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Nowadays, you can often hear the phrase “I’m afraid to fly on an airplane,” despite the fact that statistics confidently prove that an airplane is the safest form of transport. In reality, there is nothing wrong with being afraid of flying. However, this must definitely be dealt with, because panic and uncontrollable behavior can become a serious problem and significantly ruin the trip. tochka.net I have prepared some tips for those who are afraid of flying. Remember how to behave on an airplane, and then flying into the sky will become your favorite pastime and relaxation.

  1. People who are afraid of flying should have a clear idea of ​​which part of the plane is best to sit in. If you are afraid of heights, then do not sit next to the porthole. If you're afraid of turbulence, don't sit at the back of the plane, that's where it shakes the most. If you suffer from claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces), your seat should be next to the emergency exit or, if it is occupied, by the aisle. You can choose your seat during online check-in or ask at the check-in counter directly at the airport.
  2. Take care of your clothes, they should be comfortable. This will help you feel at home and therefore relax. Especially if you have to spend several hours in the sky. Don't be shy about changing clothes during the flight. Take your favorite slippers with you, ask the flight attendant to bring a blanket and a pillow (of course, if you are not flying low-cost) - and you will see that you will immediately calm down in warmth and comfort.
  3. For those who are afraid of flying, a little banal advice is to use lollipops. To a certain extent, they will distract you, and tasty fun will also prevent motion sickness and ear congestion. Chewing gum will also help in such cases. If it’s fruity or has your favorite flavor, it’s perfect. Scientists explain this fact by the fact that an adult, being in a state of stress, subconsciously strives to return to the happy and carefree moments of childhood. Chewing processes help him with this.

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  1. For those who are afraid of flying, it is contraindicated to think badly. Do some exercises and use your imagination. First try to imagine the frightening situation in the form in which you are afraid of it. After that, replay the ending so that it becomes completely not scary, but, on the contrary, even comical. This is very easy to do when you draw a small comic book in your head (no more than five pictures). For example, after a plane crash you are flying down, you are scared. However, as soon as you reached the level of the clouds, they threw you up like a spring, confetti and balloons flew from there, and you laughed and flew into the sky on the cloud. Well, or any other positive scenario that the imagination can come up with.
  2. One of the best ways to relax is deep breathing. This technique was used by ancient yogis. With its help they achieved a state of peace. So practice it and forget about all your fears. Try to inhale deeply into your belly, and then exhale slowly through your mouth (the exhalation should be twice as long as the inhalation). Such deep, slow breathing triggers the relaxation reaction, and it is followed by a whole chain of changes in the body: the heart rate slows down, blood flows to the limbs and muscles relax. Also try this: focus on your breathing, close your eyes and imagine how tension and anxiety leave you as you exhale. Draw in your imagination how negative thoughts flow out in the form of a stream with the exhaled air.
  3. During the flight and when you take off, look out the window more often. After all, this is how you see that you are rising into the sky, the situation outside is stable. This way you have the opportunity to control the situation. And when a person feels like the master of events, when he has control, accordingly he feels confident. Then fear and panic disappear.
  4. When flying, take a soft toy or something pleasant to the touch with you so that you always have something pleasant and voluminous in your hands. After all, there are many nerve endings on the limbs. When your hands are busy with something, it distracts your brain. And there is absolutely no time to think about the bad. This advice is especially useful for those who fly with children.

Finally, the most important advice for those who are afraid of flying is to tune in to a positive wave and forget about the existence of the word “panic”.

Despite the fact that air transport is, according to statistics, one of the safest, every flight brings stress to the human body. And safety on an airplane depends not only on the professionalism, skills of all crew members and the serviceability of air transport, but also on the behavior of all passengers on board. To understand how to behave on board an airliner, everyone who wants to fly must know what safety rules must be followed on the plane. In this article we will explain the most basic ones that all passengers, without exception, must adhere to.

Follow all flight attendant instructions exactly and don’t forget to eat.

