Holiday Air Travel Etiquette Dilemmas
Holiday travel will officially be in full swing in just a few days. Big crowds, delayed flights, and tight quarters can test anyone’s patience. It’s also a prime opportunity to be an example to our family (and others) on how to handle frustration with grace. Even when a stressful moment may be developing, a few simple habits can make the journey more manageable for yourself and others. Here are some examples and how to handle holiday air travel etiquette dilemmas, as a flight attendant cannot assist every passenger going through social turbulence.
The Head Rest Grabber
This person uses your seat as their personal handrail to hold onto while getting out of their seat. The shaking can be unsettling. With a friendly look on your face, turn around and say, “Hi there, would you mind using your armrest to assist when you stand up because the jolt to my seat is jarring?”
The Seat Kicker
There are times when a young child may inadvertently kick your seat, and only you are aware of it. If a child is the offender, let the parent handle it by saying to them, “I think your little one is kicking my seat. I know little legs can get restless, and I’d appreciate your help.”
The Seat Recliner
People will argue that they have a recline button and can choose to recline or not. This is true, but taking the person behind you into consideration is also very important. If it’s a short flight, consider staying upright and alert. If you must rest, look behind you to make sure the person’s knees are not up against the seat and that the tray table is not in their lap. It’s simply common courtesy.
The Elbow Spreader
If you have the middle seat, you should be able to choose which armrest, or both, you would like to use. If you are splayed over an armrest and have left no room for the passenger next to you, or they are leaning against your coat sleeve, simply say, “Excuse me” in a friendly tone. They will certainly get the message.
The Seat Saver
There are times when you are traveling with a friend or spouse, and board in different groups. Holding a seat for a friend who is quickly approaching is understandable. Taking up space with your purse or magazine so no one will sit next to you is rude. Saving seats for a group of friends is also not appropriate when people are trying to board quickly and take their seats.
The Overhead Bin Bully
A seatmate taking up more than their fair share of the overhead bin space puts you in an uncomfortable position. They may not be aware of your struggle; I suggest saying, “Do you mind making room for me to store my bag next to yours?” A wheels-first loading strategy is usually most efficient.
The Aisle Blocker
When a fellow traveler is blocking the aisle and unaware of the offense, it’s fair game to ask, “Pardon me, may I please get by?” Always use a neutral, polite tone of voice. Passengers should be aware of people attempting to pass and take their seats quickly.
The Loud Talker
When someone is repeatedly projecting their voice, it’s appropriate to say, “My apologies for interrupting; would you mind lowering your voice just a little?” Maintaining a reasonable volume is good manners, especially on longer flights and those in the early or late hours of the day.
The Over Imbiber
If you are seated next to someone who has clearly had too much to drink, consider discreetly speaking with a flight attendant. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance, especially if they are crowding your space or making you feel uncomfortable. Don’t attempt to handle the situation on your own.
You may also like Holiday Travel Checklist.
For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go To” social and professional etiquette authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook and find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.
