Hello, pandas! Welcome aboard today’s flight. If you could please take your seats quickly and place your bags in the overhead compartments, we’ll be starting our journey shortly. And remember, even if the flight attendants haven’t explicitly told you not to disturb your fellow passengers, you definitely shouldn’t! Traveling can be an exciting yet exhausting experience. And one thing that can instantly make it worse is being stuck on a flight with rude passengers. So to improve everyone’s flying etiquette, Reddit users have been discussing some of the unspoken rules of air travel that we should all abide by. Below, you'll find some of their thoughts, as well as a conversation with an airline pilot, bestselling author, and the host of Ask the Pilot, who shared some important unspoken rules of flying.
When reclining your seat, please do it SLOWLY. Remember that the person behind you may have items on his or her tray table, and that tray table is (in most cases) attached to YOUR seat. This is a particular hazard for laptops, as the screen can become pinched between the table and the upper cushion of the seat-back as it reclines. 'Assault recliners' is a term for those passengers who come hauling back at full speed with no warning, leaving you but a split-second to save your computer from this deadly nutcracker, and/or upending your coffee.
If you want to make things slightly easier on your fellow travelers, here’s a simple recommendation: when boarding, please don't place your carry-on bags in the first empty bin that you come to. Use a bin as close to your seat as possible. This helps prevent congestion and delays during boarding and deplaning.
Flying on planes used to be a special occasion. Not all that long ago, only a fraction of the population could afford to fly on a regular basis. Today, flying is far more accessible, and almost everybody takes it for granted. As a result, the levels of behavior have changed, and standards of decorum may have fallen.
Here are some additional tips for good flying etiquette: close the overhead bin promptly if you open it mid-flight, board the airplane when it's your time to do so, be mindful of your bags as you make your way to your seat, and avoid sticking your bare or shoed feet on the walls, armrests, or any place other than the floor. By following these unspoken rules and practicing good flying etiquette, we can all contribute to a more pleasant and efficient air travel experience for everyone.
