In today’s “new normal” – travel etiquette has gone out the window.
Flight attendants are left scrambling to adjust and frustrated at the new wave of inconsiderate travelers.
Which is why flight attendants everywhere are unanimously begging travelers to follow these basic rules of etiquette.
Place Smaller Bags Under Your Seat
We’ve all seen the traveler who thinks the entire overhead compartment above their seat belongs to them.
They place everything from the smallest bag, to their carry-on, to their bag full of goodies from airport shopping, to even their coat sprawled out so no one else has room for their larger bags.
When traveling, make sure you put your smaller bags under your seat and leave space above for people who have bigger bags.
It’s just common courtesy.
Don’t Walk Barefoot
This shouldn’t need to be said – but there is a growing group of people who think it’s acceptable to walk barefoot on their flight!
Not only is it grossly unsanitary . . .
. . . but the rest of travelers don’t want to smell the stinky feet of a fellow weary traveler.
A flight attendant told The New York Times her biggest travel etiquette tips – and you guessed it – not walking barefoot was at the top of her list.
The New York Times reported:
“If it’s a long flight, by all means relax and take off your shoes, but there is never a reason to take off your socks.
Foot smell is inescapable.
Also, keep your feet to yourself. It is not acceptable to rest your feet on the armrest of the person in front. And I highly recommend putting your footwear back on to use the lavatory.”
Don’t Yell At Other People’s Kids
Again, it should go without saying, but it is never appropriate to discipline or yell at someone else’s child.
We get it.
The little toddler keeps kicking your seat.
Or maybe they keep talking to you while you’re trying to sleep or work.
Whether they are spitting at you . . .
. . . or even pulling your hair.
Bring the issue to their parents – or a flight attendant if needed.
But don’t lash out on a toddler.
Call Button Etiquette
And finally, remember you are not the only person on the plane!
Some entitled travelers expect flight attendants to cater to their every move – making sure they are 100 percent comfortable at all times as if no other passengers matter.
Flight attendants are busy taking care of an entire plane of travelers.
Imagine if every traveler thought it was necessary to push the call button at every whim?
If you see the flight attendant already in the aisle picking up trash – there’s no need to push the button.
They aren’t going to get there any faster.
Of course, if you truly need assistance or have an emergency definitely push the call button, that’s what it’s there for.
With a little bit of class and grace, if you follow these simple travel etiquette tips you can make life easier for everyone on the plane – but especially the overworked flight attendants.
Do you fall travel etiquette when flying?
Why do you think so many people struggle to obey simple social norms?
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