Travel Etiquette Tips: 7 Unwritten Rules for a Peaceful Flight

Full transparency: flying makes me anxious.

Of course, I am not alone when I make this claim. In fact, up to 40% of Americans have a fear of flying, a disorder known as aviophobia or aerophobia. While I can’t say that I suffer from this flying phobia, I do find the process quite nerve-wracking. Between dealing with the potential long lines at the TSA, to maneuvering through the massive terminals, to the crowds of people rushing to get to their gates, as well as adjusting to the intrusion of personal space, flying can be quite unpleasant - especially if you’re flying economy.

Since so many of us suffer from some kind of uneasiness when traveling, it’s so important to have proper travel etiquette. There are many unwritten rules - aka the “dos and don’ts when traveling” - that if we practice, we can make the entire process a pleasant experience. Without further ado, check out my list of travel etiquette tips for a harmonious journey.   

Have Patience at the Airport

We all know that flying can be a highly stressful experience, to the point where some of us will run low on patience. After all, there are so many variables involved in navigating the process.

I’ve dealt with long TSA lines, extended flight delays, issues while boarding and deplaning, lost luggage, and more. Thankfully, airline carriers have made strides to streamline the process, but like anything in life, there are always unforeseen curve balls along the way. It is during those moments that our patience is tested the most. And while traveling, I have witnessed some insane airline meltdowns, where passengers couldn’t keep it together. 

If you are faced with any unforeseen stressful situations, the most important thing to do is to breathe and practice patience. To deal with these nerve-wracking circumstances, I always plan ahead by arriving at the airport at least two hours before boarding for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Another thing that I always do is to make sure that I have all my games and playlist ready to pass the time. Stress is unavoidable, it is how we handle it that makes the difference.

Fun Fact: Stressed is dessert spelled backwards. So, if all else fails, I’ll find a bar inside the airport and treat myself to a yummy cocktail.   

Avoid Traveling if You’re Sick

It goes without saying, especially after going through a pandemic, but I believe this is an important travel tip. If you’re sick, especially if you’re displaying severe symptoms like a high fever, coughing, body aches, etc., it’s best that you postpone your trip. Yes, I understand this is a personal decision and the flight is booked, the hotels are reserved, and you might have plans in place too, but you don’t want to risk infecting the flight crew as well as other travelers. 

Furthermore, traveling while sick is so unpleasant. You’re already miserable from your symptoms and the air pressure differences on the plane could worsen your condition. Trust me, I learned that the hard way once when I traveled with a cold. At one point during the flight, my eardrums felt like they were going to explode. I wish I knew about these airplane pressure relief earplugs at the time. My best advice is to have a flexible travel schedule just in case you come down with a last-minute illness. As a precaution, you could purchase travel insurance, so that you can at least get a refund or rebook with less worries. 

Be Mindful When Reclining Your Seat

On a good day, I’m 5’2. I’m short and completely fine with it, especially when it comes to legroom on a plane, I never have any issues. But that is not always the case for many travelers. And let's not forget that if you’re flying in economy class, you only have about 30 inches of space, which is not a lot. 

When flying, I’ve learned to be mindful and have consideration of the personal space for the other passengers. So, if I plan on reclining my seat, I always try to make sure that I am not sitting in front of anyone with a large physique. I honestly wouldn’t want that person to be uncomfortable for the entire flight and if I were a taller person, I would hope someone would be just as graceful to me. Of course, human nature is unpredictable, so if you find yourself in an awkward legroom situation that you can’t solve, your best solution is to get with the flight attendant to see if there is another seat available. Or plan ahead and book the seats with more legroom. Better yet, if you can afford it, flying first class is always an option.   

Respect the Personal Space of Other Passengers

Have you ever been on a flight and the person next to you used your shoulder as their personal headrest? I have, and as much as I would like that person to sleep, this is where I draw the line. I can’t sacrifice my personal comfort for someone snoring and possibly drooling on my shoulder. Don’t invade my personal space like that - that’s so rude!

I’m all for taking naps on a plane, but if I plan on sleeping, I’m always prepared. A neck pillow has been my saving grace. The pillow is versatile enough and can be used on a train or in a car, while camping or even from the comfort of your home. This small investment could last for years and save you some embarrassment while traveling too. 

Use Your Headphones and Your “Inside Voice”

This unwritten travel tip (or if you prefer rule) should be practiced as long as you’re in a small, enclosed space. Please use headphones or earbuds to listen to your music or to watch videos. I would prefer not to hear 'grammers eat large amounts of food in a mukbang, nor do I want to jam to your Spotify playlist.

Headphones are also great for watching inflight movies too, so it's one of my essential items when I travel. But that’s not all. I am sure you know what your inside voice is, right? Personally, I don’t like chatting on planes, but if someone strikes up a convo with me, I’m always considerate and I try not to include the entire plane in that conversation. Using my “inside voice” is just one of those common courtesies when traveling. Please be mindful of your fellow travelers and use your “inside voice” too.   

When Flying with Kids, Prepare, Prepare, and Prepare Some More

I don’t have kids, but I have spent enough time with the little humans to know that traveling with kids is no walk in the park. And if you have a toddler, taking them on a plane can be risky. At one point or another, most passengers including myself have dreaded sitting near a screaming baby or toddler kicking the back of the seat.

The best way to avoid airplane meltdowns and have a pleasant trip is to plan and prepare for your flight. You know your child/children better than anyone else. So, you can determine what you need to bring. Whether it’s snacks, their favorite toy, a tablet, coloring books and crayons, LEGO, or other items that will keep them entertained. If your child is very active, perhaps play some fun games with them before you board to burn off some extra energy. You’ll find that the other passengers will be more forgiving if they see the kid being a kid. 

Be Strategic When Choosing Your Seat - Avoid “Seat Squatting”

Recently, I read an article about a new trend called "seat squatting" on airplanes. What is seat squatting? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a trend where passengers create unnecessary chaos by stealing someone else’s seat. This trend has gone viral and has been occurring more frequently on recent flights. 

In my years of traveling, I have hustled my way into better seats. Typically, I ask politely at the gate and on several occasions, I’ve gotten lucky. I’ve also scored a better seat by being kind to the in-flight crew. But seat squatting is flat-out rude, and some travelers view it as a form of entitlement. Especially those travelers who paid extra fees for better seats. The squatters practice bad travel etiquette by stealing the seats and some have even refused to show their boarding passes. This can cause delays and frustration among other passengers. Thankfully, I’ve never had this issue, but if you run into a seat squatter, your best solution is to allow the flight crew to deal with it.

Do you practice proper etiquette when you travel? What are some of your travel etiquette tips? Share them with us on our nomination page. Perhaps we could feature them in a future article. 

Want to avoid extra luggage fees while traveling? Check out some of our tips on How to Travel With Just a Carry-On.