Airplane etiquette isn’t always obvious for those first-time travelers. The more you travel, the more you will learn how to be a good traveler. I have done my fair share of traveling and have learned what not to do from the worst of the worst. From bare feet on the armrest in front of them, to a woman watching my movie screen the entire 15 hour flight. And how about the parents who allowed their child to watch TV on their iPad on full volume, no headphones? Class is officially in session, here’s what not to do and what to do on an airplane.
What not to do
- Take too long to take your seat on the plane. Stow your baggage and take a seat, it’s not that hard.
- Ask to change seats, save a seat for another person or put your bag on an empty seat. You are not better than everyone else on the plane.
- Go to the bathroom with no shoes on, there is mostly likely pee on the floor and that’s just nasty. Maybe just leave your shoes on the whole flight.
- Listen to something on your phone without headphones in, nobody wants to hear it.
- Recline your seat during meal service or before the flight even takes off.
- Watch your neighbors screen rather than your own, more annoying than you would think.
- Go to the bathroom during food and drink service. You will most likely get in the way of your flight attendants and piss them off.
- Open your window shade on a long haul flight while the whole rest of the plane is trying to sleep. Talk about being blinded by the light.
- Keep your backpack, feet, knees, elbows, etc. in your own space. I don’t care if you’re six foot in the middle seat, you should have paid for extra legroom or an aisle seat.
- Talk loudly, the whole airplane doesn’t need to hear your whole conversation.
- Allow your child to kick the seat in front of them.
- Bring extra smelly food on the plane, I’m talking fish or curry.
- Get extremely intoxicated and fall asleep on your neighbors shoulder while snoring.
- Talk your neighbors ear off when they obviously just want to read their book.
What to do
- Shower before your flight and use deodorant. There is nothing worse than sitting next to someone with B.O. on a plane, I know from experience.
- Be friendly and polite to your flight attendants, a little can go a long way.
- Leave the armrest for the person in the middle seat.
- Take your headphones off to speak to your flight attendants.
- Wait your turn to disembark the plane, unless you’re about to miss your connecting flight. And in that case, please ask the flight attendants and the people around you if you can be the first off the plane.
- Be respectful of others’ personal space.
The two main takeaways would be, be respectful and be prepared. I hope you found my airplane etiquette 101 helpful, funny or cringeworthy. Please don’t be ‘that’ person on a plane. If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out Why to book flights direct with the airline right now! Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel advisor, yours truly.