Each air transport flight can be divided into several main stages. On each flight, passengers will need to follow the rules and perform the actions that the flight attendant says. The main steps are:

  • lifting the plane into the sky;
  • the airliner sets the required altitude;
  • moment of turbulence;
  • direct flight;
  • decline;
  • airliner landing.

When moving from one stage to another, flight attendants will tell passengers what actions need to be taken to ensure that the flight is completely safe.

Safety rules that everyone must follow

There are general rules of behavior on an airplane that all passengers must unquestioningly follow:

  • Smoking is not allowed on board;
  • You can drink alcoholic beverages, but only in moderation;
  • Taking any drugs is strictly prohibited;
  • Passengers must treat all crew members and those sitting next to them with respect, otherwise they will be subject to fines or criminal penalties.

Only by observing the above flight rules will it be possible to fly safely to your destination, while maintaining calm and order on board.

Before departure, flight attendants are required to conduct a brief briefing.

What rules of conduct must children follow on board?

Air transport passengers include not only adults, but also children. It was for such people that special rules were specially developed. And parents must explain to their child what they are and how important it is to comply with them. Rules of behavior on an airplane for children include several sub-clauses:

  1. Parents must ensure that children do not go onto the runway intended for takeoff or enter special service premises.
  2. Children are not allowed to travel on the aircraft unless accompanied by a flight attendant or adult.
  3. If an emergency occurs, the instructions of the crew members should be strictly followed.

These include:

  • Without unfastening the seat belt, tilt your head as low as possible and clasp your knees with your hands. In this case, you should rest your feet on the floor as firmly as possible;
  • when landing an air transport, calmly exit the cabin through a hatch or inflatable ladder;
  • leaving the plane in any other way is not permitted, as jumping from a height can lead to serious injuries and fractures.

If a fire occurs, parents should help children do the following:

  • throw any outer clothing over them to protect them from smoke;
  • help them lie down on the floor;
  • if the flight attendants tell you to make your way to the exit, then use the method of crawling or bending down to do this;
  • after leaving the aircraft cabin, you need to move away from the airliner as far as possible, find a place to hide, lie down in it, covering your head. This will help avoid serious consequences if a burning plane explodes.

Of course, children are not able to follow all the rules of behavior on their own, so their parents or an accompanying passenger should help them with this.

What rules must be followed during takeoff and landing of aircraft?

Everyone must follow the rules on an airplane at every stage, but special emphasis should be placed on those that are provided for at the most critical moments - during takeoff and landing of the airliner. All actions that the flight attendant will say should be carried out immediately, namely:

  1. Unplug all electronic devices on board, including mobile phones. This action is necessary in order to eliminate any interference with the normal operation of aircraft navigation instruments.
  2. The back of the seat will need to be placed vertically, which will help not block the passage for passengers sitting in the back if an emergency occurs.
  3. The table located in front must be assembled, all heavy objects must be placed in a safe place, and a seat belt must be fastened. These actions are necessary in order not to harm yourself and the passengers sitting next to you if the landing is hard or the plane is forced to brake sharply.
  4. The curtains covering the porthole need to be opened so that the eyes can get used to the lighting.
  5. If you find yourself in a turbulence zone, you should remain calm and under no circumstances give in to panic.

This feeling does not mean that the plane is starting to fall, these are just natural air currents through which transport must pass according to a previously laid course. And the intensity of the flow is affected by the cyclone and clouds, as well as the climatic layer of the atmosphere. That is, if the weather conditions are difficult, it will be felt quite strongly. In the event of an emergency, flight attendants will notify passengers without fail and explain what actions need to be taken.

After the air transport lands, you cannot unfasten your seat belt, leave your seat or take luggage until you receive permission from the crew. The landing can be hard and the braking can be quite harsh, so such people can suffer serious injuries and bruises.

Safety rules on an airplane, of course, must be followed, but in addition, you can use several recommendations and rules of etiquette that will help you endure your flight much easier:

  • Before the flight, you should not use strong perfumes or eau de toilette, as passengers may experience an allergic reaction, which can be provoked by a strong smell and nervous tension;
  • You should not take medications that lower or, on the contrary, increase blood pressure, since during the flight the difference in the atmospheric column will be strongly felt;
  • It is best to drink natural juices or purified water during the flight and refrain from coffee or strong tea;
  • for those who have dry skin, it is recommended to lubricate it with a nourishing cream, and have drops for the nose and eyes;
  • Medical special stockings are recommended to be worn by those who have been diagnosed with varicose veins.

