Airline Travel Etiquette - How to Get the Most Out of Your Leisure Travel

The Sophisticated Travelerto be removed."
As you board the plane, set the tone for the rest of- Chats non-stop on the air phone.
the flight. Acknowledge the flight attendants with a- Leaves the restroom messy.
smile and a warm "Hello." If you're allowed only one- Wears overpowering fragrance.
carry-on item, don't cheat by carrying on more. Don't- Places shoes on the seat cushion.
move other people's belongings around in order to- Takes up two arm rests.
cram your own belongings into the overhead bin.- Occupies a portion of another passenger's seat.
Nothing looks more cloddish than slogging down the- Adjusts the seat into a reclining position.
aisle carrying department store shopping bags. Pack- Talks incessantly to another passenger, who is
an extra collapsible tote bag with you for your returnobviously trying to get some work done.
trip to handle your overflow purchases. If you're- Assumes that fellow passengers and attendants are
wearing a back pack, avoid clobbering passengers onon board for their entertainment.
the head with it as you search for your seat. OnceDeflecting the Chatterbox
you find that seat, excuse yourself if you need toKnow when not to carry on a conversation by being
disturb other passengers when you sit down.tuned into the body language of others. If your
No one appreciates a traveler who...attempts to make small talk are met with short
- Talks loudly during the flight attendant's safetyanswers and no follow-on questions, you should get
lecture, thus denying essential information tothe hint. If your fellow passenger begins to read a
white-knuckled novice passengers unfamiliar withbook or work on a computer, the hint becomes
safety procedures.obvious. By the same token, there is no need to feel
- Spreads out newspapers when seated in theobligated to talk to fellow passengers if you are the
"sandwich seat" between two other passengers.subject of unwelcome chatter. To discourage others
- Rushes to the plane's magazine rack and grabs allfrom talking to you, turn on your iPod or open a
the good magazines, leaving little for others to readmagazine. If you do chat with them for a few
besides Whale Watchers International.minutes, you might then smile and say, "I really
- Treats flight attendants with disrespect. Cursing atenjoyed talking to you, but I'm on a deadline to finish
an attendant or exhibiting drunken behavior canthis work."
cause you to be unceremoniously escorted off theWhen you travel by air, don't check in your manners
plane. Flight attendants are given a good amount ofalong with your luggage. If you extend to other
discretion in deciding what constitutes disruptivepassengers the same consideration you want from
behavior. Air Transport Association rules state "if athem, your travel experience will be relaxing and
passenger's behavior is offensive to otherstress free.
passengers on board, then the airline reserves theBon voyage!
right to deny boarding or to ask for the passenger