The biggest irritation for US business air travellers is fellow passengers who try to stuff oversized bags into the overhead bins, according to a new survey. Almost a third of travellers are most annoyed by hand luggage that should have been checked in the hold. Next comes crying babies, cited by 13 per cent. The research was commissioned by travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

It found that the biggest annoyance for Canadian travellers is passengers who disturb them, preventing them from working, reading or sleeping. The greatest deterrent to business travel for all North Americans, named by 26 per cent, is the prospect of delays at security checks. Despite that, 34 per cent expect to travel more often this year than in 2004.