10 Airplane Etiquette Rules You Didn’t Know You Were Breaking

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Like every form of mass transportation, specific unspoken rules come with flying a commercial plane from one location to another.

Unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle of airport traffic, it’s hard to decipher the exact etiquette behind traveling aboard a plane, with most travelers daydreaming about their destination more than paying attention to their onboard actions.

From hogging armrests to cutting to the front of the boarding line, these are some of the many social faux pas passengers might commit when traveling on an airplane.

Always Use Your Headphones

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We get it. Flights are long and often tedious, testing most people’s patience as they search for ways to pass the time. Yet even then, one thing you don’t want to do is disrupt your fellow travelers by listening to videos out loud on your phone.

To avoid this meddlesome issue, always plug in your headphones whenever you hit play on the next Netflix movie, YouTube video, or Spotify song on your playlist.

Don’t Hog the Armrest

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Ah yes, the eternal passenger battle for the supremacy of the airplane armrest. While it can feel like a game of tug of war over who gets the right to settle their arms there, it’s important to remember that armrests are meant for sharing — they’re not your personal property to do with as you will.

Don’t Ask to Switch Seats

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We know it’s tempting to sit beside someone you’re traveling with, but if you’re unable to book a seat next to your travel buddy, it’s probably best to tough it out and wait till you see them again after you land.

In a worst-case scenario, you could say hi to them in the middle of the flight on your way to the bathroom.

Don’t Cut the Line When Boarding

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There’s a reason airlines board people according to their set boarding group number — the last thing the airlines want is a mad dash as passengers race to get on the plane.

When you hear your boarding group number called, proceed to the plane in an orderly fashion, being sure to enter the line without cutting anyone off.

Don’t Hog the Overhead Compartments

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If you happen to get on the plane while there’s still plenty of overhead compartment space left, try to avoid taking up too much of that available space.

If you have a bag small enough to fit under your seat, put it there instead. Otherwise, squeeze your carry-on into the compartment space without taking up much room.

Let Anyone With Tight Connections Exit the Plane First

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After enduring an eight-hour red-eye flight from New York to San Diego, the last thing you probably want to do is remain in your seat any longer than necessary.

However, if you hear the captain of your flight ask that you remain seated in order to allow fellow passengers with tight connections to depart first, it’s common courtesy to sit back and let these poor souls exit the plane before they miss their next flight.

Always Be Respectful to the Flight Attendants

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Flight attendants have it hard enough — don’t make their life any more difficult by shouting at them with inquiries of where your ginger ale or Biscoff cookie packs are.

If it helps, remember that flight attendants are doing their best to ensure your flight is as comfortable as possible. Contrary to popular belief, they’re not responsible for any delays you might incur. Don’t take it out on them when your flight to Los Angeles is temporarily grounded for weather-related issues.

Try To Avoid Reclining Your Seat

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As most people who routinely fly economy know by now, only so much space is allocated for an average airline seat. With that in mind, why make it harder for the person behind you by reclining your chair further back?

At the very least, if you absolutely must recline your chair, have the courtesy to look back and check if their tray table is open. If it is, we’d readily suggest avoiding the temptation.

Avoid Sticking Your Feet Out Into the Aisle

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Of course, one of the main reasons for sitting in an aisle seat on a plane is the freedom to stretch your legs and get up to use the restroom whenever you need to.

However tempting it might be to kick your legs out during your flight, we’d recommend keeping them out of their aisle as much as possible, at the risk of tripping someone walking past.

Don’t Overdo Your Alcohol Intake

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After spending hours commuting to the airport, checking your bags, winding your way through security, reaching your gate, boarding your plane, and cramming your luggage into an overhead compartment, it’s natural to want a mid-flight alcoholic beverage to take the edge off.

While we won’t speak out against alcoholic beverages on a flight, we will ask that you keep your recreationally moderate amount. After a few on-flight Heinekens, you might be feeling pretty good — but trust us, the person sitting next to you definitely isn’t.

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