91% of Canadians said that they were planning on traveling this summer and for some people, that means on an airplane. Now- on an airplane, there are rules- etiquette to follow, if you will.
On Cityline, we talked about some of the most popular pieces of airplane etiquette and hear a few audience horror stories.
Airplane Etiquette says: Leave your shoes on. This is mass transportation, not your house! Respect everyone’s space. No one wants to be that close and no one wants your smell socks or worse, bare feet in their personal space. Feet have germs, can be gross to look at and smell awful.
**Natalie with anecdote
2. To recline or not to recline?
Airplane Etiquette says: Don’t recline…in economy. It can be uncomfortable to sit straight up on the airplane and you also need to be mindful of how your behavior affects other people. You shouldn’t keep your seat reclined during mealtime, for instance. And if someone behind you is trying to do some work on their laptop and asks you to move the seat up a little bit, then try your best to comply. If you really need to recline your seat, ask first.
3. Overhead bin: First come first serve or just use the space above your seat?
Airplane Etiquette says: You need to put your bag over your own seat. And don’t shove coats and extra bags up there, either. As airlines squeeze in more and more people per flight, passengers fight for the same bin space. To maximize room in the overhead compartment for other travelers, place your bag vertically rather than horizontally on the shelf. And only put one carry-on bag in the bin; the other one can fit in the open space under the seat in front of you. And don’t stuff it in, leave it 6 inches sticking out and wait for the flight attendant to fix it.
4. You are leaving the Caribbean where they have the BEST KFC in the world. You want to bring a fresh bucket on the plane. Do you do it?
Airplane Etiquette says: No- a plane is a limited space with a limited air supply, cramped with 300 to 500 passengers. The fragrance of food is subjective; you may love the smell of hot delicious chicken but the rest of the plane may have a different take. Avoid bringing intensely aromatic food on board.