US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has urged passengers to help restore civility to air travel, launching a new public appeal for better behaviour in airports and onboard aircraft.
In a post on X, Duffy said air travel “has become more uncivilized,” but insisted it “doesn’t have to be this way,” encouraging travellers to bring back “manners, courtesy and respect.”
The campaign video contrasts glamorous mid-20th-century aviation with modern clips of onboard arguments and unruly passengers. At the end, Duffy delivers a direct message: “Ask yourself — are you helping a pregnant woman load her bag? Are you dressing with respect? Are you keeping your children under control? Are you saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to flight attendants and pilots? The golden age of travel begins with you.”
It’s not your imagination. Traveling has become more uncivilized!
The Facts:
❌ 400% increase in outbursts on planes since 2019
❌ 1 in 5 flight attendants report experiencing physical incidents
❌ Unruly passenger events DOUBLED since 2019But it doesn’t have to be this… pic.twitter.com/IS8HAemVQc
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 19, 2025
The initiative is notably non-partisan, marking a shift from some of Duffy’s previous communications. While aviation experts welcomed the sentiment, many questioned whether a social media appeal could meaningfully influence passenger behaviour.
Responses online quickly turned toward criticisms of airlines, with travellers blaming shrinking seat space, baggage fees and crowded cabins for making flying more stressful. Aviation analysts noted, however, that air travel is now far more accessible than in the so-called golden age — when flying was a luxury only few could afford.
With flights now cheaper and more widely available, passengers represent a broader cross-section of society, which inevitably brings a mix of behaviours. As one analyst put it, “When it costs more to take an Uber to the airport than to fly cross-country, the flying public looks very different than it did in the 1960s.”
Still, Duffy’s appeal struck a chord with many who feel that basic courtesy has deteriorated across public life. His message — that civility begins with individuals — has been praised as a refreshing break from political conflict.
The campaign aims to promote a more considerate travel culture, with Duffy urging passengers to treat aviation workers with respect and support fellow travellers. As he concluded: “The golden age of travel begins with you.”