a refresher on business air travel etiquette

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A refresher on business air-travel etiquette

What not to do when you are flying for work

The covid-19 pandemic has, thanks to Zoom, killed off many work trips. But not all of them. Some in-person meetings far afield are coming back. And so is business flying. Plenty of obvious edicts of air-travel etiquette are effortlessly acquired, along with air miles, merely by flying frequently. As a sophisticated traveller, you probably know the drill by heart. Still, air-rage incidents are up markedly compared with pre-pandemic times—by 50% in America and a whopping 200% in Britain. Some people could do with a refresher.

Many rules of aeroplane decorum apply to all travel. But as a business traveller, you represent not just yourself but also your employer, whose logo you may well be sporting on your jacket or laptop bag. So hewing to them is critical. They begin to apply before you board the aircraft. Arrive at the gate early and in style—do not run for your life only to be panting embarrassingly or even worse, hold the plane and make 200 people wait impatiently while you browse gadgets at Duty Free. Queue-cutters and pushers have their own place in hell.

Once on board, remember the basics. Do not keep your headphones on when spoken to, make a fuss when you are told that the chicken tikka is finished or, heaven forbid, perform any personal grooming in public. Bare feet on the seat or bulkhead are a no-no. Aggressive typing on your laptop is, too. Manspreading and “galley yoga" in the flight attendants’ work area are to be avoided.

Be wary of booze. Alcohol’s effects are more pronounced 30,000 feet above ground, even in a pressurised cabin, because of lower oxygen levels. If you tend to feel nauseous when cabin pressure changes during take-off and landing, avoid the vodka during the flight. Unruly, entitled passengers tend to be boozing passengers—and vice versa. You don’t want to become a TikTok sensation, and nor does your employer. Cabin crew, trained to be courteous and professional, should be matched in tone.

Economy class is the trickiest. As airlines are packing more seats on planes in coach, legroom is scarce and your own meal tray encroaches on your space. This does not excuse putting your feet up on tray tables, slamming back your seat when you recline or handing the flight attendants rubbish while they are distributing food. Overhead bins are meant to be shared. So are armrests. You have no control over who sits next to you but you have agency. If you find yourself elbow to elbow with Chatty Cathy, it is alright to say “excuse me" and slip on your noise-cancelling headphones.

You should probably avoid working on anything remotely sensitive. As your company’s chief of security no doubt regularly reminds you, some people are nosy. Even those who aren’t may inadvertently sneak a peek at your spreadsheet. Take the time to think about strategy or read that management book you have been meaning to for months.

Corporate dress codes may have relaxed but opt for transatlantic athleisure only if you have time to change before heading to your meeting after you land. Boarding the red-eye in pyjama bottoms is not OK. Elasticated waistbands are acceptable. Yoga pants and flip-flops are not; they clash with the spirit of work—especially if colleagues and clients might be on the same flight. And you never know whom you might run into at the luggage carousel.

For those lucky enough to work for firms with fat travel budgets, business class helps attenuate these problems. You can work more freely and never need to kick the seat in front of you to let the passenger in the row ahead know they are reclining too comfortably (which, incidentally, you should not do in economy either). Even so, remember you are not alone. Do not violate other passengers’ personal space with your body, voice (just because you are a senior vice-president at Goldman Sachs does not mean others want to listen to your phone conversation while you board) or odour (splash on your hypnotic sandalwood cologne in moderation).

Most of these challenges are eliminated if you fly first class. You get a personal suite, à la carte dining, vintage champagne and, on some flights, doorstep baggage pick-up, check-in and drop-off by airline employees (though even that probably doesn’t excuse flip-flops). Or so this guest Bartleby is told. When she suggested corroborating it herself for the purposes of research, her request was regrettably denied. You will have to work this part out on your own. Fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the flight.

Read more from Bartleby, our columnist on management and work: 

The dark and bright sides of power (Jul 27th) 

Workplace advice from our agony uncle (Jul 20th) 

Executive coaching is useful therapy that you can expense (Jul 13th)

Also: How the Bartleby column got its name

© 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com

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Business Travel Etiquette: Appropriate Spending Habits for Work Trips

There’s one question that almost always arises when it comes to business travel etiquette: can I put that on the company card?

