5 Airplane Etiquette Rules You Might Be Violating

Flying can be stressful, but the experience can be much worse if you have a seatmate or passenger who doesn’t follow the rules of etiquette while traveling by air. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 2,031 incidents involving unruly passengers just in 2023. Want to ensure a smooth flight? Start by making sure you don’t commit any of these faux pas.
Don’t Cut the Security Line
Don’t be the person who cuts the security line and irritates the many other travelers who have patiently waited for their turn to go through the metal detectors and have their belongings screened by the TSA. If you’re at risk of missing your flight, politely inform a security officer. However, it’s worth mentioning that you will usually receive the response: “I can’t do anything.” To avoid this type of inconvenience, sign up for a Trusted Traveler program like TSA PreCheck, which typically has shorter lines and doesn’t require passengers to remove shoes and laptops.
Don’t Ask Anyone to Watch Your Things
It’s illegal to leave your bags unattended at an airport for security reasons. Therefore, many solo travelers may feel inclined to ask strangers to watch their belongings while they rush to buy food or use the restroom. Don’t do this. Besides bothering someone who might be in the same situation as you, you can’t trust anyone these days, can you? Take your items with you if you can, or ask airport staff for help if you can’t.
Don’t Ask to Change Seats
It happens – we don’t always manage to buy seats next to those we’re traveling with. Unless you are a parent separated from your minor child, try to avoid asking to switch seats. Before booking your flight, you can also check with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to see which airlines guarantee adjacent seats for children up to 13 years old and an accompanying adult (at no additional cost).
Don’t Be a Annoying Seatmate
Forgot your headphones at home? Many airlines offer reusable headphones during the flight for a small fee. Don’t be the person who plays music loudly or lets their kids watch shows at high volume. This is especially rude if the people next to you are trying to sleep.
Reclining your seat is always a controversial topic, especially in the currently cramped economy cabins. However, airplane seats are (normally) designed to recline, so it is each passenger’s right to do so. However, according to travel experts, politeness and consideration go a long way. Take a look behind you to see if the passenger has a drink or a laptop on the tray before you recline, or you might want to let them know that you plan to do so.
The armrests on airplanes are another highly debated topic. While there are no set rules about which passengers – window, middle, aisle – have the right to lean on each armrest, experts suggest being considerate of the passenger in the dreaded middle seat. It’s a good idea to allow the passenger in the middle seat to use both armrests; after all, those sitting on the ends have at least one armrest available. If you want to use the armrest, consider starting a friendly conversation with your seatmate first.
Don’t Be Rude to Airport Staff
Lastly, always show respect to the people who work to ensure you reach your destination safely and comfortably. These include everyone from flight attendants who serve snacks and carry out important safety procedures to check-in agents who assist with luggage and airport staff who answer your questions – and still smile every day. Airport and airline staff are often overworked and undervalued, so a little kindness goes a long way.
Source: Daily Passport