Airplane Etiquette: Travel Tips That Should Be Common Sense (But Aren’t)

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Let’s be honest—flying isn’t what it used to be. With tighter seating, longer lines, and fuller flights, the friendly skies can quickly turn into a petri dish of bad behavior. I get it—we’re all tired, rushed, and just want to get to our destination. But that’s no excuse for forgetting basic manners or disregarding simple airplane etiquette—like keeping your seat upright during meals, managing your carry-on space respectfully, and using headphones instead of blasting audio.

Whether you’re a seasoned flyer or hopping on your first trip this year, here are a few airplane etiquette tips that everyone should know… but clearly don’t.

Airplane Etiquette

1. Just Because Your Seat Reclines Doesn’t Mean It Should

Yes, your seat has a little button that allows it to lean back. No, that doesn’t mean you need to hit it like it’s a snooze alarm. Reclining without even glancing behind you? Rude. Slamming it back while I’m using the tray table? Infuriating.

I’ve had more close calls with cracked laptop screens than I care to count—all because someone in front of me decided to recline at warp speed without warning. If there’s nobody behind you, by all means, stretch out. But if someone’s back there? Be considerate. Ask. Ease back gently. Or—wild thought—don’t recline at all.

2. Don’t Be a Bum-Rusher

Newsflash: You’re not getting off the plane any faster by barreling to the front the second the seatbelt sign turns off. We’ve all seen it—that person who sprints up the aisle like they’re being timed. In the process, they shove past the elderly, kids, and basically ignore the concept of personal space.

Take a breath. Wait your turn. The doors aren’t opening any faster just because you’re standing in row 6 with a death grip on your carry-on.

3. Laying off the Cologne and Perfume is Important Airplane Etiquette

Airplanes are small, enclosed spaces where the air is already recycled and dry. Now imagine sitting elbow-to-elbow with someone who smells like they took a bath in department store fragrance samples.

Please, skip the strong cologne or perfume before flying. What smells good to you may trigger migraines, asthma, or nausea in others. Clean and neutral always wins.

airplane Etiquette

4. Use Your Headphones—Please

I love in-flight entertainment as much as anyone, but I don’t want to hear your movie, music, or TikTok blasting from three rows away. It’s not a shared audio experience.

Forgot your headphones? That’s not a free pass to turn the volume up. Silence your phone, mute your video, or—better yet—read a book. The rest of us are trying to relax, and your action movie sound effects aren’t helping.

5. Stop Kicking the Seat-Airplane Etiquette Top 10

If you’re tall, I feel your pain—but there’s still no excuse to bounce your knees into the back of my seat every five seconds. Same goes for the kids behind me playing “drum solo” on my lower back. Parents: This is your moment to shine. Teach them before takeoff.

6. Respect Shared Spaces

That includes:

  • Not hogging both armrests
  • Keeping your shoes on (and feet off the wall)
  • Not treating the tray table like your personal spa counter
  • Not bringing messy, smelly food on board (looking at you, tuna sandwich)

We’re all sharing this cramped tube at 35,000 feet. Let’s try to make it bearable for everyone. If we were all a little more self-aware, flying would be a much more pleasant experience for everyone. And while I fully expect comments like, “If you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t fly”—because that’s just the internet these days—let me say this: You have every right to be a selfish narcissist, just as I have the right to enjoy the flight I paid for and to write this post. Have a good day.

Final Thoughts on Airplane Etiquette

Airplane etiquette isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being respectful. Small acts of courtesy go a long way when we’re all stuck in the same flying sardine can. So the next time you fly, be the traveler who makes the flight better, not worse.

The golden rule still applies up in the air: treat others how you’d like to be treated. And if you ever feel tempted to blast your phone without headphones or shove your way to the front, just imagine how you’d feel if the roles were reversed.

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