Flying can be a mix ofexcitementand exhaustion, but it’s a whole lot smoother when everyone follows basic travel etiquette. Just like we have rules for dining or social gatherings, air travel comes with its own set of unspokendosand don’ts. Yet, some passengers seem determined to make the journey unbearable for everyone around them!Today, we took a deep dive into the internet and rounded up some of the most essential airplane etiquette rules that all travelers should know. From passengers kicking seats to armrest wars and barefoot flyers (yes, they exist!), these common mistakes can make or break a flight experience.So, are you guilty of any of these air travel faux pas? Keep reading to find out! And while you’re at it, don’t miss our interview with a seasoned flight attendant who has spent over a decade in the skies—she spills the tea on the worst travel behaviors she’s encountered!This post may includeaffiliate links.
Flying can be a mix ofexcitementand exhaustion, but it’s a whole lot smoother when everyone follows basic travel etiquette. Just like we have rules for dining or social gatherings, air travel comes with its own set of unspokendosand don’ts. Yet, some passengers seem determined to make the journey unbearable for everyone around them!
Today, we took a deep dive into the internet and rounded up some of the most essential airplane etiquette rules that all travelers should know. From passengers kicking seats to armrest wars and barefoot flyers (yes, they exist!), these common mistakes can make or break a flight experience.
So, are you guilty of any of these air travel faux pas? Keep reading to find out! And while you’re at it, don’t miss our interview with a seasoned flight attendant who has spent over a decade in the skies—she spills the tea on the worst travel behaviors she’s encountered!
This post may includeaffiliate links.
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Wash. Your. A**e. Seriously. I don’t care if, at your work from home job, you only shower once a week and that that is the day you change your underwear. That’s between you and your long-suffering cat. The night before a long flight eat a healthy meal and take a long bath. That morning take a shower like you’re trying to deny evidence to a forensic lab apply deoderant even if you hate the stuff and put on freshly laundered (comfortable) clothing. You’re about to spend most of a day in a metal tube breathing recycled farts, the least you can do is start the day smelling nice.
Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
As passengers, we often come acrossstoriesabout how terribly some people behave on flights. Whether it’s kids running wild, adults being inconsiderate, or someone deciding to treat the cabin like their personal living room, there’s never a shortage of travel horror stories.But have you ever wondered what it’s like for thecrewdealing with this chaos every single day?
As passengers, we often come acrossstoriesabout how terribly some people behave on flights. Whether it’s kids running wild, adults being inconsiderate, or someone deciding to treat the cabin like their personal living room, there’s never a shortage of travel horror stories.
But have you ever wondered what it’s like for thecrewdealing with this chaos every single day?
People travelling with children should prepare prior to the flight. Carry something for them to suck on if their ears hurt, have something to keep them occupied during the flight and tell them, if they are older, they must respect their fellow passengers or they will lose privileges. Generally, children will respond to their parent’s expectations. If your children have autism or other special needs, get your pediatrician’s advice on what would make their trip optimal. Adults should remember the effects of alcohol multiply in flight so limit your drinks. Do not board drunk or s****d. For everyone, if your seat companion does not want to engage in conversation, respect their privacy.
I was seated between 3 men for 7 hours! On my flight to Delhi from Manchester, I was in the middle seat in the middle row (which has 4 seats). Our row looked like : Man 1 - Man 2 - Me - Man 3I won’t lie, I wasn’t too happy with this arrangement. After all, it was my fault - failing to check in online :( How did my 7 hours go? Comfortable. Kudos to the man on my left, who crossed his arms for the longest time and apologised even if his foot or knee touched mine. I could see he did everything to make me comfortable.The man right to me, gave me his arm rest occasionally but was really nice too, poor him for getting up so many times for my small bladder.According to me, this is a must have “passenger-on-a-flight” etiquette. Making everybody around you feel comfortable.
To get an insider’s perspective, we spoke with Krithika D’Souza, an experienced flight attendant who started her journey with Air India and now works for an international airline.“We encounter unruly passengers all the time,” she shared. “It’s almost a given on every flight—there’s always someone causing trouble, whether it’s minor inconveniences or full-blown incidents.”
To get an insider’s perspective, we spoke with Krithika D’Souza, an experienced flight attendant who started her journey with Air India and now works for an international airline.
“We encounter unruly passengers all the time,” she shared. “It’s almost a given on every flight—there’s always someone causing trouble, whether it’s minor inconveniences or full-blown incidents.”
Number one thing that bugs me is people going barefoot and putting their feet all over everything. It’s just gross. If you want to walk around barefoot on the plane, that’s bad enough, but that’s on you, just don’t put your feet on the armrest and seat backs and literature and whatever else your monkey feet want to touch.
