You are a seasoned traveler. You’ve got your check-in process down to a science and know how to board quickly and efficiently. So when you walk into the cabin and find that the person in front of you has overpacked and is hogging bin space or the person next to you has opened up a pungent snack, you can’t help but cringe and brace yourself for the long flight ahead.
To help you manage these two troublesome passengers and a handful more, we created this visual on how to deal with the worst airplane etiquette offenders.
Have you ever experienced on of these personalities or worse? Whether you have or not, it’s important to come prepared to deal with them so you can have a restful (or productive) flight. When flying make sure to pack:
- Noise canceling headphones or earplugs
- Portable charger (if your flight doesn’t have outlets)
- Hand sanitizer
- Alcohol wipes
- Minty chapstick or peppermint oil (to combat gross smells)
These things should help you tune out unwanted noise and smells and avoid germs!
And remember, flying isn’t just about combatting annoying passengers, it’s also about behind a polite passenger yourself. Be courteous to your neighbors, don’t invade their space, and politely communicate if there are any problems, and the flight should be a breeze.
If you’re traveling to a foreign country, make sure to understand the culture you’re venturing into — especially when you’re traveling for business! You can learn more about different countries’ customs from this guide. It highlights proper greetings, body language, dining manners, and timeliness. For example, in Mexico a light handshake is customary, while in Brazil your handshake should be firm and linger for a moment. Knowing basic cultural etiquette rules will assure that you avoid awkward interactions with locals and have a constructive business trip.