Good airplane etiquette will make the skies a whole lot friendlier. Here's what you need to know before boarding your next flight.
14 Airplane Etiquette Rules to Know Before Your Next Flight
Updated on Feb. 19, 2025
Offer to lend an extra hand
The first rule of airplane etiquette? Don’t ignore passengers in need. Remember: You’re all in this together—literally stuck in the same small space, heading to the same destination. A little consideration and teamwork can go a long way. “If a fellow traveler appears to have their hands full, offer to help and see if there is something you can do to make their life easier,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group’s public relations department. “This could be as simple as assisting with heavy luggage or giving attention to a restless child.”
Personally, since I’m often in an early boarding group and already settled in my seat, I’ll offer to help someone who is struggling to get their luggage into an overhead bin by simply saying, “Can I give you a hand with that?” That falls under what Claytor calls a basic etiquette principle of “thinking of others before you think of yourself.” One important note, though: If someone doesn’t accept your offer, you shouldn’t push the issue or pursue it any further.
You can take off your shoes, but keep your socks on
Personally, I love to slip on a pair of airline socks if they’re offered to me, and according to Sif Björnsdóttir, a senior cabin crew member on Icelandic carrier Play, it is A-OK to do that. But if you’re wondering if you can get really comfy and take off your socks (whether they’re airplane-provided or your own), the answer is no. “Please keep your socks on!” Björnsdóttir says. “Bare feet can be unpleasant for other passengers, and it isn’t very hygienic, especially in a shared space like an airplane.” All of the etiquette experts I consulted agreed with this statement.
Plus, you’re putting yourself in danger by going barefoot on planes. Aside from possible hazards on the ground, such as pieces of debris from the meal service, garbage or even a piece of metal, the floor is also likely teeming with bacteria and viruses.
Want to stay cozy and semi-safe even while walking around? Etiquette expert Rachel Wagner, founder of Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol, has a great travel hack: “For longer flights and international flights, take a pair of disposable slippers in your carry-on to slip on over your socks. This makes trips down the aisle to the toilet more sanitary. When the crew collects trash toward the end of the flight, toss the slippers into the trash bag and put your shoes on again.” Easy-peasy!
You can decline someone’s request to swap seats
There are myriad reasons someone might ask you to switch seats. A person might not be sitting with their family, need access to a special feature (such as the bassinets in the bulkhead seats), have a medical condition or need more physical space because of a physical impediment or a service animal. All that said, you can still say no. “If someone asks you to switch seats, you can certainly consider it,” Björnsdóttir says, “but you’re under no obligation to do so.”
Of course, keep your response polite. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas, suggests saying something simple like: “No, thank you. I’d prefer to keep my seat.”
Are you the one asking to switch? Again, it’s OK to ask—politely—but don’t push the issue if you get a “no.” Another thing to consider? You’ll have a much better chance of someone saying yes if “it’s a very close seat and the seats are the same—aisle or window,” Gottsman says. “Don’t ask to switch a middle seat for an aisle seat.”
All that said, it’s best to take care of your seat selection in advance, and if you are on a flight with general boarding and no seat designation, see if you can board early. You may have to pay extra for this privilege, but for many people, it’s worth it.
Give the armrests to the person in the middle seat
On a crowded flight, it’s important to be a good neighbor, especially when someone’s squished in that middle seat. And that means letting that person have the armrests. “In the middle seat, they’ve got nowhere to lean!” says Charles Briggs, a long-haul in-flight service manager for Air New Zealand. “There are no hard-and-fast rules, but you do have to feel for the passenger who ends up in the middle. Go on—let them use the armrest.”
Etiquette expert Tami Claytor agrees, adding that if there’s any question about who should get those middle-seat armrests, there should be a conversation.”Talk to each other nicely,” she says. “And don’t physically nudge!”
