Frequent fliers may be familiar with various terms describing bothersome behaviors in airports and aboard planes, such as “gate lice” (passengers who delay boarding) and “seat squatters” (those who ignore their assigned seats). Recently, a new label has emerged for a particular annoyance—passengers who play music or videos out loud without using headphones, now known as “speaker scum.”

The Emergence of ‘Speaker Scum’

The term gained traction following a discussion on the r/unitedairlines subreddit, where one traveler posed the question: “Do we have a term for our fellow passengers that do not use headphones? This is getting out of hand.” The ensuing comments led several users to adopt the now-popular phrase “speaker scum.”

A Common In-Flight Nuisance

Many travelers have shared their frustrating encounters with those who neglect to use headphones while watching videos during flights. One notable account details a traveler who endured nearly seven hours of videos broadcast from the seat next door on a long-haul flight. Numerous others noted that popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are frequent sources of this unwelcome noise, often oblivious to the discomfort it causes other passengers.

Airlines’ Response

To combat this issue, airlines like United Airlines use in-flight announcements to remind passengers to mute devices or wear headphones. However, this message may often go unheard by those causing a disturbance due to their own loud speakers. Flight attendants can intervene when necessary, and some resourceful travelers have taken it upon themselves to offer spare airline headsets to passengers in need—a subtle hint about appropriate behavior. Airlines are also stepping up by providing free earbuds to guests upon request, making it harder for travelers to claim they forgot their headphones.

A Broader Context

The issue of using devices without headphones is not a novel problem. A 2024 YouGov study ranked watching media without headphones as the fourth rudest in-flight behavior, trailing behind behaviors such as allowing children to roam in the aisles and excessive alcohol consumption. Other annoying activities include leaving trash behind and failing to pay attention during safety demonstrations.

Future Considerations

Could stricter regulations be on the horizon? Possibilities include new “No Speaker” warnings on seat-back cards or penalties for repeated offenders. For now, travelers seeking peace during their journeys can rely on noise-canceling headphones, a dose of patience, and perhaps a well-timed glare to address the issue.