Travel tips: 10 plane etiquette rules everyone should follow

There are unwritten rules everyone should know to be a good flight passenger. Here are 10 plane etiquette rules that are non-negotiable.

Somehow etiquette flies out the window for air travel. The boredom of a long flight gives people licence to do just about anything to pass the time.

But there are unwritten rules everyone should know to be a good passenger. Here are 10 plane etiquette rules that are non-negotiable.

Middle seat gets dibs on the arm rests

The middle seat sucks. You’re constantly worried about encroaching on your neighbour’s side, fearing you’ll fall asleep and drop your head on their shoulder. For this reason, the person in the middle seat gets dibs on the arm rests.

The middle seat passenger should be able to use the arm rests.

Stand up to let your neighbours through

Don’t do the half lift, awkward lean back. Stand up, unbuckle your seatbelt and wait in the aisle until your neighbour returns. It’s a good excuse to stretch your legs at the same time. Win-win.

Keep your belongings to yourself

I still remember trying to push someone else’s shoes back onto ‘their side’. Yes, there’s not a lot of room, but manage your belongings and keep them in the pocket of your seat, under the seat in front of you or stowed overhead.

Make sure to keep your belongings in your space.

Say hello, but read the room

It’s always nice to greet your neighbour, but gauge whether they want a conversation. Earphones generally mean they have zero interest in chatting.

Don’t recline on short haul flights

Unless you want your neighbour’s coffee or meal to end up in their lap, be mindful and resist reclining on short haul flights. I know it’s tricky when the person in front of you reclines; it often creates a domino effect with everyone then reclining to create more space. But think about that person in the last row who can’t recline at all. If it’s six hours or less, suck it up.

Sleeping on a plane is always difficult.

It’s not a nail salon

Why this needs to be reminded is beyond me, but here we are. Just because you’re bored and forgot to do your nails or toenails at home does not mean you can cut them on the plane. No one wants to receive a bit of nail shrapnel in their face or worse, in their food.

Odourless food only

The rules of the office microwave apply on the plane. No tuna, no pungent curries, no oozy cheeses – save anything smelly for your home.

The food choices on a plane are not always the best.

Have all your stuff ready before the plane lands

We all want to desperately get off the plane and you have hours to get your stuff together. Don’t hold everyone up and decide to pack your belongings after the plane lands. Get it done before the descent.

Wait your turn to exit the plane

Don’t you love it when people from the last row jump up and try to get as far ahead as possible? It then becomes impossible to get your bag from above because everyone is blocking the aisle. Just wait until your aisle is up to grab your bag and exit.

Just be nice

We’re all in the same confined space together so let’s just all get along. Be respectful of the crew and fellow passengers, and we’ll all have a more pleasant journey.

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