Travelers Who Enjoy Turbulence, Airplane Food and the Middle Seat

Alexander Nazaryan for The New York Times reported on Feb. 2, 2026, that some air travelers actually relish features most passengers find annoying — turbulence, airline meals and the middle seat — and that their attitudes offer lessons about changing perspective. The piece notes that climate change has worsened some types of turbulence and that mild-to-moderate bumps remain a normal part of flying.

A commercial pilot, Patrick Smith, said, "Some people are soothed by the ripples of light turbulence. It helps them sleep." Enthusiastic passengers like Harshit Baranwal describe the sensation as "just fun," and meteorologist Matthew E. Cappucci called turbulence the wonder of physics, saying "the atmosphere is a fluid." The article also says the more violent turbulence that has become more common as the planet warms "does not have a discernible fan base." Passengers who prefer the middle seat frame it as a philosophical or social advantage.

A TikTok creator, Joshua Whitt, wrote, "Unpopular FACT, but someone needs to say it. The middle seat on an airplane is the best seat." James Cashen described treating the middle seat as a leadership role: "Embrace the leadership role," he advised, saying the person in the middle can shape the rows vibe.

On airplane meals, the story cites Anthony Wright of LSG Sky Chefs, which the article says produces 233 million airline meals per year; Mr.

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