TRAVEL ETIQUETTE
How to behave on a plane
Unless you are ensconced in first class, sleeping on a plane is as intimate as dozing off in a waiting room on jury duty — everyone on the aircraft knows the decibel level of your snoring and the sad state of your socks.
To gauge how passengers perceive and handle nightmare flight scenarios, British Airways surveyed 1,500 travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.
The responses are eye-opening, but do not necessarily represent the gold standard of politesse.
For the best practices at high altitudes, we reached out to Lizzie Post, a president at the Emily Post Institute in Burlington, Vt., and co-host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette.
Here are insights from your fellow travellers and the final word from the manners expert.
When it comes to armrests, 67 ■ per cent of respondents said passengers should commandeer only one side and leave the other for their neighbour.
More than 40 per cent of British and American passengers occupying the middle seat said they were most likely to monopolize both armrests.
Travellers from Italy, France and Germany were more courteous: Nearly half said the valuable real estate should go to the first person who asks.
Lizzie says: “Don’t try to stake a claim on the armrest. Share it.” She recommends sharing the physical space (for instance, you take the front section and your seatmate claims the back portion) or take turns using it.
Shoes off is OK (59 per cent); ■ sockless is not OK (87 per cent). Not surprisingly, three-quarters of Italians, who come from the Land of Gucci Loafers and Salvatore Ferragamo Pumps, turn their noses up at passengers who remove their footwear.
Lizzie says: “Out of consideration for other passengers, to the best of your ability we advise you to keep your shoes on while on the airplane.”
If the person in the aisle seat is ■ snoozing and you need to access the lavatory, do you wakey-wakey? Yes, according to 80 per cent, but only once per trip, added 40 per cent.
A third said they would steeplechase over the slumbering body, but were torn over the best approach. More than half agreed on a face-to-face (or derriere-to-tray table) exit strategy.
Lizzie says: “Absolutely wake the person up. When possible, the aisle person has an etiquette obligation to make it easy for the other people.”
Bedtime stories should stay ■ brief, according to more than 80 per cent. Seatmates should exchange a quick hello and a smile, then zip the lip.
Americans (42 per cent) disapprove of sharing personal tales and will slip on headphones to cancel the conversation. Brits use the skip-to-the-loo excuse.
Italian and French travellers are more magnanimous: 80 per cent of Italians consider small talk appropriate and half the French consider flying a friendship-forging opportunity.
Lizzie says: “Brief chit-chat is nice, but not obligatory. You can gauge if this is a good person to further the conversation with.”
To ease out of the situation, Lizzie suggests telling the person you are going to tuck into your book or listen to your music now and pop in your ear buds.
On the topic of snoring, 66 per ■ cent said they won’t nudge a nosebugling neighbour, but will mute the noise by cranking up the volume on their entertainment system. However, 20 per cent of Brits will give the offender a shove and then feign innocence.
Lizzie says: “Ignore it and block it out with your own entertainment system. Wax earplugs are great.”
Sleeping accessories vary by ■ nationality. Americans prefer noise-cancelling headphones; Italians and the French favour diva eye masks.
Lizzie says: “There is no etiquette offence, though other people might have to tap you harder if they need you to move.”
The majority of travellers say ■ switching seats is acceptable, but only after checking with the flight attendant. Brits are the most likely to nab a new spot. They usually pounce after takeoff and once the pilot has turned off the seatbelt sign.
Lizzie says: “Asking the flight attendant is a good idea. It is respectful, and you’re holding onto a ticket that says you are in a different seat, so they should be aware of any changes.” She also reminds people that “the empty seat is firstcome, first-serve,” an opportunity she once embraced on a Rome flight.