Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Air travel, a remarkable mode of transportation that connects people across the globe, involves much more than boarding a plane and waiting until it reaches a destination. It requires a delicate balance of mutual understanding and consideration among passengers.
In a thought-provoking post on r/AskReddit, platform user u/ChickenTensity recently delved into the etiquette that governs the skies, inviting travelers and frequent flyers to share the unspoken rules they believe everyone should know. Let's hope the information they've shared fosters smoother, more enjoyable journeys for us all.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
You're never obligated to yield your seat to someone because they want to sit next to another person.
They didn't plan accordingly, not your problem.
#3
When the flight attendant asks you to do something, they’re not actually asking. They’re telling you nicely. And when they request something from you, that is the rule of law on that plane and you will obey.
#4
Don't be chill when your kids are kicking the seat in front of them...
ETA: If you have an aisle seat and the person in the middle or window seat needs to use the restroom, well, sucks to be you, you have to get up. Please, dear men, don't suggest that the female stranger next to you could crawl over your lap because you're too lazy to move.
Doctor Strange 1 year ago
This is why I usually book an aisle seat. Due to medication, I very likely Will have to use the bathroom, possibly several times on the flight. So I book an aisle so I don't have to ask people to move.
#5
Don't wallow in cologne before boarding.
freakingbee (they/them) 1 year ago
or perfume please for the love of god it's bad enough in a classroom
#6
If you're morbidly obese, you need to buy 2 seats. Sorry not sorry
#7
Leave the person next to you alone.
Unless they're about to f*****g die, do not bother them.
#8
No matter the line size behind you, you always give the person in front of you the opportunity to exit first.
#9
If they announce that some people on the plane have a really tight connection, be polite and let them off first. Especially if you have time to get to your next gate or if you’re at your final destination.
Mihai Mara 1 year ago
Gives me.the chills to have "plane" and "final destination" in the same sentence
#11
Don't run down the aisle after a rough landing, shouting "Do it again! Do it again!"
In my defence, I was about 3.
#12
Long hair people - do not put them over your seat so the tv of behind-guy is covered
Peter Parker 1 year ago
Just start sniffing their hair and tell them how amazing it would taste. You'll have your TV screen back in no time.
#14
H E A D P H O N E S
Clément D. 1 year ago
And please make sure it does not spit your tunes too loud outside the headphone too :)
#15
You don't ask someone to trade your middle seat for their aisle/window seat
ma laika 1 year ago
Oh, the audacity! The sheer nerve! The gall! Asking someone to trade their comfy, spacious aisle or window seat for your claustrophobic middle seat is like asking someone to trade their juicy steak for a tofu burger. It's just not going to happen, honey. So, unless you're willing to offer up your firstborn child or a lifetime supply of free flights, I suggest you suck it up and deal with the middle seat like the rest of us peasants.
#16
Be patient with the parents if a toddler is freaking out. Trust me, we’re 100X more stressed about it than you.
Except for s****y parents I guess.
Marcos Valencia 1 year ago
My children are already 9 and 6 yo, so it's a pleasure flying with them. But a few years ago, it was a bigger pleasure when some toddler started freaking out and I realized it wasn't one of mines. That was relaxing.
#17
Middle seat gets both armrests.
Best Behave 1 year ago
Arm rest maybe, but your elbows do not encroach into my seat space. Yes hipster in the polo neck on the flight to Budapest 3 weeks ago, I mean you.
#18
Don't grab the back of my seat to help your a*s stand up, and ESPECIALLY don't grab my hair when you do it. I don't need to be woken up by you yanking my head back and pulling out my hair, too.
#19
Wear comfortable clothes!
#20
If someone is struggling to put their carry on in the overhead, help them. Don’t be condescending and and watch them struggle (I speak from experience. I’m short and struggled to put my carry on in the overhead and the couple sitting next to me just watched me struggle and said “you can do it”. The dude sitting across from us got up to help me).
Captain Awesome 1 year ago
Only help if it is actually a carry on. If they're trying to jam a full size suitcase in there, f**k em.
#21
Your knees don’t have to be pressed against the luggage belt to get your luggage. Stand the hell back, yours isn’t even coming off first.
