7 things you should never do on a plane, according to the experts --[Reported by Umva mag]

Whether you’re a frequent flier who jets across the world for work, or someone who hops on a plane twice a year for a well-earned break, most of us will have boarded a flight at some point in recent months.

And whatever the reason for travelling, we all want a relaxing flight which sees us arriving at our destination refreshed and ready for our onward journey.

But just like any form of public transport, how you behave when you’re on a flight can make a big difference to your travel experience – and that of your fellow passengers, which means you want to mind your in-flight etiquette because the last thing you want to do is be ‘that person’ who causes an argument with the person in the seat in front, or has other passengers giving you a wide berth in the toilet queue.

Read on to find out the things – according to the experts – you should never do on a flight, and how to change your behaviour if you’re guilty of any of these…

1. Don’t recline your seat for the whole flight

There’s nothing wrong with reclining your aircraft seat per se – we all want our journey to be as relaxing as possible and if you’re trying to get a bit of shut-eye then pushing your seat back can be helpful in that regard.

But there’s a time and a place for everything – and lurching backwards just as somebody else’s meal is being served, or they have something else on their table, might not always be your best bet.

Etiquette coach Mariah Grumet told Business Insider that while passengers should be able to recline their seats – given they paid for them after all – they should be mindful of those sitting behind them when they do.

If you really can’t wait until an appropriate moment to get that extra space then consider an alternative such as a foot hammock, which will fit most tray tables and allows you to stretch out without getting anyone’s back up.

2. Don’t take your socks off

So you’re on this plane for the long haul and you want to relax as much as possible – and for some people that could mean shedding your shoes and socks the second the seatbelt sign is switched off.

But take it from the experts – that isn’t going to make you popular with the other passengers, who might not appreciate getting a whiff of your socks or feet, especially if you’re on the second leg of a super-long flight and haven’t changed them for a while.

And even if you have only just boarded, all clean and freshly-showered, the sight of your bare tootsies might still make other passengers feel uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that if the aircraft carpet hasn’t been cleaned between flights you could be picking up all manner of germs.

If you do want to remove your footwear mid-flight, Travel and Leisure suggests a better option could be to take a lightweight pair of shoes with you to wear onboard or pop on a pair of compression socks instead, which will keep your blood circulation chipper as well as sparing others the sight of your trotters.

3. Don’t stink the plane out

So you might keep your feet tucked away from all and sundry to prevent any unpleasant odours but that doesn’t mean you can employ other methods to stink out the aircraft you’re sharing with a bunch of strangers for the next several hours.

Spraying perfume around the cabin, painting your nails or any other personal grooming can all result in smells that the person sitting next to you might not appreciate – and there are other factors too.

Sarah James Deputy Digital Editor of Conde Nast Traveller, says: ‘Spraying anything in an enclosed area isn’t a great idea. Someone nearby might have asthma or allergies, and scents make some people feel nauseous.

‘If you really want that soothing, spa-like fragrance experience while on board, spray a jumper, travel pillow or scarf before you fly, or pack a roll-on perfume to refresh with.’

Oh and while we’re at it you might want to rethink that tuna sandwich in your hand luggage, with Mariah Grumet pointing out to Business Insider that something like the smell of fish can be disturbing to other passengers. So choose your in-flight snacks carefully.

4. Don’t be mean to parents

Yes, yes we know that being in close proximity to a crying baby on a plane can be frustrating but that doesn’t mean you have to be that person who makes an issue of it with their frazzled parents.

Small children may well kick off on planes if they’re hungry or exhausted from the flight, or if they feel uncomfortable in some other way, and Mariah Grumet says it’s important to be kind in that instance.

‘It’s likely that the parent is already super embarrassed as is, and you don’t want to add fuel to the fire by whispering or giving dirty looks,’ she told Business Insider.

On the flip side, if you’re the parent and you’re travelling with older children, Simply Flying recommends not letting them run around the cabin unchecked. Quite aside from the disruption to other passengers, there’s also a risk they could get injured from doing so – which isn’t ideal on a long flight.

5. Don’t nod off on anyone’s shoulder

There’s nothing wrong with catching forty winks on a plane, especially if it’s a long flight and you’re attempting to beat jet lag. But that doesn’t mean you can just nod off on the shoulder of the person sitting next to you.

If they’re a total stranger it’s rude at best and intimidating at worst. Even if you do know the person you’re snoozing on it could affect their ability to do anything such as eat, use the bathroom or fall asleep themselves.

Not to mention the fact that you’ll almost certainly be woken up, ruining your sleep as well as ruining someone else’s flight. Travel and Leisure suggests you invest in a neck pillow before you fly and fall asleep on that instead, thus keeping everybody happy.

6. Don’t get drunk before you get on board

We all know it’s tempting to grab a few drinks in the airport lounge before boarding. If you’re off on holiday you might want to get the party started with a pint or a cheeky cocktail, or if you’re a nervous flier you might indulge in a drink or two to calm your pre-flight nerves.

But while a swift half is unlikely to cause any real problems, getting drunk before you board the plane is a no-no. For one thing, you may well start to feel the effects of all that alcohol sloshing around during take-off – especially if it’s a bit bumpy – which could make you feel ill for the duration of the flight.

And of course, as Simple Flying points out, it can also lead to bad behaviour onboard. Although the International Air Transport Association stated in 2022 that most unruly passengers on planes had not been drinking, it can happen.

And the last thing you want is to get banned from flying. So, if you do have a pre-flight drink don’t overdo it, and drink plenty of water also. Or wait until you get to your destination before you crack open the wine.

7. Don’t rush to get off the plane

We all know that you’re keen to get off the plane. Chances are you’ve been on it for hours, after all, and the bright lights of your destination are looming temptingly in the background as your plane touches down on the airport runway.

But that doesn’t mean barging ahead of everybody in your bid to be off first is a good plan. ‘The most polite way to deboard a plane is to let the people in the front go first,’ Mariah Grumet pointed out to Business Insider.

So instead of running to the exit, remember that everybody will get their chance to get off the plane, and unless you’re already at the front, close to the exit door, you’ll just have to wait your turn.

The only exception to this rule is if you have a connecting flight to catch, but even then, Grumet points out, you should be considerate of other passengers. This means, rather than queue-jumping, you should let a cabin crew member know so they can assist you in getting off the plane quickly.

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