Travelers often forget how important travel etiquette really is. Whether you’re on an airplane or in a tour group, it’s important to be courteous of others. Perhaps if airlines added the travel etiquette tips below to their pre-departure safety presentation, it would make the travel experience more pleasing. Read these travel etiquette tips and brush up on proper travel etiquette before your next trip!

When Embarking:

If you block the aisle for more than 5 seconds and people are waiting behind you, you should move into a row to let people pass.

We’ve all found ourselves to be the last to board a plane with no room to put our bags in the overhead bins because they’re filled with small items! How to prevent this? Don’t put things that fit under the seat into overhead bins until everyone has boarded. I wouldn’t be surprised if airlines make this a policy one day. 2

Keep the cabin odor neutral, so no strong perfume or food with a strong odor. This can make other passengers feel uncomfortable.

Once on Board:  

If meals are being served on your flight, ask the person behind you if they’d like you to move your seat up. After I did this just once, I noticed a few people around me did the same. Courtesy can be contagious!

When Disembarking:

Let those seated in front of you out first unless they clearly are not ready to disembark.

When arriving at the carousel to claim your checked luggage, imagine how easy it would be to claim your bag if everyone stood 5 feet away from the carousel!

Unruly Kids on Your Flight?

If there are unruly rids on your flight and you are uncomfortable raising the issue directly with their parents, simply bring it up with a flight attendant.

Flying With Your Kids?

It’s common to give the kids tablets with games and movies to keep them occupied. If you decide to do this, be sure they either have headphones or that the devices are on mute. People nearby may not want to listen to that.

If You Fall Sick on Flight Day…

This survey by National Foundation for Infections Diseases found that 2/3 of Americans would still fly knowing they had the flu! Unfortunately, this is exactly how I ended up catching the flu.

Strict airline terms often pressure you to fly sick. If you ever find yourself in this situation, consider wearing a hygienic mask on the plan, which you can purchase at any pharmacy. If the plane isn’t full, tell the flight attendant that you aren’t feeling well and requested to be seated further away from other passengers.

Your Neighbor Falls Asleep On You

This could happen to anyone, so it’s important to handle it as you would want if you were the “sloucher.” Next time someone falls asleep on your shoulder, gently wake the person and apologize for waking him/her.

When Visiting Scenic Areas

These days. It seems that more and more people are taking in a beautiful view through their phone rather than looking with their eyes. When you are taking pictures or filming, be aware of your surroundings and be careful not to turn into anyone.

If people are waiting behind you, give yourself your fair share of time to take in the view, yet be courteous to the people waiting behind you. After all, the first few minutes of soaking in a beautiful view are the most dramatic.

Do Not Record Others!

Odds are you’ve seen pictures posted online of people demonstrating poor travel etiquette. As tempting as it may be to do this, it is a form of 21st century bullying. Also, if the person catches you recording them, it will embarrass that person (and yourself) at the very least or worse, it could escalate into an ugly confrontation.

With so many travel etiquette tips, just remember to abide by the same policies you do in the workplace, while also showing the same consideration you would at church.

CLICK HERE to hear me discuss travel etiquette on CBC

Russell Hannon, Break The Travel Barrier | September 27, 2016

Once feeling unable to afford to travel, Russell Hannon uses lean principles to travel at a fraction of the going rate. He has been covered by CNBC, FOX, CBS, America Tonight, CTV, CBC, Around the World Travel TV and nationally broadcast lifestyle and personal finance shows. He is the founder of breakthetravelbarrier.com and is the author of Stop Dreaming Start Traveling: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling More and Spending Less.