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If you've flown much at all, you've probably been annoyed by a fellow passenger for one reason or another. I’ve put together Airplane Etiquette 101 to help us all have better flight etiquette and, hopefully, take the flying experience up a notch. Feel free to share it with your friends. 😉
As an avid traveler myself and travel blogger, I have done a LOT of flying. I have seen so many plane etiquette faux pas! I also heard of a few new flight attendant health tips & etiquette rules when I interviewed a couple of flight attendants (boy, do they have some interesting stories)!
Let's dive into each flying etiquette rule and give some explanation & noted exceptions.
Airport Etiquette
Don't hold up the security line
If you haven't flown in a while, look up the rules before you arrive at the airport. Once you arrive, pay attention to the signs as you are waiting in line, and go ahead and get yourself (and your bags prepared). If you have a carry-on & you know you will need to remove your nag of liquids, don't wait until the last second. Go ahead and pull it out while making your way through the line.
Once you are through the line, grab your bin of goodies and move out of the way. Almost every security line has a “get your stuff in order” area. And please stack your bin where it goes – don't just grab your things and walk off.
Rules on Airplanes
Take the hint when talking to others
Number 1 on our flight etiquette list…Some people just love to talk to the people sitting next to them on a plane. Others don't want to speak to another soul the entire flight. Sense the tone. If you try to start a conversation and get no eye contact and only one word answers, you might be sitting next to a flying loner. You can try once more, but if there is no engagement from their side, leave them alone and find another way to pass the time. If they don’t want to chat, and you keep trying, they will hate you by the end of it and you will forever be known as “that girl I sat next to that wouldn’t shut up.” Don’t be that girl.
Middle seat gets both armrests
Let’s be real here…the person in that middle seat really did get the short end of the stick. They have a hard time getting in a good sleeping position, they don’t have a great view out of the window and no control over the window shade AND they have to ask anytime they want to get up and move around or go to the restroom. So the middle seat gets both armrests. It’s really the least we can do for them.
No bare feet – EVER
There is no exception for this one. No one wants to see your feet. No one wants you propping your bare feet up on the seat or, God forbid, the armrest of the passenger in front of you (ok, you shouldn’t do that with or without your shoes on). On long flights, you can absolutely remove your shoes or bring house shoes to slip into, but keep your socks on.
Don’t try to rush off the plane
I feel like this one is a no brainer, but I see people do it every time I fly. There is a socially acceptable way to exit a plane. Exit from the front of the plane to the back of the plane, alternating rows. WAIT YOUR TURN. There is no reason to stand up as soon as the plane lands either. I get it, you’re ready to get off the plane. We all are. But standing up just gets in other people's way and it makes you look ridiculously impatient. Don’t be that guy. Gather your things (including trash) and wait patiently.
There is one exception: If you have a connecting flight and are on a tight schedule to make it, let a flight attendant know well before you land. They can assist you in getting you off as quickly as possible.
If you’re a couple – do NOT skip the middle seat
The only thing worse than all the things listed above about the middle seat is being talked over…the entire flight. Not nice. Don’t do it.
Listen to your flight attendant
I’ll admit, the pre-flight instructions are a bit of a snooze fest. We’ve all heard it before. Just imagine how boring it must be for them! Give them the courtesy of at least pretending to pay attention. When they ask you to turn your phone off, put your seat back up, put away your tray tables, etc., do it.
Arrive clean & fresh
Don’t force the people close to you to deal with your “fresh from the gym” stench. Likewise, don’t douse yourself in a bunch of cologne or perfume prior to boarding either. People can be very sensitive to smells.
Don’t wake other passengers
You may be concerned that your row mate will die of thirst or starvation if you don’t wake them for the snack or drink cart. They won’t. Unless they have specifically asked you to wake them, let them sleep. They chose to try to sleep on purpose. Let them be.
Don’t play a game or movie on your device without headphones
I’m not sure why we even have to say this one out loud, but here it is. If the people around you wanted to watch Game of Thrones for 5 hours straight, they would. I would totally do that by the way. It’s awesome. But forcing those around you to listen to whatever you are watching or playing is distracting and rude.
To recline or not to recline…
I honestly had no idea there was a debate about this until I started researching to write this post. Some say you should never recline. Some say it’s okay if you ask the person behind you first. Some say it's your seat & you can recline anytime you want.
If you can stand to sit bolt-upright for an entire flight, go for it. I’m sure the person behind you will appreciate it. Personally, I would like to apologize in advance to anyone that will ever sit behind me on a plane – I recline… on every flight…as soon as I can…for as long as I can (hey, nobody’s perfect). If I could figure out a way to get those seats to recline further, I would. I feel sick when flying and while I do all kinds of things to help keep my motion sickness at bay, the ONLY thing I can do is try to relax and sleep. I will be sure to ease the seat back so nothing goes flying.
Don’t bring stinky food
We already established that people can be sensitive to smells, so if you could finish up your Fillet-O-Fish sandwich before the flight, we will all silently thank you.
Don’t give dirty looks to parents with crying babies
We’ve all been on a flight with a crying baby (or will at some point). The poor parents know their kid is crying. Trust me, they are much more stressed about it than you are and they are doing everything they can. Feel free to offer to help, but keep your dirty looks to yourself.
Don’t paint your nails
Yep, more smells. This one in particular can really give people a headache.
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Keep your clothes on (aka don’t take Ambien)
In an earlier post, a flight attendant told me how people that have taken Ambien often take their clothes off on the plane. That’s not it. This post tells many CRAZY stories of Ambien experiences. If you are going to take something to help you sleep, relax, etc., you better make sure you know how you will react BEFORE the flight. I do not want to see you in your birthday suit!
Obviously, how you chose to behave on a plane is up to you. Maybe you’ve been propping your bare feet up for years and had no idea it was considered nasty by everyone around you. To quote Maya Angelou…when you know better, you do better.
I know y’all have some other things people should or should not do when flying! Be sure to leave it in the comments (be kind please)!
Need a little reminder and a little fun? Check out this fun book: VIEW of a Flight Attendant: Airline Etiquette for Idiots Comic Book and Coloring Book for flights
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Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
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