By avoiding certain behaviours, you can make the journey more pleasant for yourself, your fellow passengers, and the flight attendants who work hard to ensure a smooth flight.
Here are some of the worst things you can do on a plane, according to flight attendants.
Ignoring the Seatbelt Sign
One of the most frequent complaints from flight attendants is passengers disregarding the seatbelt sign. When the sign is illuminated, it is for your safety. Turbulence can occur unexpectedly as happened recently on Singapore airlines, and not wearing your seatbelt can result in serious injury.
Overhead Storage
The overhead bins are a shared space utilized by almost every passenger, so it is inconsiderate to occupy more than a fair amount of space. To be considerate, pack lightly and limit yourself to one carry-on bag and a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Place unnecessary items in your checked luggage. This alleviates the stress on flight attendants who otherwise have to find extra space for bags.
There are specific size restrictions for carry-on luggage, so attempting to board with a bag that will not fit in overhead bin or under the seat creates unnecessary delays and stress.
Being Rude to Flight Crew
Flight attendants are there to help you, but being rude or disrespectful can make their job much harder. Remember that they are working to ensure your safety and comfort, so treating them with kindness and respect goes a long way.
Putting feet on seats and going barefoot
Countless passengers touch airplane seats and armrests throughout the day, so putting your feet up on them shows a disregard for hygiene and etiquette. Taking your shoes and socks off is a big no-no, but even feet in shoes should be kept below your seat. Always wear shoes or at least socks when moving around the plane, especially when using the restroom.
Reclining Your Seat Without Checking
Although technically allowed, reclining your seat as far back as possible is a little selfish, as it can significantly restrict the legroom of the passenger behind you. Be mindful of your seat position, especially on long-haul flights or in crowded cabins. Try to be courteous by reclining your seat minimally, if at all.
Using Strong Fragrances and eating overpowering food
Wearing strong perfumes or colognes can be overwhelming in the confined space of an airplane, as can strong-smelling food. Bringing your own food is perfectly acceptable, but avoid anything that may offend other passengers.
Leaving behind a mess
Leaving a mess for the flight attendants to clean up is inconsiderate. Even if you cannot easily get up to dispose of your rubbish, it’s not okay to treat airplane cabins as personal rubbish bins. Keep your rubbish with you until an attendant brings around a bin. This helps keep the cabin as clean and pleasant as possible and reduces the workload for time-pressed cleaning crews.
Moving seats and ignoring the seatbelt sign
Standing up or moving around the cabin while the plane is taxiing can be dangerous. Wait until the plane has come to a complete stop and the seatbelt sign is turned off before getting up.
Airline staff are often legally obligated to keep passengers in their designated seats for safety reasons, such as knowing where people are in the event of an accident. Whether or not you can switch seats or move to an empty row is entirely at the flight attendant’s discretion and should not be done without getting permission.
Blocking the Aisle
Blocking the aisle with your belongings or by standing for long periods can be frustrating for both passengers and flight attendants. Keep the aisle clear to allow for smooth movement throughout the cabin.
Some passengers are simply entitled and ungrateful, failing to see flight attendants as valuable professionals fulfilling an important and demanding role. Showing your appreciation to the cabin crew, especially if they’ve been exceptionally helpful, acknowledges their hard work and makes them feel valued – so don’t forget a quick ‘hello’ when boarding and a ‘thank you’ as you disembark.
By avoiding these behaviours, you can contribute to a more pleasant flying experience for everyone on board. Remember, a little consideration goes a long way in making air travel more enjoyable for all.