Air travel used to be a fancy occasion with comfortable seats and dapper dress, but those days are long gone. Modern airports are exhausting, plane seats are tiny, and the journey is rarely fun. But there are ways we can make flights a little more bearable, or even enjoyable, for those around us — after all, we’re all in it together until we reach our destination. A little bit of consideration for our fellow passengers can go a long way. Next time you board a plane, follow these 10 tips for a nice flight.
Do a Little Homework in Advance
Before you leave, look up current security guidelines for the airport, carry-on limits for your flight, and other pertinent information. It will save everybody, including yourself, time in the long run, and it’ll help you avoid unexpected faux pas — like holding up the line — at security or your departure gate. This doubly applies if you’re traveling with something like a stroller or a fragile item.
Stow Carry-On Suitcases Wheels First and on Their Side
Everyone has to share the overhead bins, so try to take up as little space as possible. If your suitcase will fit on its side, place it that way; doing so will help more luggage fit in the bin. If your carry-on has wheels, they should go toward the back of the bin — with the handle facing out — so you don’t struggle with them when you go to take down your suitcase at your destination. And if you have a small bag that will fit under the seat in front of you, keep it out of the bin to save that space for someone else.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
If you’re told your flight is late or that your bag won’t fit in the overhead bin, try to face the unwelcome news with calm and grace — getting heated won’t change the outcome and will only make the airline employee’s job harder and your fellow passengers uncomfortable.
Check Before Reclining
Reclining airplane seats, especially in economy class, is a hot-button issue. Some people are firmly in the anti-recline camp, but others think there’s a little wiggle room here. Regardless, never recline more than absolutely necessary, and check with the person behind you before you lean back, so you don’t launch everything on their tray table into their face. Even staunch recline opponents will concede that a little is permissible on long-haul and red-eye flights.
Middle Seat Gets the Armrests
If there’s one thing etiquette experts can agree on about air travel, it’s that the person in the center seat — unquestionably the least desirable one in the window-middle-aisle configuration — gets the armrests if they want them. It’s a small consolation prize for not having the view of the window seat or the ease of egress of the aisle.
Use Headphones
Wearing headphones for your in-flight entertainment should go without saying, but since everything has a speaker on it now, it’s worth mentioning. Don’t disturb your neighbors with your music or movies, and if you’re using wireless headphones, double-check that they’re fully connected.
Watch Your Intoxication Level
It’s fine to enjoy a drink when you fly — that’s what beverage service is for — but imbibe with caution. It can be difficult to gauge whether you’ve had too much when you’re confined to a seat. Strictly speaking, drinking at high altitudes doesn’t make you drunker, but alcohol can exacerbate the disorienting effects of flying. Check in with yourself and don’t get carried away.
Address Child Issues With Care
Nobody wants to be seated near a screaming baby on an airplane, but nobody wants the baby to stop screaming more than their parents do. If you’re a child-free passenger, stop to consider whether a parent has control over something before airing your concerns. Nobody can reason with an infant, especially when experiencing painful changes in cabin pressure for the first time, but parents do have an obligation to intervene if their kindergartener is kicking the back of your seat. Just be kind when you ask. (One etiquette expert suggests that kids are less likely to kick in their stocking feet.)
Pack Unobtrusive Snacks
It’s smart and frugal to pack your own food to bring on a plane, but it’s rude to grab a tuna salad sandwich in the terminal and take it with you. Packed food should be as tidy and unsmelly as possible for the sake of both your fellow passengers, who have to share your air, and the flight attendants who have to clean up after you. After all, you can’t exactly crack a window.
No Bare Feet
Flying is notoriously uncomfortable, but bare feet should not come out on the plane. If you’re expecting to remove your shoes, wear socks. It’ll keep your bare feet from touching the ground at security anyway.