Dear Mrs. A – May 2025
Dear Mrs. A.,
We’re getting ready for summer traveling. Would you kindly give us a refresher on airplane etiquette?
-Vacationing in the Village
Dear Village Vacationer,
Yes! Let’s hit the high points of the rules of the sky.
On boarding, do not crowd the security line, especially if your group has not been called. Have your documents ready: boarding pass, ID/passport and arrive with enough time to avoid rushing.
On luggage, larger bags above, smaller ones under the seat and do not rearrange others’ things without asking. Help fellow passengers with luggage if you are able.
And my personal favorite, the seat debate and the recline responsibility: know this, the middle seat gets both armrests! It is a tiny win for the worst seat. The window seat gets the view and control of the window shade, the aisle gets the legroom. You can ask someone in the window seat to open or close the window shade, but it is all about how you ask. Be respectful and don’t take it personally if they say no. They are the keeper of the window, after all. On reclining (if you must), recline slowly, and ideally only on longer flights; never during meal service.
Keep conversations polite and quiet; the whole plane does not need to hear your dinner plans. Keep your shoes and socks on. Avoid strong perfumes or colognes. It should go without saying, but brushing hair, clipping nails and other grooming habits are not acceptable. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and be patient with families traveling with children.
Lastly, when deplaning, do not leap up like it is a fire drill: the row-by-row system works great; wait your turn.
Be kind to the flight attendants and thank them for working hard on your behalf — it goes a long way.
Keeping things smooth at 35,000 feet!
Big Love, Mrs. A.