A2A - Thank you - Original question: What “passenger-on-a-flight” etiquette do you wish more people would respect? Thank you again for the question - I have a major pet peeve. Do not use the seat back of the person in front of you as a convenient way to get up, use the arm rests and push yourself up - it works. That seat back would be part of their seat, not your hand-hold. The person in front of you may be sleeping (or not), but at any rate, you have no right to rattle their head just because you want to get up.
One of the most frustrating moments, according to Kritika, happens before the plane eventakes off.“Right from the moment they board, some passengers start throwing tantrums. While others are still finding their seats, they’ll start pressing the call button, demanding headphones, blankets, or drinks. We have to remind them that takeoff comes first—please, let everyone settle in before asking for extras! Some people just have no patience.”
One of the most frustrating moments, according to Kritika, happens before the plane eventakes off.
“Right from the moment they board, some passengers start throwing tantrums. While others are still finding their seats, they’ll start pressing the call button, demanding headphones, blankets, or drinks. We have to remind them that takeoff comes first—please, let everyone settle in before asking for extras! Some people just have no patience.”
- Don’t raise the armrest just so your fat a*s can spill over onto my seat. 2) Practice “shut-the-f**k-up” behavior. Meaning that if your seat neighbor has given you short, curt answers to your obvious attempts to strike up a conversation, that means they don’t want to have a conversation with you. So, STFU!
Don’t invade other people’s personal space physically, or with sounds, odors or demands.
Then there’s the mad rush to the washroom before the flight has even left the ground.“The second they sit down, some people get up to use the toilet or rummage through the overhead bin. The problem? The aircraft hasn’t even taken off yet! We have to repeatedly ask them to sit down for safety reasons, but some just don’t listen,” Kritika said.
Then there’s the mad rush to the washroom before the flight has even left the ground.
“The second they sit down, some people get up to use the toilet or rummage through the overhead bin. The problem? The aircraft hasn’t even taken off yet! We have to repeatedly ask them to sit down for safety reasons, but some just don’t listen,” Kritika said.
Stow you’re bag, clear the aisle ASAP. If you are in the middle seat then the armrests are yours. Window and aisle seats can spread the other way. Wear your seatbelt when seated, and always follow instructions from cabin crew. If the seatbelt light is on, stay seated and wait. Never kick, or allow your children to kick, the seat in front. Seats recline for a purpose and that is ok, but during meal service seat backs should be upright. Make sure you are wearing clean clothes and have attended to your personal hygiene. Leave the toilet as you would like to find it.
Stop trying to jam your %$ luggage into the overhead bins when it won’t fit. I’ve had countless morons try to do this, particularly with hard-sided carry-ons. There are plenty of us who travel with flexible or soft-sided bags. Soft-sided bags that may have things too delicate to trust to checked bags, like a bottle of alcohol, a glass souvenir or something else breakable. Secondly, if a person has placed their carry-on in the bin, they own the space above it. Don’t think you can jam and crush their bag to get yours on top. The space is occupied. Get lost. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to snap at some dope: “Show a little respect for the belongings of others!”
And, of course, there are those who simplydon’t careabout others.“Some passengers are so loud and disruptive that they ruin the experience for everyone around them. They talk at full volume, play music without headphones, or have phone conversations as if they’re in their own house. The worst part? There’s nothing much we can do except apologize to the other passengers and hope these people calm down.”
And, of course, there are those who simplydon’t careabout others.
“Some passengers are so loud and disruptive that they ruin the experience for everyone around them. They talk at full volume, play music without headphones, or have phone conversations as if they’re in their own house. The worst part? There’s nothing much we can do except apologize to the other passengers and hope these people calm down.”
Having just returned at 1am this morning from a long Hartford to LA flight, I’ll say this: Standing in the aisle to talk to a friend and blocking the route to the bathroom.
I’m pretty tolerant on long flights, because I realize that the current fashion of stuffing people into tiny coach seats like sardines means that they’ll inevitably get on each other’s nerves at times. Not because they’re being callous, but because even shifting position can interfere with their seatmate’s comfort. But, if I had to choose the action that is most needlessly annoying, I’d say it’s when one passenger hogs the overhead bin, or holds up the line of passengers. When you get on the plane and find your seat, is it really necessary to stand in the aisle for an additional two minutes in order to get organized, or to hold a conversation with your traveling companions? I don’t tend to get upset at people who are hurrying to get off the plane when it lands. I just assume that they have a short connection to make, or that they’re a bit claustrophobic.
