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Fly Much? 12 Etiquette Tips for Smooth Travels

Let me start off by saying this: I LOVE to travel. I love to go to new places and learn about new cultures. I enjoy meeting new people (even at airports!) and sharing stories about our journeys–the good, the bad, AND the downright ugly!

It will come as no surprise to anyone reading this that air travel can be stressful. No matter what the destination, you’re likely to meet some kind of resistance to your well-planned departure.

John Steinbeck said it best with “A journey is like a marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you can control it.”

Ways to make your journey more enjoyable for yourself (and for others!)

Be organized
Best laid plans being what they are, it’s still good practice to plan your itinerary well ahead of time.

Be courteous
Open doors for others and smile at people. It’s hard not to smile if someone smiles at you. It’s contagious.

Be ready
Have your boarding pass and ID in hand to minimize delays during check-in and boarding.

Be patient
We’re all in the same boat (or plane…) here. An impatient person offered me $100 to jump ahead of me in a long airport line. Can you believe it?

Be flexible
Be willing to switch seats to allow a friend or family member to sit together. What goes around comes around, and one day you may want that favour extended. And, it’s just good manners!

Pay attention
Know the rules of the airline and don’t try to bend them by shoving your over-sized duffel bag underneath the seat in front of you.

Don’t stink up the joint
If you bring food on board, make sure it’s not something that has a strong smell. As much as I love Chinese food, the smell of garlic chicken isn’t something I want hanging in air for a 6-hour flight.

Turn it down a notch
Be aware of how loud you’re talking in the concourse, and on the plane. And if you’re plugged into an iPod, and the person next to you is singing along to the music, you’re probably disturbing SOMEONE with your tunes.

Be aware
Don’t fling your seat back without taking note of the person seated behind you. Make sure you’re not intruding on their (limited) leg space.

Keep the kids happy
Flying with your children can be tough—for you, for the kids, and if things get out of control: for the people seated around you. Bring lots of “sit-down” activities for the kids to do. Whatever you do, don’t expect the flight attendants to manage your kids.

Don’t hang out in the “loo.”
Be mindful of how much time you spend in the bathroom. This is not the time to refresh your makeup or throw some curlers in your hair.

Stay dry before you fly
It’s best not to consume too much alcohol before AND during a flight. You could be blocked from boarding if you’re tipsy, and the effects of alcohol are much greater at high altitudes so it’s best to keep the celebrations to a minimum while in the air.

And remember this: The joy of the journey is in the ride. So, be patient, even if your flight is delayed—you never know who you’ll meet while camped out on in an airport terminal.

Life’s just like that, isn’t it? All you can do is “go with the flow.”

photo: caribb

Posted by Margaret in Etiquette Tips and tagged etiquette tips, air travel etiquette, good manners.