Six and a half hours can feel like a lifetime when you're trapped beside a sound you can't escape. For one passenger on a recent KLM flight from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to Amsterdam, that sound was a fellow traveler's snoring — loud enough to compete with the aircraft's engines.
Shortly after takeoff, a passenger seated nearby drifted into a deep sleep. Within minutes, a relentless snoring filled the cabin. "Rakatatata! Rakatatata!" the noise echoed, drawing amused glances from some and visible irritation from others.
The snorer slept peacefully, head leaned back, mouth wide open, completely unaware that his nighttime symphony had become the unwanted soundtrack of the flight. His fellow passenger, a writer with nine years of international travel experience, reached for earplugs — usually reserved for landing — as a last defense.
As the hours dragged on, the writer recalled a story his late grandfather used to tell: "A snoring dog doesn't care whether it's sleeping beside loudspeakers at a concert. Once it falls asleep, it'll continue snoring without concern for anyone around it."
The experience sparked reflections on a growing issue in air travel — courtesy. On long-distance flights, hundreds of strangers are packed into a confined space for hours. Consideration becomes essential, yet some travelers remain unaware that excessive snoring can significantly affect those around them.
Medical experts note that persistent, unusually loud snoring may indicate underlying health conditions like sleep apnea, a serious disorder that interrupts breathing during sleep. While occasional snoring is common, extreme snoring shouldn't be dismissed as harmless.
Since the writer didn't know the snorer personally, he chose a quiet approach. Before disembarking, he slipped a note into the passenger's carry-on bag: "Sorry, your snoring was very disturbing. Please consider seeking treatment." He hopes the message will be found and reflected upon.
The snoring episode wasn't the only thing on the writer's mind. He also raised questions about a common practice on flights departing from Ghana: cabin crew spraying an aerosol substance into the cabin just before takeoff. The hissing sound and visible spray often leave passengers wondering about its purpose — is it for insect control, a public health measure, or a requirement of the destination country? Greater awareness, he argues, would reduce confusion and concern, especially for passengers with allergies or sensitivities.
The writer used the experience to urge travelers to remember the importance of personal presentation and public courtesy. Cleanliness, neatness, and respectful conduct, he said, contribute positively to the image we project as individuals and as representatives of our nation — whether at airports, schools, or markets. A polite greeting and considerate behavior remain simple but powerful virtues.