The Unspoken Airplane Rules That Cause The Most Arguments At 35,000 Feet

From thinking about whether you’re allowed to travel with a power bank to catching yourself wondering why planes have ashtrays when you can’t smoke, jetting off abroad takes some serious brainpower.

However, the one thing we can never prepare for? Poorly behaved passengers – something (or someone!) that can ruin your trip before it’s even begun.

I’ve been on so many trips where I can’t sleep or get comfortable because people are reclining in front of me – and don’t get me started on people unnecessarily blocking the aisles. 

If you want to avoid becoming that person, you’re in luck. In a HuffPost UK exclusive, etiquette expert Grant Harrold spoke to SMC Coach Hire about the biggest mid-air mistakes travellers make on planes – and his golden rules for surviving the skies with your dignity intact.

Everything you shouldn’t do on a plane

1. Using the seat recliner 

“If you’re on a normal day flight, you don’t need to sleep on the plane, therefore you do not need to recline in that seat. If it’s under two hours, you shouldn’t recline it. If it’s over three hours, you have the possibility of reclining it.

“People get really annoyed as they’re trying to eat, trying to watch movies, they’re trying to do stuff. If you do want to recline, ask the person behind you first out of courtesy. If they say yes, tell them to let you know if they want you to put it up at any point.”

2. Eating food that has bad odours and having nuts 

“For shorter flights, some passengers opt to take on their own food - but it’s important to be courteous when making your choices. Don’t eat anything with a strong smell, it’s a small space and smells can really travel.

“Definitely avoid fish, but also things like crisps with a strong smell. Also, from a safety point of view, don’t buy anything that could put people with allergies at risk – so nuts are a definite no-no.”

3. The armrest 

“There should be strict rules about the armrests. If you’ve got a window seat, you do not get the armrest on the left-hand side. You can lean on the side where the window is.

“If you’ve got an aisle seat, you’ve got the luxury of being able to go up and down to the toilet. You have got access to the whole plane. If you have the middle seat, you need to be diplomatic, and people need to allow that person to rest their arms.”

4. Putting down the window blinds 

“People who put the blinds down during the day on the plane are quite annoying. While it’s technically next to them, it has an impact on everyone around them. If it’s very bright and it’s in your eyes, ask the people next to you if they mind you closing it.

“But if it’s just because you want some darkness, closing them is rude and selfish. If you plan to sleep on a daytime flight, take an eye mask with you. It’s not acceptable to make everyone else sit in darkness so you can have a quick nap.”

5. Talking loudly 

“I’ve been on flights where you hear the whole conversation the whole way. I’ll have a short conversation occasionally, but also, if people are trying to sleep next to you, do not have conversations, especially if it’s a night flight.

“If you do need to talk, speak quietly in hushed tones so it doesn’t impact those around you.”

How to be the perfect passenger

Grant adds: “Offer to help people with luggage and be polite to fellow travellers.  Being a good passenger is all about showing respect to those around you.

“If you’re in a three-seat situation and if somebody’s trying to pass something to the cabin crew, you should always pass it to them. Also, help people put their bags into the overhead compartments.”