Flying is stressful, but if you just follow these 10 basic rules of flying etiquette, your trip will go smoothly and be more enjoyable for everyone aboard the aircraft.
Barefoot
You may feel more comfortable without your shoes, but walking around the cabin barefoot is a huge no. This isn’t just for the sake of other passengers who don’t want to see or smell your feet.
Planes aren’t sanitized like many other areas that see high traffic, which means the floors are crawling with germs, bacteria, and God knows what else from passengers before you.
Keep your socks or shoes on, especially when using the bathroom.
Sudden reclining
You’re entitled to recline your seat all the way back, but yanking on the lever while someone is eating or working can be very jarring for the person behind you. Glance backwards to make sure they’re not eating, working on a laptop, or trying to sleep before you press the button.
Giving your fellow passengers a heads up or reclining slowly will prevent any angered reaction or spilled drinks for the person in the row behind.
Ignoring crew
Flight attendants aren’t waiting on you hand and foot just to make your flight more enjoyable. If they ask you to do something (like put your tray table up, sit down, or fasten your seatbelt), there’s a good reason why.
Potentially turbulent weather, challenging air traffic, or security threats could occur while you’re flying, and the crew needs to be able to focus on keeping you safe.
Acting like their requests are annoyances will not only distract them, but it could also put your life in danger. Listen to their instructions promptly, and you’ll both have a pleasant flight.
Armrest hogging
Seatmates fighting over the middle armrest is a classic travel struggle. If you’re in the aisle or window seat, you technically have more room than the person on your side, and the person in the middle seat has the least personal space.
Don’t greedily stretch your arms to claim both sides because chances are your seatmate will feel invaded and uncomfortable.
Seat pockets
Seat-back pockets are one of the least sanitized areas on the plane. They might be filled with dirty tissues, half-eaten snacks, and gum that previous travelers forgot about.
It’s unlikely that those pouches get wiped down between flights, so germs linger easily there. Don’t place any food or items you touch often (ie, cellphone, glasses) into the seat pocket.
Aisle blocking
People love to hang out in the aisle when the plane first starts boarding or during deplaning. Sorting through your bags while standing in the middle of the aisle or rooting through your pockets for your passport definitely creates the largest traffic jam.
If you need a few extra seconds to gather your belongings, do it quickly and step aside into your row so that people can keep moving. Faster people boarding and exiting means less time everyone spends in those seats.
Strong odors
The air on a plane is recirculated, meaning that what you eat will quickly become what everyone smells. So think twice before packing tuna, hard-boiled eggs, or stinky cheese for your flight.
Your seatmates might have allergies or a heightened sense of smell or already be feeling a bit queasy from the flight.
Personal space
Try not to sprawl your legs, arms, and belongings into your neighbor’s seat and window. Avoid sticking your feet into the foot space of the person next to you or throwing your hair behind the seat divider.
Respect for others is the number one rule of flying because when your environment is crammed, the last thing you want is to feel like your personal space is being invaded.
Being rude
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. If you have to run past them to go to the bathroom or bump into them accidentally, a quick “excuse me” or “sorry” will keep things friendly.
Nobody is expecting you to make friends with a stranger, but being courteous will help avoid unnecessary conflict and keep your mood neutral.
Excessive drinking
Alcohol affects your body differently when flying because the air pressure in the cabin causes it to enter your bloodstream more quickly.
Not only will you be at risk of dehydration, upsetting your stomach, and a possible hangover, but you could also behave belligerently towards the flight attendants and passengers around you.
Drink plenty of water or juice to stay hydrated and wait until you’ve landed before you pop open the champagne.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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