One of the more nuanced aspects of work travel is spending. What luxuries are consistent with proper business travel etiquette, and what’s going overboard? AppZen , an automated expense software, has some ideas of how to answer that. In a January 2019 report, they look beyond accommodation and transportation, featuring unusual expenses from the last quarter and how company policies can affect road warrior habits.

What NOT to charge

AppZen studied the spending reports of close to 1,000 companies, concentrating their efforts to the previous quarter. One aspect of their findings reveals what they call “high risk” expenses. Essentially, these receipts aren’t suitable for the company card, highlighting why corporate travel managers might need to be extra careful when skimming down expense reports. Most of us wouldn’t even dream of trying to get reimbursed for a tattoo, yet this is on the list along with things like:

• Strip Clubs
• Dog kennels
• And “payments to politically exposed people”

Yikes! What were those employees thinking? While it’s unlikely that your company will fund bribes or personal addictive habits, other expenses are not so clear-cut. In the end, it all comes down to company policy.

What’s more likely to be approved

For approved expenses, AppZen gathered some interesting data in regards to company policies. Here, we’ll break down those findings by category:

Productivity: Unsurprisingly, companies are willing to cough up more dough to give business travelers the tools they need to stay productive. As such, 41% and 37% of employers cover mobile and Internet charges, respectively. While we’d expect that latter number to be a bit higher, the presence of complimentary Wifi at most accommodations might deem paid Internet unnecessary (though we’d encourage it in the name of Internet security ).

Health: It seems that you’ll have better luck working out at your hotel and paying for laundry services than you would exercising at a health club. Laundry expenses and health club visits were reimbursed by 39% and 11% of employers, respectively.

Insurance: Insurance reimbursement numbers came in pretty low in AppZen’s report. Roadside assistance insurance was covered by just 3% of employers while personal accident insurance was covered by 16%. Granted, many corporate credit cards actually include some insurance options for business travel, making it less urgent for employers to invest in paid coverage.

Food: In regards to business travel etiquette, food is where some road warriors might find a reason to pause and think. While it’s as necessary as transportation and accommodation, there are certain luxuries that companies would prefer to see work travelers pare down on. AppZen reported that less than 20% of employers were willing to cover charges for room service and the mini bar.

Interestingly, a Dinova study found that road warriors take things like authenticity and nutritional value into consideration when dining on the go, so it’s possible that preferences are shifting along with policies. After all, why stay in when you can go out?

Luxuries: Think you can expense golf outings, sports tickets, and movies? At some companies, you can. Each of the above was approved by a handful of employers in AppZen’s study. Of course, if client entertaining is involved, you should be able to get reimbursed almost all the time.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s up to your company to outline what business travel etiquette is appropriate when it comes to spending, and your responsibility to ask ahead of time if you’re unsure. Smaller companies might appreciate a more conservative approach from their road warriors, while corporate teams might have more resources to fund things like client meals.

“A well-defined spend policy clearly conveys a company’s expectations for what business activities can be reimbursed.” – Anant Kale, Co-founder and CEO of AppZen

Be sure to take a look at the full infographic from AppZen at the bottom of this article, and if you have any thoughts on business travel etiquette and spending, please share in the comments.

Business Travel Life

Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.

Mellisa Pascale

Mellisa is a writer and traveler. She’s studied in London, backpacked in Europe, and road-tripped around Iceland. Most recently, her travels took her to New Zealand, where she worked and volunteered while participating in the Working Holiday Visa program.

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Airplane etiquette, that's the ticket: up in the air about flying when courtesy takes a nose dive.

There was a time when being an airline passenger was almost as deluxe an experience as taking the QE II or traveling on the Orient Express . Ladies wore hats and gloves, men were dressed in suits and ties, and “stewardesses” looked like Vogue models. Those days are long gone.

I may be wrong about this, but there may be some correlation between the casualization of our culture and the decline of good behavior, especially where air travel is concerned. Those “friendly” skies aren’t so friendly anymore, but don’t be too quick to lay the blame squarely at the feet of the TSA.

Airports rank right up there with hospital ERs in terms of their emotional volatility. Suitcases aren’t the only kinds of baggage passengers bring with them on the ride. Unlike driving alone in a car to your destination, you pretty much relinquish control of everything when you commit to traveling by air. Pretty scary, huh?

