18 Unwritten Rules of Flying (that you're probably breaking)

Too many travelers still get this wrong... here are 18 things NOT to do on a plane. Are YOU Guilty of Breaking These Unspoken Flight Rules?

These are travel mistakes to avoid making on a long flight that really annoy flight attendants and other passengers. Discover the secret rules of airplane manners that will make your flight so much more comfortable even if it is your first time flying on an airplane.

Find out where to put your luggage, suitcase and personal item bag, why you should never ask the flight attendants to help you lift heavy bags, and who owns the armrests. Learn how to sleep without getting bothered, when you can switch seats, and how to order drinks like a pro. We'll even talk about stinky feet, farts, and wearing masks when you're sick. These are essential long hual flight tips that every flier needs to know in 2023. Join the conversation in the comments and subscribe for more weekly travel tips and hacks. Happy Travels!

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Trip Tips Newsletter: Join over 5,000 travelers diving into smart travel secrets, receiving personalized advice, and uncovering savvy hacks.
00:00 What not to do on an airplane
00:21 Flying with personal item
00:45 DO NOT ask this!
01:07 Middle seat on plane
01:36 Essential seatbelt rule
01:58 Switch seats on plane
02:28 Drinks on plane
02:52 Meal on flight
03:03 Bulkhead seats
03:50 Headphones on plane
04:10 Aisle seat on plane
04:35 Window seat rules
04:57 DO NOT do this on airplane
05:24 Don't be that passenger...
05:52 What NOT to wear on airplane
06:19 Food allowed on plane
06:31 Do you need a mask?
06:50 Rules for getting off plane

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// ABOUT

Welcome to Portable Professional, your go-to resource for stress-free travel.

Megan here, Hello! I’ve taken well over 300 flights and countless trips in the last decade. I have learned how to have seamless travel experiences without unnecessary stress and anxiety. I’m here to help you also feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.

Ready for stress-free travels? Subscribe and join us every Wednesday and Sunday for informative videos full of practical tips. You'll learn how to navigate airport security, pack like a pro, identify scams, and even uncover little-known hacks to take your travel to the next level. (these are my specialty!)

[PortableProfessional]

Missing just one document can derail your international adventure. Grab the free checklist and ensure you're fully prepped for takeoff.

[Hhhh-w]

This should be played at all airports and before flights

[caroleanne]

The best thing I ever saw flight attendants do was on a flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. It was our last flight coming home from Europe and we were very tired. The plane was full of rowdies, all getting ready to party and win in LV. As soon as the captain said everyone should fasten seat belts as we were descending for landing, most people got out of their seats to get their luggage out of overhead bins so they could rush off the plane. The flight attendants, rather than arguing with people, just shut off all the lights. It was total darkness, like being in a black tube. We knew this wasn't his first rodeo. 🤣

[janetallnutt]

Another thing that some people insist on doing but is really rude : grabbing the headrest of the seat in front of them to hoick themselves out of their seat ! This is a NO under any circumstances. How would you feel if you were just falling asleep and someone jerked your head back 20 centimeters ? The correct way to get out of your seat is to push down on the armrests. I'm 72, partially disabled and I can do it easily so there's no excuse.

[dannym]

As an additional point....Once you`re off the plane and waiting to collect your luggage from the carousel, stand well back from the carousel. I PROMISE you will be able to see your bags coming well before they reach you. Then, walk forwards, collect your bag, & leave. This stops the idiotic practice of crowds leaning over each other, fighting for the front spot, trying to spot their bag stopping everyone else spotting their bag.

[Serendipitytani]

I’m a retired flight attendant and I wish every human could read these tips. Great information Thanks!

[basementstudio]

I agree with all these except the window shade one. I pick the window seat mainly because I must have a whale sized bladder and rarely get up to go to the bathroom. And I like endlessly looking out the window. I will close it if there is direct sunlight streaming through and bothering passengers near me but otherwise it's open.

[scpatlnow]

I have one more rule. When the plane lands and people are getting off, don't take your time and chat with your friends while getting your bags out of the overhead. Get them out and move along. Also related...if you are not time constrained by a quick connection or this is your last leg and you are sitting in the window, allow other passengers trying to make a connection to get off ahead of you. You're just going to sit at baggage claim and wait anyway.

