Remember to treat cabin crew with courtesy and respect.
Flying can test the patience of even the most relaxed traveller. A crying baby may not be the biggest challenge — it’s often the passenger who treats a 32-inch seat pitch as their own personal lounge space.
There’s the traveller who reclines their seat the moment the aircraft takes off, the one who slips off their shoes and forgets they’re still in a shared cabin, and the co-passenger who sees a stranger in the middle seat as an invitation to discuss marriage, family and life plans.
With people travelling for holidays and returning home, it’s worth remembering one simple rule: being thousands of feet above the ground doesn’t mean basic courtesy should disappear at cruising altitude.
Former cabin crew member and author Helga Jensen, who spoke to us in 2023, has witnessed plenty of unusual passenger habits during her years working on international flights. While some behaviours may be linked to cultural differences, others simply come down to forgetting that more than 200 people are sharing the same space.
1. Keep your feet to yourself
Long flights can leave passengers craving extra space, but getting comfortable should not come at the expense of someone else’s personal space.
Jensen previously recalled seeing a passenger place her feet through the gap between seats, unintentionally entering another traveller’s personal space while they were eating.
The takeaway? While the cabin is a place to relax, it remains a shared space. Keeping your shoes and socks on, and your feet within your own area, is a simple courtesy that goes a long way.
2. Be considerate when reclining your seat
The recline button is there for a reason, but using it with consideration can make the journey more comfortable for everyone.
A sudden seat adjustment can catch the passenger behind you off guard, particularly if they are working on a laptop, having a meal or using their tray table.
Jensen previously noted that meal service can become especially challenging when seats are reclined too far, leaving passengers behind with limited space to eat comfortably.
A quick check behind you before reclining is a small courtesy that can help make the journey more pleasant for everyone.
3. Help children have a comfortable flight — while considering fellow passengers
Travelling with children can be challenging, particularly on longer journeys. Young travellers may become restless during a flight, and that is a natural part of travelling with little ones.
However, small steps — such as reminding children not to kick the seat ahead or helping them clean up after snacks — can make a big difference.
Jensen previously pointed out that cabin crew often have to deal with leftover wrappers and untidy seats after flights, adding to their already demanding workload.
A little preparation can make the journey more comfortable for families and create a better experience for everyone on board.
4. Use the call button when you need help
Cabin crew are there to support passengers, and travellers should feel comfortable requesting assistance whenever needed.
However, using the call button is usually the most effective way to get their attention, rather than tapping them, repeatedly calling out or trying to stop them while they are attending to other tasks.
It is worth remembering that cabin crew are balancing passenger requests with safety responsibilities and service duties throughout the flight.
5. Arrange seat changes before boarding, if possible
Most passengers understand the desire to sit beside family members or travel companions. However, boarding is one of the busiest stages of any journey.
Trying to organise seat swaps while passengers are still finding their seats can slow down the boarding process and create delays for everyone.
If you need to request a seat change, speaking with airline staff before boarding or at the gate can help prevent delays and make the process smoother.
6. Keep phone calls brief during boarding
Boarding is often a carefully coordinated process, with passengers finding seats, storing luggage and keeping the aisle clear.
Long phone conversations while standing in the aisle can make it difficult for others to move through the cabin.
A quick goodbye message is understandable, but saving longer conversations until you are seated helps everyone settle in more efficiently.
7. Be kind to cabin crew
Cabin crew members are there to help make the journey safe and comfortable, but they are also managing hundreds of passengers and handling multiple responsibilities throughout the flight.
A polite request and a little patience can go a long way.
As Jensen’s experiences showed, many uncomfortable in-flight situations can be avoided by simply remembering that cabin crew are people carrying out a demanding job.
8. Leave the lavatory ready for the next passenger
An aircraft bathroom may be small, but it is shared by many travellers throughout the journey.
Keeping it clean, disposing of waste properly and leaving the space tidy are simple ways to be considerate towards fellow passengers.