Even before you leave home, what you end up packing in your bags and putting on your body is determined by airport authorities. Unless you’re a frequent flyer, you may not know all the things you may have to toss or remove while going through security. It’s this lack of knowledge that contributes mightily to irritation from the get-go, both on your part and on the part of everyone around you.

If you don’t fly often, pay attention to the following so that fellow travelers won’t want to beat you senseless while you’re going through security.

Don’t put on jewelry or watches until you reach your departure gate.

Take off belts with metal buckles before you try to go through the screening.

Don’t wear shoes or boots that you can’t get off and on quickly (this is the only time I would advocate wearing flip-flops if you’re a business traveler).

Put your laptop in a tray by itself .

Don’t try to jump ahead of those who aren’t as savvy as you are.

If you’re the weakest link in the line, urge others to come around you.

Don’t try to re-dress yourself or repack your bags while items are still in the trays on the conveyor belt.

If you’re short on time but “know the drill,” anyone who is impeding your progress to the departure gate becomes your worst nightmare. Try to exercise some patience and quit blaming others if you haven’t given yourself enough time to make your flight. By now, you ought to expect the unexpected and plan accordingly.

If you haven’t bothered to get informed about airport restrictions beforehand, let others go ahead of you, and don’t argue the point with TSA personnel about your “not knowing.” You do now!

Don’t breathe too easily. The adventure has just started.

Stay Informed

Once you’re at your departure gate, anything can happen. The monitor over your gate’s desk is your best source of current information. Yes, the gatekeepers may make announcements, but you probably won’t be able to hear what they’re saying. Their microphones may not be working, or they’re speaking too quickly or with too heavy an accent, or too many people around you are talking to others while on their cell phones. The point is: you can’t hear squat, so look at the monitor for information about your flight.

I was recently returning from a business trip to Houston, and the flight I was to be on was delayed four times. When the fourth delay was announced, we found out we would be on a different flight leaving from a different gate located in a different terminal.

My knowledge about all these changes came from the monitor rather than from the person making the verbal announcements. Those around me were making so much noise about the delays and voicing their opinions about the airline’s competence—or lack thereof—that I couldn’t hear anything.

Now Boarding

No two airlines have the exact same boarding procedures, so assume nothing as you wait to hear your number or zone called. Lots of people will probably have their numbers called before you do, so settle down. Hoping the person scanning boarding passes won’t notice you’re in Zone 54 while Zone 1 folks are queuing up is selfish and slows the boarding process.

Cool your heels while those designated as Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, or Ruby Travel Club members step proudly onto the red rubber bath mat that gets rolled out for “special” travelers. Someday you might make it out of the Cubic Zirconium group, but for now, let them bask in the moment. You have an assigned seat, don’t you?

Please Be Seated

I don’t know about you, but I like sitting by the aisle for multiple reasons. The window seat is a close second, but sitting in the middle is torture. I’d rather spend my flight time in the head or strapped to a wing.

If you find yourself with an aisle seat but the other two seats in your row are still vacant, use some common sense. Don’t belt yourself in until the flight attendant closes the door and makes the final cabin check. Chances are your two MIA seat mates have just done an O J Simpson sprint through the airport to make the flight. No need to worsen the situation by sighing heavily, rolling your eyes, or making comments about how their lateness has ruined everyone’s life—like, forever!

Excess Baggage    

One regulation that isn’t up for debate is the number of items you can bring on board. This is routinely put to the test. Two means two.

While you may believe it unjust for airlines to charge fees for checked bags, it’s just as unfair for passengers to slow things down by insisting their golf clubs or cello will fit in the overhead bin just fine.

Be mindful of what you can or can’t hoist over your head. Pulling a suitcase with wheels through an airport is one thing. Getting it up and into a space that might accommodate a shoe box at best is quite another. If you’re the struggler, ask for help. People are very good about assisting, especially if you’re old, young, short, cute, or at least pleasant.

If you are seated under the bin the struggler is trying to fill or empty, be alert if you can’t be helpful. On more than one occasion, I’ve witnessed seated passengers stunned—if not injured—by falling computer bags, architectural blueprint tubes, and an Estee Lauder beach bag containing a fully smoked Virginia ham.