[butalina]

I once had a passenger in front of me drape her long hair over the screen on the back of her seat which is the seatback facing me...I asked her nicely to mover her hair...she acted like she didn't hear me...I asked the flight crew and they then asked her...she refused...I then told my wife..."Hon I am in the mood for a lot of bubble or chewing gum....I knew she had some...she said sure here you go how much do you want....I stated the whole damn pack....The lady then moved her hair and I was not bothered the rest of the flight..

[mkaltreider]

#19 When the crew asks everyone to wait to exit the plane so people with connecting flights can leave first, *stay* *seated* or move out of the way unless you have a connecting flight to catch. 


This usually happens when the plane is late on arrival and the connecting flight is about to leave. I appreciate this and have run across the terminal myself, only to see some from my flight are heading to baggage claim - and they exited the same time I did. I've also been a passenger who waited, so those with connecting flights can try to make their flight.

[eftsoulpath]

Good tips. A little common courtesy is to smile at your seat mates as you take your seat.. You don’t even need to speak to them. A little acknowledgment goes a long ways ❤

[dulcielong]

I have a personal rule that I must always where a long-sleeved top on the flight, even if it's very hot outside. I don't want my bare skin touching strangers. This is just my personal thing but it seems to make sense to me. Thanks so much for your videos! I find them entertaining and informative.

[Northerngulf]

I've wished for an unwritten rule that asks passengers without close connections to please stay seated to let people with tight schedules disembark first.

[NatsuMatto]

1) The middle seat is trash. Near literal torture on a long-haul flight.

2) On my most recent flight from Madrid to Chicago, I was seated in the emergency row/bulkhead aisle (in seats A & B in your diagram). I watched for 9 hours as people constantly cut across the middle bulkhead row, forcing people to lift their legs or move themselves so that these other passengers could move between the bathrooms on either side. I really felt sorry for those people seated there.

3) Also a new phenomenon that happened on BOTH flights to and from Europe -- jackasses playing their music and videos through phones and laptops WITHOUT USING HEADPHONES. I felt like I was going insane. Are people really that clueless these days about being in a shared public space?

[maryusa]

Packing for a trip/flight is a skill. I taught myself to only have a carry-on plus a small backpack for important necessities. I got so good at it, that, while others waited for their luggage, I just walked off the plane, and out of the airport. This skill is worth the trouble and time it takes to learn.😊

[cathiek]

Thank you for the great tips! One thing, though. Sometimes there's a reason that someone needs to get off quickly. I had that happen recently. Normally, when getting off the plane, I wait in line, as you should. On my last return flight, however, I had an emergency going on back at home and I had to catch the airport bus back into town. If I missed it, the next bus was quite a wait. With the benefit of hindsight, now I know that the best thing in this type of situation is to check with a flight attendant at the start of the flight and maybe they can help. Otherwise, people will almost always assume the worst of your intentions. I'm so thankful for the people who gave me the benefit of the doubt and helped me get off a little earlier than I otherwise would have. Then I ran like crazy to catch the bus! Blessings on those wonderful, kind people who helped.

[geebrewer]

If you are sitting towards the back of the jet, do not put your luggage in the front of the jet overheads. Those are for the passengers who sit there.

[davidcurtis]

I like the list. I would add 2. If boarding, and you are first to your row in aisle, don’t sit and buckle all up. There are others coming to occupy the remaining seats. Wish they could just board all the windows, then middles, then Aisles. 2nd, and this is controversial, but stop asking others to switch seats so you can sit with family. I book my flights and seats months ahead, usually window b/c I never leave my seat during flight. Just book adjacent seats for your companions, or book a different flight, or get over the separation for a few short hours. Don’t punish someone who planned ahead for your own convenience.

[valerief]

These should be WRITTEN rules, I don’t mind switching seats with a large or tall person if they’re on the middle, but my arm rests should say they’re for the middle. Great content!!!

[glasscity]

I usually stay in my seat to the plane is nearly empty so I don’t have to rush and able to triplecheck that I have everything. Find this also allows the time to say a sincere thank you to the crew whilst departing the plane.