Proper Flight Etiquette

In 1997 I took a transatlantic flight with my daughter, who was five years old at the time. We dressed up for the occasion, which was a common thing to do in those days. When we arrived at the airport, the ground airline staff cheerfully greeted us.  They interacted with both my daughter and me in a delightful manner and seemed to join with us in our anticipation of the adventurous trip we were about to embark on. After making sure we had the appropriate documents for travel, our bags were checked in and off we went to board the plane.

As we boarded the plane, we were equally greeted with smiles as the air hostesses (as they were known then) welcomed us on board.  They asked us how we were and led us to our seats, wishing us a pleasant flight. After storing our carry on bags, we comfortably settled into our seats. I had the feeling that we were in for a treat.

After all the passengers were on board, and the safety announcements were completed, we were on our way across the ocean. Not even halfway into the flight, the air hostess asked me if they could take my daughter into the cockpit to spend some time with the pilots to observe how the plane was flown. At hearing this, my daughter gave me a pleading look as if I may have denied her an experience of a lifetime. Off they went, giving me time to read and be in my own space for a while. She came back in time for our meal, which was a lovely full course dinner.

When everyone had been fed, my daughter was again taken, this time to be with the air hostesses at the back of the plane.  After they had finished “playing” as they referred to it, she was brought back to me, and she couldn’t stop telling me all about the fun she’d had playing with her new friends.

I still remember this flight fondly because of the beautiful experience it was for us. Not only was everyone polite and friendly on that flight, but there was also ample legroom, and we didn’t seem deprived of armrests space as well.

Sadly, those days are all but gone. Given today’s security and profitability demands, airlines have high pressures to keep shareholders, pilots, air and ground crews, regulators, and most of all, the passengers satisfied - while being squeezed nearly as tight as the overhead compartments themselves. For those who have memorable flights to reference, flying today is a stark contrast. And while words like comfort, pleasurable, and exciting (unless you’re flying first class) are becoming more and more misapplied when describing air travel, there are a few flight etiquette guidelines that, if followed, can make flight time less taxing on our overall travel experience.

Staying within our luggage allowance for both checked bags and carry on will eliminate any frustrations we might encounter at check-in or while trying to put our things in the overhead compartment. A simple luggage scale and tape measure can prevent unwanted costs and delays.

It is common these days to bring food onboard. If you do so, choose foods that don’t have a strong smell. A confined space tends to exaggerate the intensity of odours. This applies to perfumes as well.

If you happen to listen to music or watch a movie on your device, please keep your earphone volume to yourself.

Some people take the opportunity of flying to detach and enjoy their peaceful space. Take a cue from the person sitting next to you if they want to engage during the flight.  Exchange polite greetings and observe what happens next. If they pull out a book or reach for their earphones, that’s a pretty good hint that they would rather not engage in a conversation.

Be polite when communicating with the flight crew. Don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you.” They are always doing their best to ensure everyone’s travel experience is enjoyable. Be careful not to hog their attention - someone else might need something from them as well.

Once we figure out our armrest, let’s stick to it and respect our neighbour’s personal space. With limited space, reclining one’s seat all the way back reduces it even further for the one behind. Reclining can also spill the drinks on the seat tray that is attached to your seat. Use care and respect when pushing that button.

When travelling with a child, it is our responsibility to prevent them from kicking the seat in front of them or pulling the hair of the person in front. When standing up, let’s try to refrain from pulling on the seat in front of us.

An aisle seat is always the best choice for anyone who frequents the washroom. And speaking about the washrooms, let’s clean up our messes.