HIGH FLYING FOLLIES PLANE TRAVEL ETIQUETTE

By Elizabeth Soos

Good evening, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 496 to your home destination. We are now inviting those passengers with small children and any passengers requiring special assistance to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately five minutes time….

Welcome aboard, fellow jet setters! Air travel can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from the excitement of a new adventure to the annoyance of cramped seats and crying babies. This guide will steer you through the turbulence of airplane travel etiquette with a smile. So, buckle up, put your seat in the upright position, and let's fly through the skies of courtesy!

Armrest Armada: The battle for armrest supremacy is real, my friends. I have been there! To avoid a mid-air conflict by offering a gracious compromise, like "I'll take the front half; you get the back." Remember, a truce is always better than an armrest anger.

Overhead Storage Dominos

: When stowing your carry-on luggage, do your best to avoid just throwing your bag anywhere. Place your luggage vertically and to the edge rather than the middle. This will help others stow their carry-on luggage and get seated quickly.

Reclining Rumble: Before reclining your seat, remember to exercise patience and wait to everyone has been served drinks and food, then take a moment to glance back and assess the situation before you recline and relax.

Window Shade Wars: Controlling the window shade gives you an incredible sense of power. But if you're not keen on a shade battle, find a compromise, like "I'll open it for takeoff; you can close it during the movie."

Chatty Seatmate Strategies

: Socialising can be fun, but if you're not in the mood, employ the fake nap or use the defensive book as a fortress technique to deter talkative seatmates politely.

Deplaning Dances: Getting off the plane can be a synchronized dance of politeness. If you're in a rush and pushing instead, try a smooth "pardon me”.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent. Remember that kindness and humor can make even the longest flights more enjoyable. Embrace the quirks of air travel, be considerate of your fellow passengers, and spread laughter and goodwill. Bon voyage!