Over the years, there has been much discussion in the aviation world about the etiquette of reclining your seat into the passenger’s space behind you. Is this an inherently rude act? When is it acceptable? What is the best way to recline?
But amid all the fuss, one aspect of airline etiquette is being overlooked: the seat in front of you and how you treat it during the flight.
“When traveling on a plane, it’s important to pay attention to the seat in front of you,” etiquette coach Jamila Musayeva told HuffPost. “Space on a plane is shared and can be quite cramped, so we all need to make an effort to be considerate of others.”
Politeness and mindfulness are very important in these uncomfortable circumstances.
“Those seats are pretty thin, so just be aware that the person in front of you is going to feel absolutely everything,” said Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the podcast “Were You Raised by Wolves?” “Sitting on an airplane is a team sport, and we’re all in this together.”
The tray table is not a replacement for a regular table.
“This may come as a complete surprise, but the tray table is designed for your dining convenience — it’s there for drinks, snacks, and the occasional meal,” said Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. “Your tray table is there to hold lighter items.”
She cautioned against using the table as a replacement drum set or drafting table, or placing a heavy laptop on it.
“You should not hit the keys of your laptop or wobble, bounce or tap,” Smith added. “The tray table is attached to the chair in front of you. Any movement of your tray table will cause additional, and usually unwanted, movement of that chair and should be avoided as much as possible.”
Try to drive calmly and smoothly so that you do not disturb the passenger in front of you.
“Be careful and go slow, especially when opening and closing the tray table,” Leighton said. “No sudden movements!”
Chair pockets are not intended for your feet or other belongings.
“Bean bags are designed to hold safety information, sickness bags and the occasional magazine,” Smith said. “They are not designed as foot rests. Try not to hook the back of your heel into the opening, as that can cause lower back pain to the passenger whose back you are pressing on.”
The same goes for your personal belongings.
“Don’t overfill the pockets or you’ll likely have items pushing into the back of the person in front of you,” Leighton said.
Be careful, even with small objects.
“It is important to be careful when placing items in the chair’s storage pocket or on the table, as the person in front of you can feel every push and pull,” Musayeva says.
Do not use the backrest as a lever to get up.
“When getting out of your chair, avoid pulling on the back of the chair in front of you for leverage when standing up,” Musayeva said. “This can be very distracting and uncomfortable for the person sitting there.
She recommended using the armrests or sides of your own chair for support.
“It’s about being aware that the space you’re interacting with is connected to someone else’s comfort,” she added. “Remember to keep your movements to a minimum during the flight, as repeated jerking of the seat can be quite disconcerting to the person sitting in front of you.”
And if you want to enjoy the in-flight entertainment, pay attention to how hard you press your fingers on the touchscreen.
Don’t ignore your children’s kicking.
“If you’re traveling with kids, a pre-flight conversation about seat kicking is a good place to start,” Leighton says. “And then pack plenty of low-key but fun activities and entertainment to keep them occupied during the flight.”
He also recommended looking into inflatable and adjustable footrests for toddlers.
“For parents traveling with little ones, it can understandably be a challenge to keep them calm and entertained during a flight,” Musayeva said. “It’s important to quickly address behaviors like kicking the seat in front of them. A gentle but firm reminder to your child about why kicking is not appropriate can often help. Explaining that someone else is sitting in front of them who may be trying to sleep or relax can encourage empathy.”
Books, toys and games can also reduce restless behavior.
“If the kicking continues and you’re having trouble coping, apologizing to the passenger in front of you and explaining the situation can go a long way,” Musayeva added. “Most people appreciate it when parents actively try to manage their children’s behavior, even if it can’t be completely prevented.”