) or drowning out the noise (24%).
- Americans will go to great lengths to avoid a noisy seatmate. 68% would choose a dreaded aisle seat, 33% would take the responsibility of sitting next to an emergency exit, and 22% are resorting to the seats next to the restrooms.
- Americans are sick of overhearing strangers’ conversations. People who take phone calls on speaker phones in airport restaurants (24%) and conference calls in airport lounges (19%) are the most irritating.
- Noisy neighbors are (unfortunately) becoming more and more common. 35% of Americans admit to listening to audio without headphones in public when they really need to hear something, 26% consistently do but keep their volume low, and a shameless 6% do it all the time and see no problem with it.
- Americans want more airport and train signage to discourage playing audio or music aloud. 76% of Americans would like to see more “use headphones” signs in public places with 58% saying that we’ve reached public crisis levels and more action should be taken to create more quiet spaces.
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