Contents of Post
Everyone who has ever been on a flight knows that there are rules. Sure there are the rules like no sharp items or liquids over 100ml. You definitely shouldn’t say the word bomb on a plane or anywhere in an airport. Skyscanner is one of the best ways to get cheap flights. Yet what about the unspoken rules of air travel? Some are obvious whilst others seem not to be. There are ones I constantly see, hear, or smell being broken by multiple people and others almost everyone seems to abide by. Almost everyone.
So what are some of these unspoken rules of air travel?
15. Be Ready To Go Through Security
I can’t stress this enough. Every time I go to the airport there are people everywhere who aren’t ready for security. People who clearly travel often as well and they always hold up the line.
Every. Single. Time.
I can’t even express how annoying it is to hear the same argument for the nth time about how someone shouldn’t have to take off their jewelry, belt, or shoes that have a lot of metal. Why is it hard? You basically strip off everything except your tops, bottoms, and (in some cases) shoes. Don’t forget to put your liquids in a plastic bag.Empty your pockets, debelt, and put any electronics (laptops, tablets, etc) and jewellery in a separate bin from your bag.
Easy. No one should be hearing an argument from Karen about how she doesn’t want to take her bracelets off because “they are expensive” or “they are hard to get on/off”. You knew it was coming Karen. Be better.
14. Middle Seat Gets Armrest Priority
There is an armrest hierarchy on planes. Anywhere really, but it’s not as important anywhere else. The person in the middle seat, you know the one who is squeezed in between you and the sweaty old bald guy who clearly forgot to shower? Yeah, that dude. He gets both armrests.
They have to deal with an entire flight with not just one, but two people practically sitting on their lap. They are miserable. Hell, most people on the flight are, but not as much as the middle seat people.
This is something that I will throw elbows over. Quite literally too.
13. Shower Before You Go
This is so important. You’re going to be stacked in a flying tuna can for the next 1 to 24 hours. The person next to you will be everything but on your lap. I can guarantee it. After all, it’s a proven fact that they keep making airplane seats smaller and smaller. So imagine if that person who is basically on your lap smelt of spoiled meatloaf. Well, you don’t want this to be you either.
This doesn’t just end at showering before you go. In this golden age of cheap travel, there tend to be many layovers. Some of which are long while others are short. Sometimes you’re travelling upwards of 30 hours and can’t shower. Slather on that deodorant. It will make both your and other’s lives so much better.
This isn’t just one of the unspoken rules of air travel. It also pertains to tattoos and just about everything else.
12. Don’t Take Off Your Socks
Dude. I’m sure a lot of us can agree on one thing. Feet are gross. No one wants to see yours just as you most likely don’t want to see anyone else’s. Plus the floor of airplanes are pretty gross. Do you want your bare feet touching who knows what?
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take off your shoes. Hell, kick ‘em off. On a really long flight, it can feel really nice to kick off those shoes. I don’t know why that is, but it just is. But please keep those socks on. If you know your feet are going to reek then maybe keep those shoes on as well.
11. Be Aware Of Your Hair
By no means do we mean that you have to have it tied up, strangled, or even gelled into place. We just want you to be aware that it’s not in other people’s space. It’s annoying having someone’s hair all over you. Hell, relationships have ended over it.
Yet some people go the extra mile to be incomprehensibly annoying and ignorant. By now most people have seen that picture. Don’t know which picture I’m talking about? This one.
Yes, that is a girl throwing her hair over the back of her chair. Seeing as she has a screen in the back of the seat in front of her there is no way she doesn’t
10. Avoid Strong Smells
It doesn’t just end at B.O. or bad hygiene. Avoid strong smells. Don’t wear that strong fancy perfume or bring on that olive, garlic, and onion salad you bought onto the plane. Don’t. Fucking. Do. It.
Planes are a small closed ecosystem. Air isn’t getting pumped in from outside. No, it’s being recycled over and over and over. These strong smells can not only linger, but also waft across the aircraft. If you know your feet smell then don’t take off those shoes. If you need to fart….. Well, you can either hold it in or you can run to the bathroom to do so.
I’m unsure as to why this is among the unspoken rules of air travel. It should be a written rule.
9. Everything In Moderation
People don’t keep to this enough. Everything in Moderation can be a good thing. Before you go, a subtle spritz of perfume can be nice for the person closest to you. A couple of drinks can be nice, but far too many people go overboard. Way too far overboard.
You can totally drink. It’s a great way to wind down on a long flight. Hell, you can even get drunk if you’re keeping to yourself. If you are going to get loud, boisterous, or belligerent then don’t drink too much. You know you better than anyone else does. So be honest with yourself.
Another area that more people need to practice moderation in is talking to strangers. More people than I imagined don’t really know how to read a situation and will talk their seatmate’s ear off. There’s nothing wrong with a friendly chat, but if the conversation comes to a natural lull and stops then don’t force it. Joe Blow doesn’t need to hear your life story.
