The latest consumer poll from online travel agency Opodo, which surveyed 9,000 travellers globally including 2,000 in the UK, examined everything from armrest etiquette and seat recliners to onboard conversations and unpleasant smells.
The research found that when it comes to helping another passenger lift a bag into an overhead locker, British travellers are far from unanimous.
Almost half of UK respondents, 46 per cent, said they would help depending on the size of the bag, while just 22 per cent said they would always lend a hand regardless of the circumstances.
A further 14 per cent admitted they would never help because they believe it is the responsibility of cabin crew.
Compared with other nations, Britons were found to be the least likely to always assist fellow passengers. Globally, one-third of travellers said they would always help.
Italian and German travellers topped the list, with 40 per cent saying they would always offer assistance, followed by French travellers on 38 per cent and Spanish travellers on 35 per cent.
The survey also reignited one of air travel's longest-running debates: who gets the middle seat armrests?
Almost a third of British travellers, 31 per cent, believe the armrests should be shared equally between passengers. Meanwhile, 21 per cent take a first-come, first-served approach and 12 per cent believe the passenger in the middle seat deserves both armrests as compensation for occupying the least desirable spot on the aircraft.
Globally, passengers appeared more willing to compromise, with 44 per cent agreeing that armrests should be shared.
The study also revealed the biggest onboard annoyances for British travellers.
The habit that irritates passengers most is someone suddenly reclining their seat without warning, with 60 per cent naming it as their top frustration.
Slow passengers blocking the aisle while stowing luggage ranked second at 39 per cent, followed by travellers who stand up before the aircraft has come to a complete stop after landing at 26 per cent.
Applauding when the plane lands annoyed 18 per cent of respondents, while 17 per cent said being asked to swap seats was one of their biggest travel irritations.
When it comes to unpleasant smells, body odour remains public enemy number one.
Seven in 10 British travellers said another passenger's body odour would be the most offensive smell to encounter during a flight.
Aircraft toilets ranked second on 13 per cent, while strong perfume and pungent food tied in third place on seven per cent each.
The survey also explored attitudes towards chatting with strangers at 35,000 feet.
More than a third of Britons, 34 per cent, said they would happily engage in a deep personal conversation with the passenger sitting next to them if it could lead to an interesting story.
However, 29 per cent admitted they would keep their answers short in the hope of ending the conversation quickly, while 18 per cent said they would find a way to avoid chatting altogether by pretending to sleep or work.
Globally, Portuguese and Italian travellers were the most likely to strike up personal conversations, while British and Spanish passengers were among the least enthusiastic about getting to know their seatmate during a flight.
