Summer is the busiest travel season. With the kids out of school and with work slowing down, there’s no better time to get out of Dodge. But before you do, make note of the following dos and don’ts of air travel to make your summer adventures land a bit smoother.
Do book your flight on a weekday if at all possible. Fridays in June, July, and August are the busiest days of the year for travel, according to CBS Evening News.
Don’t be rude to the airline staff. Their job is hard enough; give them a break.
Don’t forget to double check for your keys, laptop, and drivers license before exiting airport security. According to FOX61.com, passengers at Bradley International Airport have left behind 30 watches, nearly 50 laptops, 75 keys, and over 50 drivers licenses since January 2017.
Don’t wear shorts or any clothes that would expose a lot of skin. If you consider the fact that the seat fabric likely hasn’t been sanitized and has rubbed against countless other people, it would be wise to go for more coverage.
Do dress decently. You don’t need a pocket square, but you shouldn’t be in jogging pants either. Air travel might not be the classy event that it used to be, but you’re still in public. Have some style.
Do wait for your boarding number to be called before hovering around the edges of group 1. It only causes a cluster for people to navigate through before getting on the plane. Why be so eager to sit in a small space next to strangers? Enjoy the leg room while you can.
Don’t bring carry-on luggage that you cannot carry. If you can’t lift your own bag, don’t travel with it.
Do say hello to your neighbor, but know that no more conversation is required. It can be weird to sit inches from someone for hours without acknowledging their presence. However, most people prefer to lose themselves in a book or their devices rather than hearing their seatmate’s life story. Read the body language.
Do let the person sitting in the middle seat have your armrest. It’s the least you can do since they’re snuggled in between two strangers. The person in the window seat has the option of leaning towards the window to sleep against. The person in the aisle seat has full access to the restroom and can lean towards the aisle if needed, according to Travel at 60.
Do move for the person traveling with family to sit with their group. According to a recent study lead by Travel Leaders Group, 45.3 percent of travelers said they would be willing to move “regardless of what kind of seat it was.” 34.5 percent said they would move only if it were not a middle seat.
Don’t climb over your seat neighbors when you need to use the restroom during flight. Kindly let them know you need a bathroom break and proceed with grace and your pride intact.
Do allow those in front of you to exit the plane first. We all want to get off just as much as you.
