Stand up too early when your plane lands? That'll be £50, please
Name: Aeroplane etiquette.
Age: Dates to 1903, when Wilbur Wright ceded his seat to his brother Orville for the first powered flight.
Appearance: For the most part, long gone.
What happened to it? Stress tends to make people less self-aware – and therefore less polite – and air travel seems to get more stressful with each passing year.
I guess you can't force people to be courteous. You can try. The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation has just announced compliance measures for passengers who stand up too early on landing.
How early is too early? Before the plane has stopped taxiing.
Well, obviously. That's dangerous, and anyway, you're not going to get anywhere at that point. But also, before it's your go.
What do you mean, my go? According to the announcement, you may not 'stand up or proceed into the aisle before it is your turn to exit'.
And what happens if you do? 'Passengers who do not comply with the rules will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report, and an administrative fine will be imposed.'
How much? According to some reports, 2,603 Turkish lira, or £50.
Harsh. Then again, if it happened to a couple of people on my next flight it would brighten my day considerably. It's hard to travel these days without wishing punishment on others.
What other breaches ought to incur hefty fines? As you can imagine, this is a hot topic, but two iron rules of plane etiquette crop up again and again. First, keep your shoes on.
For the whole flight? At a minimum, wear socks. Absolutely no bare feet.
And the second? The person in the aisle seat has the aisle, and the window seat passenger has the window. Therefore the person in the middle seat gets command of both armrests.
What about reclining your seat? Yes or no? A matter of much dispute – some people believe that if your seat is reclinable, then it's your right to recline it.
There's a certain logic to that. Others think it's always rude. But the dispute itself can get you into trouble. Last year, Cathay Pacific banned a couple for harassing a passenger who had dared to recline the seat in front of them.
This is why I wear headphones. True – it's easier to be rude when you can't hear anything.
Do say: 'Manners cost nothing, unlike business class.'
Don't say: 'I will gladly pay £50 to get away from these people 40 seconds sooner.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
I took my family to the new Nickelodeon Land in Turkey with rides and character meets – here's how to get free entry
WHO lives in a pineapple under the sea? Not SpongeBob SquarePants any more. The yellow cartoon character has a new home on Turkey's southern coast at the impressive Land Of Legends theme park. 5 5 5 He's brought along all his pals to its new Nickelodeon Land — and I was one of the first there to check them out. The themed area neighbours Adventure Land and the exotic Aqua Land in the vast entertainment complex in Antalya. Nickelodeon Land consists of three areas — the underwater Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants; intergalactic Star Trek: Wild Galaxy, based on Star Trek: Prodigy; and the open-air Adventure Bay from PAW Patrol. And just steps away is a plush new Nickelodeon hotel, featuring 238 themed bedrooms and its own waterpark-like outdoor pool where you can get 'slimed' for real, Nickelodeon style. Sounds totally retro, right? There's a definite nod to the nostalgia of 90s Nickelodeon. Think Rugrats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as little ones' modern favourites, such as Chase from Paw Patrol, Dora The Explorer and Nickelodeon's cartoon reboot of Star Trek. I got stuck into the action at Bikini Bottom, my favourite area, which transports visitors to a neon, SpongeBob-themed underwater landscape. The standout attraction is the Fiery Fist O'Fun, a reference to a classic SpongeBob episode. The ride is like a ferris wheel on steroids, fast-paced enough to make your stomach drop — in the best way. But if that is not your style, take a spin on the Jellyfish Jam swings. New Nickelodeon land to open in Brit-loved holiday hotspot next year - with Paw Patrol rides and Spongebob attractions Or you can pootle around the land in overhead blimps, dubbed Sandy's Rockets. Plankton's Plunge is another must for thrill-seekers. As the name suggests, it drops you from a squeamishly scary height. Then there's the Crazy Carnival Ride, where you can battle against your family in a virtual shoot-out. Aside from the rides, my highlight had to be meeting the chipper yellow sponge himself. At various points in the day, each of the characters pop up for meet-and-greet sessions, so you can snap a picture with Squidward