On the plane

This part of Wikivoyage's guide to flying focuses on what may be the most critical part of your journey – sitting in a chair for hours, perhaps many hours. While this may seem a tame exploit, the fact that the chair is hurtling through the air at hundreds of miles an hour adds a welcome frisson to proceedings. So, with that in mind, this article seeks to make your chair-bound experience as safe and comfortable as possible. This begins as you enter your airplane.

If only all flights had this much room to spread out!

Before take-off

• Buckle up and strap any children, in safety seats as needed, then yourself.
• Count the number of seat backs between your seat and the emergency exits, keeping in mind that your nearest exit may be behind you. If you ever need to evacuate an aircraft in an emergency you may need to do it in a darkened cabin that could be full of thick black smoke. If the aisle is full of people you will at least know the number of seats you need to climb over to get out in that one in a million emergency.
• Put your mobile phone and any other transmitting device into flight mode or switch it off, preferably before you board the plane. Using a phone on board after the doors are closed (especially while the aircraft is taxiing, climbing or descending) is a violation of some air travel safety regulations; in some countries, switching the phone off is mandatory during the passenger's entire stay in the aircraft. Switching the phones off is intended to assure clear, effective and essential communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. If you refuse to comply, you will be escorted off the plane.
  • If you wish to use Bluetooth headphones or the in-flight Wi-Fi service, you still have to place your device in airplane mode before takeoff to block the mobile phone signals. Once you are allowed to use your device in the air, you can individually turn on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functions. For tablets and laptops with no mobile phone service, you can turn off the airplane mode altogether.
  • If you need to make a call while at altitude, your aircraft's telephone carrier partner may provide in-flight service. Consult your in-flight magazine, especially for details on charges...normally about $5/minute (plus connection charges) even if you are directly above the place you are calling. SMS on these in-seat handsets may also be available.
• Read the emergency instructions and watch the safety briefing even if you have ridden on the airline before as safety features may vary per aircraft and airline. It may be boring but if an emergency happens you will remember what to do, rather than having to read the safety card then and thereby saving precious time.
• Place anything containing items you'll use in-flight under the seat in front of you to eliminate obstructing the aisle...if they are small, in the seat pocket facing you. This will minimize disturbance caused to those sitting in aisle seats. If you later need the leg/foot room, and overhead space is available, you can then move to there what you no longer need.
• Keep within sight anything you put in overhead bins that contains valuables. As above, thieves operate on flights. As necessary, put valuables under the seat at your feet.
• Once seated, and if you have them, use sanitizer/sanitizing wipes to clean your hands, tray table, arm rests and (when convenient) the handles on overhead bins.

During flight

Some airlines now offer seatback entertainment consoles, offering movies, music, tv shows, and information on the current location of the airplane.(seen here in an Air France Boeing 777 between New York City and Paris)

