Staying seated until an airplane comes to a complete stop at the gate is a critical air travel safety guideline. But too often, passengers unbuckle their seatbelts and leap up to reach into the overhead bins before the plane has fully parked at the gate and the seatbelt sign actually turns off. Now, one country is taking action and fining any passenger who stands up too early after a plane lands. See how this new rule might affect your next flight.
Turkey Introduces Fine for Standing Up Too Early
In May 2025, the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a statement warning of potential discipline for airline passengers. It targets two problem behaviors — people standing up before the plane is fully stopped and the seatbelt sign goes off, as well as the issue of vaping or smoking onboard. The country issued the order in an effort to bring awareness to these growing problems and also to empower Turkish Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, to fine violators. According to Turkish media reports, rulebreakers could be subject to fines around $70 USD per violation.
This action comes amid a concerning increase in unruly passenger activity, as noted by a 2023 report from the International Air Transport Association. Many travelers fail to realize that defying instructions of the flight crew not only puts everyone’s safety at risk but is also a massive liability for airlines.
When The New York Times requested further clarification about how often the new rule has been enforced, Turkish Airlines declined to answer. Even still, it’s probably best not to push your luck. This guidance applies to every commercial passenger flying into Turkey, whether passengers are Turkish citizens or foreign nationals.
While Turkey may be the first country to impose fines explicitly targeted at those who stand up too early after landing, they’re certainly not the first to penalize passengers for unruly conduct. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains the right to propose fines of up to $37,000 in certain cases, and passengers may even be subject to jail time for extreme behavior. To avoid incurring these fines, always listen to the cabin crew’s instructions.
Other Fineable Air Travel Offenses
In addition to incurring in-flight fines, passengers traveling in the United States may also be fined during the security screening process. For example, the TSA can impose penalties up to $17,062 on passengers who attempt to transport prohibited items.
While the list of prohibited items is expansive, it largely comes down to common sense. For example, flyers are subject to fines of up to $2,570 — along with potential criminal referral — if the TSA discovers flammable liquids, such as lighter fluid, or dangerous weapons, such as switchblades or improperly secured firearms in your checked luggage.
The TSA also holds the right to fine passengers for interfering with the security screening process in any way. A nonviolent interference is subject to fines of up to $12,900, while any interference that results in injury may net you a fine of up to $17,062. Falsification of one’s identity is another serious crime, and you may be fined up to $10,230 and be subject to criminal referral.
The Rules of Airplane Etiquette
Even if you have no plans to ignore the seatbelt sign on a flight — or to travel to Turkey anytime soon — it’s still a good idea to practice proper etiquette both at the airport and aboard the aircraft. It’s not just to lessen the risk of incurring a fine, but also for the experience of your fellow passengers.
If you’re wondering what actions bother air travelers the most, a 2024 YouGov survey found that some of the more egregious behaviors reported by airline passengers included other passengers watching media or listening to music without headphones, people leaving their seats in the event of turbulence, and passengers letting their kids play in the aisle during a flight.
At the end of the day, try to remember that the airplane cabin is a shared space. Just because you can do something without being fined doesn’t mean that you should. Try to be cognizant of those around you when it comes to sharing armrests or reclining your seat. And yes, always pay attention to the fasten seatbelt sign for everyone’s safety.
Featured image credit: mtreasure/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
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