6 Airplane Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid

If you’ve ever been on a full flight with a loud talker, a seat-kicker, or someone blasting music with no headphones, you already know that etiquette matters—especially at 30,000 feet. But according to flight attendants, many travelers are regularly breaking the rules of good airplane behavior, often without even realizing it.

We spoke to veteran flight attendants who shared their biggest pet peeves, most common etiquette offenders, and the small courtesies that go a long way in making flights smoother for everyone onboard.

1. Do make eye contact—and lose the headphones—during service.

Multiple flight attendants mentioned one simple act that would improve service tenfold: take out your headphones. “It’s incredibly frustrating when you have to repeat yourself three times to the one passenger who won’t take off their headphones,” says Ally Murphy, former flight attendant and host of The Red Eye Podcast. “It feels rude—and it slows everything down.”

Alaska Airlines flight attendant Jenn Lujan adds, “When it’s drink service time, get off your phone and make eye contact when you order. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ are always nice to hear, too.”

2. Don’t recline without warning—or rage when someone else does.

Reclining your seat is technically your right, but how you do it matters. “The biggest etiquette mistake I see is reclining without informing the person behind you,” says Murphy. “Or being mad at the person in front for reclining. Seats recline—that’s what they’re designed to do!”

That said, Murphy recommends giving a heads-up or easing back gradually. “We’re all trapped in a tin can hurtling through the sky. Take a breath and remember: everyone’s just trying to get where they’re going.”

3. Don’t dally in the aisle.

During boarding, the biggest courtesy you can extend is to keep the line moving. “Passengers stopping to unpack or reorganize their bags in the aisle hold up everyone behind them,” says Ally Case, a flight attendant for a major U.S. carrier. “Just step into your row, stow your bag quickly, and get situated once seated.”

She also urges passengers not to stash their luggage in bins far from their seats. “Putting your bag in the front bin when you’re seated in the back causes a chain reaction and slows down boarding for everyone.”

4. Do mind your impact on other people’s senses.

Planes are tight quarters, and respecting others’ personal space goes a long way. Case calls out common offenses like loud speakerphone calls during boarding, playing videos without headphones, or eating super-smelly food. “Reheated fish or garlicky leftovers in a pressurized cabin? That smell isn’t going anywhere.”

Personal grooming is another line too often crossed. “Clipping your nails, brushing your hair, or doing an elaborate skincare routine—just no,” she says. “Self-care is great, but the plane isn’t your spa.”

And of course, check your volume. “Whether you’re five or fifty-five, if you’re watching something on your device, wear headphones,” Lujan says. “Most airlines require them anyway.”

5. Do gauge receptiveness before engaging seatmates in conversation.

Small talk can be great—but not everyone’s up for it. “Your seatmate might be traveling for a funeral, going through something heavy, or just anxious about flying,” Case notes. “It’s always best to read the room before diving into conversation.”

6. Do deplane civilly.

We all want off the plane—but there’s still a process. “Airplane etiquette when deplaning is to go row by row, front to back,” Lujan reminds. Don’t leap into the aisle the second the seatbelt sign turns off, especially if you’re in row 22.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the golden rule—be kind and thoughtful to crew members and fellow passengers alike. Even small gestures go a long way. “Every smile you give your crew makes us feel a little more appreciated,” Murphy says. “We’re not just here to serve drinks—we’re trained for medical issues and emergencies, too. We’re here to keep you safe.”