8. Unspoken Rule Of Air Travel For The Tobacco Addicts
We all know how a really long flight can cause bad cravings and irritability. It’s a thing and it’s rough. Between going through security, waiting at the gate, the flight itself, and (possibly) customs on the other end one could argue that there are a lot of high-stress things happening all in a row.
So to make life easier for you and the people you’re travelling with you should try to find a nicotine alternative. For some, that means carrying Nicotine while travelling. For others it’s Snooze (Swedish variant of chewing tobacco. Less messy). Find what works for you and use it. Trust me, it helps.
7. Reclining Rules
To recline or not to recline. That really is the question. Is it better to put the person behind you in a more uncomfortable position for the slight bit of comfort it may give you or to sacrifice that small bit of comfort for a better experience for all?
Shakespearean joking aside it really depends. Take in all the factors before making this decision. Is the person behind you tall or short? Will there even be a person behind you? Is there really any benefit to the one or two inches of recline you get? Will it really bother you not to have it? Worst case scenario you can always ask if it’s alright with them.
However, if you do decide to recline and the person behind you is sleeping then pay attention to this one thing. A lot of people will sleep with their heads against the chair in front of them. This will likely push your recline up over time. If this happens then don’t recline again. Not only will that be uncomfortable for them, but you could actually end up hurting them. Arguably one of the most important unspoken rules of air travel.
6. Bring Gifts
When we talk about gifts we aren’t talking about all those souvenirs you picked up for friends and family. Not at all. Instead we are recommending you get a small gift for the flight attendants. Crazy idea I know, but it’s a really good thing to do. Usually this would be some M&M’s or something similar.
Worst case scenario you’ll brighten the days of the flight attendants. Best case scenario you get a little bit better treatment, perhaps even an upgrade. Who knows? Honestly, you should just do it to be a decent person. Their job isn’t easy.
5. Seat Trading Rules
This is a complicated one. There are dozens of reasons one might want to trade seats. Perhaps you are travelling with others and want to sit together, but aren’t for whatever reason. Maybe you can’t sit near the window cause you get up to pee too often. Whatever the reason there is one major rule when it comes to seat trading.
You can only trade seats when you are giving up the “better” seat. Almost no one is going to agree to trading for a worse seat. If they do then they are just doing it to be nice or to be a good person. Don’t take advantage of those people. It’s mean.
4. Headphones Are Essential
I can’t stress this enough. No one wants to hear your music or movies for the next 10+ hours. It’s next level annoying. Just under a crying baby. Plus with headphones you can drown out that crying baby no problem.
If you don’t have your own you can buy them in the airport or on most flights. Don’t be that guy.
3. Sleeping On Planes Suck
Most people try to sleep on flights. Especially if they are redeye (super early) or long distance (over 6 hours). If you’re going to sleep then do your best not to end up leaning on your neighbours shoulder.
I am a notorious snorer, but I’ve found that when I’m sitting up and sleeping (in a vehicle, plane, or just some weird sleeping position) I tend not to snore. However if you do ythen you should look into ways to combat this.
The main portion of this that puts it among the unspoken rules of air travel is the fact that sleeping on a plane sucks. Don’t expect to be comfortable. It probably won’t happen.
2. Try To Plan Your Seating Ahead Of Time
This is pretty important. Most flights have the option of seat selection for a very small price. If you are taller and know you need the leg room then maybe you try to get a seat near one of the emergency exits. If you’re notorious for getting up to walk around or go to the bathroom then perhaps the aisle is best for you. Perhaps you perfer to sleep, rarely get out of your seat, or hate when you have to get up for other people. If that’s the case then the window seat is probably the best option for you.
No matter which floats your boat (or flies your plane) it’s always a good idea to take personal inventory when trying to decide where it is you want to sit. If you’re wanting to save as much as possible and don’t care where you sit then just don’t opt for seat selection.
1. Never Take A Taxi
In the vast majority of countries airport taxis are a scam. Either they will charge outrageous prices or, in some countries, they will take you to an area and forse you to pay crazy amounts to get back. Others will even take you to scam hotels and stores thatll cost you a fortune.
So just avoid taxis at airports. Either figure out different methods of transportation before you leave or from the information desk at the airport.
In Conclusion
Flying can be a very stressful experience. Whether it’s your first time or your thousandth. To make your life as easy as possible you should adhere to both the written rules an the unspoken ones. No matter if you booked through an airline or through Skyscanner. As the unspoken rules are can be unknown, especially if you are newer to travelling, we have compiled a few of them here.
15. Be Ready To Go Through Security
14. Middle Seat Gets Armrest Priority
8. Unspoken Rule Of Air Travel For The Tobacco Addicts
2. Try To Plan Your Seating Ahead Of Time
Are there any unspoken rules of air travel you think we missed? Let us know down below.
Until next time, travel authentically, travel nomadically, and let the world inscribe itself upon you more than you inscribe yourself upon it.
