Smelly people, fat people and people who cough and sneeze are the most disliked passengers to be seated next to on an airplane, according to a survey.

Almost half of the people polled by website Travelocity said passengers with poor hygiene are the worst, while 30 per cent dislike people who cough and sneeze and 15 per cent don't like sitting next to fat passengers.

Almost two thirds of people said seat-kicking was the rudest behaviour displayed by passengers, followed by loud talking or swearing and reclining the seat all the way back.

When it comes to fat passengers, 44 per cent of people believed they should be given two seats at no extra cost, while 39 per cent believed they should have to pay for an extra seat.

Bringing larger than allowed carry-on luggage was deemed the most annoying thing a passenger could do when boarding, while people rushing to get off a plane was the worst thing passengers could do when exiting.

The online poll of 1,592 Americans and Canadians was conducted between July 29 and August 10.

- Reuters