Airplane Etiquette: The Biggest Dos and Don'ts When Flying

When flying, it’s important to be considerate of your fellow passengers. Learn:

• Airplane etiquette
• The dos and don’ts onboard
• What to know when traveling with children

Flying for the first time or for the first time in a long time? It’s worth brushing up on your airplane etiquette. When it comes to air travel, there are many dos and don’ts, from who gets armrest priority to when and how it’s okay to recline your seat. Follow our guide to flight etiquette to help ensure a smooth flight.

The importance of airplane etiquette

Traveling by plane can be the start of a big adventure. But it also means spending a long stretch of time close to hundreds of strangers.

However, unlike in other large public spaces or on other forms of public transport, none of you can leave the space when you want to.

What’s more, tensions are often heightened on airplanes, especially when people aren’t frequent fliers. Many passengers will be nervous about flying, others will be worried about how their young children will behave and some may feel cramped and uncomfortable in the space.

With all that said, following airplane etiquette is important for a smooth flight.

Why proper etiquette matters on a plane

Being considerate of other passengers around you helps to avoid any potential conflict that could make for an uncomfortable journey. Something that seems small when you’re on the ground—like reclining your chair—becomes a much bigger deal when you’re cruising at 30,000 feet.

Proper plane etiquette is important for safety. Respecting shared spaces and following the instructions of the cabin crew makes for a more positive atmosphere on board, enhancing safety.

Dos: essential airplane etiquette everyone should follow

If you’ve never flown before or rarely travel by air, you might not be aware of the general rules of airplane etiquette.

Here’s what to do on an airplane to become a dream passenger.

Greet the airplane staff with a smile

Traveling the world for work may seem glamorous, but cabin crew have a tough job. They have to keep everyone on board safe, serve meals and drinks and deal with frustrated and sometimes angry passengers – all without losing their cool. So greet your flight attendants with a smile when you board.

Remove headphones during safety demonstrations

Paying attention to the safety demonstration at the start of a flight is important. Cabin crew direct you on what to do in the case of emergency, show you where the emergency exits are and tell you where your lifejacket is.

It’s the cabin crew’s job to ensure all passengers watch and listen to their safety demonstration. Before it begins, they will ask everyone to take out their headphones and it’s important to follow this instruction.

Even if you’re a frequent flier, it’s vital to pay attention, as safety directions vary on different aircrafts. On some planes, lifejackets are stowed under the seat in front of you, while on others they’re in an overhead compartment. In an emergency, you’re going to want to know where your lifejacket is.

Use the overhead bin space wisely

Passengers have two options for storing their cabin bags: in the overhead bins and under the seat in front of them. If your bag is small enough to fit under the seat, go for this option. Overhead bin space often fills up quickly and should be reserved for larger cabin bags. When you’re stowing your bag in an overhead bin, be mindful of how much space it’s taking up and try to leave room for other peoples’ luggage.

On most flights, passengers on emergency exit rows are not allowed to stow their bags under the seat in front for safety reasons – so their only option is the overhead bin. The same goes for the passengers sitting in the front rows of each section.

Wait your turn to board and disembark

This is one of the most important points of etiquette on airplanes – and one of the most frequently ignored. Waiting in line to board and disembark a plane is frustrating, but it’s important that you respect the queue. After all, cutting in line won’t help you get to your destination any faster.

When waiting to board at the gate, listen for your seat to be called before joining the line. If you truly detest waiting to board, consider upgrading to a higher class of seat or adding priority boarding onto your ticket. After landing, the cabin crew will open the door for disembarkation. Wait for all the people in front of you to collect their bags and leave the plane before doing the same.

Don’ts: airplane manners to avoid at all costs

So what shouldn’t you do while on board?

Don’t recline your seat without checking behind you

Ever sat behind someone who has suddenly reclined their seat? Then you’ll already know why this is a bad idea. If you have food or drinks on your tray table when the person in front reclines their seat, they often end up spilt in your lap. If you’ve crossed your legs, they can end up getting crushed and if you’re searching for something in your bag, you’re squeezed in an uncomfortable position. If you’re trying to sleep on a plane and want to recline your seat, just check with the person behind you before going ahead.

Avoid putting your feet on other passengers’ seats

This one should go without saying, but it happens more than you might think. When you put your feet up against the back of someone else’s seat, it’s uncomfortable for the person in front of you. While airplane chairs may look sturdy, it feels like someone is kicking the back of your seat or like something is digging into your back. Of course, you also shouldn’t put your feet on the seats either side of you – even if your neighbor is currently not in their seat.

Don’t monopolize the armrest

Airplane etiquette is a much-discussed topic among frequent fliers. Generally, the passenger in the middle seat is allowed to use the armrests on either side of them, as they’re in the most cramped position. The window seat passenger can use the armrest next to the window and the person in the aisle seat uses the armrest next to the aisle.