If the rules of conduct on an airplane and the rules of etiquette are followed, then a comfortable flight can be ensured not only for yourself, but also for the passengers sitting next to you, as well as for the entire crew of the airliner.

In contact with

What to do if the child in the next seat screams non-stop, and the parents don’t even try to calm him down, what is the appropriate way to dress for a plane and whether you need to applaud when the plane lands - says Tatyana Polyakova, a consultant on business, social and international communication. ​

Do you need to say hello to your neighbors and keep in touch?

An airplane is perhaps the only distributed neighborhood that does not involve communication. Greetings when seating, words of farewell and wishes of all the best after boarding - maximum politeness and sincerity and a minimum of unnecessary communication.

Should you think through your wardrobe to comply with safety regulations?

Isn’t appropriate appearance one of the rules of personal safety? After all, this is self-defense, self-presentation and respect for others. Directed glances are not always glances of delight. Brightness and catchiness are more welcome at a masquerade. Public transport is a combination of cultures and opinions. Therefore, my favorite and safest option, collarbone-elbows-knees closed, is suitable for all religions and age groups.

Is it appropriate to reprimand parents of noisy children if adults do not try to calm them down?

Oh, this is a sore point! It is only appropriate to discreetly ask the chief steward or the person responsible for cabin service about this. They are responsible for comfort and convenience. A professional will never give up a passenger who has made a request.

Do you need to ask when you want to recline your seat?

Certainly! After all, this is another element of self-presentation. There can't be too much politeness. Politeness, first of all, to yourself.

If you want to go to the toilet, do you need to wait until your neighbor wakes up if you are sitting near the window?

It is appropriate to take care of this in advance and anticipate the situation. Disturbing your sleeping neighbor is your right. The neighborhood is forced! The salon is not a private bedroom. And not even a private living room. It is not necessary to explain and pronounce the word “toilet”. It is enough to ask permission to leave. If a young lady - a neighbor or a young hedonist traveler in headphones - passes with his knees together, you have the right to ask her or him to stand up. In any case, there is always a button to call a steward.

How to behave if your neighbor drinks heavily or snores?

It all depends on the situation. Snoring is a disease, just in case there are earplugs. You can ask the staff to move you, as both of the above reasons are valid. ​

When boarding, if a person is standing in front of you in the aisle and loading hand luggage, should you quickly filter through or wait, collecting your “tail” behind you?

Quickly organizing seating is the task of the conductors, but you can always ask to be allowed to pass. I often fly to Kyiv, and readers may have noticed that on the plane I ask passengers who hesitate or deliberately attract attention to allow me to pass. I’m not leaking it, but rather asking you to let me in, with my eyes at the ready with a smile. I say important things in a quiet voice. Words of politeness and phrases of politeness, so unusual for native Eastern Europeans, are especially important in international formats. This is both the beginning of a phrase and a person’s calling card. I always help elderly and short passengers with their luggage. Many, unlike me, are afraid to fly and are in a nervous state when landing.

Should you applaud when landing?

No. This is a faux pas, but does not mean that the pilot does not deserve encouragement and appreciation in difficult situations.

Serving food

The rules of table etiquette apply not only to restaurants and bars, but also to the airplane cabin, and even to the most economy class. The ability to arrange a tray of food and food on a plate, mastery of cutlery, ability to hold a glass and, most importantly, fold the napkin on the tray of food when finished - thereby covering the tray - all this is in your favor! Passing a tray to a passenger sitting by the window and being willing to help are the basics of mutual politeness. And knowledge of rare foreign languages ​​is not needed here. So are the sentimental rules of gender. You already know my favorite phrase that all the best and first of all attention goes to the elderly, and not at all to children!

