18 Things You Should Never Do on a Plane

Written By Lisa Marley

Without planes, we wouldn’t be able to see the beauty this world has to offer. But when we use them, there are certain things we should always abide by. Here are 18 things you should never do on a plane.

Bringing Your Own Alcohol

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The New York Post reports, “A US flight attendant has warned travelers to never bring alcohol on a plane if they plan on consuming it in the air or risk hefty fines.” It’s actually against the regulations for you to bring your own alcohol on the plane with the intention of consuming it while in the sky.

Eating Smelly Foods

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If you take smelly foods on a plane to eat, it’s unlikely you’ll make any friends on that flight. Most people agree that it’s inconsiderate, as there’s no place for people to escape the smell, and it’s not like they can open a window.

Removing Your Shoes and Socks

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You should never remove your shoes and socks on a plane. Many view this as very unhygienic. Other passengers shouldn’t have to endure the unpleasant sight of seeing or smelling someone else’s feet while stuck on a plane for several hours.

Reclining Your Seat Too Much

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Most people have experienced the unfortunate event of having someone sit in front of them and fully recline their chair. Doing this is inconsiderate for the person behind you, as it significantly reduces their space and makes it difficult for them to eat any meals.

Ignoring Flight Attendants’ Instructions

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Ignoring the safety procedure that the flight attendants show you before taking off can be a big mistake. You may be a frequent flyer, but every aircraft is different, and it’s always best to pay attention just in case you find yourself in the unfortunate event of having any kind of emergency.

Using Strong Fragrances

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If you’ve treated yourself to a new fragrance, make sure you don’t start spraying it when you’re on the plane. This can trigger allergies in people who may be highly sensitive to certain perfumes. Due to the confined space, the scent can linger, which could also cause anyone allergic to suffer from headaches.

Being Rude to Flight Attendants

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You should never be rude to a flight attendant. This is supported by Silver Door, which advises that if you’re disrespectful to flight attendants, then they’ll be less likely to help you out. They’re only ever doing their job, and it’s very important that they ensure every passenger on the plane remains safe.

Bringing Heavy Bags You Can’t Lift

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If you bring heavy bags onto the plane that you can’t lift, you’ll most likely disrupt the boarding process. Flight attendants aren’t required to lift your bags for you. So, if they’re that heavy, it’s best to check them in to avoid any issues.

Blocking the Aisles During Boarding and Deplaning

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Blocking the aisles when you get on and off the plane is one of the worst things you can do. This slows down the process of boarding and disembarking, which can even result in delays. It’s best to move quickly and efficiently when in the aisles so you don’t hold anyone else up.

Sprawling Out

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Sprawling out on a plane is a selfish act. Space is already limited for everyone, so you should be mindful of others. Make sure you share the armrest and legroom with the passenger sitting next to you and store your belongings within your allocated space.

Leaving the Bathroom Door Ajar

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When you’ve used the bathroom, be considerate of those who are sitting nearby by closing the bathroom door. Leaving the door open can make it uncomfortable for other passengers due to hygiene issues. Remember, many people eat on the plane, so they want to do so without any nasty smells.

Loitering Near the Flight Deck

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Always avoid loitering near the flight deck. For example, Business Insider reports, “If passengers are doing things like taking pictures of the door, it can become a security risk for the plane.” This can cause passengers and staff to become very anxious, and it’s something you should never do.

Touching Flight Attendants

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You should never touch a flight attendant to get their attention. Physical touch is inappropriate and oversteps people’s boundaries. There are call buttons on planes for the specific reason of alerting a flight attendant that you require them, so you should always use these instead.

Watching Entertainment Without Headphones

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Never be so inconsiderate that you think it’s fine to watch entertainment without headphones in any public space, especially on a plane. Loud audio can disturb fellow passengers, so you should be considerate of those around you and use headphones so everyone has a peaceful environment.

Drinking the Tap Water

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One thing you should never do on a plane is drink the tap water. Plane tap water is not guaranteed to be safe, and drinking it could make you ill. Nobody wants to fall ill on a plane, so take the safe option and purchase bottled water instead.

Ignoring Seatbelt Signs

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Seatbelts are provided on a plane for your safety. It’s important that you fasten your seatbelt immediately when the seatbelt signs come on. These are usually signaled during a flight due to expected turbulence, so for your own safety, remain seated and strapped in until the light goes off again.

Don’t Cut the Deplaning Line

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Everyone can be in a rush to get off the plane but cutting the deplaning line is rude and inconsiderate of others. Cheap Air advises that you should, “stay in your seat until the row in front of you has had a chance to exit.” It can cause longer delays and it’s best that everyone remain patient.

Leaving Open the Overhead Bins

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When getting items out of the overhead bins, you should always do it quickly and efficiently and close them immediately after use. Leaving them open can put you and other passengers at risk of injury. Items can move around and fall on passengers, so always make sure to close them after you’ve got what you need.

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