Avoid loud conversations and phone calls

Most people are trying to either sleep or relax on a plane. Excessive noise from other passengers can be irritating and stressful. It’s fine to chat to your friends or family, but make sure you keep the volume low.

Don’t ask to switch seats unless absolutely essential

With tiered pricing now common on economy seats, passengers often have to pay an extra fee if they want an aisle seat, extra leg room or even just sit with their friends and family. This means that people have often paid extra to sit in the specific seat they are in and will be unlikely to want to move. The best way to get the seat you want is to select it during the booking process.

There will be some situations in which swapping seats is essential. Ask the cabin crew for help and they should be able to come up with a seating arrangement that suits everyone.

Don’t bring strong-smelling food on board

Just as you wouldn’t take strong-smelling food on a bus or train, don’t bring any on board a plane either. Your fellow passengers will thank you – especially those with travel sickness.

Special considerations: etiquette for different types of flights

Are there differences between airplane etiquette on short-haul journeys vs long-haul international flights? And how should you handle traveling with children?

Short domestic flights vs long international journeys

There are a few differences between what is expected of passengers on short-haul flights and long-haul journeys.

On a short-haul flight, attempt to stay out of the way of the crew, who are working on a faster schedule. This means you should try to stay in your seat as much as possible and avoid getting up during trolley services. Avoid reclining your seat if possible, as space is tighter on smaller planes.

With long-haul flights, keeping noise to a minimum is even more important as people try to sleep. It’s also even more important to be courteous about sharing armrests and keeping to your own space as much as possible. Getting up and walking about the plane is more acceptable and even encouraged to avoid stiffness. Reclining your seat is also fine, as long as you check first.

Traveling with children: what parents need to know

Air travel with children—especially little ones— is a challenge. You’re worried about keeping them in their routine and ensuring they’re entertained, while hoping they don’t disrupt other passengers too much. However, it’s rarely as bad as you think it’s going to be and while no-one loves sitting next to a screaming baby on a flight, most people will be understanding.

Here are seven tips to help you keep the little ones—and your fellow passengers—happy during a flight.

1. Choose your seats wisely: aim for bulkhead seats near the front for a quick exit, less turbulence and more room for the kids to stretch out and play.
2. Pack snacks and entertainment in your carry-on: bring snacks and drinks on board to keep the little ones satisfied – just remember to check which children’s drinks are allowed in cabin bags. Don’t forget to pack toys and games too. Pre-load a tablet with your child’s favorite content.
3. Prepare for changes in cabin pressure: the pressure changes that happen during take-off and landing can be painful for little ones. Bringing a pacifier, chewy sweets or even just a drink, helps ease the pain.
4. Bring headphones for older children: if the kids are going to be watching content or playing games, make sure you bring headphones to reduce noise.
5. Plan the flight with your child’s sleep schedule in mind: try to book flights that align with your little one’s sleep schedule, especially for long-haul or overnight journeys.
6. Communicate with other passengers: if your child is upset or noisy, a quick apology to the passengers around you and reassurance that you’re trying to soothe them, will go a long way. Most passengers will be very understanding – especially those who have traveled with their own children before.
7. Bring hand sanitizer: on a day of flying, you come into contact with a lot of surfaces that a lot of people have touched. Pack hand sanitizer in your carry-on to minimize germ exposure.

FAQs

Is it rude to recline my seat during a flight?

Flight etiquette for passengers determines that while it’s not rude to recline your seat on a flight, it’s inconsiderate to do so without first checking with the person behind you. They may have their tray table up, which means suddenly reclining your seat could spill food and drink into their lap. If you need to recline your seat, just ask the passenger behind you first.

How do I politely ask someone to stop kicking my seat?

If someone is kicking the back of your plane seat, you can stay silent and spend the rest of the flight annoyed or you can ask them to stop. If you decide to say something, make sure you stay calm and polite while communicating directly with your fellow passenger. If the situation doesn’t improve, try speaking with a flight attendant.

Who gets the middle armrest on a three-seat row?

The passenger in the middle seat of a three-person row on a plane typically has armrest priority. Why? Because they’re in the most cramped seat, so they need a little more room.

This means the middle passenger should have access to the armrests on either side of them, while the person in the window seat uses the armrest next to the window and the aisle seat passenger gets the one next to the aisle.

Is it rude to take my shoes off during a flight?

Opinions are divided on whether it’s acceptable to take your shoes off during a flight, but generally speaking, it’s better to keep them on. First and foremost, taking your shoes off can be a safety hazard – especially during takeoff and landing. If you need to evacuate the plane, you won’t have time to put your shoes back on and they could get in the way of other passengers trying to exit.

If you’re flying long-haul and simply must take off your shoes to get comfortable, pack some slippers in your cabin bag. But remember – bare feet on a plane are never a welcome sight.

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our company.