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Standards & Protocol
The official Jetiquette® Guide. Behavioral expectations for every phase of travel.
The Thoughtful Approach to Travel
Jetiquette is built on a simple idea: travel works better when people move through shared spaces with awareness, restraint, and respect.
These standards are not about perfection or policing behavior. They are meant to reduce friction, support dignity, and make the experience better for everyone — passengers, crew, and ground staff alike.
The goal is not to shame people. The goal is to make common courtesy easier to understand and easier to practice.
Foundation
Jetiquette Principles
Five foundational ideas that guide all standards and rulings.
Awareness
Understand your presence in a shared environment.
Flow
Movement should be efficient, predictable, and unobstructed.
Restraint
Not every action needs to be taken simply because it can be.
Consideration
Your experience should not come at the expense of others.
Shared Space
The cabin, gate, and terminal are collective environments.
1
Respect Your Boarding Zone
When it's your time to board, you'll board. Gathering at the gate early doesn't get you on sooner — it creates unnecessary crowding.
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Shared Power Outlets, Shared Responsibility
Charging one device is fine. Claiming an outlet and the surrounding area as your personal workspace creates friction for others.
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Gate Announcements Matter
When the gate agent makes an announcement, it's worth your attention. It usually concerns you, your flight, or changes that affect departure.
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Lounges Are Shared Spaces
Priority or lounge access is a courtesy, not a license to monopolize seating, outlets, or quiet space. Be considerate of others and staff.
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Lounge Food Is for Everyone
Take what you'll eat. If you want more, return for more; loading a plate like it might disappear is taking from others who haven't eaten yet.
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Children in Lounges Still Need Supervision
Children visiting premium lounges should follow lounge norms. Running, loud play, and unsupervised behavior affect the calm that others are seeking.
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Follow the Boarding Order
The boarding zone on your pass exists to ensure a smooth flow and prevent the aisle from becoming congested. Board when your group is called.
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Overhead Space Is First Come, First Served Near Your Seat
If you board early, use it wisely. Maintain suitable space for your own bin area; leave room for those boarding later.
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Find Your Seat, Then Settle In
Once you're in your row, move to your seat. Blocking the aisle while organizing your bags creates a bottleneck for everyone behind you.
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Store Bags Efficiently
Bags fit better when wheels in and handles facing out. This simple approach maximizes bin capacity and makes retrieval easier for everyone.
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Reclining With Consideration
Your seat reclines. You're welcome to use that feature. A quick glance at the person behind you or a gentle recline reduces impact on their space.
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The Middle Seat Gets Both Armrests
Middle seat passengers get no preferred space on either side. Both armrests are a fair trade-off for this sacrifice.
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Headphones Communicate Unavailability
Headphones, a book, or closed eyes are clear signals that someone prefers quiet company. It's a simple courtesy to respect this.
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Keep Audio Private
Ringtones, videos, games — it's time to plug in your headphones. Shared cabin, shared audio responsibility.
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Audio Volume Is a Courtesy Issue
If your music is leaking from your headphones where others can hear it, it's too loud. Adjust so only you can hear it.
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Mute Keyboard Click Sounds
Most devices let you disable keyboard sounds. If you work on your laptop during the flight, muting it shows you're thinking about others around you.
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One Carry-On in Overhead Per Person
Your personal item goes below, your bag goes up. The overhead is for one standard carry-on per passenger. Everyone needs space.
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Overhead Bins Stay Closed During Flight
Once the flight begins, the overhead bins should stay closed. Constant opening and rummaging is disruptive and creates safety risks.
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Shared Passages Are for Moving Through
Stretching is okay at your seat. Stretching becomes everyone's nuisance in the aisle, onboard vestibule, or galley, inconveniencing crew and other passengers.
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Crew Are Here to Help, Not Serve
Cabin crew prioritize safety and service. They respond better to requests than to snaps, waves, or tone. A "please" makes a difference.
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Use Names Respectfully
Crew members share their names as part of service. Calling them by name is fine; overusing it or shouting it repeatedly across the cabin is not.
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Acknowledge Service
A simple thank you to flight attendants and ground staff costs nothing and leaves something. It recognizes the work they do.
Report this behaviorWitnessed a Violation?
Submit a case to Jetiquette Court. Your report contributes to the historical record.
See How These Standards Are Enforced
View official rulings from Jetiquette Court and Judge verdicts on active cases.
Contribute to the Standard
Jetiquette continues to evolve through observation.
If you've experienced a moment that deserves review, you're invited to submit it for consideration.
Ongoing conversations continue in the Community
Discuss standards, share observations, and connect with other members about Jetiquette principles.