• In cases of an open flight in economy class when nobody is beside you, feel free to put up the armrests (except in exit rows where the armrests can't be lifted) to claim the extra space to yourself. On wide-body aircraft, you can sometimes get a middle block to yourself and turn this into a flat bed of sorts.
• Wear your seat belt at all times while seated. Though it doesn't happen often, more people are injured (a few even killed) by failing to use "belts" than from all other causes of flying injuries. Severe air turbulence can occur without warning even in clear air, and it can violently throw you and others about. When the seat belt sign is off, it only indicates that you'll probably be reasonably safe to move about the cabin briefly.
• When getting up from other than the aisle seat, first ask seatmates to let you out, and try not to disturb people behind or in front of you.
• As a good neighbor, check in advance with the folks behind you if you may/must tilt your seat-back backwards...and just before you do so. The pitch of many economy seats has gotten so small that tilting seat-backs can greatly intrude into space they really need.
• On medium-to-long flights, drink lots of liquids without caffeine or alcohol because the latter will dehydrate you at an even faster pace than the airplane's very low humidity. That can worsen jet lag and may induce headaches. Don't hesitate to ask the cabin crew for water, or walk up to the galley to get it. Some airlines (e.g., Emirates, Qantas, Cathay Pacific) offer self-service water fountains (and more) at each galley for passengers to fill their own water bottles. If sanitation is an unknown, ask for bottled water.
• Don't sit still for the duration of a multi-hour flight...your body isn't designed to stay that way for hours.
  • Adjust your body position occasionally (you do this in your sleep anyway). On long flights especially...
  • Stretch, flex knees, move your feet in circles...anything you can do in your seat. Some airlines now periodically show video programs showing how to exercise in your seat. Follow them, or do your own thing (or both). By changing position, and moving around a little, you make sure every part of your body gets the circulation it needs, e.g., to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • Consider walking around the aircraft occasionally during long flights. Feeling self-conscious about just walking around? Stroll off to the lavatory or galley, or stand up and pretend that you need something out of the overhead bin once an hour. If you have an aisle seat, stand up every time your neighbors want to move, instead of hoping that they'll squeeze past you.
  • You might remove your shoes if convenient. On very long flights, better airlines offer slippers upon request, but you'll likely also need warm socks. Always wear shoes in the lavatory, where the floor may be wet.
• With the exception of some private charters, smoking (even electronic cigarettes) is not allowed on any commercial flight worldwide. Do not smoke at your seat, in the lavatories or tamper with the smoke detectors in the lavatories to avoid being caught – at minimum you'll be in trouble with the airline and in some jurisdictions subject to prosecution. In U.S. "flagged" aircraft (and many others), federal law prohibits tampering with, disabling, or destroying smoke detectors in aircraft lavatories...it's a felony and violation can lead to fines of thousands of dollars, even a prison sentence. Worried about how you'll survive? Try nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or other tobacco cessation tools. Plan for ways to handle anxiety, if that's one of your triggers. Also, plan other things to do. The immediate urge to smoke, even when it's strong, will subside while you're busy watching funny cat videos or listening to your favorite music.
• Stow any loose items before landing. Put magazines and books in the seat pocket. Don't leave anything lying on an empty seat or loose under your feet. Under heavy braking on landing, even light articles can slide/roll quite far forward. They can be difficult to find, and before you find them they may be accidentally damaged by exiting passengers.
• Always follow the instructions of flight attendants, as well as lighted and posted signs. They are there for your safety and for that of all passengers.
  • Flight attendants are trained to be responsible for your safety. Do not argue with them. Resolve any conflict you may have with their orders later on the ground.
  • If an "unruly passenger" becomes a serious problem, the captain of the plane may make an unscheduled landing, and the passenger will be taken off the airplane under arrest.
  • Flight attendants are often backed by law, e.g., in the US, interfering or physically assaulting a flight attendant is a felony. Short of that, you still can face severe fines and costs for disobeying.
• Most airlines (including all US flagged carriers, due to local civil aviation law) prohibit the use of mobile phones in flight, unless placed into "flight safe mode" or "aircraft mode" before departure. A few carriers (e.g. Emirates and Virgin Atlantic on some aircraft types) are now permitting the use of mobile data and even voice calls while airborne. Keep in mind that you'll need an international roaming contract with your carrier and rates tend to be very high (US$3-$5 per minute or $1 per megabyte is fairly standard.) Beware, a gigabyte is around $1,000! If voice calls are permitted, be courteous to your fellow passengers and keep conversations brief.
• Other electronic devices are usually permitted once the aircraft is at cruise and the seat belt sign is switched off. Rules regarding when and which devices can be used vary by country and airline:
  • In Australia and the United States, airlines typically list categories of devices that cannot be used on the safety card (cell phones, TV's, remote controlled toys, etc...) in their magazines.
  • In Canada, however, aviation law requires a more precautionary approach. No electronic devices are permitted unless a crew member individually checks and authorizes their use.
    • Laptops are the only devices that are explicitly stated in safety briefings as being allowed – as long as you check with a flight attendant and any mobile data capabilities are disabled before use. In the past, Air Canada used to state that the use of external laptop accessories (such as hard drives, mice, printers, etc...) was prohibited. The current safety video doesn't mention this, but always check first.
    • Other devices such as tablets, iPods, and game systems are at the crew's discretion but are almost always permitted if you ask.

