Just last week, we asked whether cameras in aircraft cockpits are the missing puzzle piece in aviation safety. (Spoiler: Maybe.) But here’s the thing, cockpit cams are about what might go wrong. Cabin cameras? They’re about what’s already going wrong.
And make no mistake, it’s going wrong a lot. Buses have them. Trains have them. Even your local Greggs probably does. So why, in the flying circus that is modern air travel, are cameras on board the aircraft for passengers still missing?
We’re not calling for a full Netflix docuseries. But when things kick off at 38,000 feet, from boozed-up stag parties to aggressive row 22 recliners, shouldn’t there be something better than shaky footage from someone’s iPhone wedged between a Pret wrap and an elbow?
In This Post
Cabin Chaos Is Climbing
In-flight drama isn’t rare anymore. It’s practically in-flight entertainment:
- Punch-ups over reclining seats
- Vaping in the loos
- Screaming at the crew because “the gin ran out”
- And a worrying rise in physical and verbal abuse
Cabin crew do their best. But let’s not kid ourselves, they’re not trained detectives. Proper cabin surveillance means behaviour gets documented properly. And more importantly, fairly.
Why Airlines Should Install Cabin Cameras
It’s not about paranoia. It’s about protection.
- Evidence beats opinion: When there’s a dispute, footage shows exactly what happened, not what someone “felt” happened.
- Crew defence: Flight attendants shouldn’t have to rely on passenger witness statements to back them up during investigations.
- Deterrent effect: Knowing you’re on camera might just stop someone from going full Jeremy Kyle at 38,000 feet.
- We’re already doing it everywhere else: London buses? CCTV since 2002. The Tube? Filmed constantly. That Ryanair flight to Ibiza? Still somehow… invisible?
Why Some Say “No Thanks”
Of course, there’s resistance and not just from the usual “you’re invading my freedoms” crowd.
- Privacy concerns: Yes, someone might be filmed mid-nap with their mouth wide open. Deal with it.
- Storage & access: Airlines need rock-solid protocols, encrypted footage, short retention periods, and zero chance of a Daily Mail leak.
- Scope creep fears: Will airlines eventually use footage to snoop on passenger behaviour for marketing? Let’s hope not.
Still, all of these concerns already exist on every London bus. If we trust TfL with this, surely we can trust British Airways?
WingTips Verdict: Cameras in the Cabin? About Time
Let’s keep it real: this isn’t the golden age of aviation anymore. It’s 2025. Half the passengers are live-streaming already. The other half are drunk by the time the safety demo starts.
Cabin surveillance isn’t about invading your tray-table space; it’s about protecting passengers, crew, and the airline itself from bad behaviour and false accusations. And if that offends you? Good news: you can always take the train. Spoiler that’s filmed too.
