Are you an Australian planning an overseas trip? Or perhaps you have jumped on our website to look for accommodation for your stay in Sydney. Either way, you are likely to be travelling to our beautiful city via plane. We have put together some travel etiquette so you don’t wind up fellow passengers. Some is blindingly obvious while others answer those questions we have all wondered while being contained to a seat for 12 hours plus… who gets the middle arm rest?
The answer is the middle passenger gets the arm rest. It is undoubtedly the worst seat being crammed in by passengers either side. These passengers don’t get window views or easy access to the toilet – the least they can get is an arm rest. Give it up to them.
Firstly, when boarding a plane there is reason they call you up in groups depending on where you are seated. Do as they ask. If it means you are first on, that’s fine, sit back and relax and wait for the remaining passengers to board and settle into their seats.
Invest in a travel wallet. There are few things more frustrating to other guests when you get the front of the queue then start fumbling round in your bag for your passport and travel documents. Have them safely stored together in a wallet and have them accessibly or in your hand as you near the front of the queue.
Patience is paramount when travelling. There is bound to be someone who is going to wind you up or annoy you, but deep breath. You are spending many hours cooped in a cabin with these people. Smile and be polite and offer to help where you can.
Lastly, reclining your seat can be a bit awkward as you push the button and push your seat back into your neighbour’s space. The extremely cramped quarters of economy class are uncomfortable enough as is, so taking away even a smidgen of seat space makes the flight that much more unpleasant. It is common curtsey to a) ask before you recline and b) sit upright during meal times.
And finally, sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.