Turkish authority fines airline passengers for standing up too soon - Travel News

May 29, 2025

It’s the common act you’ll see on most flights – whether it be domestic or international – but now, doing so might come at a cost.

If you’re one of those people who likes to stand up on a plane before the seatbelt sign has been switched off, this warning is for you.

Turkish authorities have announced a new measure will be rolled out in a bid to try and control travellers who scramble to leave once a plane lands.

This new ban – implemented by The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) – will take aim at passengers who take off their seatbelt early and before the plane has fully taxied to the terminal gate, with offenders looking at around $105 in fines.

Passengers wait to exit the aircraft after landing — Yes, it’s been a long flight. You’ll just have to wait a little longer.

It’s proposed that airlines announce to passengers that they must remain seated, even after the seatbelt sign has gone off, until it’s their turn to leave the aircraft, according to UK publication the Independent.

Turkish Airlines, the country’s flagship carrier, flies routes to 131 countries, with other regional airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, reportedly considering implementing the stay-seated rule, according to the publication.

Arriving passengers on a plane getting their cabin bags waiting to get off. — Stay seated and avoid a fine.

The TCAA hopes the ban and threat of the relatively hefty fine will stop cabin crew from constantly having to tell people to sit down.

The new rules essentially mean all passengers will need to stay in their seats even after the seatbelt signs have been switched off, and until it’s their turn to disembark the plane, The Times reported.

“According to the regulation, airlines are obliged to remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts during and after landing until they reach the parking position and to explicitly point out that any infringement will be reported to the aviation authority, and a fine will be imposed,” Turkey’s Civil Aviation Authority said.

This article originally appeared on news.com.au. It was reproduced here with permission.