Airline Baggage Etiquette 101

by Amanda Black

Airline Baggage Etiquette 101

by Amanda Black

Ninety-nine percent of the time we travel with just a carry-on. It's convenient, saves money and time on both ends of the trip (checking in and skipping baggage claim). But one of our biggest travel pet peeves is when people don't know the rules to carrying-on, namely the in-flight etiquette. So, we're breaking it down for you so you can avoid those evil glances from your fellow seatmates on your next flight.

Ninety-nine percent of the time we travel with just a carry-on. It's convenient, saves money and time on both ends of the trip (checking in and skipping baggage claim). But one of our biggest travel pet peeves is when people don't know the rules to carrying-on, namely the in-flight etiquette. So, we're breaking it down for you so you can avoid those evil glances from your fellow seatmates on your next flight.

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Walking with a suitcase / iStock/champlifezygmail.com
Passengers walking down airplane aisle
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Keep Your Bag Close

When you first board the plane, keep your bag close to you. Whether you've got a backpack, a roller, or a duffle, the worst thing you can do to those passengers that are already seated is bash them across the head or knees or roll over their toes.

When you first board the plane, keep your bag close to you. Whether you've got a backpack, a roller, or a duffle, the worst thing you can do to those passengers that are already seated is bash them across the head or knees or roll over their toes.

Passenger closing overhead luggage bin
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Park it Nearby

Truth: No one likes when you stow your carry-on in the front of the plane when you're seated all the way in the back. Your bin selection causes a chain reaction of people needing to place their bags further and further away from their seat. In the end, everyone is delayed. However, we do acknowledge in some instances, having to stow your bag far from your actual seat is pretty much unavoidable due to space limitations and the way airlines now load passengers.

Truth: No one likes when you stow your carry-on in the front of the plane when you're seated all the way in the back. Your bin selection causes a chain reaction of people needing to place their bags further and further away from their seat. In the end, everyone is delayed. However, we do acknowledge in some instances, having to stow your bag far from your actual seat is pretty much unavoidable due to space limitations and the way airlines now load passengers.

Measuring suitcase
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Know the Limits

There are size measurements for carry-on luggage for a reason. But, without fail, there's always someone who tries to push the limits, just in case the rules of gravity don't apply to him. While we're all for getting something for free, this benefits no one: Upon realizing your giant bag doesn't actually fit in the minuscule overhead bin, you have to disrupt the entire boarding process by going against traffic in the already narrow aisle (read: it is not meant to be a two-way street) to check your bag.

There are size measurements for carry-on luggage for a reason. But, without fail, there's always someone who tries to push the limits, just in case the rules of gravity don't apply to him. While we're all for getting something for free, this benefits no one: Upon realizing your giant bag doesn't actually fit in the minuscule overhead bin, you have to disrupt the entire boarding process by going against traffic in the already narrow aisle (read: it is not meant to be a two-way street) to check your bag.

Flight attendant helping a passenger with luggage
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Be a Good Samaritan

If you're an able-bodied human being and an elderly person – or anyone, for that matter – looks like they're having trouble lifting their bag into the overhead bin, lend a helping hand. Don't just watch and think to yourself, 'Hm, they look like they're struggling...'

If you're an able-bodied human being and an elderly person – or anyone, for that matter – looks like they're having trouble lifting their bag into the overhead bin, lend a helping hand. Don't just watch and think to yourself, 'Hm, they look like they're struggling...'

Luggage in overhead bin
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Leave It Alone

Please don't move someone else's bag. This should go without saying, but we've seen our bags moved multiple times without any attempt to find its rightful owner. Don't ask to move someone else's bag – it's there for a reason. It's also cringe-inducing when people place their large roll bag on top of smaller items – effectively breaking anything in it of value.

Please don't move someone else's bag. This should go without saying, but we've seen our bags moved multiple times without any attempt to find its rightful owner. Don't ask to move someone else's bag – it's there for a reason. It's also cringe-inducing when people place their large roll bag on top of smaller items – effectively breaking anything in it of value.

Airplane accessories
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Unload Beforehand

Don't be that person who gets up 10 times on a 30-minute flight. Somehow, this person always ends up sitting by the window and disrupting everyone around them. So, in an effort to streamline things, just plan what you want to keep under your seat and make sure it's in your smaller bag before you board.

Read more: 5 Essential Items for a Healthy Carry-On Bag
 

Don't be that guy who gets up 10 times on a 30-minute flight. Somehow, this person always ends up sitting by the window and disrupting everyone around them. So, in an effort to streamline things, just plan what you want to keep under your seat and make sure it's in your smaller bag before you board.

Coats in an overhead bin
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Keep Your Coat

Airline travel during winter can be tumultuous for many reasons; there are cancellations, delays, and the weather can change things at a moment's notice. And then there's the state of the overhead bins during cold weather spells. Sure, you may be traveling with a big puffy coat, but that doesn't mean you should shove it above your seat – those bins are already small. Leave all that space in the overhead bins for luggage and bigger items.

Read more: What to Do When Weather Affects Your Flight
 

Airline travel during winter can be tumultuous for many reasons; there are cancellations, delays, and the weather can change things at a moment's notice. And then there's the state of the overhead bins during cold weather spells. Sure, you may be traveling with a big puffy coat, but that doesn't mean you should shove it above your seat – those bins are already small. Leave all that space in the overhead bins for luggage and bigger items.

Suitcase in overhead bin
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Remember Spatial Reasoning

If your bag can fit in lengthwise (wheels in first), you'll be leaving a lot more space for other items than if you put your bag in horizontally. By stowing it sideways, you're asking for someone to move your bag (remember tip no. 5?) or place their smaller belongings in the bins to occupy the otherwise unusable space (going back to tip no. 7).

If your bag can fit in lengthwise (wheels in first), you'll be leaving a lot more space for other items than if you put your bag in horizontally. By stowing it sideways, you're asking for someone to move your bag (remember tip no. 5?) or place their smaller belongings in the bins to occupy the otherwise unusable space (going back to tip no. 7).

Pushing button for flight attendant
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Don't Rely on the Flight Attendants

Above all, a flight attendant's job is to keep everyone safe. They're not our personal servants, so don't expect them to help you lift your bag into the overhead bin. Sure, they may step in to help if you're having trouble or are holding everyone up, but they have plenty of other things to do before takeoff.

Read more: 8 Things Your Flight Attendants Won’t Tell You
 

Above all, a flight attendant's job is to keep everyone safe. They're not our personal servants, so don't expect them to help you lift your bag into the overhead bin. Sure, they may step in to help if you're having trouble or are holding everyone up, but they have plenty of other things to do before takeoff.

Crowded airplane aisle
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Don't Crowd the Aisle

Unless you can get your bag up in a second or two, don't just stand in the aisle with your luggage waiting for someone to take pity on you (see tip no. 4). Step out of the aisle, into your seat, and wait for a break in the line of people boarding. Not only will this save everyone time, it will also cut down on the number of angry passengers looking to get to their seats.

Unless you can get your bag up in a second or two, don't just stand in the aisle with your luggage waiting for someone to take pity on you (see tip no. 4). Step out of the aisle, into your seat, and wait for a break in the line of people boarding. Not only will this save everyone time, it will also cut down on the number of angry passengers looking to get to their seats.

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