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12 Bad Behaviors Fellow Passengers Are Begging You To Stop Doing When Flying

If you want to be a nice traveler, then you need to avoid doing these 10 things.

woman using smartphone sitting at window seat in airplane
Updated April 12, 2025
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Flying is a standard part of American life. As many as 88% of Americans have flown commercially at least once.

You might assume that everyone has good flight etiquette, but that's not always the case. Everyone can engage in proper conduct by following these simple rules.

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Taking your shoes off on the airplane

nito/Adobe shot of feets wearing pajamas and socks

You know that kind of traveler who rests their feet in the aisle of the plane. We have to take our shoes off at security, but that's why socks were invented. Otherwise, it's unsanitary for you.

Also, no one needs to see your feet. So keep those tucked away in your shoes where they belong.

Talking loudly on the phone

Natee Meepian/Adobe woman in airline talking on phone

We've all been in situations where we've been bothered by someone talking loudly on the phone. It gets irritating to anyone who's near them.

Be aware of your volume while speaking on the phone, whether in the airport or on the plane. Doing this lets you avoid situations where people may be angry with you.

Not showering before the flight

Maridav/Adobe young man taking shower

Personal hygiene can be hard some days, but it is crucial to take care of it before you travel. Everyone is on an airplane together, and the air is recirculated. Not showering before a flight will inconvenience your fellow travelers.

Also, make sure you wear deodorant. No one wants to smell bad on a flight, and no one wants to be able to smell you on a flight.

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Joining the Mile High Club

IV. Murat/Adobe modern day airline toilet

Everyone seems to want to be a part of The Mile High. But take a moment and think to yourself, is this considerate to the flight attendants and other flyers?

The airline attendants can open the lavatories from the outside, and are required to do safety checks in the bathrooms every 20 to 30 minutes to ensure that there are no fire risks.

This means that you can be caught in a very uncomfortable position. So please do us all a favor, and don't try to join the Mile High Club next time you fly.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

methaphum/Adobe person holding a wallet

April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.

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  • Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
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Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds and save money at your favorite retailers.

Pretending that your dog is a service dog

New Africa/Adobe dog on window seat in airplane

Service dogs are welcome on airlines. For your dog to become a service dog, however, you must have a disability that's defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Additionally, your dog needs to be able to act appropriately in intense situations and perform at least one task that mitigates your disability.

It's a crime to impersonate a service dog because you could endanger actual service dogs and other people surrounding you. Plus, it's just bad form.

As much as we love Fido, either fly him as a pet or keep him home.

Approaching service dogs on flights

nimito/Adobe stewardess talking to little girl traveling with pet

Service dogs are working dogs, and it's incredibly rude to come up and try to touch them or distract them.

Service dogs are medical assistants for their owners. Distracting a service dog can cause the dog to miss a critical alert or a task, and cause issues with the handler's safety. Just don't try to approach them and let them do their job.

On a similar note, don't come up to the handler and talk about their dog. Like you, they're just trying to get from one place to another. It can be exhausting to field questions about their dog, what it does, or how they got it.

Not using headphones

DC Studio/Adobe african american man using laptop in commercial airline

We all get that you'd like to watch or listen to something while on a flight. It keeps you occupied and distracted while on the flight.

However, not using headphones or earbuds while listening to things/watching things disrupts other fliers.

When you don't use earbuds or headphones, the people surrounding you also have to listen to what you're watching or listening to. It's just not a considerate thing to do on a flight.

Clapping when the plane lands

Gorodenkoff/Adobe couple applauding in airline

We get it, you're not trying to be rude, and you want to congratulate the flight crew for a good flight and a safe landing.

However, what you considered a good landing could have felt very different to the pilots. Your applause could come across as sarcastic rather than sincere.

So do the pilots and crew a favor, and don't clap.

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Rushing to get get off the plane

Lubo Ivanko/Adobe people waiting at airport

You may want to get off the plane after a long flight, and you don't care how you have to do it. That train of thought is very understandable.

However, it's not good practice to follow through on these thoughts. Everyone else wants to get off the plane too.

It's understandable to be antsy about it, but pushing and shoving people to get off of the plane is just plain rude.

Quick tips: How to travel or dine out without going broke

Kay A/peopleimages.com/Adobe woman packing suitcase for travel

When it comes to enjoying things like travel and dining out, thoughtful planning can help you maximize your experience without draining your wallet. These discretionary expenses often consume a significant portion of many budgets. The key is finding the balance between treating yourself and maintaining your overall financial health.

Here are some tips on how to find that balance:

  • Visit restaurants during happy hour or lunch for similar food at lower prices
  • Join restaurant loyalty programs and subscribe to email lists for special offers
  • Use cashback dining apps like Seated or credit cards with travel/dining rewards
  • Consider traveling during shoulder seasons when prices drop but weather is still pleasant
  • Use price comparison tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track airfare drops
  • Book accommodations with kitchens to prepare some meals yourself while traveling

Some of the most memorable moments can come from a meal shared with friends or a budget travel experience that takes you somewhere truly unique. Consider both the emotional and financial value of an experience so you can find the things that are truly worth your money.

Mistreating airline attendants

DC Studio/Adobe young stewardess talking to man using laptop

Airline attendants are just trying to do their job and ensure no incidents happen on the plane. That means they may not always say what you want them to say. They will enforce the seatbelt rule, even if it irritates you.

Not hearing or getting what you want is not an excuse to be rude to them. They're doing what they can to keep you safe.

You may not like what they do, but they're people too. Think about how what you say or do will affect them before you do it.

Bottom line

stockphoto-graf/Adobe airline with lots of passengers and crew members

Flying commercially can be an amazing experience if you and your fellow passenger follow proper guidelines and are conscious of other peoples' experiences.

For example, whether you avoid pushing and shoving to get off the plane or stay seated until the fasten seatbelt signs turn off, you can make a difference in the entire vibe of the flight.

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Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

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