Familiar strangers

When meeting someone you know in a salon, a greeting with a glance is enough. If you pass by a media or famous person, there is no need to stop, look back or turn around. All proximity on board the plane is forced. The rules of the private zone and personal space have not been canceled.

Tatyana Polyakova, consultant on business, social and international communication - @tatyanapolyakova_etiquette.​

Are you looking longingly at the second armrest? Don't forget that you are someone's neighbor too. The comfort of a flight is not only comfortable seats and helpful crew, but also a culture of fellow travelers. There are no written rules of behavior on board. But we'll take it and write it down.

1. Keep control of how much space your carry-on luggage takes up.

Airlines unchecked baggage while the thrifty passenger discovers the fifth dimension in his backpack. To accommodate hand luggage, the traveler is rightfully given two options: space under his seat (for a smaller bag) and a third of the shelf above his head (for the larger one).

2. Make sure you don't smell.

Firstly, your seat neighbor may be allergic (to tobacco smoke or perfumes). Secondly, the smell can be annoying for no reason. Basic recommendations: do not take off your socks, avoid onions and garlic when eating, do not douse yourself in perfume or other cosmetics with strong odors while on board an airplane. But a shower and deodorant before the trip is, on the contrary, a good idea.

3. Don't eat or drink anything that might stain you (and your neighbors).

Tomato juice, a sandwich with mustard or a handful of blueberries? An excellent set up until the first zone of turbulence or a fellow passenger kicking your seat from behind. During a flight, you are not always responsible for the position of your body. Therefore, unless you are rehearsing a role for an advertisement for washing powder, be careful with edible props.

4. Be healthy)!

If you had to fly unwell, take care not only of yourself, but also of those around you. The airplane space guarantees close contact with people and, at the same time, with their bacteria. When flying and illness happen at the same time, stock up on tissues, antiseptic, and don’t sneeze on your neighbors.

5. Don't complain about not having enough space if you're flying with a low-cost airline.

Flights with budget airlines are good, first of all, for their price. After all, if you were more concerned about space, would you still buy this ticket for € 9.99?

6. Keep your feet to yourself.

No matter how long and beautiful your legs are, this is not the time to show them off. It’s not a good idea to shove them between someone’s seats or put them in the aisle. Don't forget about your knees: even if you have to crowd on the middle chair, keep your legs together so as not to violate the personal space of the other.

7. Do not usurp the armrests: yield to the one who sits in the middle.

The ownership of armrests is an inexhaustible topic of debate. The window and aisle seats absolutely provide their owners with one personal fulcrum. But what to do with those in the middle? Most airlines have an unspoken rule that they are a consolation prize. That is, the armrest always belongs to the unfortunate person who got the center seat on the ticket.

8. Recline the seat carefully.

As you recline your seat, ask your neighbors behind you if they mind. In the case of an overnight flight, of course, reclining the seat is normal.

9. Do not lean on the seat in front to stand up or sit down.

You never know what is happening on the seat in front of you: a fellow traveler may be sleeping, drinking tea, working on a laptop or doing any other thing when a sudden push in the back will not be pleasant and is unlikely to lead to good things. When you buy a ticket, you only pay for your seat: not the one in front, and not the one in the back.

10. Adjust the volume of your headphones.

There is no point in wearing headphones that are so loud that your neighbors willy-nilly share your playlist. Don't impose tastes and don't interfere with sleep.

11. Adjust the brightness of the displays on your devices.

Make sure that the laptop or smartphone screen does not interfere with fellow travelers, not only on the right and left, but also from behind. Almost like being in a theater.

12. Remember that the child's behavior is the responsibility of the parent.

The best plan is to keep your child busy with quiet activities like coloring books, books or puzzles, and make sure your child doesn't kick the chair in front. On the other hand, if you are annoyed by a passenger with a child, try to be more tolerant: the child may be tired or simply sick.

13. Talk to fellow travelers only by mutual desire.

Small talk is a team effort. Accept defeat if your potential interlocutor tries to sleep, read, listen to music, or ignore you in any other way. On board the plane, everyone has fun on their own. And if you find yourself on the other side of the barricade, you have every right to say “no.”

14. Be polite to the flight attendants.

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