Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams recently recounted an uncomfortable mid-air exchange, revealing she was confronted by a fellow passenger for playing Instagram videos aloud. Williams explained she was scrolling through her phone when the woman questioned, “So you’re gonna make me listen to that the whole flight?”. Williams responded, offering, “Well, do you want to?” before asserting that the passenger could have voiced her concern more politely. The incident has ignited a debate about etiquette in confined spaces, specifically regarding the use of personal electronic devices without headphones.
While there aren’t specific federal laws prohibiting the use of electronic devices without headphones on airplanes, many airlines include such considerations in their “Conditions of Carriage” or passenger conduct policies. These policies often grant flight crews the authority to intervene in situations that disrupt the comfort and enjoyment of other passengers. The situation has triggered a renewed call from some corners for airlines to take a more firm stance, including outright banning devices on a plane.