or pose with Patrick. Giant pineapple Meanwhile, Chase and the gang from Paw Patrol can be found hanging out at Adventure Bay, where rides are aimed at the littlest of adventurers. It's not just about the kids, though. There's plenty of spaces that even Mum and Dad will enjoy. The Snick Lounge, a games room and sports bar, hosts live music where you can bop away while enjoying a tasty cocktail. For a proper place to unwind, head to the luscious Anjana Spa which is worlds away from the neon orange and splat motifs that adorn the rest of the hotel floors above. Although, you may spot SpongeBob in subtle murals dotted around the space, donning his very own robe and head towel, or striking a yoga pose. There are even more character nods across the main Nickelodeon Hotel, where the rooms are as comfortable as they are vibrant. 5 5 Each floor is themed around a character — think jungle motifs for Dora The Explorer and industrial pipes for the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If all the Nickelodeon colours get too much, though, hotel guests can enjoy free transfers to Rixos Premium Belek, a sister hotel down the road that has its own private beach as well as pools, restaurants and bars. Likewise, any guests staying at a Rixos property in Antalya can enjoy free and unlimited access to The Land Of Legends, including the new Nickelodeon Land, during their stay. I was staying in a SpongeBob suite where a giant pineapple housed all the drinks and snacks I could dream of. After a tiring day on the roller-coasters, I would sink into the plush bedding and unwind with the TV (which, of course, has access to all your favourite Nick shows). Even SpongeBob would be impressed with this place.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Airline passenger has checked bag rejected for surprising reason
An airplane passenger has shared the unusual reason their bag was unable to be checked in at the airport. On a Reddit thread, the traveller revealed that while boarding a flight in the US they encountered a rarely heard of scenario. The tourist was told that the bag they wanted to check into the hold was simply 'too light' to check in. Posting in the 'r/delta' Reddit forum, the flight passenger entitled the post: 'My checked bag was rejected for being underweight'. He then went on to explain that the holdall, a spare duffel bag that he used to accommodate souvenirs, was deemed not heavy enough to warrant going in the hold. The flyer explained what ensued, saying: 'Imagine my surprise when the agent said I couldn't check my fluffy bag because it didn't weigh enough. Is this the bizarro luggage counter?' The post continued with the passenger explaining that he was advised to take the bag on to the plane as a 'third carry-on' - but he admitted he was reluctant to do that in case the bag was refused at the gate. The solution? He decided to bulk up the bag with weightier items so it would eventually go in the hold. Others on the Reddit thread explained their theories on why it might have been turned down at check-in. One wrote: 'Might have been too lightweight and flexible to make it through the sorting machines and various belts to get from the bag check conveyor to the plane.' Another speculated that a too-light bag 'could easily be blown from the belt or from the cart.' And plenty agreed that the passenger had made the right move by not trying to board with three carry-on bags: 'Gate agents lately are super strict. Trying to get three obvious bags past them would most likely not work.' At one US airport last week, an unusual 'package' raised eyebrows after a child managed to ride the airport carousel. A two-year-old took a trip on top of Newark Liberty International Airport's baggage conveyer belt after slipping behind a ticketing counter without his parents noticing. The tot then climbed onto the ankle-high conveyer belt where passengers leave their luggage before boarding their flights. The incident occurred inside Terminal A on Wednesday, May 28th, as the child's mother was attempting to re-book a flight on Jet-Blue Airlines. The toddler rode the conveyor belt down to the checked baggage room on the lower level of the airport. Port Authority officers responded to the incident and located the child. Port Authority Police PBA President Frank Conti told Pix11 that the responding officers jumped on the conveyor belt to track down the toddler. 'The two cops were able to move fast into the system,' he told the outlet. Which was vital.' 'There was a split in the belts,' he explained. 'One officer went toward one direction, one toward the other direction.'
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- The Guardian
Love at first flight: can I find a date at the airport?
