Frommer's tips to avoid being 'that' annoying airline passenger

FROM bag re-packers to seat-recliners, Frommer's reveals the most annoying passengers - and how you can avoid being one of them.

AIR travel isn't much fun at the best of times. There are the long queues, the delays, the shuffling to board the plane then the shuffling to disembark.

But while this is to be expected, it's much more frustrating when you're surrounded by people who don't know they're making it even worse for everyone else.

Pictures: Plane manners

Travel company Frommer's has revealed some of the most annoying airline passengers and how you can avoid being one of them.

The re-packer:

In this day and age of heightened airport security, it goes without saying that there are certain things you can't take in the cabin while travelling.

And even if you do need to be told, there are plenty of billboards and helpful staff throughout the airport to remind you: no sharp objects, no aerosol cans, no liquids.

Yet despite the multitude of prompts, there is always someone who holds up the check-in queue when they have to re-pack their bags.

Not only is it embarrassing for you, having to trawl through your personal belongings in front of a crowd of people, but it's also extremely annoying for the people waiting patiently behind you, not to mention the staff-member checking you in.

Make sure you read up on what you can and can't carry and have packed appropriately before you try checking in.

Prohibited airport

The seat-recliner:

Let's be honest. Having your seat lean back those extra five degrees doesn't drastically improve your comfort levels. In fact, the odd angle is probably worse for your spine than sitting upright.

What it does do, however, is take up the little free space the poor passenger behind you has.

Being stuck behind a seat-recliner is particularly annoying if you're trying to watch the seatback TV screen or have a bite to eat, so if you really have to do it at least wait until the cabin lights are dimmed for bedtime.

Seat recline

The impatient disembarker:

Great, your plane has landed after a long-haul flight and the first thing you want to do is get off, go home and take a shower.

But before you spring from your seat, start dragging your hand luggage into the aisle and pushing your way past the passengers seated in rows in front of you - think: is this really going to get me home any quicker? 

Probably not. What is it guaranteed to do, though, is seriously annoy your fellow passengers (who are equally exhausted and desperate for a shower).

When it's time to de-plane, let the passengers seated in the rows ahead of you leave first. There's no prize for beating them out the door.

Passengers disembark

Some other helpful suggestions from Frommer's include: Not overcrowding the gate before your row is called; not paying attention to the safety demo (even if you've heard it a million times before, it's still polite to listen); and sticking to one side on the escalator. There are people with planes to catch!

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