passengers complain about low service standards, delays, etc. Airport and airline staff, meanwhile complain about passengers misbehaviour. WHICH IS MORE REVOLTING A SLOPPY CUSTOMER SERVICE OR CRUDE BEHAVIOUR OF A FELLOW PASSENGER?

BUSINESS TRAVELER: 

PLAIN ETIQUETTE FOR THE PLANE 

Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential

Taking a flight has become almost as simple, easy and affordable as taking a train or a bus. That is why air travel is the most preferred mode of travel for business and holiday. It offers true value for money, saves time, enables one to cover vast distances and many destinations in reasonable comfort and is a relatively safe mode of travel.

Yet, passengers complain about low service standards, delays, inattentive or rude staff, overbooking, damage or lost baggage, poor security, etc. Airport and airline staff, meanwhile complain about passengers arriving late, cutting ahead in queues, insisting on services not entitled to, argue with staff and other forms of misbehavior.

Here are a few tips on air travel etiquette at various points that will make flying a pleasure for all involved.Each passenger has the right to a comfortable flight, so..

1. Hygiene is of prime importance, especially on long-haul flights. So, if you wish to remove your shoes ensure that your feet or socks are not smelly. Do not wear a shirt that smells of sweat. Ensure that your breath does not smell of stale food or alcohol. Do use mouth fresheners often.

2. Definitely do not show up drunk. In the plane, drink moderately, so that you are neither a source of nuisance nor amusement to others.

3. Eat neatly, without loud chewing noises and slurping sound. Keep your mouth closed when chewing. Do leave your tray as neat as possible when you finish.

4. Keep the sound and noise down. Play your personal movie, music system, or game with headphones. Even then keep the volume low. Noisy videos and games disturb those trying to sleep. Talk softly. It is poor manners to talk loudly and non-stop inside the plane, whether discussing business or private matters in public.

5. A bit of decent affection between couples is fine, but your actions should not embarrass others.

6. Close the window shades if the sun streams in sharply. Open it when the in-flight crew directs you to do so.

7. If you have an aisle seat, do not lean over your co-passenger in the window to look at a view described by the pilot.

8. Do not hog the arm-rest throughout the flight. Also allow your neighbour to use it. Stay within your space. Do not splay your legs out. Keep body contact with strangers to the minimum.

9. Do not peep sidewards to read your neighbour's paper, book or laptop.

10. Read a book, magazine or a tabloid. Do not violate the limited personal space of your neighbour by opening a broad newspaper. Fold it – London tube style.

11. Do not chat when you can clearly see your neighbour wants silence to read, sleep or work.

12. Bring an inflatable pillow to rest your head on, rather than using your neighbour’s shoulder.

13. It is particularly important in a closed environment that you don't spread germs if you sneeze or cough. So carry tissues with you.

14. When the movie is on, do not stand too long and block the views of others watching the film.

15. Laptop users:Keep the sound down. Use headphones. Avoid watching embarrassing movies or sites. To keep snoops out, use a filter (a good one costs about 5000/-) that limits viewing to the person sitting bang in front of the screen. Side viewers see a dark screen.

16.When Exiting the plane: Keep the follow good manners in mind...

The seat:If you are seated where it will take some time to get out, it does not make sense to jump up and over people’s legs, push or elbow other passengers, open the over-head bin and pull your bag out (and unintentionally hit someone on the head or in the eye with the bin cover or your bag).

The aisle:Do not block the aisle when you collect your stuff and repack. Do all this in advance, or after all passengers have deplaned. Remember that many passengers have connecting flights to take and must deplane fast.

Courtesy:Thank the hostess politely when you leave. Acknowledge her thank you with a pleasant smile.


Have a safe journey and enjoy your flight.