Seat Wars, Airplane Etiquette, and Things Not To Do When Flying

September 8th, 2014  |  Travel Insurance

The recent seat wars in the sky and epidemic of planes being forced to land because of passengers arguing over reclining airplane seats has garnered a significant amount of attention on social media and in the news as of late.

These seat wars have led to three separate instances of large planes being forced to make emergency landings – all over people fighting over reclining seats. It has also created a huge dialogue online and calls into question whether or not reclining seats should be banned on planes and whether or not it’s in poor taste to recline your seat when travelling on an airplane. 

These seat wars have also opened up questions about airplane etiquette and the things people should and shouldn’t do when flying, and how to be courteous when flying. 

See: 7 Tips For Long Plane Rides To Make Your Flight More Pleasant

8 Airplane Etiquette No-No’s To Avoid

1. Reclining your seat: Well, this one is still up in the air (pun intended). What side are you on? Are you team recline or team decline?
2. Be respectful of other passenger’s personal space: No one likes strangers invading their personal space. Be courteous of other passenger’s space and stay on your side of the arm rest. 
3. Keep your kids in check: No one wants to be on a flight with screaming kids that are out of control. If you are travelling with your kids, make an extra effort to keep them occupied during the flight. But as a passenger – understand that kids are kids, and have some patience. 
4. Don’t try to board the plane before your row is called: How many times do you see people in a rush to board the plane and try to get on before their section is called. There is a reason why the airline boards the plane in a specific order – Don’t be the person that interferes with the boarding process. 
5. Wait for your turn to exit the plane when it lands: If you are seated at the back of the plane, you need to wait until the passengers in seats ahead of you get off the plane. Don’t try to push you way to the front. Everyone has a plane to catch or place to be!
6. Don’t try to bring oversized luggage as your carry on: It is almost guaranteed that every time you fly, you will see a person arguing at the gate with airline personal about their oversized luggage. Stop trying to sneak on oversized luggage onto the plane – You need to check your luggage like the rest of us. 
7. Don’t be the person that repeatedly gets out of their seat: Once the flight gets in the air, most people take the time to kick back and relax, read, or take a nap. Don’t be that person that repeatedly gets up to go to the bathroom, to get things out of your bag, or go talk with your friends – especially during food and drink service. 
8. Don’t block the aisle (at any time): We have all been there – waiting for someone to move out of the aisle so we can get to our seat or get off the plane. Don’t stand in the aisle; get out of the way so others can get by. 

Are you on team recline or team decline? What are the worst instances of poor airplane etiquette you have experienced while flying? 

More Air Travel Tips: 8 Tips For Getting Through The Airport Faster