Etiquette to know when traveling by plane
Airplanes are a familiar means of transport, but many people still do not understand the principles of politeness when using them.
Kristie Koerbel (USA) is a flight attendant with 21 years of experience, sharing the politeness you need to know when flying in order to be comfortable but not bother others.
Lean back politely
The mistake of many people is to put their back on the chair as quickly as possible without thinking that they can damage other people's laptops and drinks.
Before leaning back, look behind you to see how the situation is, gently ask the other person if you have any trouble sitting in, so that both of you can be careful.
Clean up when your kids make a mess on the plane
Flight attendants don't have to be your family's maid to clean up what your kids do. You're not obligated to clean up either, but it's polite.
Clutter in the aisles can be dangerous. Even if it takes time to clean up the things your family lays out, it can slow down the flight.
Artwork: Delta Airlines
The luggage compartment above the seat is not your own
In economy class, first come, first served. You do not have a place to store things right on your seat, so it is impolite to take someone else's things out to put your own in.
To save space, keep only large suitcases in the upper storage compartment. Smaller things should rest at your feet.
No one wants to hear your phone calls
When boarding the plane, it is necessary to focus on finding a seat and arranging the luggage as quickly as possible so that the person behind can do the same. Irrelevant people don't want to watch movies, video games, or talk to your family members. So, if you want those pleasures, you need to bring headphones.
The middle seat is used with two armrests
Middle occupants can use both armrests. It's a comforting bonus when they're sitting between two other people so don't fight them or get upset if they enjoy it.
Don't take off your socks (socks)
On a long flight, you can relax by taking off your shoes, but don't take off your socks. If your feet have a bad smell, taking off your socks will cause the smell to affect others.
You are also not allowed to rest your feet on the armrests of the person in front.
Use the call attendant button wisely
If you need to call something or get medical help, complain about a disruptive passenger, press the call button instead of poking or touching the flight attendant. If there is a real emergency, press the call button multiple times so the flight attendant knows.
Before pressing the button, you should see if the flight attendant is coming towards you.
Don't scold other people
If the child behind your back is disruptive, talk to their parents. You have no right to yell at other people. A good way to deal with a problem is to calmly ask the child's parents if they are aware of the situation. Then talk about how you feel, gently asking them to address it.
No need to change seats if someone asks for it
You have already paid for the seat, so you have the right to refuse when someone asks for it and you don't want it.