What is proper etiquette?

Question

Like I have said in previous questions I am taking a flight for the first time in my life so what is the proper ettiquette for flying in regards to other passengers around you? What I mean is if I need to lay seat back or go to the bathroom or anything how do I do it. I just dont want to be one of those passengers that you hear about that are rude or just plain hateful. I want this to be a fun experience and do not want to worry about offending anyone. What about talking to the person next to you? Is this allowed or do people really just want to be left alone? I like meeting new people but I dont want to feel uncomfortable.I think that you get my jist. Any opinions are welcome. Thank you.

Answer 1

I fly a LOT for work and I can share some of the freqent traveller's pet peeves...

If you tend to need frequent bathroom breaks, book a seat on the aisle so you won't have to step over another passenger several times on the flight.

Don't wear too much perfume or hairspray or cologne. I hate nothing nearly as much as being stuck next to someone for 5 hours when they smell like they have been swimming in cheap perfume!

You can have some great conversations with folks on planes but most of the time, people who don't know each other don't strike up a deep conversation. When you settle into your seat, simply acknowledge the person you'll be riding next to ("I'm your neighbor" or something like that) so you won't be totally ignoring them, and follow their cues. It's OK to make some small talk but if someone is reading, closing their eyes, or listening to music, it's pretty obvious that they don't want to talk. It all depends on the flight and the other passengers--- on one of my normal routes, it's always dead silent and on another route I always make a new friend.

I totally agree with the poster above who recommended putting the seat back slowly when you want to recline and checking to see if the party behind you is using their tray.

Don't take your shoes off! In the closed-in spaces of a plane, even the cleanest of people with the newest of shoes has some foot odor and it really is hard to ignore. It's much safer, anyway, to keep your shoes on; if there's an emergency landing, you don't want to have to deal with it barefoot.

As much as I hate to say it, if the person next to you is sleeping and you need to wake them so they can let you out to use the restroom, wait as long as you can. It's not easy to fall into a deep sleep on a plane and it's pretty easy to get waken up by turbulence or airplane noise, so chances are, your neighbor will wake up on his/her own in a few minutes anyway. Then you can excuse yourself to the restroom. We are cranky when we get woken up and it's a lot more tolerable when it's the plane waking us up and not the passengers.

You can also check with the gate attendant when you prepare to board to see if your seat assignment can be changed. If the plane has empty seats, moving into one that's next to an empty seat will get you more space and you won't have to worry as much about manners.

Answer 2

Proper etiquette is applicable in any setting not necessarily just for flying. You have to learn how to be patient to fall in line. You have to put your table and seat back as instructed by stewardess usually for take-off and landing. If you must go to bathroom, pls say excuse to the next passenger when you go thru. There's no law against talking or making friends with the next passenger. Usually, they enjoy talking to you if you initiate the conversation. Unless they are reading a book or working on a computer or talking on the phone .or watching the in-flight movie; then they might want to be left alone. Don't talk so loud to disturb other passengers.
Otherwise you'll enjoy your first flight.

Answer 3

Well- you show you have manners and you are concerned about not coming off rude by simply asking the question as a first time flyer- kudos to you.

Take your cue from your neighbor- you'll know if he/she wants to talk or not. By the same token, you may not want to talk to your neighbor. Regardless, be aware that you don't need to scream to be heard by the person next to you- no need to include 10 other people in your conversation.

If you have a window seat- try to make your trips down the aisle to a minimum. When getting out of your seat, it is easy to use the seat in front of you as a hand rest to brace yourself. This tends to disrupt the person sitting there so beware- just like a movie theater.

It's proper to hang out by the galley where the flight attendants are to stretch your legs- I usually spend about 10% of my air time back there if at all possible- just to get out of the sitting position- seat belt light permitting.

Finally, be patient with the attendants- though they may not appear to notice- they will pick up your drink, and they will service you- don't expect much eye contact though.

Almost forgot- if your elbow is on the arm rest... it's yours until you take your elbow off. Then, all bets are off and your neighborhood can evict your elbow until his falls asleep and he gives the armrest back to you. ( This part of the flight always drives me crazy.)

Answer 4

I think if you need to leave your seat you should just say, excuse me. Try to keep how many times you have to leave to a minimum. You can usually tell by the manner in which a person replies or their manner whether they are interested in maintaining a conversation or would just rather be left alone. Good luck. A nice smile always helps.

Answer 5

If your fellow-passengers do not wish to talk they will make it obvious. If you need to go to the restroom and need to pass someone to do that, just ask them politely if you may pass. Otherwise, etiquette in flying is just the same as it is on the ground.

Answer 6

i jus kno that your seat needs to be up when taking off and landing, and during meal times (so the person behind has more space for his tray table).

usually before i lay my seat down, i'll turn around to check if the person is using his tray table. then i'll lay my seat down slow (less scary for the person behind..haha)

for everything else, just be yourself, like how you would talk to strangers OFF the plane.

Answer 7

I think you will need to take your cues from your fellow passengers. Some like to talk, some not so much. Don't worry about being rude. Just remember your "please" and "thank you" and "do you mind?" and you will be alright.