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Airplane Travel EtiquetteUse these tips to keep the friendly skies, friendly.
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The airplane cabin is a community space that is much more enjoyable when that is remembered.
“ At the end of the flight, when exiting the plane, don’t jump out into the aisle and bolt in front of others or knock people down trying to walk backwards to retrieve your carry on luggage.”
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Traveling is no picnic. Why make things worse by overlooking simple steps that could make everyone’s trip more tolerable, dare I say even more enjoyable? Here are a few rules of traveling decorum that can make a big difference for you and your fellow airplane friends.
Cell phones: If your cell phone is still attached to your ear as you bang down the aisle of the airplane annoying fellow passengers as you hit them in the head with your carry-on luggage, while you make your last minute call to your office or your dentist, shhhh….keep your voice down. No one else cares how important you are or how much your tooth hurts. And by all means, turn your cell phone off at the designated time. Nothing is worse than sitting next to a person who is squeezing every last second of talk time in once the flight attendant has requested that cell phones and electrical devices be turned off.
Stay in your own seat: Your armrest is a good indicator of where your personal space ends and your fellow passenger’s begin. Make sure not to lean into your neighbor’s seat or hoist yourself up by using the headrest of the seat in front of you, as you accidentally grab a handful of the poor person’s hair.
Respect your neighbor: Don’t assume that your seatmate is interested in a long-winded conversation about your vacation plans, your kids or where you went to college. Short, one-word responses are a not-so-subtle signal that the person next to you would prefer to sit quietly and be left alone. I was recently on a flight where the woman next to me continued to wake me up to talk about her trip and discuss how her French poodle could sing along to the radio. Nice lady, but I had been traveling for days, exhausted and needed a little rest. My husband thought it was hilarious but declined to trade seats with me.
Luggage space: The overhead bins are for everyone’s use. If you run out of room for your purse, laptop, baby bag, fruit basket and portable lunch cooler, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your travel gear.
Babies and small children: Young parents are likely dreading the long flight with multiple young children as much as you are dreading them sitting next to you. Nothing is more uncomfortable than fellow passengers who roll their eyes, mumble, "Oh no!" and visibly cross their fingers until the mommy, daddy and children pass their row. Instead of dropping eye contact and holding your breath until the family passes your row, smile at mom or dad, wink at the kids and show them that you commiserate and have been there too.
Little white hand towel: In the event you are handed a warm, moist hand towel before your meal, use them only on your hands! The semi-steaming little towels, offered before an airline meal are not meant to clean your ears or wipe your face.
Keep your shoes on: As a courtesy to other passengers in close proximity, keeping your shoes on is just the right thing to do.
Handle a bump in the air with humor: If, by chance, the flight attendant or another passenger accidentally spills something on you or steps on your toes (because you’re sprawled across the aisle, shoeless), remember, causing a scene is unflattering and a distracting annoyance to others. It is much more appropriate to say, "Not to worry, accidents happen." Your gracious gesture could put another person at ease and keep your own blood pressure in check.
Wait your turn: At the end of the flight, when exiting the plane, don’t jump out into the aisle and bolt in front of others or knock people down trying to walk backwards to retrieve your carry on luggage. Wait your turn, walk out in an orderly fashion, and if you must walk backwards to get your belongings, make eye contact with fellow passengers, smile and say, "Please excuse me." And please, don’t try and do all of this with a cell phone attached to your ear.
Diane Gottsman, a nationally recognized etiquette expert, is the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in etiquette training for corporations, universities and individuals, striving to polish their interpersonal skills. You can reach Diane at 877-490-1077 or www.protocolschooloftexas.com.
Cell phones: If your cell phone is still attached to your ear as you bang down the aisle of the airplane annoying fellow passengers as you hit them in the head with your carry-on luggage, while you make your last minute call to your office or your dentist, shhhh….keep your voice down. No one else cares how important you are or how much your tooth hurts. And by all means, turn your cell phone off at the designated time. Nothing is worse than sitting next to a person who is squeezing every last second of talk time in once the flight attendant has requested that cell phones and electrical devices be turned off.
Stay in your own seat: Your armrest is a good indicator of where your personal space ends and your fellow passenger’s begin. Make sure not to lean into your neighbor’s seat or hoist yourself up by using the headrest of the seat in front of you, as you accidentally grab a handful of the poor person’s hair.
Respect your neighbor: Don’t assume that your seatmate is interested in a long-winded conversation about your vacation plans, your kids or where you went to college. Short, one-word responses are a not-so-subtle signal that the person next to you would prefer to sit quietly and be left alone. I was recently on a flight where the woman next to me continued to wake me up to talk about her trip and discuss how her French poodle could sing along to the radio. Nice lady, but I had been traveling for days, exhausted and needed a little rest. My husband thought it was hilarious but declined to trade seats with me.
Luggage space: The overhead bins are for everyone’s use. If you run out of room for your purse, laptop, baby bag, fruit basket and portable lunch cooler, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your travel gear.
Babies and small children: Young parents are likely dreading the long flight with multiple young children as much as you are dreading them sitting next to you. Nothing is more uncomfortable than fellow passengers who roll their eyes, mumble, "Oh no!" and visibly cross their fingers until the mommy, daddy and children pass their row. Instead of dropping eye contact and holding your breath until the family passes your row, smile at mom or dad, wink at the kids and show them that you commiserate and have been there too.
Little white hand towel: In the event you are handed a warm, moist hand towel before your meal, use them only on your hands! The semi-steaming little towels, offered before an airline meal are not meant to clean your ears or wipe your face.
Keep your shoes on: As a courtesy to other passengers in close proximity, keeping your shoes on is just the right thing to do.
Handle a bump in the air with humor: If, by chance, the flight attendant or another passenger accidentally spills something on you or steps on your toes (because you’re sprawled across the aisle, shoeless), remember, causing a scene is unflattering and a distracting annoyance to others. It is much more appropriate to say, "Not to worry, accidents happen." Your gracious gesture could put another person at ease and keep your own blood pressure in check.
Wait your turn: At the end of the flight, when exiting the plane, don’t jump out into the aisle and bolt in front of others or knock people down trying to walk backwards to retrieve your carry on luggage. Wait your turn, walk out in an orderly fashion, and if you must walk backwards to get your belongings, make eye contact with fellow passengers, smile and say, "Please excuse me." And please, don’t try and do all of this with a cell phone attached to your ear.
Diane Gottsman, a nationally recognized etiquette expert, is the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in etiquette training for corporations, universities and individuals, striving to polish their interpersonal skills. You can reach Diane at 877-490-1077 or www.protocolschooloftexas.com.
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