Be considerate in your entertainment options
I don’t make it a habit of looking at other people’s screens, but sometimes on a crowded flight, you can’t help noticing what your neighbors are watching. And sometimes, well, the content can come as a surprise! (That includes popular shows like Bridgerton or even something more personal and, ahem, revealing.) Yes, you can bring your own personal electronics and download whatever you’d like, but be mindful of those around you. Plus, adds Briggs, even if you think you’re not in view, “kids can also see between seats!” In other words: If you wouldn’t want a small child seeing what you’re watching, don’t watch it on the plane.
What if your airplane neighbor is the one watching something risqué? “You can ask them to please adjust their screen if you have a small child sitting [within view]. If it’s simply offensive to you, you can look away,” Gottsman says. “If you feel threatened by what they are watching, you can alert the flight attendant in extreme cases, but not for an R-rated movie.” (I’ll note here that many airlines regard pornography shown in view of others as “sexual harassment,” so flight attendants can, and will, ask you to discontinue watching.)
Wear headphones when using devices with sound
While we’re on the topic of what you’re watching and/or listening to, I’ll bring up one of my pet peeves: people who play games—loudly—and watch shows without headphones. Björnsdóttir agrees that this is bad airplane etiquette: “It’s important to keep your volume at a reasonable level so that it doesn’t disturb others around you. When watching movies or listening to music, please use headphones.”
You can (considerately) recline your seat
When someone fully reclines their seat, it can feel like they’re practically laying in your lap. I’ve had this happen more times than I can count, so I’ve often wondered what the correct airplane etiquette is here. The official answer? “It’s OK to recline your seat,” says Björnsdóttir, “but it’s considerate to do so slowly and only when it doesn’t inconvenience the person behind you, especially during meal times.” And, of course, you have to put up your seat during takeoff and landing.
It’s worth noting that all of the etiquette experts I consulted said that you should never recline your seat without first informing the person behind you. “Some people think that since the chairs can recline that they’re entitled to put their seats back, and that’s the exact opposite of proper etiquette,” says Claytor. “Just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean you should.”
And there’s more to consider, says Gottsman: “If there is a larger person, with long legs or other types of potential discomforts, use your compassion and refrain from reclining into their knees. Also look back to make sure they don’t have a drink on an open tray table.”
Leave the stinky food at home
“Yes, you can bring your food on the plane,” explains Björnsdóttir, “but it’s best to avoid anything with a strong smell or that could be messy, like certain seafood, hot food or foods that could spill easily. Think of your fellow passengers, and opt for non-offensive, easy-to-eat snacks and meals.”
Remember, says Claytor, “you’re in an enclosed space with no fresh air coming in, so it’s not polite to bring something that will disturb your neighbors.” Gottsman adds that it’s also a good idea to stay away from common allergens such as peanuts or peanut butter—or at least be understanding if you pull out your PB&J and you seatmate tells you they are seriously allergic to nuts.
You can go to the galley and ask for drinks and snacks (if the timing is right)
If you’re on a flight that offers food for purchase and you’ve missed your window for ordering, it’s absolutely fine to go to the galley to ask for a drink or purchase food—as long as you wait until after meal service is complete and the flight attendants aren’t too busy, says Björnsdóttir. “During busy times, it’s better to use your call bell or wait until we come through the cabin again,” she adds. “Moreover, the crew workspace is very small, so avoid going to the galley to stretch or do yoga.”
It’s also important to note that flight attendants’ primary responsibility is ensuring the safety of passengers, not being at your beck and call for snacks. So if the seatbelt sign is on, please stay in your seat and let them do their job.
Feel free to ring your call bell
I’ve always wondered about the plane etiquette of ringing your call bell, questioning if it’s just for emergencies. But Briggs says it’s completely acceptable to use it to get your flight attendant’s attention. “Whenever you feel it necessary, we’re never far,” he says. “Whether you need some help with the in-flight entertainment, adjusting your seat or have a question for us, we’re there to help.”
When you do, though, always treat flight attendants with the utmost courtesy and respect. “They are there to assist when needed to help make the flight comfortable and safe, but keep the request reasonable—for example, you need to have a baby bottle warmed or you need more water,” says Wagner. “And ask politely rather than making a demand. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way, so use them often.”
