The experience of flying often highlights a dual truth: everyone is eager to exit the plane, yet very few are actually prepared to do so when it’s their turn.

This situation can be quite frustrating.

Once the plane lands, passengers can hardly contain themselves as they fidget in their seats, keen to unfasten their seatbelts and reach for their bags in the overhead compartments. While I understand this urge to a certain extent—who doesn’t want to stretch after a long flight?—there’s no real advantage to hurrying. If you’re seated anywhere behind rows one or two, chances are you won’t be among the first to disembark. Instead, you’ll find yourself increasingly exasperated as you wait for the crowd in front of you to shuffle to the aisle.

Rich Henderson, co-author of the blog Two Guys on a Plane, observed that the impatience for deplaning has notably increased since the onset of COVID.

“I’ve noticed this trend a lot lately. It makes me wonder, where is everyone hurrying to?” he commented. “The seatbelt sign is clearly there for a reason. When it’s illuminated, it’s just common sense to remain seated.”

While I may frequently remind readers about this topic, it’s crucial to understand that rising too soon can indeed pose safety risks.

Here’s why waiting for the seatbelt sign to turn off and allowing your row to exit in turn isn’t just polite, but essential. Plus, this waiting period can be a good time to get organized before you leave the aircraft.

The Safety Risks of Standing Up Too Early on a Plane

Henderson and his husband, Andrew, advise that being on the ground can actually be among the most perilous stages of the flight, making adherence to the seatbelt sign particularly vital during taxiing and other ground operations.

“This is a highly risky period there’s a multitude of things that could go wrong while we’re on the ground,” Rich mentioned. “Various scenarios could lead to an evacuation during taxiing.”

Getting unbuckled too soon can heighten these risks and also delay the arrival at the gate.

“People often forget that they’re in a massive machine,” Andrew added. “It requires significant power to get it moving and to bring it to a halt.” He explained that if someone stands during taxiing, the pilot is forced to stop the aircraft and engage the parking brake.

Who Should Deplane First?

Typically, passengers should exit the plane in row order.

“Why can’t people just wait their turn? What makes someone in row 34 believe they should leave before someone in row 20?” Rich questioned.

Although the process has never been flawless, Rich noted an increase in pushiness and impatience in recent years.

“Since COVID, there seems to be a rise in travelers who may not be familiar with the norms of flying,” he remarked. “The etiquette surrounding travel, like respecting others’ space and the order in which we disembark, seems to be lost on many.”

During a flight earlier this week, I couldn’t help but sigh and roll my eyes as a passenger behind me hurried ahead only to dawdle once she reached the jetway after disembarking.

I’m not completely unsympathetic, though. If you have a tight connection or a genuine need to exit quickly, it’s reasonable to communicate with the flight attendant for assistance in letting those around you know. However, if you’re just overly impatient and self-absorbed, it’s best to relax and wait your turn.

Why Are People Never Prepared?

Despite the general rush to leave the plane, I often notice that those who leap up immediately take significant time gathering their belongings when it’s their turn to exit.

This behavior baffles me and likely stems from a lack of awareness, which Rich and Andrew believe is behind many issues onboard.

“Maybe it’s that since COVID people have grown increasingly unaware of their surroundings,” Rich suggested. “It’s as if everyone entered a bubble during that time.”

Andrew pointed to an unexpected factor contributing to this:

“Noise-canceling headphones,” he remarked. “People have become so isolated in their silent worlds with their music that they fail to notice what is going on around them.”

While this is certainly a step up from blasting music without headphones on a plane, staying alert and aware during deplaning will help ensure everyone exits efficiently, rather than rushing to unbuckle their seatbelts prematurely.