Sex On a Plane: What’s the Appeal of the Mile High Club?

On paper, you might find the idea of sex on a plane extremely exciting. In reality, the toilets often barely have enough room for one person, let alone two, turbulence can easily put you off balance and the whole experience can quickly turn into something a lot less glamorous. So why do people still count it as an ultimate fantasy?

A person who has joined the mile high club is a person who has had sex on a plane whilst it’s in flight. That’s basically it.

The term ‘mile’ refers to the altitude at which a plane flies, although airliners do evidently fly much higher than this.

Obviously, this isn’t a real club, the cabin crew won’t be waiting to give you a membership card upon landing. The reason it remains so infamous is how transgressive plane sex is: an unusual setting, a lack of intimacy, the constant risk of being caught in the act. This is most likely what gives joining the mile high club its erotic power.

Just imagine for a few seconds the exact same scene, but in the downstairs loo of your granny’s house… yeah it’s not so sexy now, is it?

What makes the mile high club so exciting is everything that it entails: doing something you aren’t meant to do, sharing a sexy secret with your partner, getting a shot of adrenaline from the risk of it all.

Sexologists agree upon the fact that novelty and a change of context can have a big impact on arousal and desire. Moving away from your usual environment can make a situation infinitely more sexy, even if the act itself is nothing new.

And when it comes to the mile high club, there’s an added layer of transgression to the experience. To sum things up, your brain may find the idea sexy, before you even have a chance to really think about what it will be like to squeeze into the Ryanair toilets with your partner.

If the mile high club figures amongst your dirty daydreams, you might want to read some stories of people who have really been through it before you think about making it a reality.

You might be imagining a passionate, if brief, love-making session above the clouds as the sun sets. In reality, many people (just check Reddit) describe the experience as an unsatisfying romp in stinky, too-small toilets. Can we really be surprised?

Aeroplane toilets aren’t designed to fit two people comfortably. The lack of space, plus having to keep your clothes on, plus the plane potentially juddering about, plus someone knocking on the door repeatedly throughout… that’s not very sexy.

Oh, also don’t forget that you probably aren’t being as discreet as you may think.

Anecdotes from passengers having been stuck on a plane with randy couples say that these couples were convinced they were being discreet, when in reality everyone around them knew what was going on.

It’s important to remember that just because you’re in the air, the rules still apply. Planes are public spaces, and the other passengers on board haven’t consented to assisting to sexual activity.

In the UK, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 prohibits any form of indecent exposure, and depending on the gravity of the situation this can be penalised by a fine, all the way up to 2 years in prison. A person can be charged for indecent exposure, regardless of whether private parts are exposed or not. You may also be subject to penalties from the airline company itself.

In other words, pulling a blanket up to your chin to hide your dastardly deeds may not be the discreet little hack you think it is. The toilets aren’t a sure-fire option either, as the cabin crew are responsible for what happens onboard, and have the right to intervene if they deem necessary.

Here at LOVE AND VIBES, we feel like this might be the best way to enjoy the mile high club. You don’t have to act out a fantasy to the letter for it to be satisfying.

Use your journey as a way to build sexual tension between you and your partner. Talk about what you want to do to each other once you arrive, discreetly whisper a few sexy things to each other during the flight, and plan what you’re going to do when you land. The wait can be more exciting than the act itself, and don’t forget to slip a couple of little naughty accessories into your luggage!

A small, remote-control love egg won’t take up too much space in your bag. You can find options that measure less than 3.00 inches and come with a wireless remote. This is a great option if you want to continue the fun upon arrival.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can also try a bullet vibrator, a travel-sized lube, or just chuck your go-to toy in your bag.

This way, you can have your mile high fun on the plane, without being escorted off and locked up for it afterwards.

If you like the idea, then you can leave it on your to-do list, but just be aware that fantasy and reality don’t always match up, especially not in this case.

The real appeal of the mile high club is less about succeeding at twisting yourself into a complicated position to do the deed 10,000 feet in the air. It is more about the feeling of doing something a little naughty, secretive, and definitely forbidden.

After spending several hours in economy class, getting to a room with a large bed, a door that closes and allows for full privacy might just turn out to be the most exciting part of the journey.