'Can delay the flight': The most annoying thing you can do as a passenger, according to a pilot

Most airline passengers don't intend to upset anyone (we hope).But there's one thing a former Qantas captain has revealed really got on his nerves during over 35 years of flying.It was passengers who were late - and not sorry about it."Just turning up late, or dithering, taking too long to sit down," the former Qantas pilot Captain Jeremy Burfoot tells 9Travel annoyed him a lot.READ MORE: Tassie shines in Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel' destinations for 2025"This is more for the cabin crew but it can be a delay for the flight."Jeremy jokes he would have even loved to 'run over' the offloaded luggage of passengers who were too late to be allowed onboard with his plane wheels."Unfortunately we can't," he tells us, laughing.Jeremy reveals this and other insights in his new book, The Secret Life of Flying.READ MORE: Unique luxury cruise offerings you've probably never heard ofHe spent more than 23,000 hours flying for Qantas Airlines and Japan Airlines.As for the illusive free upgrade to business class everyone dreams of, Jeremy said it's "very rare" - but there is one thing you can do to to improve your chances."The only time they would do it is if they've overbooked the economy section," he says."Or if they thought you might be a target for paying for business class in the future - only a couple of airlines think that way.READ MORE: Airlines crack down on annoying airport behaviour with new boarding technology"But if you were going to get upgraded because economy is overfull, they're not going to upgrade you unless you're dressed well."And anyone who might be a fan of spoof 80s film, Airplane won't be surprised to find it's true that each pilot must eat different in-flight meal.That's in case one of them gets food poisoning. Pilots usually get to eat business or first class food, Jeremy says.The Secret Life of Flying by Captain Jeremy Burfoot, is out now.

Most airline passengers don't intend to upset anyone (we hope). But there's one thing a former Qantas captain has revealed really got on his nerves during over 35 years of flying. It was passengers who were late - and not sorry about it.

"Just turning up late, or dithering, taking too long to sit down," the former Qantas pilot Captain Jeremy Burfoot tells 9Travel annoyed him a lot. READ MORE: Tassie shines in Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel' destinations for 2025 "This is more for the cabin crew but it can be a delay for the flight." Jeremy jokes he would have even loved to 'run over' the offloaded luggage of passengers who were too late to be allowed onboard with his plane wheels.

"Unfortunately we can't," he tells us, laughing. Jeremy reveals this and other insights in his new book, The Secret Life of Flying. READ MORE: Unique luxury cruise offerings you've probably never heard of He spent more than 23,000 hours flying for Qantas Airlines and Japan Airlines.

As for the illusive free upgrade to business class everyone dreams of, Jeremy said it's "very rare" - but there is one thing you can do to to improve your chances. "The only time they would do it is if they've overbooked the economy section," he says. "Or if they thought you might be a target for paying for business class in the future - only a couple of airlines think that way.

READ MORE: Airlines crack down on annoying airport behaviour with new boarding technology "But if you were going to get up.