10 Airplane Faux Pas You Should Never Make

Have you ever entered an airport and realized everyone around you seems to have lost their mind? It’s as if the moment people step foot into an airport terminal, a collective sense of reason and civility evaporates into thin air. Perhaps it’s the stress of travel, the confined spaces, or simply the early morning hours, but airports have a peculiar ability to transform normally sane individuals into a peculiar breed of humanity.

Once you ascend to 30,000 feet, the decreased oxygen level, cramped spaces, time changes, and irregular meal times create a perfect storm for human behavior to take a nosedive. You’d think the shared experience of hurtling through the sky at hundreds of miles per hour would foster a sense of camaraderie, but unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Instead, we’re treated to a daily performance of cringe-worthy acts that make one question the basic tenets of human decency. It’s time to expose the most egregious airplane faux pas – the behaviors so bad they should be grounds for ejection.

Taking Both Armrests

It’s common knowledge that the person sitting in the middle is entitled to two armrests, one of each side of them, or so we thought. More often than not, travelers are faced with fighting for their armrests on the plane. To have some common human decency, respecting your fellow passengers’ comfort is crucial. While the middle seat undoubtedly gets the short end of the stick in terms of legroom and overall space, hogging both armrests is a surefire way to create tension and discomfort.

Let’s be reasonable. Sharing is caring, especially when confined to a small, enclosed space for hours. By offering a compromise, such as taking turns using the armrest or simply letting your neighbor have it for most of the flight, you can foster a more pleasant environment for everyone involved. Remember, a little kindness goes a long way, particularly when you’re 30,000 feet in the air.

Keeping the Window Shade Up When It’s Light Out

Imagine this: you wake up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport for your 6 AM flight, eager to catch some precious sleep during the journey. But your peaceful slumber is interrupted by the harsh glare of sunlight streaming through the airplane window. This common airplane faux pas happens on almost every flight. It’s a battle between the window seat passenger, craving the world outside, and the middle seat passenger, desperately trying to catch up on some rest. The unfortunate soul in the aisle seat becomes the unwilling referee in this ongoing in-flight drama.

The situation can escalate quickly, especially if the flight is long-haul. A passenger’s desire to enjoy the view can easily clash with another’s need for darkness. It’s a delicate balance between personal enjoyment and consideration for fellow passengers. The question remains: Is there a golden rule for window shade etiquette?

Having Conversations Across Someone’s Face

There’s nothing quite like settling into your airplane seat, ready to unwind and enjoy the flight. But what happens when you find yourself sandwiched between two people who seem to have forgotten basic social etiquette? Enter the dreaded scenario of having a conversation conducted directly over your head. It’s as if they’ve constructed a personal echo chamber, with you as the unwilling soundboard. And let’s be honest, the first thought that crosses your mind is a perplexed, “Why didn’t you just book seats together?”

Constantly Shoving Against Your Seat

Airplane seats are already uncomfortable enough, and the last annoyance anyone wants or needs is to constantly feel a kick or shove against the back of their seat. Now, some children are able to be tamed better than others, but that still doesn’t mean their restlessness should be your problem. If you’re traveling with a child, do your best to keep them occupied and prevent them from becoming human battering rams. If you’re on the receiving end of this inconsiderate behavior, politely but firmly ask the passenger behind you to keep their child or themselves, if that’s the case, from kicking your seat.

If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to inform a flight attendant. They’re trained to handle these situations and can offer assistance or relocate you if necessary. Remember, everyone deserves to enjoy their flight, and being kicked in the back repeatedly is not part of the experience.