Navigating the Skies with Style: A Guide to Restoring the Glamour of Air Travel
Sure, flying business class helps—but with a few clever tips, you can make air travel enjoyable for everyone, no matter where you're seated!
Air travel, once synonymous with elegance and excitement, has sadly become a less-than-pleasant experience for many. Between airlines overbooking flights, squeezing passengers into cramped spaces, and a rise in passenger misbehaviour, it can feel like flying has lost its charm.
But all is not lost! With a little effort and preparation1, we can bring back the glamour of air travel, one flight at a time. As I’m preparing for an upcoming trip, I figured this would be a good time to share some of my top tips for making air travel a more comfortable and enjoyable experience - for you, and everyone around you.
1. Respect Personal Space
With limited room to move, being mindful of others' space is a good place to start. Please keep your kids, body parts, and other belongings within your seat’s boundary. Please avoid leaning over the arm rest, or leaning your seat back too far or too abruptly. Be courteous. Legroom is precious in economy, so respect it. If you need more space, get an upgraded seat, instead of taking it away from your neighbour. Small gestures like these make a big difference for everyone’s comfort.
2. Keep It Quiet
Social interaction on flights can be a highlight or a headache, depending on the passenger. Especially when travelling solo, I enjoy a casual chat with a fellow passenger beside me. It breaks the ice: you may be stuck together for a while, so breaking the silence may keep future requests (if you need to get out of your window seat to use the bathroom, for example), easier. Keep conversations light and at a considerate volume, especially if your fellow travellers are trying to rest. If you strike up a conversation, avoid controversial or sensitive topics—it’s a confined space, and everyone deserves a peaceful journey. And nobody wants to listen to two guys loudly “talking shop” for hours on end. Keep it down.
3. Be Hygienic
Keeping up with hygiene might seem like common sense, but it’s often overlooked in mid-air. Stay fresh with a quick clean-up before boarding, and try to avoid overpowering scents. And yes, while taking your shoes off may be tempting, avoid it unless necessary—smells travel faster in the air than we do!
4. Recline with Caution
We all love a bit of extra comfort on long-haul flights, but reclining without thinking of the passenger behind can ruin their experience (or their laptop screen). No need for sudden movements. Be considerate—recline slowly, and perhaps ask if the person behind you minds. Showing consideration for others' space creates a more harmonious environment. If you need more space, get an upgrade.
5. Board and Deplane Courteously
Rushing to grab overhead bin space for more than one item, or pushing to be the first off the plane can turn into a stressful frenzy. Instead, stow your items quickly and efficiently, and practice patience during both boarding and deplaning. Offering a helping hand to others and moving with calm consideration sets the tone for a smoother process. And seriously, check in your bag if you have too much to carry. You can often do so for free at the gate (you can come prepared) if you want to avoid the checked-bag fee.
Bonus Tip: Speed Through the Security Line
Want to make life easier for yourself and everyone in the security line? Please do us all a favour and leave restricted items at home! Scissors, razors, nail clippers, and even lighters can all cause delays and headaches. While personal-use items are sometimes allowed, airport security rules vary, so it's best to avoid them altogether. Streamline your carry-on to minimize unnecessary complications and make the process faster for everyone.
What to Bring to Stay Self-Sufficient
One more thing: be self-sufficient. Flights can feel long, so come prepared. Bring (noise cancelling) headphones, an iPad or other entertainment, snacks, and an (empty) refillable water bottle. Airline entertainment doesn’t always work, or may not be to your liking. Download your favourite shows at home, so you’re ready to go once in the air.
Don’t forget something to keep you comfortable, like a neck pillow or cozy jacket. With these essentials, you’ll be self-sufficient for a few hours and avoid relying too heavily on in-flight services that can sometimes be slow or unavailable.
Get Into Action
Want to take your travel experiences to the next level? Preview my Travel Revolution course for all the best tips on solo travel, travel hacking, and making the most of your time in the skies. When we travel well, we make memories that will last forever!
All my travel hacking principles still hold true to make for a better experience even as we learn how to travel again. Let’s make every flight a journey to remember, filled with courtesy, respect, and a shared appreciation for the wonders of air travel! 🌍✈️
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It seems that even most unruly passengers could become more behaved if they learned what to expect before, during and after their flight, instead of blaming everyone else. This post is “giving back” at its finest: if we can share these principles it may make everyone’s flight a little better. Speaking of which: