Let's be honest - flying isn't always a pleasure these days. You feel like you are crammed into a sardine can and your snack option is limited to stale pretzels. But with a little consideration for our fellow passengers, taking a plane ride can be a better experience for everyone.
Before You Get on Board
Do you really need a carry-on the size of a mini-fridge? Airplane space is very limited. As you board, don’t put your carry-on into one of the first overhead bins with the thought of just grabbing it as you disembark; doing so means a passenger near the front has to go further back to find a place to stow his bag. Lay your coat on top of your bag, not beside it. Flight attendant Helen LaCroix had another recommendation in a phone interview, “Walk down the aisle with your bag in front of you, not on your shoulder, as you can bonk people in the head.”
When the boarding announcement is made, there is no need to get into a huge line-up to be the first one on the plane; it isn’t the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Boarding in an orderly way according to the rows as they call them is the most efficient way to get everyone on board.
Dealing With Passengers Beside You
The armrest - Flyers in general are very territorial about the armrest that separates them from the stranger beside them. The unwritten rule is that you and your neighbour each get half.
The talker - If someone has their nose in a book, is trying to work, or has headphones on, they don’t want to talk. Respect their choice and don't chit chat.
Reclining seats - It never fails - you’ve just taken off and the passenger in front of you reclines their seat, banging right into you. Before reclining, glance behind you to ensure the passenger doesn’t have a laptop on the tray table or that the person isn’t a basketball player whose legs are already contorted. If they are, consider keeping your seat upright or at a slight recline. When meals are being served, always put your seat upright.
Other Airplane Etiquette Issues
Food - Few topics cause as much controversy and outrage from flyers as the subject of food. While it is a good idea to bring along snacks to nibble on, really messy or fragrant food is not a good idea. An Air Canada flight attendant on leave to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot suggested to me in a phone interview, “Do not bring stuff that needs to be microwaved (we only have ovens). And if you want to be asked a half dozen times “Did you bring enough for everyone?” bring a pizza on board a flight with no food service! The smell will drive everyone crazy.” It may be best to save the bucket of KFC for another time.
Personal grooming - Take a shower before flying. Wear clean clothes. Skip the heavy perfumes or colognes. LaCroix suggests keeping your shoes on if your feet are stinky. While on board, keep your personal grooming to a minimum. The Air Canada flight attendant pursuing her pilot dream recalls some excessive grooming passengers did. “A common one is women doing their nails on board; the smell of nail polish in an enclosed space like an airplane is awful. I’ve also had people cut their toenails and once a woman started dry shaving her legs by putting her foot up on the passenger seat in front of her!”
Going to the bathroom - Let’s face it – going to the bathroom on an airplane is rarely a pleasant experience. No one likes being cramped into a room the size of a shoebox to do their personal business. Remember to flush. If you make a mess on the seat, wipe it up. After washing your hands, use the paper towels you dried your hands with to clean up the sink area. If you are changing a diaper, don’t just toss it into the garbage. Put it in a sealable bag so everyone who comes after you won’t have to smell your baby’s remnants. (Side note: When getting up to go to the bathroom, try to avoid pulling on the seat in front of you to help yourself along. When you release it, the seat can fling back toward the passenger sitting there, spilling coffee over them or waking them.)
Watching the movie - You are not in a movie theatre. A lot of your fellow passengers won't have headsets on and they don't want to hear you sing along to the music or laugh like a buffoon.
Electronic devices - Laptops, game systems, and music devices are now a mainstay among air travellers. Be conscious of those around you and use headphones or turn the volume off. Avoid watching porn on your laptop.
Flying with children - Taking kids on airplanes can be challenging. For the sanity of those around you, keep children from banging on the tray tables and kicking the seat in front of them. Don’t allow children to jump on seats or pester flyers around them. Take along toys that will occupy them without annoying other passengers. Rebecca Loewen, a mother-of-two who saves diligently to take a vacation every year to satisfy her travel bug, shared her pet peeve in a phone interview. "I wish people would leave battery-operated toys (that have sirens and horns) at home. They are really annoying and the high-pitched noise carries throughout the plane.”
Disembarking - Passengers usually exit a plane row by row so you won’t get off any faster if you push and shove. You’ll get off soon enough. Be careful opening overhead bins as items do shift.
If we were all a little more conscientious of our fellow passengers, flying would be a much better experience!
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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