A Lesson in Flight Etiquette

What’s the most horrifying behavior you have ever witnessed on a flight – a person getting knocked in the head by a wayward suitcase, a verbal battle over an armrest, or something even worse?

I read a news article recently, a dispute over legroom caused a United Airlines flight from Newark to Denver to stop in Chicago. The argument started after a passenger tried to use a Knee Defender gadget that prevents the seat in front of him from reclining. A female passenger then stood up, turned around and threw a cup of water over him!

If all passengers followed this guide to In-Flight Etiquette it would certainly make flights more pleasurable

Be kind before you recline

Flights are actually being diverted because of rude reclining

Stay upright if the person behind you is tall or pregnant

Bonus points if you ask before you recline – 9 out of times they will say yes!

Suitcase storage

Stow your bag in the overhead locker closest to your seat, be careful of the passengers in the aisle seat and avoid smacking them when getting you bag in or out of the locker

Stash you bags I the overhead locker closest to your seat and make sure you avoid smashing the person in the aisle seat!

Elbow Wars – Battle for the armrest

I hate this – middle seat passengers get the right to both arm rests – it’s the rules – so if you are sitting in the window or aisle seat don’t fight for the middle seat passenger

Don’t climb over your seat companion to get out to use the loo, ask if the will let you out – if they are asleep you should cross your leg!

PLEASE don’t be THAT person rummaging around in your bags during the flight especially if it is a night flight when passengers are trying to sleep – think ahead and get everything that you might need out of the overhead locker and keep it in your seat pocket

Also don’t bother sleeping seat companions with your personal stero music, over head reading light and kindly keep the volume of your movie headset turned down to a low level

My final request for a relaxing flight is if the airline food has left you a bit ‘windy’ please go to the loo to fart, this will avoid any suspicious looks if an aroma emerges from your seat row

If everyone follows these simple rules of flight etiquette economy flights woud be  lot more pleasant!

Do you have any tips to add? I would love to hear them!