I wish people would be more considerate about putting back their seats. Some people may have a cup of coffee or are working on their computer behind you. People with weak bladders probably need not to request the window seat as they often have to wake up the person next to them to get to the toilet, Please don’t take off your socks and go bare footed. It is a cattle call on these modern day airliners, and a little courtesy really helps reduce the anxiety for most folks.
The numbers back it up—disruptive passenger behavior is on the rise. According to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association, unruly passenger incidentsincreasedsignificantly in 2023.With over 24,500 reported incidents from more than 50 operators worldwide, the data shows that there was one unruly passenger for every 480 flights, compared to one in every 568 flights in 2022. It’s clear that flying has become more stressful—not just for passengers but for the crew as well.
The numbers back it up—disruptive passenger behavior is on the rise. According to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association, unruly passenger incidentsincreasedsignificantly in 2023.
With over 24,500 reported incidents from more than 50 operators worldwide, the data shows that there was one unruly passenger for every 480 flights, compared to one in every 568 flights in 2022. It’s clear that flying has become more stressful—not just for passengers but for the crew as well.
When boarding a flight, put your hand luggage up then sit down or stand so you are NOT blocking the aisle. Its so frustrating to see persons fiddling with their hand luggage whist there are 50 people behind them trying to get to their seats. once everyone is seated you can stand and THEN get that MP3 player, magazine, book, sandwich, IPad, water bottle You will have time don’t worry
A number of things: 1: Learn how to move in a crowd. Remember, there are people behind you always. Even in the airport terminal. This means not standing still in high traffic areas like the top of escalators, the entrances to the restrooms, and the aisle of the plane during boarding 2: Don’t grab the head rest of every aisle passenger as you walk up the aisle. You are shaking everyone. People are sitting there. Maybe sleeping. 3: Don’t ask people to swap seats. It’s akin to panhandling. Your problem is not their problem, they owe you nothing, and people pay extra for seat selection. I will always refuse. Unless you are tra…
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One of the biggest challenges? Dealing withdrunkand disorderly passengers. “Some people think buying a flight ticket means they also bought us along with it. They drink too much, get aggressive, and start behaving inappropriately with the crew. We try to stay patient, but when things get out of hand, we have to call security upon landing,” Kritika shared.Then there are the ‘souvenir collectors’—passengers who think they can take whatever they want from the flight. “Headphones, blankets, cutlery, even life jackets—some people try to sneak all sorts of things into their bags. We often catch them, but it’s surprising how many believe they can just walk away with these items,” she laughed.
One of the biggest challenges? Dealing withdrunkand disorderly passengers. “Some people think buying a flight ticket means they also bought us along with it. They drink too much, get aggressive, and start behaving inappropriately with the crew. We try to stay patient, but when things get out of hand, we have to call security upon landing,” Kritika shared.
Then there are the ‘souvenir collectors’—passengers who think they can take whatever they want from the flight. “Headphones, blankets, cutlery, even life jackets—some people try to sneak all sorts of things into their bags. We often catch them, but it’s surprising how many believe they can just walk away with these items,” she laughed.
I wished that more people with smelly feet would keep their shoes on. I wish that XXXXXL people would not try to fit into an economy class seat. I wish that people would not speak so loudly on planes, especially intercontinental ones as many people may wish to sleep.
When boarding, manage your carryons so they’re not bumping into everyone on the aisle on your way to your seat. On deplaning, let those in rows ahead of you exit before you do. Don’t use the seat in front of you as a grab bar. Sit down and get up as if the seat in front of you wasn’t there. Don’t kick, push, pull or disturb the seat in front of you. Yes, that passenger deserves and paid for the space to recline his seat, as do you - that’s not “yours”, and he’s not intruding on “your space” when he does so.
And let’s not forget one of the most dreaded tasks—cleaning the lavatories. “The way some people use airplane toilets is absolutely horrifying. Sometimes, there’s pee everywhere except in the toilet. We’ve even had situations where people leave used tissues on the sink or floor. It’s shocking how inconsiderate some passengers can be,” she added.
If you’re sick and just HAVE to fly (yeah, I know, of course you do … they always do …) WEAR A MASK 😷! They should have a separate section all the way in the rear of the economy cabin (where the seats don’t often recline fully) and if you show up for the flight or during boarding coughing, or are coughing during the flight, be required to sit there. There’s no human right to infect other people…
At the end of the day,flight attendantsare just trying to do their jobs and make the experience pleasant for everyone. “We’re not just there to serve drinks—we’re responsible for your safety and comfort. A little consideration from passengers would go a long way in making flights better for everyone,” Kritika said.Flying should be a smooth experience for all, but sometimes, a few bad apples make it a nightmare. Have you ever had to deal with an unruly passenger on a flight? Share your experience with us!
