17 Things You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do on an Airplane

Most of us have been "that person" during a flight without even realizing it. If the thought of being the passenger that others onboard gripe about makes you grab for the complimentary puke bag in the seat pouch, read on to find out how you can contribute to a better in-flight experience for yourself and those around you.

To have the best travel experience possible, keep certain items close to you during your flight. For instance, items like phone chargers and medications that you may want to grab at any given time should be packed in the bag you keep under your seat, not the carry-on luggage overhead. Avoid going up there whenever possible. You don't want to rearrange the bags of others, or worse, get knocked in the head by a falling bag.

Image courtesy of @KayleighHarrington via Twenty20

No one enjoys using the lavatories on planes. While you should try to keep hydrated by drinking water in-flight, you can avoid waiting in annoying bathroom lines early in the flight by watching how much you drink before boarding the plane. Since you're gauging what you drink, don't consume too many carbonated or alcoholic beverages, either. Both kinds of drinks slightly dehydrate you, and alcohol might make you a little too comfortable with raising your volume while flying.

For those of us who have a hard time editing down what we want to pack, here's a tip: Wear as many layers as you can. The weight allowance for your bags can seem restrictive, but if you have to tie your favorite pair of jeans around your waist in order to cut down luggage poundage, so be it. Since it's usually freezing onboard (and who knows who has used that blanket today), this can also be a practical way to stay warm while in the air.

Many people opt for bringing food from home or the airport over purchasing expensive plane meals (and sometimes food services aren't offered on shorter flights). While this is allowed, you should be considerate of your fellow passengers and avoid food with strong smells. The lingering scent of fast food is uncomfortable for the entire plane. Don't be that person.

When boarding the plane, place your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin directly above your row—not the first row you find with a free space. Also, only one piece of luggage should go up there, while your personal item (or second bag) should always go under your seat. If everyone did this, disembarking planes would be much quicker and more efficient. Not to mention, in case you do need access to your overhead bag, you wouldn't have to keep track of where you stowed it.

The pressurization and high altitude of airplanes make the air notoriously dry. If you wear contacts, this is the perfect recipe for uncomfortable eyes in the sky. Consider removing your contacts during the flight and wearing your prescribed frames instead. You can pop your lenses right back in when you land.

It's unanimous that everyone on the plane is frustrated with the family who can't figure out who is sitting where, and as a result, a line backs up down the aisle until they figure it out. It inconveniences others, including the crew members who need to keep to a tight schedule, when you don't take a seat after stowing your luggage. Know your seat assignment, and take it as soon as possible after securing your bag. Let others through to their seats before rearranging anything.

Even if you've flown a million times before, don't feel so confident about your knowledge of emergency safety procedures. Official regulations change all the time, or you may be on a kind of plane you've never flown on with different exit instructions. Zoning out during the emergency landing instructions could mean the difference between life and death in a real- life situation (which you can't predict!). Listen up every time.

You're better off covering up if the stream of air coming from the overhead nozzle gives you a chill. That gust of air blasts germs that have the potential to make you sick. You can turn the nozzle off if you want to, but a chill now can prevent an actual cold (or worse) later.

Image courtesy of @smrobinsn via Twenty20

Similar to the safety instructions, too many people completely ignore the seat belt indicator light when it's illuminated, alerting passengers to remain seated. You'll even see flight attendants approach people standing up while the light is on to ask them to comply. Those lights are turned on to communicate with you and keep you safe. The crew knows much more information about the current conditions of your flight than you do, so if the light is on, there's a reason why. Crew members actually put themselves at risk to ensure you're as safe as possible.

The flight attendants aren't lying when they say they're happy to help you, but understand that they have the tasks of being a server, safety coordinator and ambassadors for their cultures and companies, sometimes to hundreds of people all at once. This means they're constantly helping with luggage, distributing food and drinks based on individual preferences, all while scanning the plane (with a smile) for inevitable call buttons and unexpected issues that arise. Be grateful to these hard-working employees by being courteous and not abusing the call button.

Granted, the airlines haven't been the best at designing armrests in three-seater rows. Either the person in the middle hogs both, or they plug their headphones into the wrong outlet without thinking. Especially if you're the middle man (which everyone hates, we know), take a moment to see which armrest is yours. Hint: There should only be one per passenger.

Here's another one of those things that would have a ripple effect if everyone followed suit. When the carts begin their way down the tight aisles, you know what time it is. You may not necessarily be enjoying food or drink every time this happens, but if you are, the person in front of you would be doing you a service to return their seats to the upright position so that you can eat comfortably. Do unto others as you wish the guy or gal in front of you would do unto you. Try not to recline during mealtimes.

Again, it's possible you might not be hungry, or want to sleep your way through a flight, but that doesn't mean you should ever miss out on freebies! Don't want that snack now? Pack it in your carry-on to munch on later. Are exclusive TV shows, movies or documentaries available in-flight? Now is the time (while you're just sitting there) to catch up on that show you've been meaning to watch or see that movie that left theaters when you finally made time to go. Just saying.

Don't get stuck in your seat for the entire duration of the flight. When we sit in the same position for hours, our blood doesn't circulate the way it needs to. This can cause problems for passengers who already have circulation issues. When the "fasten seat belt" sign is off, take a stroll or two up and down the aisles. If you must stay seated, move your limbs in small, circular motions while you sit to increase blood flow.

Admittedly, taking your shoes off when you're flying can relieve stiffness for some. But for your own good, keep feet covered up. The floors of a plane have a collective cocktail of germs from people (including you) transferring between regions, bringing whatever filth their shoes have picked up onboard the plane. When you go barefoot, you invite this combination of germs to come into contact with your skin. Also, you may not be able to smell your own body odor, but it's possible everyone else can. Avoid the unpleasant stares, and plan to wear more comfy shoes onboard the plane.

The closer a row is to the front of the plane, the faster and easier it is for all involved to retrieve their bags (from their own overhead bins), and so on until the last row has cleared out. When passengers are pushy and jump ahead of their turns, they disregard the reasons of why disembarking systems are in place, including the possibility of special accommodations for disabled or elderly people. Respect others and you should always have a good flight.