Flight etiquette: the 12 rules according to a flight attendant – 06/16/2023 – Tourism

After 21 years as a flight attendant, I’ve seen it all. The pandemic has raised tensions aboard planes, and the most extreme incidents of misbehavior by passengers have escalated into violence. But what I see most often are rude attitudes that lead to verbal misunderstandings or a general feeling of discomfort.

Now that the busy summer season is starting, it’s worth talking about some of the common courtesies that can make flying, dare I say it, enjoyable.

Follow my rules of etiquette for commercial flights, which aim to strike a balance between your own comfort and consideration for those around you.

Everyone has the right to recline their seat, but there’s a polite way to do it.

The wrong way is to recline your seat quickly and as far as you can. As a result, laptops have been broken, drinks have been spilled and fights have broken out that have led to flights being diverted. Be aware of your surroundings. Before reclining your seat, take a peek behind you, see what the situation is, and politely ask if the person will mind.

Clean up the mess your kids made

Flight attendants do not have access to vacuum cleaners, brooms or cleaning supplies other than soap, wet wipes and air fresheners. You are not obligated to clean up after yourself, but it is polite. And there are side effects: mess in the aisle can be a safety hazard, and too much mess to clean up can even delay the next flight. It’s helpful to think proactively. Can a young child handle a large bag of snacks or the like? If not, place the snacks in a smaller, easier-to-handle container before giving them to your child.

The upper compartments are not your personal game of Tetris.

In economy class, the first to arrive are the first to put your bags in the compartments. You don’t own the space directly above your seat, and it’s not acceptable to take someone else’s luggage to fit yours. Sliding bags to the side to maximize space is fine, but when finding space is a real puzzle, leave it up to the flight attendant. And remember: small bags should stay at your feet, leaving the upper compartments for larger bags.

No one wants to hear your FaceTime conversation

We don’t need to hear both sides of the conversation, and boarding the plane is not the right time for goodbyes. It’s time for you to focus on locating your seat and packing your carry-on as quickly as possible, so the people behind can do the same. And while we’re at it, no one wants to listen to your movies, video games, or TikTok videos anymore, so bring headphones. Even for the kids.

The middle seat has two armrests.

That’s the consolation prize for being squeezed between two people with nowhere to lean. Subject closed.

Headphones are a perfectly acceptable way to end a conversation.

Is the person next to you too chatty? Headphones are a great way to not have to listen to the passenger next to you who doesn’t have a simancol. It’s my foolproof strategy: After a long day of being a flight attendant, my noise-canceling headphones are my refuge. I want peace on my way home.

never take off your socks

If it’s a long flight, relax and take off your shoes, no problem, but nothing justifies taking off your socks. There’s no escaping the smell. Another thing: your feet should stay close to you. It is not acceptable to rest your feet on the armrest of the seat in front of you. And I seriously recommend putting your shoes back on to go to the bathroom.

Use a commissioner’s call button sparingly

If you need anything—a coffee refill, assistance with a medical issue, or help with a passenger who is causing trouble—please use the button. It’s preferable to use the button instead of poking or patting the flight attendant—that’s not okay. But before you press the button, check that we’re not already in the hallway with a drinks cart or a garbage bag—that means we’re on our way! In cases of real emergency, please press the button several times to let us know it’s important.

Don’t discipline other people’s children

Nothing makes a flight more painful than the back of your seat becoming a punching bag. But if the child sitting behind you is getting in the way, talk to their parents. You have no right to scold someone else’s child. A polite way to do this is to ask the parents calmly, and with a smile, if they have noticed the child kicking their seat. Say it bothers you and ask if there is any way to get the child to stop. That way you don’t use an accusatory tone and you’re asking, not commanding.

Address questions regarding your seat before boarding

If your family isn’t sitting together, it’s not during the chaotic rush to board that the flight attendants can solve this problem. Gate agents have access to the seat map and family reservations; so please ask them first if it is possible to change your seats. Some airlines even have a policy that requires families under 13 to be seated together; therefore, the gate agent is the best place. Or better yet, call the airline before heading to the airport.

You are not obliged to change seats if someone asks you to.

I will be unpopular here. No, you are not obliged to trade with someone who asks you to. If you paid extra for your seat, or even if it’s simply because it’s inconvenient, you can kindly say “no”. If it’s to your advantage, like swapping a middle seat for a window seat, for example, or if you don’t mind helping out, go ahead and switch.

Unload. Please

This should be common sense, but for some reason it’s not. I deal with it all day, every day. I don’t want to be forced to flush your waste, and the passenger after you doesn’t either. If you cannot find the download button, please look for it. I guarantee it’s there. On all planes.

Translated by Clara Allain