At the end of the day,flight attendantsare just trying to do their jobs and make the experience pleasant for everyone. “We’re not just there to serve drinks—we’re responsible for your safety and comfort. A little consideration from passengers would go a long way in making flights better for everyone,” Kritika said.
Flying should be a smooth experience for all, but sometimes, a few bad apples make it a nightmare. Have you ever had to deal with an unruly passenger on a flight? Share your experience with us!
Carry ons. I wish people would carry them in front of their bodies while walking down the aisle. Bags slung over shoulders or hanging on an arm often slap the people who are already seated in the aisle seats. If someone has to hold one carryon in front, I wish the second carryon would be a small backpack. And the passengers would not turn around in the aisle, backpack attached, while making their way to their seats. Please.
Take their damn luggage with them to the overhead bin OVER THEIR SEAT. Not dump it in the overhead bin in the front of the plane then walk to the back. I had one lady who asked for help putting her bag in the overhead bin over the front row in economy. I asked her if she was sitting in my row. She said she wasn’t but that the bin over her seat was full. I turned around and looked. I said that there was plenty of room back there. Clearly disappointed that I wasn’t going to help a liar, she grabbed her bag and went back to her row.
Parents should not allow their children kicking on the seat in front of them. When telling them to stop they don’t understand the problemis. Perhaps I should switch seats with them behind the parents and what their children do to get them understand. But then I am adult :)
When getting off the plane, if your overhead bag is “stuck”, please don’t hold up everybody else trying to get off because you jammed your bag into the overhead bin when it was too large to begin with suggestion: check you bag (and pay for it) just like the rest of us did.
The girl on my last long haul thank God was two seats away with the middle seat open but she was let on in her c****h high jeans and sat for hours picking at her bare legs at some invisible ( to me) bugs or something on her naked legs and finally worked her way down to between her bare toes. If not for the foot or so between us I would have made a scene or demanded a another flight. So wear some clothes and save the nit picking for your hotel room would be my suggestion.
Wear real shoes. Not flip flops. If there is an accident and you need to crawl out of the wreckage through cables, wires and jagged metal, if you make it you’ll be cut to shreds. Not so much etiquette as common sense, which isn’t common anymore.
I would like for men to keep both arms through their backpacks (back pack on their backs) and for women to carry their purses low and in front of them or behind them. Because even though people think they have their bags behind them their bags punch seated passengers in the face and head. The aisle on most aircraft act are only wide enough to walk down without anything on the side of the person.
People pulling against your seat as they exit or enter their seat from the aisle. You basically get pulled back about 6 inches then spring back into position spilling the food or drink that was just about to be consumed. Use the hard seat dividers not the seat in front to get into your seat.
The big “No No” for me has to be pushing the backrest of the seat back when I am a tall individual. I am already sitting with both my knees in full contact with the backrest in full contact. Then the passenger in front of me without checking just wallops the seat full blast without a care…. I then mention that they are unable to do it due to my knees. Most are respectful but there are those passengers who feel entitled when it comes to their “rights”… I came across such a passenger during my most recent Emirates flight from Belgium to Dubai….. the flight attendant had to become involved to resolve our “differences of opinion”…..
I wish they had practice flights as a requirement for folks to fly on planes that actually go somewhere.Here are my top 5:Put only a single bag in the overhead bins. Don’t feel that your coat and brief case are also entitled to go above. - Your personal item is supposed to go under the seat in front of you. Wheels must face out. While we’re at it, I wish airlines would enforce trying your bag in the little fit box and mandate that it has to be weighed and be no less than 20 lbs (but permit up to 25). This will ensure no one gets a rude surprise when helping with luggage.No p**n ever. If you’re flying, watch things that are rated only. Be considerate of folks around you. Guys get a bad enough reputation without perverts getting involved.Know your alcohol limit and stay well below. Also while we’re at it, don’t take medication for the first time on a plane.Don’t recline ever. Unless you’re flying internationally and it’s at night in your destination.Respect my space. When you see me wipe down my seat neurotically, see that I’m establishing my boundary. I travel too much to ever get sick from a plane. When I put the blower on my face, it is mine - don’t change mine. I need positive air pressure over my nose and mouth. No, I won’t turn it down. When it comes to the window shade, I booked the window, you could have, but didn’t. It’s mine. I’m not closing it. I do have sunglasses on but it is my choice.
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