Eating Etiquettes to Observe While Flying
A plane is a public place. You are sharing a flying tin canister with multiple other passengers. Therefore, it is important that you practice good eating etiquettes.
And, these are not limited to chewing with your mouth shut. There are other things you need to take into account what food items you bring inside the Aircraft.
For instance, you are just eating a chicken wrap midflight. No harm, right? Wrong, as you fill your appetite, you are also filling the air inside with a potent aroma that most passengers can do without.
So, here are some eating etiquettes to observe while flying.
1. Carry Disinfectant Wipes
Make sure that you have enough room in your hand baggage for a pack of antibacterial wipes. Stock them even before you book an airline ticket.
As soon as you take your position inside the Aircraft, pull out that tray table and wipe that nasty thing thoroughly.
Tray tables are high-touch surfaces. You do not know what has come in contact with them.
Remember, people don’t use it just for eating. Although doing that alone is enough to spread germs, but some passengers even change diapers on them.
Therefore, before you place your food or your hands-on tray tables, clean them with disinfectant wipes.
2. No Strong Smelling Food Items Onboard
It is like the unwritten law of traveling. No pungent smelling food items inside the Aircraft. Even though there is no rule related to what food items you can carry onboard, it is common sense.
No other passenger wants to smell what you are eating. They would rather that you keep it to yourself unless you are sharing.
But seriously, imagine you have to bear strong garlic smell throughout your New York to Mumbai flight.
Flying long-haul already has its challenges like jet-lag and insufficient legroom; you don’t want to add another one to the list.
3. Do Not Bring Loud Foods
Have you ever heard about misophonia? Well, it is a condition where certain sounds such as chewing loudly, snapping gum, etc. can cause emotional reactions such as agitation, and even panicking.
Although not everyone has that disorder, yet no one likes to hear the other person eating. Therefore, it is best to avoid food items that make noise as you chew them. Such items may include popcorn, corn nuts, crisp fruits, and so on.
So, be mindful of what food items you pack next time you catch flights to the USA or anywhere.
4. Don’t Bring Messy Food inside the Aircraft
Foods that can create spills and other kinds of mess are best left alone. Do not pack things like soups, greasy items full of sauce or chips, and salsa.
If you are traveling on an economy flight ticket, pay extra attention to what you pack for midflight meals.
Since the economy section has a close seating arrangement, there are high chances of staining the passenger next to you.
The risk escalates when you are traveling with kids. Further, the crumbs and mess you create not only bother the passengers.
You are also bothering the cleaning staff and the cabin crew. Another thing to avoid are fizzy carbonated drinks. Pack juice or green tea bags instead.
5. Don’t Carry the Whole Kitchen With You
Adopt a minimalistic approach to eating when it comes to dining onboard. Keep the stuff you need to consume the food to a minimum.
That is to say, do not load yourself with condiments, containers, and cutlery. It becomes even more necessary when you are traveling no economy airline tickets. The economy section of the Aircraft has less space.
If you bring the whole kitchen with you, you are only going to cause problems for the fellow passengers. Therefore, pack foods that are easy to carry and easier to consume.
6. Don’t Pack Common Food Allergens
Food allergies are fairly common. However, when trapped inside an aircraft, the consequences can be dangerous.
Symptoms may range from rashes, fluctuating blood pressure, breathing discomfort to swelling of face, tongue, mouth, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Therefore, protect passengers with food allergies by not packing food allergens. Here are some of the most common food allergens that you must avoid:
- Foods containing cow’s milk, such as cream, milk powder, butter, etc.
- Eggs
- Tree nuts such as almonds,
- cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pistachios, and pine nuts
- Peanuts
- Shellfish such as lobster, squid, prawns, shrimp, and scallops
- Wheat
- Soy
7. Never Drink the Alcohol you Brought Onboard
It is illegal to drink alcohol unless the airline staff offers it to you. Federal Aviation Association bans the consumption of alcohol that you brought.
On the other hand, TSA regulations state that you can bring a small bag of miniature alcohol bottles, but you cannot consume it.
It is valid for all international as well as flights from the USA. Further, drinks and cocktails are offered inside the Aircraft,
especially if you book business class or first class flight tickets. If you choose to drink, drink in moderation.
You may face legal action and a heavy fine if you get too drunk and cause problems.
8. Don’t Cause Litter or Leave Trash Behind
Never leave trash and litter on the airplane floor. Also, do not leave trash inside the seat pocket. Always dispose of the trash properly.
Hand it over to the flight attendant when he/she comes for trash collection.
When you leave behind trash, it takes more time for the cleaning staff to clear the clutter. It may further cause flight delays.
Being mindful of proper disposal methods can curb a lot of inconveniences.
So, there you have it. These were some of the basic eating etiquettes that you must follow while sharing Aircraft with other passengers.
Practicing the right eating Etiquettes habits will not only make you a smart passenger but also save you from the criticism by the fellow passengers you offend.
