Airports and airplanes, while taking us to incredible and mesmerising places, can sometimes stir up a whole batch of travel ‘icks’ that can leave even the most seasoned globetrotter cringing with embarrassment and scratching their head. From rushing to being the first in the queue at boarding to taking your shoes off on the plane.<\/p>\n
However, travel experts at SkyParkSecure<\/a> wanted to question whether these most popular travel \u2018icks\u2019 are actually as icky as we think and have paired up with leading etiquette expert Jo Bryant for her opinion on some of the biggest travelling turn-offs.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t want to pay for a specific seat and randomly got allocated the dreaded middle seat? Many of us cringe when we see someone begging to swap seats with a random stranger before take off \u2013 but others may argue that the aforementioned stranger could also be in the same position and this way both parties can get what they want.<\/p>\n On the best way to tackle the situation \u2013 and if you should attempt to change seats at all, Jo explains \u201cSimply not liking where you are sitting isn\u2019t a good enough reason to move \u2013 you need to validate your request. For example, if there is a spare bulkhead seat and you are very tall, you could point this out. If it isn\u2019t possible to swap or move, don\u2019t get angry or rude; simply accept it\u2019s a no-go with a smile and good grace.\u201d<\/p>\n Nobody likes to see bare, sweaty feet \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t stop some people! Jo explains that keeping your shoes on is better manners, but it is also seen as acceptable to take them off for longer flights \u2013 there are a few things to ensure beforehand though; \u201cBe sure that your feet are suitable for public viewing (or in socks) and are completely odour free. Keep them to yourself: never put them on the seat or, worst of all, rest them on the armrest of the seat in front.\u201d<\/p>\n It turns out that clapping on a plane is actually one of the biggest travel \u2018icks\u2019 for a reason \u2013 because it\u2019s rude to the pilots! Jo explains \u201cApplause is not necessary after a landing and is rude to the pilots. If the landing is good, clapping suggests surprise at such skill; if the landing is bad, applause would be insultingly sarcastic.\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019re all entitled to have our own food preferences \u2013 but there\u2019s nothing worse than being on a plane when the person next to you pulls out a tuna sandwich. Jo weighs in on whether being annoyed by this is just being picky \u2013 or if it is actually bad manners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe confines of the cabin, combined with limited airflow, make smelly food a definite no. If the meals served by the airline are particularly strong smelling, then that is out of passengers\u2019 control, but bringing stinky sandwiches or fast food onboard is inconsiderate and selfish.\u201d<\/p>\n Going through security is unarguably one of the most stressful parts of going on a flight \u2013 and it\u2019s never helped by the person in front of you who seems the have missed every single sign outlining the very clear rules around liquids, what can stay in your bag, and what needs to be taken out.<\/p>\n Jo explains it\u2019s simply good manners to ensure you\u2019re organised as you\u2019re about to go through security \u201cKnow where your electronics are, have your liquids bagged and ready, and clear your pockets in advance. Don\u2019t hold everyone up by rummaging through your bag hunting for your tablet or setting off the detectors with your belt. The rules are clear so plan ahead and stick to them.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of us might find ourselves running across the airport as soon as our gate is announced to make sure we\u2019re at the front of the line, whilst others watch from a distance thinking \u2018well we\u2019re all going to get one regardless, what\u2019s the point of rushing\u2019 \u2013 Jo explains that for this \u2018ick\u2019 in particular, it does just come down to personal preference.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people like to be in the queue promptly before the gate opens, whereas others like to board the plane<\/a> later on. It\u2019s really a matter of personal preference but, either way, queue in an orderly fashion, respect other people\u2019s personal space, and when it comes to flying, holding up the whole plane by boarding last is never going to cut it as being \u2018fashionably late\u2019.<\/p>\n The airport bar can be tempting, and having a few drinks before take-off is commonly seen as part of the travelling experience \u2013 but it\u2019s never fun when a passenger on a plane has clearly had a few too many.<\/p>\n Jo suggests sipping smartly \u201cA glass or two in departures is fine, but attempting to board if you are worse-for-wear is disrespectful to other passengers and the crew. You risk feeling ill on the flight, being unsteady as you move along the cabin, irritating to fellow passengers or, worse of all, even being denied boarding.\u201d<\/p>\n We all deal with flying differently \u2013 some of us hate it, whilst some of us might find it relaxing \u2013 either way, is it acceptable to try and start small talk with the person sitting next to you, or is it just a bit awkward?<\/p>\n \u201cIt is good manners to acknowledge the person next to you but read their body language carefully. It is usually pretty clear whether someone wants to chat or keep themselves to themselves. Be helpful and willing (pass trays\/drinks, get up to let them out etc), but be respectful of their personal space and levels of sociability,\u201d Jo explains.<\/p>\n Like when you\u2019re waiting to board \u2013 some people seem to rush to be the first off, whilst some stay in their seats and wait for the rush to slow. \u201cThe rule is simple: wait your turn but be ready. Have your things packed up and help others who are trying to reach for bags in the overhead lockers. When it\u2019s time to get off, let people out from some of the rows immediately in front of you as you move down the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n Many anxious flyers can\u2019t wait to get off the plane \u2013 but they shouldn\u2019t make it other people\u2019s problem. If this is the case Jo explains it\u2019s best manners to \u201cspend the extra on a seat near the door rather than pushing or barging your way down the aisle.\u201d<\/p>\n Another age-old, and very divisive \u2018ick\u2019 \u2013 planes don\u2019t have copious amounts of room, and having the person in front of your recline can feels like even more of your (limited) personal space has been invaded. However, the recline feature is there for a reason \u2013 so who is in the right, and who is in the wrong?<\/p>\n Jo explains \u201cIt is difficult to ask the person in front of you not to recline their seat \u2013 they have every right to do so and, on a long flight, will need the comfort. There are some considerations, however. Don\u2019t recline immediately after take-off, and don\u2019t recline during drink\/mealtimes. It\u2019s best to wait to press the button until the cabin lights have been dimmed and the quiet time of the flight is underway. When things start to get busy again \u2013 a pre-landing meal, preparation for arrival etc. \u2013 then move back to a more upright position to give everyone behind you enough space.\u201d<\/p>\n Jo Bryant<\/a> is an etiquette expert, working at Debrett\u2019s<\/a> for over 10 years, and has edited 15 books on etiquette and modern manners. She\u2019s taught British etiquette to groups and individuals all over the world and is no stranger to the media \u2013 appearing on the BBC, ITV and featured in the Telegraph, Times, and Guardian.<\/p>\n Main image: Suhyeon Choi<\/a> – Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Airports and airplanes, while taking us to incredible and mesmerising places, can sometimes stir up a whole batch of travel ‘icks’ that can leave even the most seasoned globetrotter cringing with embarrassment and scratching their head.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":21770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flight-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeat Swap S.O.S.<\/h2>\n
Shoes On or Shoes Off?<\/h2>\n
To Clap or Not to Clap<\/h2>\n
Aroma Adventures<\/h2>\n
Security Smooth Moves<\/h2>\n
Boarding Buddy Blues<\/h2>\n
Cheers or No Cheers?<\/h2>\n
Talk or Text?<\/h2>\n
Disembarkation Dance<\/h2>\n
Recline Rules<\/h2>\n
About Jo Bryant<\/h3>\n
\n