The Most Impolite Mistakes You're Probably Making on an Airplane

Okay, so its that time of the year where you pack your bags and whisk yourself to a far away country, city or state to enjoy the spirit of Christmas in another dimension.

During the mad rush to get home in time for the holidays, we're bound to see some atrocious manners. From the seemingly innocent and oblivious to the downright rude and obnoxious, the busy holiday season has a way of bringing out the worst behavior.

To help you travel with ease, we've rounded up some of the biggest travel faux pas and tips to help you avoid them. While you can't force someone else to practice good manners, you can ensure you're not a part of the circus by following these guidelines the next time you board a plane.

1. Don't linger around the boarding gate

Line up only when the flight staff has begun the queue process. You may think you can budge in line and secure a better chance of getting your carry-on bag on board, but you're really just creating more chaos and stress for the staff and your fellow passengers, Condé NastTraveler revealed.

2. Use just one armrest

Even if you're in the middle seat, it's rude to use both, according to a travel survey from British Airways. "You should take one, and you should share one," travel expert Brittany Jones-Cooper told Yahoo Finance.

3. If you must take your shoes off, leave your socks on

While 59 percent of British Airway passengers said they don't mind shoeless passengers, etiquette expert Lizzie Post, president at the Emily Post Institute, disagrees. "Out of consideration for other passengers, to the best of your ability we advise you to keep your shoes on while on the airplane," she told The Washington Post. At the very least, socks should always remain on.


4. Always wake up your seatmate before squeezing by

Politely and gently wake them up before you make a dash to the restroom. "Absolutely wake the person up," Lizzie said. "When possible, the aisle person has an etiquette obligation to make it easy for the other people."


5. Keep small talk to a minimum

Let your fellow passengers relax and sleep. And if you're trying to politely wrap up a conversation, let them know you're going to read your book or listen to music now.


6. Avoid disruptions like getting up from your seat

Survey participants agreed that restless passengers are annoying. "If you're in the window and need to cross over somebody, about 80 percent of people said you can do that once really," Brittany said. If you tend to get fidgety on flights and need to get up and stretch, opt for an aisle seat.


7. Look behind you before you recline

Does the person sitting to your rear have food, drinks, or devices propped on their table? If so, you should recline carefully and let them know you're about to sit back, according to NBC News travel columnist James Wysong.

8. Make a decision about the window shade-and stick to it

If you're in the window seat, it's your call, but don't irk other travelers by putting it up and down repeatedly. "People can adjust to your steady light but not to your indecision," James wrote.   

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