What's considered a steep turn by the airlines?

A friend (non pilot) was coming back into Newark (commercial) the other
night when they got a hold due to weather over the field. He said things
were pretty normal until they suddenly banked "way over" and everyone was
concerned because they were all pushed into their seats. The captain came
on the intercom and apologized, explaining that in order to stay in their
holding pattern without flying into a thunderstorm, he'd had to make a
steeper than usual, not to worry, aircraft are designed for that, etc., but
that it was likely to happen again shortly. Sure enough, the captain came
on again, this time to warn everyone, and they again did the steep turn.
After that they landed without further incident.

My friend was asking about the turn. He said that it seemed really steep.
I explained that if the turn had been a 45-degree bank, they would have
needed 1.4 g to maintain altitude, and 2 g if they'd banked to 60 degrees.
He then asked why, as a very seasoned passenger, he'd never noticed such a
thing before. Anyone know what the maximum bank angle most airlines try to
maintain? Just curious.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)