2025 brings a new year of travel and adventures for many, but after a TikTok has gone viral on plane etiquette and what you cannot eat on a flight, experts have weighed in on unwritten flying rules for the New Year.
TikTok users are debating passengers’ behaviours on flights, after a TikTok posted by user @zaviertorrence has gained over 1.3 million views saying “strongly believe that people who eat on flights need to be incarcerated for 10 days”. The viral video has been captioned saying “because why are we eating a TUNA MELT on a flight?!”.
Some users on the video have agreed with the creator commenting “it’s office rules. Only eat food that is not fragrant, so no fish, no fried items etc. How do we not know this?”. However, some users disagree and argue “I’ve never had tuna that smells??”. So what are the do’s and don’ts of flying in 2025?
Experts at Netflights have investigated the popular debates when it comes to long-haul flights, and have shared what NOT to do on flights.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MASTER PLANE ETIQUETTE
- Never take these smelly foods on a plane
As the viral TikTok shares, being in an enclosed space can lead to bad odours circling the plane, with nowhere to escape. Passengers have argued online about being frustrated with other passengers when they bring potent-smelling foods onto the flight. Common offensive foods include; eggs, tuna, McDonalds, Monster Munch crisps and flight attendants even say broccoli is one of the worst!
Master plane etiquette by avoiding bringing these foods onto the flight with you, on a long-haul flight your meals are catered for anyway saving you time and money.
- Don’t be afraid to recline your seat – but follow these rules
A popular debate on social media is whether it is acceptable or not to recline your seat. A flight attendant commented on TikTok, that on long-haul flights, “everyone reclines their seats, and if someone complains about it, we ask them to recline as well”. But many have taken to social media to complain about the passenger in front of them reclining their seat, due to the TV being extremely close to their eyes and giving them a headache.
Flight experts suggest, “There’s a reclining option for a reason, if you’re on a long- haul flight and would like to sit back and relax you’re well within your rights to do so. To avoid any upset, ask the passenger behind you whether it’s okay first.”
- Don’t fasten your seat belt in this position
A viral TikTok trend is passengers fastening their seat belt around their ankles on a flight, which users on the app are recommending for ultimate comfort when flying. With millions of views on TikTok, passengers on long-haul flights might be tempted to try this for ultimate comfort.
However, experts strongly advise not to do this. It’s extremely dangerous and can cause deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot issue associated with flying. It’s a very unsafe position to fly in if turbulence occurs, and flight attendants are likely to ask passengers to fasten their seat belts correctly.
Image Credit: TikTok @abbybaffoe
- Don’t clap when the plane lands
Experts suggest it’s an unwritten rule that passengers shouldn’t clap when the plane lands. It can be disruptive to other passengers onboard and can inconvenience flight attendants who need to provide information to passengers or speak with the pilot. Flight attendants also have shared a secret – the pilot can’t hear you anyway!
- Avoid watching sexy programmes in public
Some passengers may feel embarrassed over their film choices when flying on long-haul flights and have questioned whether it’s polite plane etiquette to not watch provocative entertainment in-flight. But, passengers should watch whatever they want on the plane, especially when flying for long periods of time, as keeping yourself entertained is the priority.
- Experts reveal you can ask for extra drinks
Asking for extra drinks, out of service hours on long-plane journeys may seem cheeky to some, and some passengers think this isn’t allowed. Flight attendants have revealed that drinks are free on long-haul flights so urge passengers to enjoy what they can within reason and to make the most of the beginning of their holiday!
- Avoid taking your shoes off when flying
Flight experts suggest always travelling in comfortable shoes, that allow for your feet to be comfy on long-haul flights. This way, passengers won’t need to take their shoes off in-flight increasing the risk of a smelly flight.
It is common to see the passenger next to you take their shoes off, walk up and down the plane in their socks or even go barefoot! The polite plane etiquette is to keep your shoes on and avoid putting your feet up on your own seat (or anyone else’s!)
- Don’t wake up the passenger sat next to you
For passengers who end up sitting in the window seat, and need to use the toilets mid-flight or stretch their legs, they face the issue of trying to move past the passengers sitting next to them. The unwritten rules of plane etiquette are often debated, to whether passengers should disturb and wake sleeping neighbours up or not.
Flight experts suggest politely nudging the neighbouring passenger to ask if they can get past, however, the recommended way to nail plane etiquette is to ask the passenger at the beginning of the flight to check if it’s okay.
- Stay sat down if there’s a queue for the toilet
On the topic of needing the toilet on your flight, passengers feel confused about whether they should queue for the toilet on a plane or wait in their seat until the availability light comes on. Queuing is a nightmare anywhere – never mind on a plane! So the correct etiquette is to remain seated and wait for the toilet to become available, instead of hovering over someone else whilst you stand waiting, as this can disrupt other passengers’ flight experience.
- Should you stand as soon as the plane lands?
After a long flight, everyone is eager to stretch their legs and exit the plane. Passengers are often too keen to exit and will stand up out of their seats, and force themselves into the middle aisle, ages before they are allowed to leave the plane. For those wanting to follow the correct plane etiquette, it is best to remain in your seat, and let the row before you exit first so all passengers depart in an orderly manner. Flight attendants will thank you for this!