When John Nachlinger and Rafael Gavarrete accidentally collided with each other at the airport in Houston, Texas, 'it was like a Hallmark Christmas movie,' Nachlinger, 44, says. He was travelling from New York to a funeral, while 27-year-old Gavarrete was returning home to Honduras – and despite only speaking for a few minutes, they exchanged numbers and kept in touch. Over the next year, they met up around once a month, taking turns to travel between New York and Honduras. In November 2022, they got married, and moved together to Princeton, New Jersey. Air travel has long carried a certain mystique. From the pioneering days of aviation to the glamour of the jet age, it has captivated imaginations with its promise of adventure, freedom and possibility. Perhaps that's why pop culture casts airports as sites of grand romantic gestures. From When Harry Met Sally to Love Actually, they are often backdrops for unexpected meet-cutes and last-dash attempts for lovers to express their feelings. Nachlinger and Gavarrete's story may sound like the plot of a romcom, but data suggests airport entanglements may be a case of art mirroring life. A 2018 survey suggested that, on any given flight, two couples will meet for the first time. And a 2025 survey of 3,000 single Americans by found about a third of travellers reported flirting with a stranger at the airport, while 20% said they would alter their travel plans for someone they had just met. Meanwhile, thousands of TikTok #airportcrush videos document strangers locking eyes across departure lounges. Why do we seem to be so open to romance while in transit? Psychologists point to the misattribution of arousal, a phenomenon where heightened emotions – such as stress, excitement and frustration – can be mistaken for attraction. Antonieta Contreras, a New York-based sex and trauma therapist, says: 'The excitement of travel is very particular. It's a novelty, it's adventure, it's something new. Combined with the anxiety of being on time or packing enough, the nervous system is very activated.' This heightened state can make us perceive those around us as more attractive than usual, especially when combined with the physical realities of air travel: being in close proximity with strangers, often from exotic places. There's also something liberating about the perspective air travel offers. Looking down at the world in miniature from an altitude of 35,000ft literally shifts our point of view: fleeting connections may loom larger in our heads, and the possibilities of life feel more numerous. Contreras suggests that conversations struck up in transit also have lower stakes: 'It feels that you can say whatever, and this person has no agenda in criticising or judging you. You may feel 'this person has really seen me' because there were no filters.' The same phenomenon may explain why people report being more likely to cry when viewing a movie in flight than on the ground. YouGov surveys in the UK suggest that most people would prefer to meet a partner in person despite, or perhaps because of, the dominance of dating apps. However, possibly due to the evolution towards phone-first dating culture, some people argue that 'meet-cutes are going extinct'. The social script for making in-person connections is weaker than ever, and many singletons can get stuck in a paradox: frustrated with online dating but too socially cautious or nervous to start conversations in real life. Could air travel be the antidote? Single, and with science on my side, I took a trip to my local airport in Melbourne, Australia, to find out. The morning of my experiment, I feel nervous. I rarely go into the world completely sober while actively seeking a romantic connection. I start my journey on the tram and, in the spirit of openness, ignore my phone and observe those around me instead. As if sensing my willingness to engage, a more-than-eligible bachelor strikes up a conversation and asks for my number. This is the first time this has happened to me in broad daylight in many years. Am I already giving off a different energy? Once at the airport, although I'm not travelling anywhere, I begin my experiment at check-in (in Australian airports you don't need a boarding pass to get through security). I can't usually relax until I've cleared security, and it seems others feel the same. Perched on a seat between rows of check-in desks for half an hour, I try to chat with strangers, but don't get past simple niceties with most. I hope for better luck after security. Retail scientists use the term happy hour to describe the time people spend in departure lounges before their flight. Studies show we are more impulsive and open to suggestions airside, a phenomenon that influenced the advent of luxury airport shopping. In the security line, I notice no one is using their phone. Air travel is one of few domains where our phone use is restricted at various points, forcing us to make eye contact with others. I recognise someone from the airport bus, and we share a knowing smile. Are things looking up? As airports go, Melbourne's isn't the most inspiring. Its grey interiors don't inspire connection and, once airside, my approaches feel forced. I settle with 'Where are you off to today?' A group of friends enjoying a pre-flight drink chime in with their tales of travel romances. 