Atrocious Airplane Behavior & How To Beat It

21 Airplane Etiquette Rules

Ready For Takeoff?

Ever seen those photos of the airplane interiors in the early days of airplane travel? More like a hotel lobby than the cramped, uncomfortable, no-frills sky rides of today. 

Given that flying is more agonizing than ever, the need for consideration and politesse is at a premium. It’s not prison, but let’s treat our flight and fellow passengers with basic decency, yeah?

1. Middle Seat Deserves Both Armrests

Offense: Window seat sprawler acting like the extra inch of wall = throne rights.
Suggestion: Give the poor middle-seat soul some dignity. You’ve got a view or easy bathroom access. Let them have the armrest – both of them. Be a mensch.

Window Image via Pixabay

2. Headphones Are Not Optional

Offense: Full-volume TikTok scrolling. Out loud. In public.
Suggestion: Just because you’re vibing doesn’t mean the rest of us want to join you.

3. Don’t Be the Seatback Foot Monster

Offense: Bare feet casually perched on someone else’s armrest.
Suggestion: The seat in front of you is not your ottoman. Feet on the floor, not on someone’s elbow. And, please: keep your feet in your shoes. And if you must ditch your kicks, wear socks.

4. Hair Isn’t a Curtain for the Seatback Screen

Offense: Long hair cascading down the back of your seat like it’s Rapunzel: The Inflight Experience™.
Suggestion: Use a barrette, tuck it into a cap – anything, please.

5. Sick? Mask It and Hand-Sanitize It

Offense: Loud coughs, no mask, and hands all over everything.
Suggestion: Colds happen. Wear a mask. Use plenty of hand-sanitizer. Share the middle seat’s elbow rests…not your germs.

6. Back Away from the Baggage Carousel

Offense: Standing just about on the carousel waiting for your bag as if you will make your luggage materialize faster. (It won’t.)
Suggestion: Step away from the carousel. Leave space. Let folks grab their bags. Wait your turn.

7. Don’t Forget You’re in Public

Offense: Suddenly forgetting how time, space, and social cues work.
Suggestion: Travel stress exists. We all suffer from it. Be aware of where you are, how you’re behaving, and realize we’re all in the same boat. Well, plane – but you catch my drift.

8. No One Voted You Flight Scent DJ

Offense: Whipping out an essential oil diffuser mid-flight.
Suggestion: Unless you’re passing out fancy chocolate candies and consent forms, leave the diffuser at home.

9. Stop Kicking the Seat, Kid

Offense: Repeatedly kicking or kneeing the seat in front of you like you’re Pelé limbering up for the World Cup.
Suggestion: We know it’s cramped. But don’t do it.

10. Boarding Isn’t a Time for Performance Art

Offense: Blocking the aisle while unzipping all 14 compartments of your carry-on in order to find your security blankie.
Suggestion: The bag goes under your seat or in the overhead compartment. You sit down. And you do both things as damned quick as you can.

11. Freshen Up Before Takeoff

Offense: Getting on board smelling like Uncle Jed before his spring bath.
Suggestion: Wash, spritz, swipe a deodorant. You may not be aware of how stanky you are, but we do…

Image via Pixabay

12. Exit the Plane, Then Reunite with Your Family

Offense: Getting off the plane and turning the airbridge into your annual family reunion.
Suggestion: Move through the bottleneck, then group up. We all want to see our friends and family. Don’t stop us just because you can’t wait to see yours.

13. Nail Trimming? Literally Anywhere Else

Offense: Clipping nails mid-flight.
Suggestion: This is not your bathroom. It’s an airborne Petri dish. No nail trimming. Period.

14. Flight Attendants Deserve Kindness (and Compliance)

Offense: Ignoring instructions or acting like the attendants are your maid.
Suggestion: Be cool. They’re keeping you safe and hydrated with those five Diet Cokes.

15. Don’t Take the Middle Seat When You Don’t Have To

Offense: Sitting in the middle seat when the aisle is open and you’re flying solo.
Suggestion: Leave the middle seat for the poor passenger who drew the short straw. Grab the aisle.

16. The Window Seat Gets the Window

Offense: Leaning over a stranger to peek out the window.
Suggestion: You picked the aisle. They picked clouds. Don’t bogart your neighbor’s.

17. Stay in Your De-Planing Lane

Offense: Sprinting three rows ahead to grab your bag like a leprechaun after a pot of gold.
Suggestion: Take it one row at a time. The terminal won’t leave without you, promise.

17. Shoes Stay ON

Offense: Bare feet out, toes wiggling, showing off your inflight pedicure.
Suggestion: No one needs to see your metatarsals.

18. Use Your Own Armrests for Support, Please

Offense: Grabbing onto the seat in front of you like it’s a surfboard.
Suggestion: Yes, the seats are low. No, that doesn’t mean you should toss the person in front like a salad every time you get up.

20. Assigned Seats Are Not a Suggestion

Offense: “Oh, I think I’m in 14C.” — you’re not. You’re just coveting the extra legroom I paid for.
Suggestion: If you want a better seat, book it. Don’t try to steal it.

21. Seat Swaps Must Be Equal or Better

Offense: Asking someone in a window to trade for your middle seat.
Suggestion: Like for like, or don’t ask. And your kid doesn’t get an automatic upgrade unless it’s a true emergency. Again, book the seats you want well in advance of the flight.

Final Descent:

Be the airplane passenger you want others to be. And maybe, just maybe, your flight will be something to remember.