Flying Guidelines: Everything You Need to Know

Nowadays, many travelers relate to the image of a frazzled flier navigating through long security lines amidst a sea of impatient passengers. It's clear that we won't be returning to the days of luxury in economy flights. With this in mind, the best way to enhance the flying experience for everyone—including yourself—is to adhere to the flying guidelines.

Here are a few essential etiquette tips to keep in mind while passing through security, at the airport, and during your flight to help ensure a more pleasant journey.

1. Arrive ahead of time

Most US airlines now advise arriving two hours prior for domestic flights and three hours for international ones. Many travelers with TSA PreCheck or Clear status tend to cut it closer since they can bypass standard security lines. However, keep in mind the potential extras you might encounter. For example, even with both TSA PreCheck and Clear, I recently found myself in a security line where only two people were allowed to move forward at a time due to a circling K9 team. Additionally, my city's airport often has full parking lots, increasing stress levels for everyone involved.

2. Be aware of the bag check cutoff time

If you’re an early riser, keep in mind that most airlines will not accept checked luggage more than four hours before your flight's scheduled departure.

3. Understand what to bring — and what to leave behind

Many travelers are familiar with the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, which states that each liquid must be in a container of 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less, should fit inside a single clear quart-sized bag, and each passenger is allowed only one such bag. You likely know which obvious weapons are off-limits. However, if you're curious about specific items like your airbrush makeup kit (which is permitted), bowling pins (checkable but not carry-on), chlorine (not allowed), or other items, refer to our guide on carry-on restrictions.

4. Avoid bothering the gate agent

Ever wondered why the airline gate agent seems so busy? That’s because these often-overlooked individuals are occupied with checking on your flight crew, adjusting seat assignments, handling upgrades, monitoring the jetway, and seating standby passengers, among other tasks. Instead of bombarding them with questions about departure or arrival times, use Dinogo’s Flight Tracker or the Dinogo Mobile App for updates on delays or cancellations. The gate agent does have some influence—like granting upgrades if economy is overbooked, handing out meal vouchers, or occasionally holding a flight. It's wise to treat them kindly.

5. Don’t request someone to watch your belongings

And certainly, don’t watch over someone else’s bags. Just because you’ve had a pleasant chat doesn’t mean they’re trustworthy. They could be carrying something that risks your safety or could lead to trouble for you. At the very least, your flight might be called for boarding, or your name could be announced at the desk. Some things are just common sense.

6. Keep your music, games, and conversations to yourself

I always advocate for being understanding towards parents with crying babies on flights, as I've been in that situation myself. However, I am quite vocal about minimizing unnecessary noise. I understand the temptation to hand kids electronic devices to keep them occupied, but have you ever been stuck next to a child on a long haul flight who insists on playing the same game repeatedly on an iPad? While it may seem charming to the parents, it can be incredibly frustrating for everyone else onboard. The same rule applies to your own entertainment. Make sure the whole family uses headphones to help preserve the sanity of your fellow passengers.

7. Keep your food to yourself

In other words, avoid bringing strong-smelling food onto the plane. What you find appetizing could be off-putting to hundreds of other passengers. This is especially true for items purchased from fast-food outlets in the airport; no one wants to endure those odors, especially since they linger long after you've finished eating. Do everyone a favor and consume your meal before boarding. Snacks are always a good idea, but choose ones that won't offend your neighbors' noses. Think granola bars, pretzels, bananas, or crackers.

8. Recline with consideration, if you must

Gone are the days of Pan Am and its Sleeperette; nowadays, economy seats recline a mere five degrees, often resulting in a seat pitch of only 28-31 inches (the space from the back of your seat to the one in front). This means that if you recline abruptly, the person behind you might find their laptop pressing against them. It’s best to avoid reclining during domestic flights unless it's a long haul and you genuinely need rest. If you do recline, kindly inform the person behind you beforehand so they can secure their belongings on the tray table. You can check the seating arrangements and amenities on Dinogo Trips.

9. Keep your socks on

For the love of all that’s good, please do not go barefoot on the plane. It's just unsanitary. While it's usually acceptable to remove your shoes, just ensure your feet aren’t flailing around in other people's space. If you take your shoes off while sleeping, make sure they’re placed securely so others won’t trip over them in the aisle. Among the biggest faux pas: entering the restroom in bare feet or socks. Just wear your shoes; you managed to get to your seat in them, so put them on when heading to the bathroom.

How this guide was developed

I’m a former travel writer with years of experience, having penned a consumer advice column for Travel + Leisure and the 'Takeoffs and Landings' column for The Wall Street Journal. I’ve witnessed the challenges of flying with crying babies, encountered numerous aggressive passengers, dealt with in-flight food odors, and seen bare feet on board — although not as often as the flight attendants, who are the true champions of the skies! This advice is drawn from my experiences and insights from my airline industry friends.

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