Flying economy presents challenges but mastering etiquette enhances the experience.
With insights from Alexandra Bowman Truely Travel Consultant, learn how to navigate the realities of cramped spaces and shared facilities while fostering a respectful environment for all passengers.
In 2019, 78% of UK air passengers opted for economy seats due to their cost-effectiveness.
However, these flights are not synonymous with comfort, often characterized by narrow seats and limited personal space.
Bowman highlights the importance of adopting best practices to ensure a pleasant journey for everyone.
Honour The Armrest Rules
Armrests represent the invisible boundary between two passengers. The unwritten rule is: that middle seat passengers get both armrests.
This guideline doesn’t claim to be fair, but it’s practical and has been widely adopted, given that middle-seat passengers have neither the benefits of moving around like aisle seaters nor the views enjoyed by window seaters.
Respect Personal Space
Confined space doesn’t give us the freedom to sprawl out. Keep your legs, elbows, or personal items like bags and blankets, from invading others’ space.
A 2018 NBC News cited “seat kickers”, “aromatic passengers”, and “personal space violators” as the most annoying flight passengers, highlighting the importance of this practice.
Follow Reclining Etiquette
The primary conflict frequently arises from the act of reclining one’s seat. As the seat pitch doesn’t provide abundant space, check behind before you recline to ensure it’s safe for the passenger and the contents upon their tray table.
“Always give a gentle, non-verbal warning before reclining your seat,“ suggests Alexandra Bowman.
Turn slightly, make eye contact, and then slowly shift your seat back, providing the person behind a moment to adjust their laptop, beverage, or knees. A sudden recline can cause inconvenience and frustration.
Use Headphones
Remember you are in a public space. While you might adore the latest pop sensation, the sleeping passenger next to you might not.
Using your headphones and setting your device to a private listening volume ensures everyone’s aural space remains unviolated. If a passenger can hear your movie or music, it’s too loud.
Practice Good Hygiene
Seat space extends to the olfactory realm as well. According to a survey, 48% of passengers consider smelly passengers as irritating, be it due to perfume or poor hygiene.
So, be considerate by maintaining hygiene, avoiding heavy perfumes, and avoiding bringing smelly food or removing shoes during a flight.
Facilitate Smooth Exits
If you’re in an aisle seat, be courteous about allowing your seatmates access to the aisle without fuss.
Offering to stand up or even just shifting your legs can make getting in and out much easier, especially on long-haul flights where frequent stretching is necessary.
Be Compassionate
In the confined space of an economy cabin, patience and understanding go a long way. Sometimes, tolerance forms the bridge to an unexpected conversation or friendly in-flight experience.
Overall, effective communication stands as the best practice in most uncomfortable situations. If something is bothering you about your neighbour, a polite conversation can solve the issue instantly.
Finally, ponder upon this piece of advice from Bowman that encapsulates the essence of this discussion: “Being considerate in the air is art. Master it, and make the sky a better place for everyone.“