New Jersey Travel Habits: Ranked Among Most Annoying in US

New Jersey residents have been identified as having some of the most irritating habits of any travelers in the United States, ranking as the 12th worst state for annoying travel behaviors, according to a recent survey by Solitaire Bliss.

The survey, which polled individuals across the country, highlighted a range of frustrating behaviors exhibited by air travelers. While strong-smelling food, reclining seats without asking, and using both armrests in a middle seat were common complaints, New Jerseyans were most notably identified for requesting to switch seats on a plane.

The findings, published by New Jersey 101.5 on May 1, 2026, indicate that while seat-switching requests aren’t inherently rude, they were the most frequently cited annoying habit among travelers from the Garden State. The report acknowledges that legitimate reasons for requesting a seat change exist, such as families wanting to sit together.

Travel Etiquette Concerns Nationwide

The Solitaire Bliss survey aimed to identify the most common and unusual travel habits across America. The results revealed a spectrum of behaviors that can disrupt the travel experience for fellow passengers. These included practices like bringing strong-smelling food onto planes, monopolizing armrests, and disregarding seat-reclining etiquette.

According to the survey, 48% of respondents admitted to reclining their seat without first asking the person behind them. Other frequently reported annoyances included smoking or vaping on planes, and leaving garbage in seat pockets.

New Jersey’s Ranking and Comparison to Other States

While New Jersey ranked 12th for overall annoying travel habits, Iowa topped the list as the state with the most disruptive travelers, scoring a 94.29. In contrast, Arkansas and Alabama were identified as the most well-behaved travelers in the country.

A separate report from June 19, 2024, published by 943thepoint.com, indicated that New Jersey’s “Naughty Travel Habits Score” was 70.00. The report suggested that the higher stress levels associated with travel in New Jersey – including traffic congestion and flight delays – may contribute to travelers being more inclined to bend the rules.

Despite its ranking, the report noted that New Jersey travelers aren’t necessarily the “naughtiest” in the country, particularly when compared to states with less congested travel infrastructure. The survey results offer a glimpse into the often-fraught world of air travel etiquette and highlight the behaviors that passengers find most irritating.