Our Unwritten Rules of Airplane Etiquette
Years of flights — short hops, long hauls, and everything in between — have taught us that the mood on a plane has less to do with legroom and more to do with how people behave.
Our experience
Over time, we've developed a few quiet rules we try to follow every time we board. They're simple, but they make the flight easier for us, the crew, and everyone around us.
Air travel puts a lot of strangers into a very small shared space. A little awareness and consideration can make the entire experience noticeably better.
Good airplane etiquette is mostly about awareness. Small things — blocking the aisle, grabbing someone else's seat, bringing strong-smelling food, or not being ready to deplane — can affect dozens of people around you. Most of the habits that make someone pleasant to travel beside require almost no extra effort. They simply mean remembering that the cabin is a shared space.
Must-dos and must-remembers
- Board early if you need help — if you know you can't lift your carry-on into the overhead bin, board with the group for passengers who need extra time. It gives you more room to settle in and keeps the main boarding flow moving.
- Stay flexible about your row — an empty row during boarding is only temporary until the aircraft doors close. Stay in your assigned seat, keep your belongings where they belong, and be ready to adjust if other passengers arrive.
- Be thoughtful with food and smells — strong food odors travel quickly in a closed cabin. We try to choose simple snacks and keep deodorant, breath mints, and other basics handy for longer flights. We also keep our shoes on unless there's a real reason not to.
- Move using your own seat — avoid grabbing the headrest of the seat in front of you when standing up or sitting down. Use your own armrests and seat for balance so you don't disturb the person ahead.
- Use the restroom before you board — once boarding begins, the aisle fills quickly. A quick restroom stop in the terminal before your group is called helps keep boarding smooth and avoids having to move against the flow of passengers.
- Deplane like you're not the only one there — when your turn is coming, be ready with your bag and under-seat items already collected. Once you leave the aircraft, keep walking or step clearly to the side if you need to stop.
Our pro tip
Our best airplane-etiquette rule is simple: make yourself easy to travel beside.
Stay aware of the people around you, give the crew room to work, and avoid creating unnecessary delays or discomfort. You don't need to travel perfectly — just remember that everyone else is trying to get through the same flight too.
A little consideration goes a surprisingly long way at 35,000 feet.
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