AIBU - Etiquette disembarking plane

I’ve had similar experiences on holidays with mainly Brits in Europe but I definitely don’t view it as it being because of the area they’re from.

I also once went on a flight where people were all I'm totally the wrong seats and refused to move (not 1 or 2 people but 50% at least), refused to sit down for takeoff or landing or wear seat belts without a row, and had stashed their luggage all over the plane but refused to let anyone off first. So lots of shoving to try to get to their bags whilst others were trying to exit. It took more than 20 mins for the plane to empty and it was not a big one. There's definitely a lot to be said for having a clear exit procedure and following it!

TBH most flights I’ve been a passenger on over the years that’s pretty much what I’ve seen happen almost automatically….it’s usually reasonably orderly….

Yes there’s a bit of a faff if timings have resulted in tight connections and/or bags have gone been separated from owners but most people seem to be able to cope without any drama, many using the technique described by @Anxiouslump.

Yeah I think she should have waited, that's what I'd do, or if I needed to get off the plane urgently for a connecting flight if possible I'd have grabbed my bag during the flight and stuffed it under the seat, or asked cabin crew for help in advance. Though I find most US airlines I've flown with the cabin crew can be superficially helpful but then hide at the key moment and/or completely forget what they were supposed to do. [Not picking on US airlines here, just noting as you refer to US airlines in your post].

I completely get why you didn't let her past and TBH I'd have been tempted to do the same - though ideally better to let her struggle back and get stuck. That said I've moved out of the aisle before to let someone through and someone else has leapt up and taken my space so I was stuck - and I had a connecting flight which I was late for 😩I think airlines should put some process behind it to speed up the emptying of the plane but I guess in reality it's all just too much effort for them for the sake of 5 mins.

It would be manners to allow row 1 to disembar, then row 2, then 3 and so on. It is different when there's luggage here there and everywhere though. Plane disembarkment is a free for all, I wish the flight attendants would instill some order!

And if some of those with luggage in the overhead lockers are sat in aisle seats?

For future reference, the way to let people past you when you’re standing in the aisle with your luggage is:
Step 1: put your luggage onto the closest seat.
Step 2: step into the legroom of said seat, facing your luggage and keeping a hand on it.
Step 3: allow the person to pass.
Step 4: step back into the aisle, taking your luggage with you.

It really isn’t that hard!

I used to be cabin crew (UK airline) and storage for baggage was one of the biggest issues we had. We'd fly to a city break destination and everyone would have the little carry on suitcases and complain when they couldn't get it directly above their heads. As soon as we would land, people would rush out of their seats (even when taxiing) to get their bags.
If it was me, I would've moved as it seems like it would be less hassle for you to just go with it but I don't understand the rush to get off the plane so quickly.
But I don't think you're being unreasonable and what's done is done now so forget about it and don't let it bother you

I think anyone who has luggage in the overhead lockers need to sit down until those without can get off first.

So what would you have done if it was your luggage the flight attendant had moved further back?

Sorry i also like to get up and ready to get out. I don't believe in "queues" in planes. But in a scenario like this I would have done everything I could to let them pass.

Only the larger cabin bags should go in the overhead lockers. One over passenger.
Small cabin bags and jackets are supposed to do under the seat in front, unless you are in an exit aisle.

Some of the budget airlines enforce this and it does make a big difference generally with most people able to have their luggage nearer to them.

I'd have just stood back in my seat place but had case in aisle, but pulled to side.
The passenger could have then got past and ask the other standing passengers to do the same down the plane.
I wouldn't have waited for her to return before disembarking if the queue started to move though.

Tbh I doubt she'd have got there and back to her luggage that quick if everyone else was stood up in the aisle as well.

I quite liked the plane disembarking they used around the Covid times. One row at a time, starting from front and/or back depending on which door(s) were used. No one stood up until the row in front were going. Flight crew monitored it. It just seems much more efficient and ended up being a lot quicker.

That said - I do think that when there are connections and the plane has landed late they should call for all those with connections leaving within a certain amount of time to be able to disembark first.

However, if a plane has landed on time, or early, then really the connection time should be sufficient to allow normal disembarking to happen and not need people to rush their way off. The airlines shouldn't allow people to book connections that aren't feasible without being the first person off the plane.

I have been on flights that have been delayed and the cabin crew have read out specific flight numbers and said people trying to make those connections should get priority disembarking. I think that's fair though I don't know if everyone else respects that. I wait if I'm not rushing for a connection. OP says she did have a connection.

I've missed connections and had very tight connections that I have only just made in large airports where it takes ages to get from one gate to the next. It's all very stressful and people are often rude and focussed on themselves.

I think the ridiculously large roll on cases that are allowed as cabin baggage are a big problem. If you are not one of the first half to board, by the time you get to your seat in economy you are lucky if you can fit a light jacket in a locker anywhere near your seat never mind a small back pack or carry on bag. So you will get people needing to move up and down the aisle for their bags. I know lots of people who won't check bags after a bad experience and I understand that as I have had luggage delayed and not make connctions, it's a pain. Presumably a solution is to limit the size of carry on bags as so many people just take the mickey or at least take the maximum allowable size. I don't see much enforcement of the rules that are already there either. So many times I see people with a massive roll on case, a back pack and a large handbag, how is that within the rules? I could grumble on forever as I hate flying and airports so much........

Surely as a frequent business flyer you have amassed enough loyalty points / Avios to upgrade out of Economy, OP?

We missed our connecting flight coming back from Thailand, same airline only left 50 minutes between flights, it happens.

😂 you can doubt me all you like, I don't really give a toot. No ones going to listen to some random banshee either bossing them around about bag collection and departing from the plane either especially after a long flight.

Nowhere did I say I was special, and if you are a regular long-distance flyer, you know the majority of people collect their luggage once it is safe to do so. Nobody listens to the announcement about sitting in your seat until the row in front has cleared.

Every flight Ivebeen on recently disembarka in order from front to middle/back, (and from back to middle if both doors are open) so YWBU to block the people in front of you from getting off first yes. It wasnt their fault their bags were moved elsewhere and they might have been in just as much of a rush as you

If someone wanted to go backwards in the queue I'd have no problem whatsoever helping them do so. I'm happy to be one place further forward.

She wouldn't be getting back past me to come in front though!