LavenderHippoInAJar 1 year ago
I mean, while it is statistically unlikely, *someone's* luggage is coming off first, so it's not impossible...
#22
Don’t have full volume conversations (or any conversation) on a red eye flight.
#23
Don't eat stinky f*****g food on a plane. You want to eat eggs or egg sandwich or tuna with onion sandwiches? Go ahead to your hearts content on land or when you are home or at your vacation destination. In the plane you eat the least stinky food though. I'm not smelling egg fart smell half the ride or tuna breath. Planes are neutral smell only zone as much as possible. Stick with granola bars or the food they serve you on the plane.
#24
you are not the only person in this airport/on this plane.
if you are as important as you are making out to be/think you are, why aren't you on a private jet?
#25
As a pilot, my unspoken rule is to actually land the plane lol
#26
Treat the Stewards with tons of respect.
Remember to stretch on long haul flights (learned this on a 17 hour flight the hard way)
Know what you want from the snack cart
#28
Think before going through TSA. Don’t wear lace up boots, all the jewelry in the world, bring multiple computers, forget about your liquors and food. We don’t have to wait while you clog up the line to undress. Wear sweats, a sweatshirt and slip ons.
#29
So many to list…
Headphones. Nobody wants to hear your music or your conversations.
Wear shoes, this isn’t your living room.
If you’re in zone 5, don’t block the boarding area when they are boarding zone 1.
Move with a purpose. Don’t meander walking through the terminal.
Just because your seat reclines doesn’t mean you should do it.
Doctor Strange 1 year ago
I was with you till the last one. I have lower back problems. I CAN'T keep my seat bolt upright, even for the shortest flight, or I won't be able to walk when the plane lands.
#31
You can stand up as soon as it’s allowed.
It seems to be a thing for people who don’t fly that often, to think people who stand up directly are less experienced than you.
”Look at this noob standing up, you’re not getting off earlier, lol, bet he never flies!”
While in fact, we who do fly often, don’t care. I might have 15h in a economy seat before this 2h flight we’ve been on and can’t stand to sit a second more than I have to.
Marcos Valencia 1 year ago
I bet OP is one of these people who stand up and start opening the overhead bin while the plane is still taxiing.
#32
Don’t hit people in the face when standing/walking down the aisle.
#34
Start fights with the air stewardess who won't serve you your 12th beer!
#36
Dont be loud. You have to have a reason to not be whisper talking. Like, ordering a drink from the crew, or asking someone to raise their seat. Even then, you don't have to yell. And the plane can be loud, especially by the engines
#37
Don't request someone else's (usually more expensive) seat unless you have a good reason too. Your child's first flight, or wanting to use the window as a sleeping wall are not good enough. It makes it worse that the crew will almost always side with the requester.
#38
Take your full sized luggage on as carry-on. Take up all the over head bin space and when asked to gate check your s**t, refuse. Do this and you will fit right in
Megan Curl 1 year ago
The gate check is a great option. Your bag is usually among the first ones off.
#39
Don't stick your arm down the airplane toilet just to see where it's all going.
#40
Don’t fart in the plane
What do you think ?
Magpie 1 year ago
I am amazed that people still have money and carbon credits to waste flying. ... also sad and amazed that such basic politeness has to be taught. Most of this applies to train and bus travel, and just being in crowds. :((
Kathryn Smith 1 year ago
A LOT of people in the US don't even have a choice about it if we want to do things like see family or keep a job.
Load More Replies... Magpie 1 year ago
I am amazed that people still have money and carbon credits to waste flying. ... also sad and amazed that such basic politeness has to be taught. Most of this applies to train and bus travel, and just being in crowds. :((
Kathryn Smith 1 year ago
A LOT of people in the US don't even have a choice about it if we want to do things like see family or keep a job.
Load More Replies... You May Like 30 Of The Most Dangerous Airports In The World “Life Happens”: Wife Left At The Airport After Husband Gets Her Birthday Wrong On Plane Ticket
Neilas Šurkus
Donata Leskauskaite
Related on Bored Panda
