Aeroplane Etiquette
Whether you choose to engage in a conversation with them or not, you enter into a form of relationship the moment you sit down next to a fellow passenger on a plane. And just like any relationship, there are some people we are compatible with and others we are not suited to at all.
There are many aspects that can disrupt a peaceful plane environment – noisy children, restless babies, overly – chatty neighbours and big groups of youths on holiday. Another, and rather sensitive topic for airlines, is the size of the airline seat.
It seems the allowances for passengers sizes has become a public relations, as well as legal, minefield for overseas airlines in recent years.
Virgin Atlantic have in the past paid a passenger £13,000 compensation after she claimed she was squashed by an overweight person next to her on a flight, and many airlines have introduced policies that requires any passenger of size who thinks they might need two seats to buy two tickets.
The problem for the airlines is that in this age of internet bookings and online seat allocation, often the first time airline staff encounter some passengers is at the boarding gate. This can make seating very difficult, as everyone's comfort needs to be considered, and seating must be appropriate in the case of an emergency.
Whatever the issue may be- lack of space, kids kicking the back of your seat or any other reason - if you find your seating a stressful situation, plane journeys can be long and you need to address problems in the right manner.
The simple fact is that some people are not suited to be sitting next to each other, but you won't know that until you are on the flight. If a flight is full, then people can't be moved, so it becomes a matter of having to cope with the situation. Here are some top tips for ‘Airplane Etiquette’ to help make your flight a pleasant experience for all:
Top tips for better flying:
- A little consideration can go a long way, so carry your bag in front of you and low to the ground as you walk down the aisle in search of your seat to avoid knocking seated passengers on their arms, shoulders, and heads.
- Keep to yourself - nobody really wants body contact on a flight, unless it's your significant other.
- Keep your chair upright until you're told it can be reclined, and when you do, do it slowly. Otherwise, you risk bumping the head of the unsuspecting passenger behind you who's getting something from the bag at their feet, or you could knock over the drinks on their tray.
- Keep conversations to a low whisper if travelling with someone. Speaking too loudly will interrupt someone's sleep or annoy fellow passengers.
- It sounds obvious but don’t bring items on board that violate the personal space rule – like broadsheet newspapers, large games or big pillows.
- Some people look forward to meeting strangers and befriending them on a plane, and others don't, so try and take hints!
- If you're in an aisle seat but still want to enjoy the view, don't lean over the person next to you to look out the window, and the number one rule - get your own reading material- don't read theirs. They notice and it's nosy and rude.
- If you tend to need the bathroom a lot during flights request an aisle seat, it is both annoying and disruptive to constantly need letting past.
- If you're listening to music on a Walkman or MP3 player, keep the volume down – it is louder than you might think.
- Children are excited on a plane, and it's not unusual for a youngster to cry. Parents - keep your kids' feet and hands off the back of the seat in front of them. Passengers – if a child is hitting or kicking your seat, ask the parents politely if they could refrain and appeal to their sympathy, perhaps explain you would really like to get some sleep, for example.
- When the plane lands, you don't need to stand if you're more than five rows back. Most airlines don't even begin unloading for five minutes so relax!
If there is a problem with seating:
- Politely explain any situation to the cabin crew and ask for something to be done about it
- Be diplomatic - no one should ever emerge feeling humiliated
- Board early so if there is an issue it can be resolved before the door has closed.
- Ask a crew member to notify you of any spare seats if you want to move and don't change seats until after take-off.
- If the crew don't seem willing to take the matter seriously, ask for the customer service manager.
- Stay calm and polite, and don't ever insult your fellow passengers.
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