Flight Etiquette: What Passengers Should Never Do on a Plane

It’s no secret that being a flight attendant is no easy task. From long hours and days away from home to potential delays and unruly passengers, it takes a special type of person to survive and thrive on the job. Cabin crew training is intense and can take months to complete, covering everything from food hygiene and incident reporting to fire fighting, terrorism awareness, and even how to deliver a baby. However, many cabin crew claim that the trickiest and most challenging part of their days involves customer service: dealing with passenger requests, worries, nerves, and sometimes, disorderly behavior. Therefore, we spoke to an ex-flight attendant to find out what you should never do on a plane.

“We used to refer to the cabin as the jungle,” says Charlotte*, an ex-cabin crew member who has worked on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. “There were so many people with different perspectives, demands, and expectations, all crammed into a flying tin. There are various variables and things that could happen that are out of your control, so every day we wondered whether we’d have a passenger do something that most people on the ground would find absurd.”

Below, Charlotte shares her insights about her time as cabin crew, revealing what flight attendants hope you’d never do on a plane. Some may seem obvious, but all are real incidents that have happened at one time or another, so take note to make their job a little easier.

*names have been changed

No Smoking Means No Smoking

Without stating the obvious, smoking on planes is dangerous—not only is there a risk of fire, but it’s also harmful to fellow passengers and has the potential to clog the aircraft’s pressurization valves. “You’d think people would consider the risks by now, but the number of times I caught passengers trying to smoke is outrageous. Once, a passenger covered his head with a blanket and started smoking underneath. We told him we could see and smell what he was doing, and he continued. Consequently, he was arrested once we landed. Not the best way to start your holiday,” Charlotte shares. “Another time, a passenger had placed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on his tray table. He claimed that he was ‘just looking at them’ but then proceeded to get really drunk and attempted to light one. We intervened and banned him from ordering any additional alcohol, to which he responded by insulting our appearances.”

Don’t Fight with Other Passengers

Stressed travelers and panicked passengers are no strangers on flights. People often experience heightened emotions before traveling. “It sounds obvious, but at times passengers resorted to aggression instead of rationally handling the situation,” states Charlotte. “Once, a passenger accused someone else of stealing their bag, and I had to physically stand between two grown men to prevent a physical altercation. It felt surreal as I was 21 and only 5 foot 5.” Reports of in-flight aggression and bad behavior have increased recently, which is concerning for cabin crew. It’s crucial for passengers to remain calm and courteous to each other.

Don’t Get Annoyed if Someone Reclines Their Seat

This debate has been ongoing since reclining seats became commonplace. On one hand, if a passenger has paid for their seat, there’s no issue with utilizing the recline feature. On the other hand, this action can invade the leg space of the passenger behind. “It is a passenger’s right to recline their seat,” Charlotte explains. “Getting irritated or asking the cabin crew to intervene won’t help; we can’t control that. The only time we would request you to make your seat upright is during meal service, takeoff, or landing for safety reasons.”

Clean Up Your Own Mess

One common reason for delays is due to cabin crew needing to clean up after messy passengers. Hand your rubbish to flight attendants when they come around with bin bags: “This is the best time to discard any waste. Please don’t hand a flight attendant rubbish when they are focused on other important tasks, like prepping the cabin for takeoff or landing,” advises Charlotte. Set a good example by keeping the toilet clean and appropriately using the bins provided.

Keep Your Socks On

It’s generally agreed that going barefoot on a plane is not acceptable. “On that note, do not put your feet in other people’s personal space—especially if you have taken off your shoes,” Charlotte cautions. “There is no reason to put your feet on the armrest of other passengers’ seats, stretch them across into others’ space, or block the aisles. It’s a serious safety hazard.”

Don’t Press the Call Bell (Unless It’s an Emergency)

Using the call button has its own etiquette. Flight attendants advise that if your request isn’t urgent, it’s better to wait or approach the galley for assistance. “If it’s a request for food, drink, or non-emergency help, we’d prefer it if you came to the galley. On an A380, for example, with about 500 passengers, if everyone rang the call bell, we’d spend the entire flight running up and down the aisles,” Charlotte explains. “Pressing the call bell for non-urgent requests only adds to the workload.”

Respect the Cabin Crew

Passengers should remember to respect cabin crew members, especially during delays, which are normally out of their control. Keeping conversations polite and maintaining boundaries will help create a better flying experience for everyone. “If you require assistance, don’t poke us as we walk down the aisle or throw anything at us,” advises Charlotte. “Simply say excuse me, or, if we don’t hear you and it’s urgent, press the call bell or come to the galley.”

Don’t Drink Too Much

While it’s understandable to want to relax, drinking excessively can lead to disruptions on the flight. Passengers may risk being refused further alcohol service or even banned from the airline. Knowing your limits is vital, especially because alcohol’s effects can intensify in a pressurized cabin environment.

Don’t Stand Up While the Seat Belt Sign is On

Many passengers stand up as soon as the aircraft touches the ground, although this is not appropriate behavior. The aircraft must come to a complete stop before you can safely remove your seatbelt. “In training, we have to practice shouting ‘sit down’ for safety reasons,” notes Charlotte. “We are in charge of when the doors open, so standing won’t expedite the process.”