From an early age, your parents may have focused on teaching you proper table and social etiquette. They told you not speak with food in your mouth, to say “please” and “thank you”, and to not put your elbows on the table. All of these things are great things to know, but they won’t help you while you are flying.
Once you step foot onto that plane, the traditional etiquette book goes out the window and you have to follow a whole new set of rules. Not familiar with airline etiquette? Don’t worry, that is where we can help!
Travelling can be stressful, it is important to start your holiday as stress-free as you possibly can. Luckily, if you follow these etiquette rules you will be able to make travelling easier for you and your fellow travellers. Learn the following airline etiquette tips and you will be able to fly anywhere in the world without offending or bothering your fellow passengers or embarrassing yourself.
Etiquette In The Age Of Flying
Don’t be an Overhead Bin Hog
Don’t be one of those passengers that only think of themselves when it comes to using the overhead storage bin. Think of your fellow passengers and make sure you store your carry-on items in a way that takes up the least amount of space.
There is no hard rule for how to store items in the overhead bin so they don’t take up a lot of space, but generally it is recommended that you put your bags vertically inside the bin as opposed to horizontally.
Stay within Your Own Personal Space
Travelling, especially long distances, can be uncomfortable. While you might want to spread out and stretch your legs, you really shouldn’t as it will make your seatmates uncomfortable.
In an effort to keep the peace and make everyone happy, try to stay within your own personal space and not infringe on others personal space. This means no spreading your personal items all over the floor, stretching out with your legs in a way that causes them to go all over the area in between the seats or even under them, and even sharing the armrest with the person in the middle. The same applies for capitalising on an aisle seat; that is a public walkway and safety zone; nobody is expected to step over your outstretched legs!
Don’t be Too Chatty with Your Fellow Travellers
Some travellers don’t mind talking the entire flight with a stranger, but some do. Try and be aware of how your fellow passengers like to travel. If they appear like they don’t want to carry on a conversation the entire flight, be polite, give them a nod, and leave them alone. Wearing headphones is a sure sign of the need for alone-time. Please don’t disturb!
Learn the Careful Climb for When You Use the Restroom
Before the flight, it is a good idea to think about whether you will be one who needs to get up multiple times during the flight or if you are okay sitting for most of the duration. If you need to get up multiple times, you may want to think about switching so you are sitting near the aisle. If that isn’t possible, you will want to learn the careful climb.
The careful climb allows you to quickly and easily get out of your seat, around the person next to you, and to the bathroom. To do the careful climb, face the front of the plane, squeeze around the other traveller, and try to avoid touching them or the headrest on the seat in front of them as much as possible.
If you happen to be the person with the aisle seat, you can avoid any awkward moments by introducing yourself and letting people know that it is ok to wake you if they need to get to the bathroom. Doing this is better than being jolted awake or bumped in the middle of a flight.
Travelling can be stressful, it is important to start your holiday as stress-free as you possibly can. Luckily, if you follow these etiquette rules you will be able to make travelling easier for you and your fellow travellers. Also consider parking your car with Ace Airport Parking. We offer 24/7 security monitored undercover and outdoor airport car parking with a range of options such as valet parking, car washing and servicing which is rounded off with our award-winning customer service and great price.
