While traveling can be a fun experience, there's nothing worse than being stuck seated next to an annoying passenger on an airplane for a few hours. There's no rulebook for how people should behave while inside the plane, but being mindful of it is basic common courtesy.
Below are some of the most annoying things people do inside an airplane and the best ways to avoid doing them:
1) Reclining your seat without care for the passenger behind you.
You deserve to be comfortable during a flight, and reclining your seat can provide more legroom. However, do this mindfully. "Do it slowly and take a peek behind you because that person might have a laptop or food on their tray table," said author and ex-flight attendant Jacqueline Whitmore via Yahoo Travel.
If the meals are being served, make sure you keep your seat upright so as not to inconvenience the person at the back. Same goes with the armrest - you have to check with your seatmate first.
2) Not teaching your children proper manners while traveling.
Your kids are shouting inside the airplane or kicking the seat in front, but you let them be because kids are kids, right? Wrong. Aside from teaching them good manners or properly communicating your displeasure for their inappropriate behavior, you must always be prepared when traveling with kids, who can easily turn tired, bored and hungry - which is why they act out, according to Y Travel Blog.
You should pack enough food, treats, entertainment and other items to occupy them during the flight. If it's an 8-hour flight, arrange for your kids to visit the cockpit with the flight attendants.
3) Getting drunk on the plane.
It's apparently easier to get drunk on a plane due to air pressure. "The higher up you go, the thinner the air gets, and when you rise in altitude fast the body doesn't get as much oxygen as it needs, which can cause symptoms of altitude sickness," according to Road Warrior Voices. "Suddenly going up to 8,000 feet increases dizziness, lightheadedness, and drowsiness, which are the symptoms of altitude sickness. These are also sensations associated with being drunk (in case you can't recall). So, altitude plus alcohol equals dizzy times two."
There are sanctions for causing a disturbance on the plane, including prison time as soon as the plane lands. It's actually a crime, according to BBC. Better think twice before having that drink.
4) Engaging your seatmate in a chat when they want to be left alone.
Some people prefer to catch up on sleep, read a good book or watch media during a long flight, so recognize the signs immediately. He or she could be putting on their earphones as soon as you're seated. They could be on the first chapters of a really thick book and are hardly looking up at anyone. Don't insist on becoming best friends with your seatmate.
5) Blocking off the aisle.
If people are still boarding the plane and you forgot to take something down from your luggage in the overheard, wait until everyone has seated. If you've seen someone you know and would like to catch up, don't hog the aisle even when the plane is mid-air. Someone might want to pass to use the lavatory. Instead, ask if it's possible to switch seats with their seatmate.
If your plane has landed, don't be so overeager about getting out that you overtake other passengers. The plane isn't going anywhere anytime soon, you'll have plenty of time to deplane.
6) Taking smelly food with you on board. Or worse, smelling bad yourself.
Take care of your personal hygiene when flying and don't attempt to remove your socks or shirt when you're up in the air. If you have lunch packed in your hand-carried luggage, at least make sure that it isn't yesterday's lunch. There is little amount of fresh air in an enclosed space and it's usually recirculated air, according to Ask The Pilot. Be mindful of your co-passengers.
Learn more about annoying airplane passenger behaviors in this infographic below:
