No milling about in the boarding area prior to the opening of boarding, or before your group being called. It's just not great for anyone (particularly the people in the airport trying to just get to their flights while having to work through the herd of people waiting. This is mainly for US travel, but if there are boarding zones, please listen to the nice boarding agents and just wait at your seats or out of the way until your group is called. It's better for everyone, including the people ahead of you. My best recommendation here is to go up and wait only when the group BEFORE you is called. It helps prevent congestion. Unless you have status, boarding groups can be bad luck. But we all need to do the best with what we have. You won't get on ahead of your group, so kindly be polite and remain out of the way.

If you miss your boarding group due to a late plane, or staying too long in the McDonalds, you've missed it. You cannot start jumping ahead of people simply because you had a better group before. You are now part of the most up to date group, and that's that. Please don't try and claim that you can move ahead of these people who did their turn waiting too. Just join in with them, you'll get on fine.

Try to consider what you're packing and the size of the bag. Airline regulations are bad enough, so please be kind to others and don't try and "game" the system by packing two pretty-much-too-big bags fully as much as they can fit - and then using TWO spots in the overhead. Over size bags and this kind of thing is why so many people have to gate check. Yes, some of the reason is the small space in planes now. But, the other part of it is that people just don't play by the rules, and the airline staff really just aren't equipped to enforce that stuff. Think of everyone else when you consider this. Just because something is POSSIBLE, doesn't mean it's APPROPRIATE.

I'm surprised I even need to say this, but based on observations and personal experience, shockingly I do. Don't put your feet up on the arm rest in front of you if there are people there. Just don't. No one wants to put their elbow down only to find someone's foot crammed in the space between the seats. I know it's hard to get comfortable on planes, but let’s all agree that this is something you'll just have to accept about the tight spaces. No feet on arm rests, OK? OK.

When it's meal time on longer flights, try to be cognizant of  how far back you're reclining. Sadly, with how seats are now, if you recline all the way back you are basically removing all the space for the person behind you to eat. It's not fair to you, and not fair to them, but it's the way it is. Try to be aware of this, and wait til after meals are cleared to throw your seat all the way back. One person that I know feels that seats should not even recline on planes. I see the point, but for long hauls you need it. Try and think about that person next time. Especially if they ask you nicely to not really recline because they are very tall - there’s nothing they can do about that seat.

That touch screen in front of you? Yeah shockingly it's NOT an iPad. Most times, it's not even the same screen tech. The majority are "resistive touch screens". Your iPad is a "capacitive touch screen" and works much better and detects your touch. TLDR here is that a resistive touch screen needs a slight "press" to work. That doesn't mean it's not working when you tap it, you're just doing it wrong. So, don't start slamming on it because you think it's not working. Just try a soft press on the icon you want to interact with - problem solved! The key here, like anything to do with that seat in front of you - ANYTHING you do to that seat back, you are essentially doing to the person in front of you. Every time you mash on that screen in anger, you're just thrusting your finger into the persons brain in front of you. It's an awful experience for them. 

If you're not in the aisle seat, try and plan for this. Try to minimize the amount of times you get up. If you're someone that likes to get up a bit and move around, try your best to get an aisle seat. Otherwise every time you get up, so do your row-mates. And hey sometimes it can't be avoided! We all need the bathroom! But, just try and minimize it if you can.

The other side of that coin, is that if you're in an aisle seat, try to be understanding that people DO need to get up during flights. Don't be all grumbly about it. It's great that you have that aisle seat, but you signed up for the fact that someone might need to get up. Own that. If you're feeling really nice, AND you plan on sleeping, let the person next to you know they shouldn't feel bad about waking you up if they need to get out. No reason for them to feel guilty about it because you're a sleeper (like me) and like the aisle seat (like me). 

Flight attendants aren't your servants! They have a thousand other things to worry about besides getting you water. They also have bad days at their job, just like you. And, because they're stuck inside a plane with many non-understanding people, their bad days can be very bad. So cut them some slack and be respectful. Like anywhere else - be nice to them and they'll be nice to you. Be the good part of their day - not the bad part.

It's understandable that you and your companion want to sit with each other, but try not to be offended when someone doesn't want to give up their seat so you can make this happen. Often times they are in their preferred seat. Other times they might have paid extra to pick that seat. Or, hey just like you they are with their traveling companion! If this is something you want, don't pick that extra-super-budget ticket. Spend the $25.00 to choose your seats. Be polite when you ask, but don't be offended if they politely decline. Again, you don't know the backstory to THEIR seat - so remember that it could be because of one of these points. Lastly - please don’t just sit in their seat and hope no one notices. It’s puts the person in such an awkward position to say “No” and send you back to your seat. Have your traveling partner ask once they sit down.

As excited as your group is to be going on holiday - you're not the only people on this plane. Let's not be screaming across seats, rows, aisles etc. to each other for the whole time. There are 200+ other people on that plane, and they can't just move somewhere else to get away from you. You don't have to act like you're in a church - but be respectful of other people's space and their time on the plane. Remember that Twitter rant you posted that one time because of those Spring Breakers? Well, you don't want someone doing that for your group because you had too many mimosas or bloody mary's before getting on the plane.

If you're in the aisle seat, start packing up before you park. Remain seated but grab your bag, round up your cables, put your Kindle away. It saves time, and means you're all set to go when you can hop up and grab your larger bag from the bin above you. That means it's also quicker for your row-mates.

That said, if you AREN'T in the aisle seat - be polite and wait. There just isn't enough room in the aisle for more than 1 or 2 people and their carry ons, and it's just something you'll have to deal with. Don't force your way in there. You'll be able to grab your bag as you get off just fine when the people in front of you have moved on.

Further, if you're one of the unlucky ones who's bag had to be put BEHIND your row - and I know this sounds mean - but it's just unfortunate and you should wait. There's no reason for you to climb over everyone in the aisle to get back to your bag because it's back there. Unless you're having a really tight connection, just wait 5 minutes and get it when people have cleared out. It really isn't that long of a wait and you won't be pushing people around.

Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT in my book - is that the row in front of you goes first. Not only is this just plain polite to do - it makes much more sense systematically. They go, then you go. Clean. Easy. Logical. This is also the one I've see vary the most by a combination of cultures and also flying experience. It's very frustrating. But if we can get everyone to do this, then I promise getting off the plane will actually be quicker!!!