Etiquette Experts Are Literally Begging You To Avoid These Super Rude Habits When Boarding A Plane

Buzz Feed

06-04-2025

Air travel can be stressful, but that doesn't give you license to be rude and disrespectful at the airport or on the plane. One particular area where manners seem to go out the window is the boarding process.
'When preparing to board the plane, being mindful of your fellow passengers is crucial,' Jackie Vernon-Thompson, the founder of From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette, told HuffPost. 'It always helps boarding to run smoothly.'
To help make the process more pleasant and efficient, HuffPost asked Vernon-Thompson and other etiquette experts to share the most common faux pas at this stage in the travel journey ― as well as their advice for avoiding these missteps.
Crowding The Boarding Gate
'Don't be gate lice!' said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. 'These are the people who crowd around the gate at the first pre-boarding announcement. Please look at your boarding documentation, see if you have a boarding group, then wait until your group is called.'
Patience goes a long way amid the stress of air travel. Just breathe, step back from the boarding line, and wait patiently for your turn.
'It is most annoying when you are to board the plane and passengers congregate at the entrance, and you must tiptoe through and consistently say, 'Excuse me, excuse me,'' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Give way. It is not your turn. Respect those who were called to board. That is only proper etiquette.'
'Airlines have established a situation where boarding airplanes is increasingly stressful,' Smith said. 'Charging for checked luggage and then telling full-flight passengers there will not be enough overhead space creates scarcity and increases anxiety.'
Many people opt to fly with just a carry-on suitcase that goes in the overhead bin to avoid needing to arrive at the airport earlier and lug around a massive, heavy bag. Plus, traveling light is better for the environment as heavier luggage necessitates more fuel and thus increases your carbon footprint. But that can lead to greater competition for bin space, too.
'Now you have a situation where passengers feel they must be on the plane ASAP, otherwise there will not be enough space for their belongings,' Smith said. 'Let's face it, no one wants to spend longer on the plane, but people want to board first to make sure there is still room in the overheads.'
That doesn't mean it's OK to skip ahead and get on board before your designated time, however.
'It should go without saying, but don't try to sneak on the plane before your group is called,' said Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the Were You Raised by Wolves? podcast.
Being Unprepared To Board
'When boarding the plane, have your boarding pass out and ready to scan once you reach the entrance,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Be prepared for every checkpoint in an airport.'
Ensuring your documents are ready and familiarizing yourself with your seat on the plane helps make the boarding process more efficient for everyone.
'Be ready to store your carry-on and step out of the aisle where your seat is located,' said Diane Gottsman, the author of Modern Etiquette for a Better Life and founder of The Protocol School of Texas. 'Allow people to continue to pass quickly.'
Pushing Past People
'Don't push on the jetway,' Smith said. 'There will be waiting as those who are on the plane find their seats and settle.'
Avoid trying to push past people in the narrow plane aisle, too. Accept that waiting is inevitable, and just do your part to stow your belongings and take your seat as efficiently as you can when your turn comes.
'Don't pass someone putting their bag in the overhead,' Smith advised. 'It may be tempting to scooch by, but those aisles are very tight; just wait a moment.'
Blocking Walkways
'Once you board the plane, as quickly as possible, get to your seat. If you must place your carry-on in the overhead space, do so efficiently, then sit,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Do not block the aisle longer than necessary. Be mindful of the line behind you.'
In addition to quickly stepping out of the aisle on the plane, you should remember to give clearance to passengers deplaning as you wait to board.
'Don't block the walkways. Having a solid wall of standing people, wheelchairs, carriages, and roller bags makes it difficult for those who landed and are trying to leave the gate,' Smith said. 'I deplaned last night, and those waiting to board were all standing and crowding the gate, slowing the exit and leaving only a small space for those leaving the plane to squeeze through.'
'The overhead bin above your seat does not belong to you,' Leighton said. 'Sharing is caring.'
As airline policies note, you are entitled to place a small carry-on bag that fits within size limits in the overhead bin. However, your smaller purse or other bag must go under the seat in front of you.
Don't take up more than your fair share of bin space. If you prefer having more leg space, opt to check a bag instead.
Stopping To Chat
'Don't stop and talk to your friends or people you might recognize. It holds up the line,' Gottsman noted.
Of course, it's exciting when you run into someone you haven't seen in a long time while traveling. But don't block people from boarding with your catch-up. And be mindful of noise with any conversations you have during the boarding process.
'Do not shout to the back or front to get the attention of a friend or relative,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'When the time allows, simply walk to them to briefly converse and return to your seat.'
Sitting In The Wrong Seat
'Familiarize yourself with your seat number,' Gottsman advised. 'If you accidentally sit in someone else's seat, of course, apologize, but have your boarding pass ready to confirm whether it is your seat or someone else's.'
Mistakes happen, but try to take a moment to double-check you have the right seat before sitting. And don't intentionally plop down in another seat, either.
'Never take someone else's assigned seat without permission,' Leighton said.
If there's a reason you might want to swap with a fellow passenger, wait until they've boarded and then politely ask if they might be open to switching. Respect their answer, whatever it is.
Hitting People With Your Bag
'Watch your roller bags!' Smith warned. 'Wheeled luggage can have a mind of its own on the declined surface.'
In addition to holding on to your bag's handle as you board, you always want to be careful as you lift it up into the overhead bin. You don't want to accidentally hit someone's head.
And if you see someone struggling to lift their bag and potentially posing a danger to those around them, offer to help.
Being On Your Phone
'Trying to juggle your carry-on, a tote, and hold your phone can be distracting and cause a delay when you are not ready to store your carry-on in the bin above your seat and scoot in quickly,' Gottsman said. 'Get off your phone.'
Once you're seated, feel free to text and scroll away. You can even have a quiet phone call ― emphasis on the quiet. But if it's going to slow down the boarding process, put your screens away until you reach your spot.
Don't lean your seat back the minute you sit down. This makes it harder for the people in the row behind you to board and get settled.
'Once you are seated, do not immediately recline your seat for comfort,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Proper protocol is to refrain from reclining your seat until the pilot has given permission.
Refrain from standing and leaning forward into the seat in front of you as well. Focus on your responsibility to sit down and fasten your seatbelt. You can get more comfortable in the air.
'Give the passenger in front of you their personal space,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Trust me, the plane will not take off with you standing. Respect personal space.'
Don't bother a flight attendant during this time unless you need assistance with some aspect of boarding. Their job in this moment is to keep the process smooth and safe. Even if you're in business class, let them follow their procedure.
'Wait until everyone has been seated before asking for a cocktail,' Gottsman said.
Being Unkind To Others
Flying can be stressful, and snags do arise. But try to navigate these situations with calmness and understanding as much as possible.
'Be mindful of the words you use and your tone,' Vernon-Thompson said. 'Do not express frustration in an obnoxious manner. Be patient, and do not express your concerns with profanity. Seek to use appropriate words to express your thoughts in a respectful manner.'
Recognize the difference your positive attitude can make as well.
'Smile and say hello to the flight attendant. Start your trip off on the right foot with a pleasant demeanor,' Gottsman said. 'Be patient with families with young children and babies. It's a stressful situation, and a smile and an understanding look goes a long way in making a nervous parent feel comfortable and understood.'
HuffPost.