Be mindful of the space around you
Yup, we’ve all got baggage, and we need a place to put it. Our legs also need room, but on a plane, there’s a finite amount to go around. So keep the area around you clear of trash, keep your bags and shoes out of the aisle and public spaces, and “if you think you’ll need more room to stretch out during flight, consider paying a bit extra to upgrade your seat,” says Fish. Pro tip: Check out Legrooms for Google Flights before booking to find those desirable seats with more space.
Overhead space gets a bit trickier since more people are opting for carry-ons to avoid checked-baggage fees, but the underlying principle is the same: Be considerate. Beyond that, it’s generally best to place your larger carry-on bag in the bin above your own row of seats. If you’re one of the last groups to board, however, and that space is already filled, talk to a flight attendant to help you locate some nearby bin space.
If you feel as though someone is encroaching on your personal space, speak to them nicely. “What people forget is that there should be a delicate negotiation when we’re in shared spaces,” says Claytor. “If people kept that in mind, flying would be a better experience.”
Skip the chitchat if your seatmate doesn’t want to talk
I’m a social person, but often when I get on a flight, I really just want to close my eyes, watch a movie or just enjoy some time in the sky without my phone pinging. In other words, I really don’t want to chat with my seatmate. That said, I also don’t want to appear rude. Gottsman says it’s OK to not engage. “Put your earbuds on and close your eyes, or do your work,” she suggests. “You can be polite and answer a question, and then say, ‘Please excuse me—I’m going to relax/work/(fill in the blank).'”
If you’re the one looking for a conversation, be aware of the other person’s body language, says fashion designer and frequent flier Liz Lange. “I don’t mind polite chitchat, but take your cue from your seatmate,” she says. “Understand when the person next to you would like to read or watch a movie or just have some quiet time.”
Take precautions if you’re not feeling well
True story: Exactly five days after my most recent international flight, my head started to hurt, my throat got scratchy and I started running a fever—all of which turned out to be a case of COVID. Thinking back to my flight, I have a clear memory of every cough and sneeze from the passenger behind me. It’s pretty clear where I got that illness!
We get it—sometimes you don’t realize just how sick you are until you get on that plane, and other times, you really have no choice but to fly home that day. But you can still be considerate. “If you are ill but have to travel, don’t get others infected,” says Fish. “Whenever possible, clean up around yourself, ask to be re-seated away from fellow passengers [if possible] and consider wearing a mask. Everybody will appreciate your efforts to keep others healthy.”
Drink in moderation
First, a quick science lesson: Being at a high altitude—whether that’s 10,000 feet at the top of a ski mountain or, yes, 36,000 feet up in a plane—lowers oxygen levels. And alcohol can disrupt the absorption of oxygen in the bloodstream, so drinking at a higher altitude may make you feel more tipsy faster since you’re technically slowing down the delivery of oxygen. So, while flying can be stressful and a glass of wine at 36,000 feet can certainly take the edge off, you should imbibe with caution. Especially when you’re in close quarters, moderation is key if you want to maintain proper flight etiquette. After all, as Lange notes, “watching a seatmate overindulge can be massively unpleasant.”
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this story on airplane etiquette, Melissa Klurman tapped her longtime experience as a travel writer and an avid traveler who flies between 50,000 and 100,000 miles a year. Then Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette expert, hospitality consultant who owns the Protocol School of Palm Beach and former flight attendant, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Tami Claytor, etiquette expert and owner of Always Appropriate Image & Etiquette Consulting; phone interview, Oct. 14, 2024
- Diane Gottsman, etiquette expert, founder of the Protocol School of Texas and author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life; email interview, Oct. 14, 2024
- Rachel Wagner, etiquette expert and founder of Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol; email interview, Oct. 14, 2024
- Sif Björnsdóttir, senior cabin crew member for Icelandic airline Play; email interview, Aug. 28, 2024
- Charles Briggs, long-haul in-flight service manager for Air New Zealand; email interview, Aug. 29, 2024
- Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group public relations; email interview, Aug. 30, 2024
- Liz Lange, CEO and creative director of Figue and founder of Liz Lange Maternity and Liz Lange for Target; email interview, Aug. 30, 2024
