How to Be THAT Irritating Person on a Plane

(62 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Laurie Zeller

Apple Valley, MN
Walt Disney World, Florida ~ A Dreamer's Paradise

I don't specialize in Disney Destinations because I took classes or studied books. It’s because I truly have a passion for Disney. I take my own personal vacations to Disney Destinations and have been to them 50+ times.

Walt Disney World. A...

Airplane Etiquette

Wanna know how to irritate everyone around you when you're on a plane? Well here's your guide....


#1 Bathe Yourself in Perfume or Body Spray – I get it. You want to smell nice and you enjoy that particular scent, which is why you bought it in the first place. But that doesn’t mean everyone else finds it to be pleasant. There are far too many people who have a sensitivity to scent. It could just be mildly irritating to those around you. But sometimes it can cause a full-blown migraine to someone who is highly sensitive.


#2 Replace a Shower with Perfume or Body Spray – NO! Just NO! Not ever!! There is no such thing as a replacement for a shower. I cannot emphasize this point enough! I was once on a long haul flight seated in front of a man who clearly hadn’t showered in several days. To the point of causing nausea to those anywhere near him. And this was in First Class!! Thankfully because it was First Class, I was provided with a nice blanket that I could use to literally cover my face and avoid the noxious scent from overwhelming me for 7 hours. “Maybe no one will notice” is not a thing when it comes to airplanes.


#3 Take Off Your Shoes and Socks – First of all, foot care is a sadly underused service. And even if you do get regular pedicures, feet are generally considered to be one of the more disgusting parts of the body. No one wants to see your bare feet on an airplane. Both women and men should have their feet taken care of with a pedicure. Especially if you’re going to a tropical destination where your feet will be on display during most of the day. Regardless of your destination or whether or not you’ve had a pedicure, please keep your feet covered and to yourself. Picture John Candy and Steve Martin in the film, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” where Candy takes off his shoes followed by this socks and proceeds to wave his socks in the air. Gag reflex initiated! Keep in mind too, that keeping your feet could possibly swell in the pressurized conditions. Perfect reason to take your shoes off, right? No! Plan to wear comfortable shoes that aren’t too tight.


#4 Use the Armrest of the Seat in Front of You as Your Footrest – Ewww. First of all, that armrest, is just that. An ARMrest. Not a footrest. And it belongs to the person in front of you. Not you! Inevitably the person who chooses to do this has also taken off their shoes and socks and hasn’t had a pedicure. Ever. Keep all of your body parts in your won seat, thank you. 


#5 Recline Your Seat in Economy/Coach Class – This one is kind of a touchy subject. I tend to believe that when you’re traveling in coach/economy class like most of us do, then you should keep your seat upright at all times. However, if you feel the need to recline your seat, how about the simple courtesy of asking the person behind you if they would mind? Slamming your seat back and into the nose of the person behind you without thought or concern for their limited personal space is rude. Plus it also tends to cause their beverage to land in their lap.


#6 You’re Sick and Think It’s Everyone’s Else’s Responsibility to Protect Themselves - I’m hoping that in the times of COVID19 that people have become more aware of how quickly and easily germs are spread. If you are sick and must travel, please know that it truly is your responsibility to keep your germs from spreading. Bring a travel-size pouch of antibacterial wipes with you. At the end of your flight, wipe down everything you can. Use hand sanitizer liberally. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and wipe down the sink with antibacterial wipes. If you’re sneezing or coughing, please do so into the crook of your arm. Not into your hands which are far more likely to come into contact with your surroundings. 


#7 Claim the Armrests for Yourself – Simple etiquette. If you’re in an aisle seat, the aisle armrest is yours. If you’re in a window seat, the window armrest is yours. If there is no one in the middle seat, then you can use the middle armrests as well. But if there is a poor soul who is stuck in the middle seat, then give them the very small courtesy of allowing them to have both of the middle armrests. 

See more travel stories
Return to my Adventures by Disney ~ The Stories of Our World page
©  Travel Leaders Group