Airline Etiquette: The Unspoken Rules of Flying

Have you ever wished there was a school for airplane passengers? Well, class is in session! In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the do’s and don’ts of airplane etiquette, straight from the galley to your ears. From overhead bin blunders to bare feet horror stories, we’re breaking down everything that makes us cringe—and laugh—when flying the friendly skies. And yes, we’ve got thoughts on your speakerphone convos and tuna sandwiches too.We’re sharing real listener stories, our own in-flight drama, and hilarious personal experiences that highlight the bizarre (and sometimes brilliant) behavior we see onboard. If you’ve ever flown—or plan to—you won’t want to miss this crash course in sky manners. Bonus: You might just walk away knowing the true rules of the armrest game.Watch this episode on YouTube!Episode Highlights:[0:39] We kick off class—welcome to the school of airplane etiquette. [1:26] Rich shares a passenger meltdown over a tight connection... and poor decision-making. [4:58] Andrew's “everything went wrong” trip, complete with delays, storms, and missed trains. [9:04] We react to your listener-submitted etiquette gripes—starting with bare feet on bulkheads. [10:50] Armrest rules, manspreading, and who controls the window shade—welcome to Sky Law. [14:44] Speakerphone sagas, juicy convos, and when it's okay (maybe) to listen in. [17:01] PSA: Stop yanking seatbacks to stand up—your seatmate’s neck will thank you. [18:04] The overhead bin shuffle—get what you need before sitting down! [19:25] Safety demo respect, headphone etiquette, and who deserves your “thank you.” [22:02] Don’t poke the flight attendant... or touch us anywhere else either. [23:06] The great overhead bin debate—move my bag? Drew says yes. Rich says... ask first. [26:24] The etiquette of bathroom use—just don’t. Unless you must. Then spritz, please. [28:01] Whispered convos, stinky food, and should you snore? [29:26] Lavatory habits and tray table horror stories—we see (and smell) it all. [33:29] The myth of “your” overhead bin and how to stop the tantrums. [34:39] Don’t run to the front. Stay seated. The airplane is not a race track. [36:30] Diaper duty belongs in the lav—not on the tray table. [37:29] Galley Gossip: Eli’s panicked passenger and the mysterious “engine smoke.”Text us or leave us a voicemail!Support the show✈This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.Download StaffTraveler✈Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show!Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story✈We love people and we love to travel... no, seriously! Want to join us on one of our upcoming group trips? Check out the link below for current trips!Travel With Us✈We couldn’t do it without you! As independent podcasters, we rely on audience support to keep our show going. Join our community at the link below for exclusive content, early access, behind-the-scenes footage, and more!Join Us on Patreon