13 Travel Etiquette Tips

Summer is wrapping up, and many of us are gearing up to get out of here for a few weeks during the cooler months.

If you’re like me, you might have noticed there’s almost always one person who think they’re the only one using the airline.

Whether you’re lucky enough to be an experienced traveller, or you’re leaving the country for the first time, I put together 13 travel etiquette tips to ensure that person isn’t you.

If reclining your seat was a crime, they wouldn’t have invented the button to let you do it

First up, here is something you CAN do. If seats weren’t meant to recline, they wouldn’t recline! Put your seat back as you please, but be respectful. There shouldn’t be any need to put it up or down more than a few times per flight. You could also consider putting the chair upright when food is being served, but you are not obliged. Think of it this way - you don’t own the space in front of you, but you own the space behind you.

The plane isn’t your loungeroom

Remember the golden rule - there are other people on the plane! Don’t put your feet up on the back of chairs, or put them in other people’s space. If you’re going to take your shoes off, make sure your feet don’t smell, and don’t walk into the toilet with bare feet ?

The armrest rule

Getting a middle seat is the worst case scenario for almost any traveller. If you’re in the window seat, you have the plane wall to lean on. The aisle seat gets a bit of extra leg room, and the outside armrest. Let the middle person have both armrests. It’s the least you can do.

Have a sense of urgency in the departure area

There are over 9,700 commercial planes in the air at any given time, carrying over 1.2 million people. It’s safe to say the world of airline travel moves fast, and if you haven’t adjusted to the pace of an airport, it’s time. Unpack your bag at security with a little bit of pace, stick to the left (or right in some countries) if you know you’re going to walk slow, and don’t stop in the middle of walkways.

You won’t miss the plane if you’re at the boarding gate

If you’ve made it to the boarding call in time, there is no rush to get on the plane. Passengers are always in a rush to be the first in line, but there is truly no need to rush. Further to this, once the plane lands, unless you’re in a hurry to get to your connecting flight, there is no need to be the first person to stand up and get in the aisle. Enjoy the ride, it’s not a race!

No need to stand in groups

If you’re waiting for luggage while travelling in a group, have one or two of you collect every bag while the others wait out of everyone’s way. There is no need for a group of people to be taking up people’s space because they’re loitering at the baggage carousel.

Pay attention in the check in line

If the desk attendant has to call out ‘next please!’ more than once, you’re probably not paying enough attention. Sometimes it can take hours to get through the check in line, so don’t be the person who holds it up any longer. Take your headphones out as you approach the front of the line!

Some people may be in a rush

We all make mistakes. Someone might have got stuck in traffic, or they really did just leave it to the last minute. Give people a bit of leeway if they’re in a rush.

Some people truly may not be able to keep up

Contrary to this, if someone is legitimately struggling to move swiftly through an airport that is ok too. Consider this before getting flustered, or trying to hurry them.

Some people don’t travel often, if someone looks confused you can help them

There are people who may not have been lucky enough to travel around the world like you have. Airports can be confusing places. If you see someone struggling, and you have the time, why not give them a hand?

Clapping when the plane lands

This isn’t going to inconvenience anyone or make their trip unbearable, but it will make them shake their head when they touch down in a new destination.

Overhead storage respect

Be respectful of people’s space. On a commercial airliner the overhead storage can usually fit three or four people’s bags, so don’t hog the space. Further to that, if there isn’t enough room, you shouldn’t crush everyone else’s belongings.

Remember, travel is fun!

Travel is fun. People might annoy you on the flight or in the airport, but you’re either on your way to having a great holiday, or on your way back from the trip of a lifetime!
 

Any advice contained in this article is general in nature and does not take account of your particular objectives, personal circumstances or needs. If in doubt about your own situation you should seek appropriate advice.

What's your favourite travel etiqutte tip? Leave a comment below