4 mistakes to stop making on a plane, according to an etiquette coach

4 mistakes to stop making on a plane, according to an etiquette coach According to an etiquette coach, there are several things passengers should avoid doing on a plane. Alvaro Lavin Renteria/Getty Images From holding up the bathroom line with your skincare routine to playing music without headphones, there are numerous etiquette mistakes people make when flying on airplanes.That's why Business Insider asked etiquette coach Mariah Grumet about the things passengers should avoid doing while on a flight.Here's what she had to say. Reclining your seat without regard for others Reclining your seat is OK, but be courteous to the person sitting behind you. Cherdchanok Treevanchai/Getty Images When it comes to plane etiquette, reclining your seat is a hot topic.Grumet told BI that even though some may find it rude, she thinks passengers should be able to recline since they paid for their seats.However, she said passengers should still be mindful of the person sitting behind them when deciding when to recline. For example, Grumet advises against reclining if the person behind you is eating or has things on their tray. Being rude to parents Giving parents dirty looks can just add fuel to the fire. d3sign/Getty Images Young children may act out if they're hungry or exhausted from a long day. Even if the crying is annoying and disruptive, Grumet said it's important to be respectful to the parent."It's likely that the parent is already super embarrassed as is, and you don't want to add fuel to the fire by whispering or giving dirty looks," she said.This also applies to children who are a bit older. Grumet added that even if they're running down the aisle or doing something you think can be controlled, it's still important to be kind. Stinking up the plane with food or grooming products Avoid bringing smelly food and toiletries on the plane. Stephen Schauer/Getty Images When you're on a plane, it's really important to be mindful of anything with a strong scent.For example, if a passenger brings a tuna sandwich onto the plane, the smell can be disturbing to those around them.Grooming can come with extra smells, too. Items like nail polish or perfume could be distracting or irritating to fellow passengers, so Grumet recommends leaving those at home. Rushing to the front at the end of the flight Unless you have a connecting flight, always let those in front of you exit first. AlxeyPnferov/Getty Images "The most polite way to deboard a plane is to let the people in the front go first," Grumet told BI.However, she pointed out that many passengers try to rush to the front as quickly as possible.Even if you had a difficult flight, Grumet said you should allow those ahead of you to go first. The exception to this is if you're running to make a connecting flight.In that case, she advised notifying an airline staff member to help you get off the plane as quickly as possible.This story was originally published on August 22, 2024 and most recently updated on July 27, 2026. Read next Alyshia Hull is a former business contributors fellow who now contributes as a freelancer. She primarily focuses on business, travel, van life, and workspace verticals. Alyshia is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a degree in journalism. You can connect with her on Twitter and Instagram. Planes Flying Travel More