'The airport is its own world, closed off to the outside. There's less choice, so someone you may not find that hot outside is hot in here,' says Jackson Gatto, who is in his 20s. There's nothing like being trapped in a glass terminal with hundreds of strangers to lower your standards. However, Gatto's view isn't shared by all of his fellow travellers. 'It's not the same when you're travelling for work,' says Sally Hughes, a finance executive and regular flyer, who I meet in a bar typing away on her laptop. 'I just want to get from A to B and catch up on emails. I don't have time for romance.' If love is in the air, Sally's wearing an eye mask and headphones to shut out the small talk. Our experience of airports has changed over time. Flying was once a glamorous and fairly exclusive form of travel. While budget airlines have made it more accessible, they have lowered comfort and service levels, which, along with tighter security rules, have made it less fun and freewheeling. But while baggage allowances may have shrunk, our capacity for emotional connection appears to have remained intact. Dr Steve Taylor, lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, says that as social rules in airports feel more relaxed, our sense of identity becomes more fluid: 'We become disoriented, but also liberated … It predisposes us to be sociable. That feeling of disorientation you get at airports can be a pleasant experience.' Back in the departures lounge, passengers have been reunited with their phones and appear to be making up for lost screen time. They say comparison is the thief of joy – are phones the thief of connection? A gaggle of cabin crew waiting for their flight offer their thoughts. 'Before mobiles, you used to be able to tell whether people were swapping numbers because they'd ask for a pen,' says one flight attendant. 'Now people are buried in their phones.' Michael Davison, 63, who is retired and lives in France, met his ex-partner in the departures lounge at Istanbul airport in the late 1980s. They immediately hit it off, he says. 'We didn't know whether we'd be sitting together or not, but as fate would have it, we were.' They chatted for the whole four-hour flight home to London, and exchanged numbers in the arrivals hall. A few months later, they met up again, and went on to have two children and a 16-year relationship. Would their conversation have flowed as easily if they had been distracted by phones or in-flight entertainment? 'Perhaps not,' Davison says. As the day goes on, bars fill up and pre-flight drinks begin flowing more freely, making conversation easier. Most of my interactions start from small moments such as being asked: 'Is someone sitting here?' Perhaps the physical proximity in airports lends itself to connection too. In a bar nursing a beer, I find Jordan, 32, on the final leg of his journey from London to Sydney, with two hours to kill in Melbourne. I strike up a conversation and we bond for a while about growing up in London. But he's been awake for nearly 24 hours and I can tell romance isn't on his radar. In a final attempt to find connection, I head towards the gate of a delayed flight, knowing that 30% of people surveyed by think that bonding over frustration is a good way to meet a future partner. Looking at it optimistically, the difference between a long delay at an airport and a speed dating event is that at least at the airport you'll eventually take off, even if a romance doesn't. Now adept at assessing airport interactions, I see three people chatting and get the sense they have just met. 'I noticed the programme Maddy was using on her laptop and asked what she was working on,' says Ben Tynan, 33, who admits he rarely speaks to strangers. So what made him spark up a conversation? It seems the proximity effect is at play: 'I felt safe starting a conversation after I asked to move something next to her and she made a joke.' When the last flights of the day take off, I'm resigned to the fact none of my airport connections will result in lasting romance – apart from my suitor on the tram, perhaps (we are meeting up next week). When Nachlinger met his now husband, he says the connection was instant – normal social protocol seemed to melt away. 'I didn't even realise how old he was, I didn't know his name, nothing,' and yet, 'something told me I needed to get his number.' Throughout the day, I've heard many stories of romance blossoming airside. One common thread is that most people who've met someone at the airport believe they wouldn't have made such a connection in a normal setting: sometimes we just need an excuse to spark up a conversation. Perhaps airports aren't just transit points between locations, but between different versions of ourselves – the everyday self and the one emboldened to take bigger social risks. Maybe by replicating some of the social conditions of air travel in our daily lives – looking up more, using phones less, letting go of our fear of judgment – we'd make more connections landside. Taylor says it is possible: 'When we live according to strict identity and routines, we can feel trapped. At the airport, that weight starts to lift. We can learn from that.'
