Air travel takes us to amazing places, but it also comes with its quirks. A new term is taking social media by storm, stirring debates among frequent flyers.

What’s the latest in-flight annoyance everyone’s talking about?


Remember “gate lice”?

Those were the passengers who huddled around the boarding area, eager to pounce onto the plane the moment their group number was called—or even before.

Well, it seems that the gate lice have evolved and now they've taken to the aisles of the aircraft itself.


The term “aisle lice” refers to those individuals who, upon landing, leap up from their seats with the agility of Olympic sprinters.

They're the ones who can't wait to grab their overhead luggage and dart toward the exit, often disregarding the comfort and personal space of their fellow passengers.

The conversation really took off on a forum on social media called “r/delta”, where travelers shared their personal encounters with these pesky aisle invaders.

One flyer recounted a tale of a flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to LaGuardia Airport where a passenger from the window seat managed to wriggle their way to the front of the plane as soon as it landed. The audacity!


The debate that ensued was as divided as a split-flap display at a bustling airport.

Some argued that “aisle lice” are far worse than their gate-dwelling counterparts, causing unnecessary delays and frustration during deplaning.

Others shrugged off the behavior, claiming it gave them more room to stretch or simply didn't affect them as much.

Fox News Digital even reached out to Delta for comment on this trending topic.


Meanwhile, Brandon Blewett, the Texas-based author of How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes, weighed in, dubbing “aisle lice” as “eager exiters.”

He described them as passengers who treat deplaning like a competitive sport, elbowing past others in a desperate attempt to save mere seconds.

Blewett pointed out that this behavior disrupts the deplaning order and can cause hold-ups, making it his top travel annoyance.

He conceded that there are exceptions, such as those with tight connections, but emphasized that flight staff should be informed to manage such situations.


The consensus among seasoned travelers and experts alike is clear: patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to exiting an aircraft.

The unspoken rule of waiting your turn not only maintains order but also ensures a smoother and quicker deplaning process for everyone.

So, what can we do about “aisle lice”?

For starters, we can lead by example.

Stay seated until it's your turn to deplane, and if you're in a rush, communicate with the flight crew—they're there to help. And remember, a little courtesy goes a long way.

Together, we can navigate the ever-changing landscape of air travel etiquette.

After all, the journey should be just as pleasant as the destination.

Safe travels, and may your next flight be “lice”-free!
Have you encountered “aisle lice” on your travels? How do you handle the rush to deplane? Or perhaps you have your own air travel pet peeves to share? Share your experiences and insights with us in the comments below.