Airplane Etiquette: How to Be a Polite Passenger

When you board the plane with a carry-on or shoulder bag, hold it in front of you, not at your side, as you walk down the aisle.
When you reach your seat, quickly put one bag in the overhead bin above your seat or nearby. Be careful not to squash other people’s belongings.
If you see someone having trouble lifting a suitcase, offer to help if you can.
If you have an aisle seat, keep your elbow and feet from protruding into the aisle.
If the person in the aisle seat is sleeping and you need to get out of your row, softly say, “Excuse me,” and if necessary, tap them lightly on the arm. It’s okay to wake someone up if you do it gently.

Keep any work materials, newspapers, and magazines you are using from overflowing into your seatmate’s space.

If your seatmate is reading, working, or has their eyes closed, they don’t want to talk. If your seatmate would like to chat, but you wouldn’t, smile and answer a few questions with a yes or no. If that doesn’t work, be direct but polite: “It’s been nice chatting with you. I’m going to use this time to read/work/sleep. Thanks for understanding.”

Keep noise to a minimum, whether talking with another passenger or reading to a child. If your child plays a video game or watches a movie on a laptop, use the headset or your earbuds. Your neighbor shouldn’t be able to hear it.
If you are sick, consider postponing your trip. If you cannot or do not want to postpone your trip and are coughing/sneezing, be sure to wear a mask on the plane. Otherwise, everyone around you is going to be very upset with you–and rightly so.
Don’t stay longer than necessary in the lavatory and leave the space neat and clean.
Try not to block the view of those watching the inflight movie or other entertainment. If you must stand to retrieve something from the overhead bin, be as quick as possible.

It’s your privilege to recline your seat, but it is considerate to do so only partway or to first ask the passenger behind you if he minds.
Show respect for the flight attendants. They are there to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all the passengers on the plane. Always comply with their requests and guidance; and do remember to say “Please” and “Thank you” when asking or receiving something from them.