The most poorly behaved passenger I remember was flying in Business Class.
Throughout the flight, he spoke loudly as though the cabin were his private office. Even after the captain instructed everyone to remain seated because of turbulence, he stood in the aisle and ignored the announcement.
That experience reinforced something I’ve observed over more than 30 years of business travel. Airline etiquette has little to do with the cabin on your boarding pass. I’ve met considerate travelers in every cabin, just as I’ve occasionally encountered inconsiderate ones.
Where we sit doesn’t define us. How we treat the people around us does.
Chances are you’ve encountered someone like that. Maybe it was a passenger talking on speakerphone at the gate. Someone who blocked the aisle while reorganizing a carry-on. Or the traveler who rushed forward the moment the aircraft reached the gate, ignoring everyone around them.
Those moments remind us that airline etiquette isn’t about following a list of unwritten rules. It’s about showing consideration for the people who are sharing the airport and the aircraft.
The boarding gate often sets the tone.
If you’ve flown more than a few times, you’ve probably noticed the crowd gathering around the boarding gate well before boarding begins.
Everyone wants to board. Standing shoulder to shoulder at the gate rarely gets anyone onto the aircraft sooner. Instead, it often blocks passengers whose boarding group has actually been called.
Experienced travelers usually know when to move forward and when to give others space. They stay close enough to hear announcements while remaining aware of the people around them.
A little patience at the gate is one of the first ways to show consideration for fellow travelers.
Experienced travelers already know how they plan to board.
Frequent business travelers often know exactly what they’ll do after stepping onto the aircraft.
They know where they’ll place their belongings. Their phone is ready for airplane mode, and anything they’ll need during the flight is within easy reach.
That preparation helps boarding move quickly for everyone.
We’ve all waited behind someone who stopped in the aisle to reorganize luggage, search for headphones or decide where everything belongs. Small delays become larger ones when an entire aircraft is waiting to board.
Being ready before you reach your row is one of the simplest ways to make the experience better for everyone.
Overhead bins are shared space.
Few parts of flying create more frustration than the overhead bins.
Most travelers have experienced the scramble for overhead bin space, especially on full flights. Experienced travelers think ahead about where they’ll place their belongings before boarding.
Whenever possible, keep smaller personal items beneath the seat in front of you instead of using valuable overhead space. If your carry-on fits under the seat, consider doing the same when the bins begin to fill.
If you need to use an overhead bin, try to place your bag near your seat whenever possible. It makes it easier to keep an eye on your belongings during the flight and speeds up deplaning because you won’t have to work your way against the flow of passengers to retrieve your bag. It’s also a good habit for flight safety reasons.
Keeping important belongings close also makes it easier to keep an eye on your passport, wallet, electronics and other valuables throughout the flight.
The overhead bins don’t belong to one passenger. They’re shared by everyone seated in that section of the aircraft.
Being aware of the cabin makes a difference.
Sooner or later, every traveler experiences a moment when someone forgets they’re sharing a cabin with hundreds of other people.
Few things are more noticeable than someone watching videos without headphones. Loud conversations, strong fragrances and repeatedly bumping another passenger’s seat can have the same effect.
Most of us have probably exchanged a glance with another passenger during moments like these.
An aircraft isn’t private space. It’s shared space. A little awareness and consideration often prevent small annoyances from becoming memorable parts of the trip.
Flight attendants deserve the same respect every traveler expects.
Business travelers spend a lot of time in airports and on airplanes. One thing becomes clear after enough flights: flight attendants handle far more than beverage service.
They’re responsible for safety, security and helping hundreds of people reach their destination comfortably.
The best interactions are often the simplest.
People who say hello. Travelers who listen to instructions. People who understand that safety announcements and crew instructions aren’t suggestions.
A little respect almost always receives respect in return.
The flight isn’t over when the aircraft reaches the gate.
Perhaps you’ve watched this happen.
The aircraft reaches the gate and, before the seat belt sign turns off, passengers begin standing, reaching into overhead bins and moving toward the aisle.
There is a better way.
On one flight, passengers behind me immediately stepped into the aisle before the rows ahead had a chance to leave. I simply extended my arm across the aisle and motioned for the row beside me to exit first. Then the next row followed, and then the next.
I can’t say whether it changed anyone’s behavior, but I’d like to think a few people realized that allowing each row to deplane in turn isn’t just courteous. It’s also the fairest and most efficient way for everyone to leave the aircraft.
There is one exception. If the crew asks passengers to remain seated so someone with a tight connection can exit first, helping that traveler is another form of consideration.
Good airline etiquette reflects the kind of traveler we choose to be.
Fortunately, most people get it right.
They wait their turn.
They help someone lift a bag into the overhead bin.
They thank the flight attendants.
They understand they’re sharing the airport and the aircraft with hundreds of other people.
That’s what airline etiquette means to me.
It isn’t about status.
It isn’t about loyalty programs.
It isn’t about the cabin on your boarding pass.
It’s about consideration.
Long after the flight is over, people remember those moments of consideration.
Originally Published September 23, 2009
