When it comes to manners in the air, U.S. travelers are in dire need of airplane etiquette lessons. According to a new poll by Harris Interactive and Yahoo! FareChase, large overhead luggage, talkative seat-mates, armrest hogs and overly aromatic passengers top the list of traveler aggravations.
'We hear a lot from all quartersthe media, airline employees, and travelers themselvesabout some of the pains of air travel,' says Don George, global travel editor of Lonely Planet. 'But travelers should take heart that there really is a lot we can all do to minimize on-board inconveniences - by simply treating each other with courtesy.'
Yahoo! commissioned the survey in connection with the recent launch of its Yahoo! FareChase search engine that scours the Yahoo! online community to provide travelers with the best prices. In addition to travel habits, the survey found that 60 percent of respondents have researched flights and vacations online.
Survey findings provide perspective on air traveler's current habits, and open a dialogue for addressing air travel etiquette, says George, an expert in air travel and airplane etiquette. He offers the following insight and advice to help us all get along in the air:
* Consider carry-on courtesy. Nearly 20 percent admitted to bringing extra carry-on luggage above the airline maximum. 'The battle of the overhead bins is a bad way to start a flight,' George says. 'Courtesy dictates that you limit yourself to the airline's permitted number and size of carry-ons, and put your bags over your own seat or under the seat in front of you. Stashing your bag in the first available bineven if you're seated in the back of the planewon't help you deplane faster. You're just slowing things down for everyone.' Surprisingly, nearly half of those surveyed admitted to stowing their carry-on luggage in an overhead bin not above their seat.
* Learn when to talk and when to keep quiet. Most of us (73 percent) like to talk to the person sitting next to us while on a flight, but 50 percent also dread sitting next to someone who talks too much. 'Respect the signs,' says George. 'If you try to initiate conversation and your seat mate fails to close his book or turn off his laptop, take the hint. If they engage you in conversation, enjoy your chat but remember to keep your voice low so you don't disturb other passengers.'
* Remember, the nose knows. A whopping 82 percent of poll respondents most dread sitting next to someone with a strong personal odorwhether body odor or too much perfume. 'Aromatic' passengers even beat out armrest hogs (46 percent) and babies (40 percent) as the least desirable seat mates. |
| Author: Malcom Dewce |
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| This article can be searched using: Survey Says: Americans Need to Learn Airplane Etiquette, Travel & Vacation, Air Travel & Airways |
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