Flying Right: How To Avoid Offensive Behaviour While Travelling

When on a flight, it's essential to observe proper etiquette to ensure a pleasant journey for all. Unfortunately, a few unruly passengers can ruin the experience for everyone. Behaviours like reclining seats excessively, playing loud music, or engaging in heated arguments can quickly turn a routine flight into an unpleasant ordeal. To maintain a harmonious and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone on board, it's crucial to respect personal space, keep noise levels down, and follow cabin crew instructions.

By being mindful of a few rules and avoiding offensive aeroplane behaviours, you can help create a joyful flight for all passengers. To learn more about what not to do on a plane, check out our list of unacceptable behaviours.

Do Not Switch Seats

It can be frustrating to pay extra for an aisle seat close to the bathroom only to have someone ask you to switch seats for no apparent reason. Not only is it rude, but it can also disrupt the carefully planned seating arrangements and cause confusion or delays during boarding. Airlines assign seats for various reasons, including weight distribution, balancing the aircraft, and accommodating passengers with specific needs. While occasional seat changes may be allowed in certain situations, such as accommodating families or people with disabilities, it's always best to check with the flight attendants for assistance to ensure a smooth and organised travel experience for everyone on the plane.

Do Not Use Both Armrests

Hoarding both armrests on a flight is a way of saying, "I do not really care about others' personal space." Sharing armrests on an aeroplane is an unwritten rule of etiquette, and using both armrests can cause discomfort for fellow passengers. While it's not a strict rule, using only one armrest allows others to have a more comfortable seating experience, especially in small spaces. This small gesture of consideration can make your flight and those around you more enjoyable, as everyone seeks comfort during air travel.

Be Careful When Reclining Your Seat

When you abruptly recline your seat on a flight, you risk spilling hot coffee on the passenger behind you. Although reclining your seat is a privilege, you should be considerate of the person sitting behind you. While it is your right to recline, it's essential to do so slowly and carefully, ensuring you don't invade the limited space of the person behind you. Being mindful of their comfort, particularly during meal times or when the person behind you is working on a laptop or has limited legroom, shows courtesy and makes the flight experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Do Not Remove Your Shoes

Experts advise against walking barefoot on an aeroplane, as it can lead to slipping or injuries due to wet floors and other hazards. Allowing kids to run around barefoot can also cause disturbance to other passengers. It's recommended to keep your shoes on for hygiene and courtesy reasons. The cabin floor may not be the cleanest surface, and walking around without shoes can expose you to potential dirt and germs. Additionally, it's considerate to fellow passengers as removing shoes can result in unpleasant odours. If you want to be more comfortable during a long flight, consider wearing breathable footwear that allows you to stretch your feet without taking your shoes off entirely, ensuring a more pleasant environment for everyone on board.

Avoid Unwanted Conversations And Small Talk

While the general rule is to "Love thy neighbour," it may not apply on an aeroplane. According to surveys, passengers prefer to have some personal space and privacy. Therefore, it's best to avoid initiating unwanted conversations or engaging in small talk with fellow passengers unless they are interested in talking. Many travellers prefer to use the flight time for rest, work, or entertainment, and unwanted conversations can disrupt that experience. Although friendly interactions can be enjoyable, respecting your seatmate's preferences and cues is considerate, ensuring a more peaceful and pleasant journey for everyone on board.

Avoid Loud Music And Speakerphones

Taking phone calls on a flight can be very offensive and even risk the entire plane's safety. To ensure a calm and peaceful atmosphere on board, it is important to avoid playing loud music and using speakerphones. Sound travels easily in the limited space of the cabin, and what may seem like an acceptable volume to you can be disruptive to others. Passengers typically look for a quiet and relaxing environment during their flight, so using headphones for personal entertainment and keeping conversations private is a considerate gesture. Respecting the need for a serene ambience can enhance the experience for all passengers on the flight.

Abort Personal Grooming

While flights might seem like an excellent opportunity for some "me-time," resisting the temptation to perform personal grooming activities on an aeroplane is essential. Activities such as nail clipping, hair brushing, or applying makeup should be avoided whenever possible due to the tight quarters and shared spaces that make these activities inconvenient and potentially disruptive and unhygienic for fellow passengers. Prioritising these routines before boarding can help maintain a more comfortable and respectful environment on the plane, ensuring a smoother and more pleasant travel experience for everyone.