Are you making grandiose plans to go on a summer vacation? Book your plane tickets now! You should also follow certain rules of etiquette when flying to make your journey as pleasant as possible.
Nobody wants their dream holiday started with an argument with flight attendants, or with snotty feet and elbow fights over armrests. These are the rules of flying that will ensure a smooth start to your vacation.
1. You are ready for security screening
Before you board the plane, your journey begins. After you have checked your baggage, you can proceed to the next stage of your flight: security screening before you board the plane.
Although security checks can seem tedious, you don’t want to be the one holding the line or provoking the stern stares or anger of the TS agents and your fellow passengers.
All your documents are ready. Your passport, ID, and boarding pass will be appreciated by security guards and passengers. For easy access, you can either get one of these wallets or keep them in your front pocket.
You should take everything from your pocket. Your keys, coins, and other valuables will be taken out of your pockets once you’re near the security check queue. You must also take your watch, sunglasses, wallet, belt, shoes, jacket, and wallet to the bin.
Take water out of your bottle. Keep hydrated during your flight. However, make sure that your bottle is not full for screening.
The 3-1-1 rule applies. All 3-1-1 liquids should be placed in a transparent, quart-sized bag. Read our post to find out what you cannot take on board a plane.
Place your laptop in a separate bin. You should keep your laptop in a separate bin. These are some ways to pack your carry-on.
After scanning, quickly collect all of your items. It’s okay to take the bin away. You don’t want anyone blocking you while you put your watch, shoes and belt on. You can put your watch, shoes, belt, etc. back on.
2. Do not block the aisle
After you have greeted the smiling flight attendants, and gotten on the plane, try to not block the aisle. Do not be the passenger who makes everyone wait while they rummage in their bags in an overhead bin.
People waiting in an airplane’s middle aisle.
You should prepare all the necessary items for your flight ahead of time. You should have your cardigan, laptop and reading materials ready for the flight. You are now ready to go on a pleasant ride.
3. Armes restraint
Unwritten flying rules state that the person sitting in the middle seat is the luckiest. You can use both armrests. The person sitting in the window gets the best view. The one in the aisle seats gets easy access to the toilet. However, the two armrests in the middle seat are your only option.
You can trust that your fellow travellers will be aware of this rule, and you won’t have to wage war for your armrest territory.
4. Put your phone on silent mode
Sleeping is sometimes the best way to make it through a long flight. It can be difficult to sleep with engines humming, children gently (or not at all gently) kicking your seats or a couple talking incessantly. Once you finally fall asleep, your phone rings. ).
You don’t want your phone to go silent, especially on red-eye flights. It’s called “manner mode” by the Japanese because it is a good manner to respect and show consideration for everyone on board.
5. Use headphones
You can listen to and like any music you want, as long as your headphones are on. Imagine 500 people on an A380 long-haul plane listening to their favorite music simultaneously. It would be a disaster in the sky.
This travel tip is also for your children. These shrill, overly enthusiastic voices can be heard on children’s television and make it difficult for you to fall asleep. You can buy pink headphones for children if necessary, but ensure they are happy with them and that they use them.
6. Consider your family and offer to swap seats
Airlines may charge additional fees or block some seats. This means that families cannot buy seats together. Be kind if you notice someone travelling with a child, an elderly person or a sick person. Offer to swap seats.
You can wait until the plane reaches cruising altitude before you switch seats if you don’t feel comfortable.
7. Reclining airplane etiquette
Many passengers claim that they avoid recumbent seating on short flights. It would be an inconvenience for the passenger in front as the airplane seat space is shrinking. They will have to see your snoring face. They will likely not have access to their under-seat carry on bag.
A woman looks through an airplane window.
However, long-haul flights are best if your seat is rearranged. Follow airplane protocol and look behind you to signal that you are reclining your seat. You don’t want your seat to be pushed back by someone who may have their laptop, food or drinks on the tray table behind you.
8. No foul-smelling food
You don’t see planes as being famous for their tasty meals. If you want to eat healthy snacks, you can bring your own food.
Be mindful that a plane can only hold 300-500 passengers. It is probably best to forget your favorite garlic bread, anchovy Pizza, kimchi or stinky cheese.
9. Be a good listener.
It’s possible to make your time fly by having a friendly conversation with your neighbor. Flying solo can be a wonderful way to meet new people and receive tips from other travellers. Even if you have a great relationship, the conversation can seem too lively or long to others. They might be trying to get their babies to sleep, so they can also rest.
If you aren’t interested in chatting and your neighbor seems too friendly you can politely tell them you have work to do and then open your laptop. You can also read, put on your headphones or just drift off.
10. Make sure you have socks
Experts would advise you to keep your shoes on. Smelly feet and unpleasant body odours can make stuffy planes unbearable. No one wants to see your naked feet, even if you’re in the heat and your feet are swollen.
A Qantas Boeing 747 during takeoff.
You should also think twice about going to the toilet in your bare feet. Most planes have a very dirty floor. Lavatories on planes are also not the most clean. Crew members often clean the plane quickly, spraying and wiping off the surfaces in the lavatory to speed up the turnaround time (the time between landing and the next takeoff). The liquid that you see in the loo is probably not water.
Don’t spend too much time in the lavatory. The passengers who are waiting for you will not appreciate your 45-minute routine.
After a pleasant and smooth journey, you’re here.
A final tip: Be polite. Be patient. While everyone is eager to get on, please don’t crowd the aisle. You can politely ask your fellow travelers if you’re in a rush for a connecting flight.
For more tips, check out this article from USA Today.