This week, we are excited to welcome a guest post from Kate at The EtiKate Butterfly, where she shares some helpful tips on airplane travel and etiquette to enhance your journey. If you want to learn more about Kate, feel free to check out her blog.
Recently, a plane had to change course when a dispute arose between two passengers. A man was using a Knee Defender on his laptop, preventing the woman in front of him from reclining her seat, and he refused to remove it when a flight attendant asked him to. This led the woman to stand up and throw a cup of water at him.
In the past, I’ve written about bus and commuter train etiquette, and even how to behave with a private chauffeur. However, due to recent events, I’ve decided it’s time to talk about airplane etiquette.
First, let’s talk about armrests. I believe the person in the middle seat should have priority since the window and aisle seat passengers already have one armrest to themselves. But opinions may differ. Be willing to share the armrest, and if your neighbor is hogging it, gently nudge your elbow behind theirs to encourage them to share. If they don’t budge, gradually claim a bit more space at a time.
When it comes to reclining your seat, the main takeaway from the recent incident is simple: don’t use a Knee Defender. Expect the person in front of you to recline their seat. You can try securing a seat in the front row or by the emergency exit, where there’s usually more legroom. It’s fine to recline during long flights when the cabin lights are dimmed for resting, but avoid resting your head on a stranger’s shoulder. If your seat neighbor falls asleep on you, don’t hesitate to wake them up politely.
On short flights, it’s best to avoid reclining your seat. For instance, the United Airlines flight involved in the recent scuffle was a four-hour trip from Newark to Denver. While not extremely long, it’s courteous to keep your seat upright if someone behind you seems unhappy. Many budget airlines have fixed seats that don’t recline for this reason.
Flight attendants are trained to handle difficult situations involving unruly passengers. If a child keeps kicking your seat or someone’s music is too loud, ask the cabin crew for assistance. They’ll address the problem, saving you from uncomfortable encounters. Perhaps the water-throwing incident could have been avoided if the woman had left it to the flight attendants.
I hope these tips will make your flights more enjoyable and help prevent any conflicts with other passengers. Always be considerate of others’ comfort and avoid being that annoying passenger.
