When you board a plane, you’re likely thinking more about your destination than the journey itself.
That said, you may want to give the trip itself a little more thought. Browsing the internet, people seem to believe that there’s a whole lot of etiquette that travelers are expected to follow—and often don’t. For example, some say it’s rude to recline your seat. Others claim that you shouldn’t put jackets or backpacks in the overhead bin.
Now, a user on TikTok has gone viral after voicing a frustration apparently shared by flight attendants: people who get up as soon as the flight lands. Here’s why commenters say the issue is more complicated than it seems.
What Happened On This Flight?
In a video with over 4.5 million views, TikTok user MJ (@the_mannii) seems to record an announcement from a flight attendant.
As soon as a chime indicates the “fasten seatbelt” sign has been turned off, a flight attendant hops onto the intercom.
“All right, hurry up, jump up, grab everything—and go nowhere,” the flight attendant says. A few laughs can be heard from the cabin. After this announcement, the flight attendant goes through the normal, procedural post-landing steps.
“This flight attendant deserves a raise,” MJ writes in the text overlaying the video.
While MJ makes this video seem like an original recording, this audio has been floating around the internet for months before he posted it. Still, its virality and repeated reinterpretation show that it’s a sentiment that resonates with many people. But why?
Why Do People Stand Up Right When The Plane Lands?
When polled, Americans say that this behavior is rude. In a 2024 YouGov poll, around half of respondents considered it “unacceptable” to stand up immediately after the plane lands. A 2023 poll from travel website KAYAK also found that 67% of travelers claimed getting up right when the seatbelt sign turned off was pointless.
But if that’s the case, why do so many people do it? In a Reddit thread on the topic, one of the primary reasons cited for early standing was simply to stretch one’s legs. However, that’s not the only reason.
Some say they enjoy the feeling of progress—as in, they see standing as the next logical step to reaching their destination. Others claimed that, by standing and getting ready, they allow everyone to exit the airplane more efficiently. A 2025 article in PEOPLE further stated that some people stand simply because they have a tight connection. Standing allows them to exit the plane more quickly.
No matter why people do it, some airlines try to discourage the behavior—specifically, if passengers stand before the “fasten seatbelt sign” has been turned off. In 2025, the Turkish civil aviation authority announced that passengers arriving into the country would be fined if they stood before the “fasten seatbelt” sign was turned off.
Flyers Understand The Struggle
In the comments section, many users claimed that they weren’t bothered by people standing right when the plane landed.
“Oh no, people stretching their legs after a long flight,” a user joked.
“People get up immediately not because they’re trying to rush out of the plane, although some do to catch the next flight, but it’s mostly to stretch. There, now you know,” another echoed.
“As someone who is 6’6, sometimes it is nice to finally stand up,” offered a third.
That said, some were on the side of the flight attendant.
“Oh my god ! She’s a genius. I get so irritated when people do that,” a comment read.
“It’s not only that, it’s the fact people expect you to hurry up too,” a second explained. “If you are ‘only stretching’ why are you stressing me out.”
BroBible reached out to MJ via email and Instagram direct message.