Turkey Introduces Fines for Airplane Passengers Who Leave Seats Before Full Stop

Starting May 2, 2025, Turkey has implemented new rules to improve passenger discipline on board commercial flights. The new regulation prohibits passengers from leaving their seats before the plane has come to a complete stop and the seatbelt sign has been turned off. Violators may now face monetary penalties.

The decision was made by Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and is outlined in an updated directive issued to all licensed passenger airlines. According to Akdeniz Gerçek, the rules apply to all commercial air carriers operating in Turkey and include bans on early access to overhead bins, unfastening seatbelts prematurely, and using tobacco products.

Enhanced Crew Instructions and Oversight

Turkish Airlines was one of the first to adopt the regulation, as reported by FTN News. Flight crews are now instructed to repeat announcements that prohibit movement before full stop and to monitor compliance. Crew members are also expected to record violations, which classifies such passengers as disruptive.

While the exact fine amount has not been disclosed, the measure aims to curb unsafe behavior—especially incidents caused by premature standing during taxiing or unexpected post-landing movements. The update enhances the authority of crew members and addresses rising global concerns over inappropriate passenger conduct.

Global Comparisons

The issue is not unique to Turkey. In the U.S., passengers can face fines of up to $37,000 for ignoring instructions during landing and taxiing. According to the FAA, this behavior constitutes a safety risk. In Russia, similar violations can lead to fines or administrative detention, with offenders being added to airline blacklists since 2018.

In Turkey, earlier offenses would only result in a warning or a note in the passenger’s record. The new financial penalties are expected to reinforce safety awareness. Turkish officials have noted a global rise in unruly behavior, and these updated rules signal a move toward stricter enforcement to protect crew and passengers alike.

Passengers flying Turkish carriers should now wait until the seatbelt sign is off before standing up, avoid opening luggage compartments early, and follow all crew instructions carefully.