12 aeroplane rules for a smooth flight
The golden age of plane travel – when all passengers enjoyed gourmet 3-course meals, reclining chairs and generous leg room – is unfortunately a distant memory.
Spending up to 17 hours in a confined space is a sure recipe for bad behaviour.
In fact, unruly passenger incidents have increased by nearly 17% since 2015, according to the International Air Transport Association.
So, how should you behave while in the air? Here’s our list of aeroplane dos and don’ts.
1. Be prepared for security
Even before you board the plane, you want to make life easier for you and your fellow passengers. This is all about thinking a few steps ahead, so you get through the screen process as quickly as possible. Before you get to the x-ray machine, take everything out of your pockets and remove your coat, watch and belt. Put what you can in your bag and the rest in the provided tray. Once your belongings come out of the scanner, collect them quickly and move to a spot where you’re not blocking anyone. Then put your coat, belt and shoes back on.
2. Consider when you recline
While you’re allowed to recline during a short domestic flight, consider if it’s necessary. If not, maybe keep it upright. Your seat should also remain upright during meal service and when the plane is taking off or landing. If you’re on a long-haul flight and want to recline, let the person behind you know and do it slowly.
3. Stay sober
If you’re drunk or disorderly on a flight, you could end up like the intoxicated passenger on an Icelandair flight in 2013 who was taped to his seat after grabbing women and trying to choke other passengers. This might be an extreme situation, but you don’t want to be that annoying drunk passenger, so have a beer or wine with your meal and leave it at that. Drinking excessively on a long flight can also make motion sickness worse and leave you severely dehydrated with a headache as well as jet lag.
4. Don’t get too comfortable
Social media has gifted us images of plane passengers with their bare feet on the back of the seat in front, a man doing a gym workout in the galley and countless people drying their sweaty undesirables under the air-conditioning vents. The cabin isn’t your lounge room. Shoes, or at the very least socks, should stay on. Remain fully clothed for the duration of the flight and don’t dry your washing. It’s unpleasant for your fellow travellers.
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