10 Unwritten Rules Of Plane Etiquette

The Flight Centre compiled a guide on the unwritten rules of plane etiquette and how to behave appropriately when soaring at 30,000 feet. I am still always amazed every time I fly how many people break the rules. If we could only all work together, it would make flying that much more enjoyable.

Here is the Flight Centre's compiled list of unwritten rules to help minimize in-flight grievances.

1. Boarding and disembarking by row
Boarding your flight is straight forward – simply join the queue when invited, not before!

Once aboard, carry your luggage directly in front or directly behind you, as luggage carried to the side will leave a path of destruction (and more than a few headaches) among the aisle-seat dwellers who have already occupied their positions.

When it’s time to disembark, don’t try to beat passenger 1A to the door if you’re seated in row 50. The passengers in rows 2 to 49 just won’t let it happen.

2. The overhead bin
This humble storage unit is now prime real estate, as travellers cram more into their hand luggage to avoid checked baggage charges, reduce the risk of lost luggage and pave the way for a fast airport getaway.

Ensure your bag is within the required dimensions, only bring one and, wherever possible, stow it in the locker directly above you. Don’t deposit your bag above seat 3 and then proceed to your seat at the back of the plane.

3. The arm rest
Let’s face it; the middle seat doesn’t have a lot going for it. As you settle into your window or aisle seat, spare a thought for the disadvantaged middle seat dweller.

4. Chair reclining
On short flights (under two hours), reclining should be kept to a minimum and avoided completely during meal times.

On longer flights, it's a bit trickier, but the meal time full recline is still definitely frowned upon.

5. Boundary crossings
Space is an extremely precious commodity in the economy cabin.

Don’t attempt to cross your neighbour’s border (unless invited) by stretching the legs or extending the arm span to read a fold-out map or a newspaper. Changing the channel on your neighbour’s entertainment screen, stealing peanuts and reading over the shoulder are also frowned upon.

6. Footwear
You’re in close proximity to your neighbours. If there is any suggestion or past history of odour issues, footwear should remain on. If you do slip off your shoes, keep them tucked away under the seat in front of you.

7. Mindless chatter
Before engaging in mid-flight banter with your neighbour, look for the obvious clues that point to a reluctant chatterer. Headphones on or face buried in a book means “I don’t want to talk”.

8. Knees in the back
You’re in a confined space, so the occasional bump to the seat in front is inevitable. Regular knees in the back are, however, akin to a declaration of war.

9. Hands off the headrest
Like knees in the back, pulling on the seat back in front of you is frowned upon.

Avoid the temptation to pull the headrest in front for extra leverage when standing. The consequences of a thoughtless headrest shake can range from rude awakening to severe red wine spillage.

10. The bathroom
Reaching the bathroom without breaching one or two of the rules above can be challenging.

So, if you’re likely to be a regular bathroom visitor, request an aisle seat and empty the tanks before boarding to avoid the rush that inevitably occurs once the fasten seatbeat sign is switched off. On arrival at the bathroom, “fast and clean” are the rules.

And lastly my own rule based on prior experience.

11. No tossing your long hair around
If you have long hair, don't fluff it out and let it hang over the back of your seat. This could annoy the person in front of you and cover up their personal entertainment system. It makes it awkward when they have to politely ask you to "please move your head of hair to your own seat".

Happy flying!
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