Eating and drinking on board

A larger in flight meal

A smaller in flight snack

The range, price and quality of airline food varies a lot between airlines.

While meals, as well as generous servings of alcoholic beverages, used to be included with the ticket in the "good old days", passengers are usually required to pay for food and drinks; except in first and business class, long intercontinental flights, and flights of over an hour in length on full-service carriers within Asia and Australia. Scheduled meals (if any) will often be timed and typed to complement the time zone of the flight's destination. If you pass many time zones, early servings may not match your departure time.

For flights that promise no food during meal hours, consider bringing food with you or buying something at the airport; most airlines will allow you to carry it on board, though budget airlines are often an exception to this. Containers of "solid" food from home or a favorite restaurant can usually be run through the same security procedures as any other item of carry-on luggage, but you'll need to buy drinks and other liquids or semi-liquid foods (including peanut butter, jelly, or yogurt) inside the secure area. The food selection at some airports may be poor and/or overpriced. The crew would prefer that you didn't bring drippy or messy foods, and your fellow passengers would prefer that you didn't bring smelly foods, so leave the tray of barbecue chicken wings or that awesome curry on the ground. Especially if you or a travel companion have diabetes or similar health issues, always bring an "emergency" snack. A small bag of nuts, an apple, or a granola bar can be handy if your flight is delayed.

On-board meals for some airlines may be brought in from one of its base or hub airports rather than from a local source. This takes considerable time. Meals kept too long for any reason may have to be discarded due to safety. Scheduled meals may then be limited to packaged snacks/cookies and drinks. This is not the fault of the crew. If an airline only offers "buy on board" food, prices may well be outrageous to take advantage of a captive market, but the airline will likely make sure that something is available in order to improve their bottom line, as they can't make money on food not sold.

Special meals such as kosher, halal, Hindu and vegetarian food are available from most major airlines, but typically must be requested at least several days in advance. For some additional information, see Travel as a vegetarian#Air travel. Some airlines provide special meals for children, sometimes including jars of baby food. These also must be requested in advance.

Expect no service in general aviation, except in business jets.

Buy

During the flight, most major airlines, with the exception of US-based airlines, also provide inflight duty free shopping for international flights. Items on sale are rarely top-end luxury items, and are rarely bargains price-wise, though they typically include travel accessories and some airline-exclusive products.

Toilets

An aircraft toilet

Airliner toilets are infamously small, and the line might be long. On short flights, using the airport toilet before or after the flight is usually a more comfortable option. On some flights, most notably flights to and from the United States, forming a line at the front (near the cockpit) may be prohibited because of security concerns. If so, look at the lit-up bathroom sign and wait for an opportunity when it isn't already occupied.

Health

See also: Flying and health

Pressure changes

Air pressure is much lower at high altitude, and while a commercial aircraft cabin holds much of the pressure, in-flight cabin pressure is still significantly lower than at sea level.

Air pressure can cause discomfort in the inner ear, especially for passengers with nasal congestion. This most often occurs during descent, and can be quickly remedied by closing mouth, pinching nostrils and trying to exhale...perhaps several times until landing.

Deep vein thrombosis

Note: The following discussion should not be taken as medical advice. Consult a doctor if you think you might have or be at risk for DVT during planned travel.

Passengers on long flights may be prone to deep vein thrombosis (DVT); blood clots forming in the veins. The elderly tend to have greater risk than the young. Early symptoms are pain or swelling in the legs. Some precautions is to stretch and/or walk at least every 2 hours or so, doing in-seat exercises, and drinking water, or other non-alcoholic, caffeine-free beverages. High-risk patients could choose an aisle-seat, use compression-hose socks, and prescription blood thinners or over-the-counter aspirin with physician approval.

See a more comprehensive article at w:Deep vein thrombosis.

Landing

Landing might be delayed because of traffic or weather conditions. The custom to applaud the pilot at touchdown is today a faux pas.

Remain seated and buckled up until the plane has taxied all the way to the gate.