9 Tips to Avoid Being an Annoying Airline Passenger

It probably won't come as a shock, but some travelers can be quite challenging to be next to.

Despite what some might think, flying doesn’t grant anyone a free pass to abandon common courtesy. Thus, we thought it was time to create a comprehensive guide on air travel etiquette.

Keep Your Socks On

We’re not sure why this needs repeating, but here we are: Feet can be quite unpleasant. While we understand the urge to remove your shoes during a long flight or for cultural reasons, please make sure to keep your socks (or slippers) on! If your feet have any odor, it's best to leave your shoes on.

Not only can bare feet be unappealing to fellow travelers, but consider where your shoes have been and what’s lurking on the airplane floor. Have you ever spotted mysterious liquids on the airplane bathroom floor? That likely isn't just water.

Keep Your Seat Upright During Meals

You certainly have the right to recline your seat for some much-needed rest. If reclining weren’t intended, the option wouldn’t be there.

On overnight flights, when the cabin lights are dimmed, it’s entirely acceptable to lean your seat back, even if it reclines deeply, like in some premium economy classes. If the person behind you is struggling to use their laptop at 3 a.m. because your seat is reclined, I’d argue that those hours are meant for sleeping, not working.

That being said, when the lights are on for meals—especially shortly after takeoff or just before landing—it’s courteous to return your seat to an upright position for the comfort of the person behind you. It can be quite challenging to enjoy a meal in economy if the passenger in front has reclined. Some flight attendants will ask passengers to raise their seats during mealtimes; if they don’t, you might want to request the crew to announce it when they deliver your tray.

Grooming on airplanes is unacceptable

This should be obvious, but please reserve your plucking, picking, and trimming for the bathroom of your hotel. Yes, you might be spending several hours in this flying metal tube, but it’s not a Sephora. It’s an airplane.

Moisturizing is perfectly fine, as those fancy mini toiletries in your amenity kit are meant to be used. If the recycled air in the cabin is drying out your skin, feel free to take care of that. However, if you’re considering trimming your nails or shaving, please reconsider.

Avoid bringing odorous food on board

Airplane food is generally not renowned for its gourmet quality, especially in economy class — hence, many travelers choose to bring their own snacks and meals. We fully support your decision to pack what you need — whether it’s due to dietary restrictions, health considerations, or simply dissatisfaction with the in-flight menu — but please remember: the air is recycled.

Avoid bringing anything that your neighbors wouldn’t want to smell for the next few hours (think: seafood or hard-boiled eggs), for both your comfort and that of your fellow passengers.

Some airlines in Asia have even prohibited passengers from bringing durian fruit on board due to its strong odor.

Your seatmate may not be in the mood for a chat

Being friendly and approachable to your seatmate is perfectly acceptable — after all, you don’t want to end up on their bad side. You might need to ask them for a small favor during the flight, like borrowing a pen for a landing card, picking up a dropped phone, or discussing window shade preferences.

That said, don’t monopolize the conversation if they seem more interested in watching a movie than hearing about your life. It’s a tricky balance, but when unsure, it’s best to keep quiet.

If they put on headphones, it’s likely a sign they prefer not to engage in conversation.

Remember, this is a plane, not a hotel

Save the public displays of affection for when you reach your destination. Holding hands is fine, but that’s where it should end. Even if you’re on your honeymoon, the strangers around you likely don’t want to witness any intimate moments in your seat.

Regarding the idea of joining the Mile High Club in the aircraft bathrooms, keep in mind that most of them are cramped and not particularly clean — is it really worth the effort?

Be courteous to the staff

Treat the gate agents with respect. They’re simply trying to do their job and get you on board as quickly as possible. If your flight is delayed or canceled, it’s rarely their fault, and taking out your frustration on them won’t speed up your journey. When it comes to upgrades, gate agents have limited ability to accommodate requests unless you have cash or miles to spend. If the check-in agent didn’t upgrade you after you mentioned your birthday or honeymoon, chances are the gate agent won’t either.

The same goes for flight attendants. They’re there for your comfort and safety, not to serve you every few minutes. If you’d like a glass of water, feel free to use the call button, but if you’re looking for a second one soon after, consider stretching your legs and heading to the back of the plane yourself. There might even be a snack basket that makes the trip worthwhile.

Don’t fight over the armrest

Determining who rightfully claims the armrest may just be the ultimate challenge in air travel. This debate has troubled passengers since the early days of commercial aviation. Regardless of your stance, it’s essential to always remain polite.

However, experts do agree that the unfortunate person in the middle seat deserves both armrests, as they occupy what is widely regarded as the least desirable seat in the row.

Nobody wants to hear your entertainment choices

Headphones were invented for a reason—so please use them. Ideally, bring your own for optimal sound quality and comfort. If you forget, feel free to ask the crew for a pair during the flight.

Avoid video chatting with family while at the gate, and don’t watch movies or shows without headphones. Your fellow travelers don’t appreciate the distorted sounds of your favorite film blaring from your phone, tablet, or laptop speakers.

If your child is playing a noisy game on any device, make sure they have headphones or mute the sound completely. Constant beeping, banging, or jingling can be very irritating to other passengers.

Final Thoughts

Spending over 12 hours in a metal tube with 400 strangers isn’t exactly a delightful way to spend your time. While you can choose your seats in advance with friends or family, there's no guarantee about who you'll be sitting next to. The pandemic has seemed to amplify some travelers' bad behavior, but a bit of common courtesy and consideration can help make your flight enjoyable—for you and your neighbors as well.