Coffee, Tea, and What’s for Lunch

Speaking of food, exercise some consideration for others during a flight. Even if you thought ahead and bagged up a tasty sardine and onion sandwich to munch on while soaring over the Rockies, you’ll probably not be the only passenger in the cabin. Even seasoned travelers get air sick, and the slightest whiff of odoriferous food might push them over the edge. Have a heart.

Ditto on the booze. This is a plane, not a pub. Even if you think a drink will settle your nerves, several won’t help the situation. Years ago, I had the misfortune of sitting next to a chap who made short work of three bourbon and Cokes during a morning flight from Pittsburgh to DC. The third one ended up in my lap since he was too loaded at that point to hold on to the glass.

While airlines might provide amenities that are meant to make passengers more comfortable, most planes aren’t designed or intended to function like full-service flying hotels. First and foremost, the flight attendants’ primary job is seeing to everyone’s safety. Beverage and food service, headphone sales, and blanket distribution are nice but not critical. Exercise restraint before summoning the attendant to refresh your drink, fluff your pillow, or console your wailing baby.

You’re Not Alone

Airline personnel occasionally score headlines for saying inappropriate things to passengers, and this is never okay. But consider the multiple instances of bad behavior that everyone—personnel and passengers alike—is subjected to in airports and on planes. Paying attention and being more self-aware would improve the experience of flying for one and all.

So what has contributed to our loss of discretion in public venues such as airports and airplanes? Why do we imagine others around us can’t see or hear what we are doing or saying?

Surely the reliance on electronic devices has some part to play in our collective cluelessness about where we are. I spend a lot of time in airports and train stations, and one change I’ve noticed in recent years is that I rarely see people face on. Instead, I see the tops of heads or people’s profiles as they manipulate smartphones or tap on laptop keys. Such devices provide an escape from the reality of where people actually are and who might be observing them.

Consequently, people say hideously indiscrete things on their cell phones as though no one can hear them. On more than one occasion, I’ve heard business people bad mouth clients to folks at their home office via cell phones while waiting for their flights to depart. I’ve been tempted to tell them I own the company they’re denigrating just to see their reactions.

Cell phone abuse is particularly vile on a plane, and when the announcement is made to power down electronic gadgets, you’d think a drug supply had suddenly dried up. I’ve seen people panic for the few minutes they must go cold turkey until we reach cruising altitude or land.

If you are so addicted, remember you are sitting shoulder to shoulder next to a total stranger perhaps. This person can’t help but hear everything you say, whether he or she wants to or not. You don’t need to yell into your cell. If you absolutely must let someone know you have arrived for the purpose of catching a ride, do so and end the call quickly. This is not the time to talk about how miserable the flight was or what a moron you had sitting next to you. Most everyone on the plane can hear what you’re saying, so shut up already.

The Home Stretch

Once the plane has landed, there will always be a wait. This can be especially aggravating if you have a connecting flight and little time to make it. Things can get mighty tense if exiting the plane is delayed by those strugglers I mentioned earlier.

If I’m at my final destination, I let others with tight connections go ahead of me. Others have done the same for me on several occasions. It’s a simple gesture that costs nothing but a little time, and it goes a long way toward making air travel a little less hateful than it too often is.

After years of having to fly, I’ve offered these observations to remind myself and you of some things over which we do have control. One of those is our attitude. Keep one that is positive, and chances are you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re able bodied, not pressed for time, or simply feel inspired to do the right thing, think about others you’ll encounter on your next flight. Offer to help someone lift a bag into an overhead bin. Hang back to let others depart the plane first if you’ve reached your final destination. Move away from others if you must talk on your cell phone. Thank the flight crew for helping you reach your destination safely.

For many people, the very act of flying is terrifying or aggravating. Anything we, as passengers, can do to turn such feelings around is well worth the effort.

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Travel Etiquette 101: A Refresher

Whether you’re on the road for business or pleasure, it’s always good to get a refresher on travel etiquette.

If this is the first time at your destination, read up on the place in advance, especially about the history and culture if you’re traveling to a foreign country.

For foreign destinations it’s courteous — and helpful — to learn some common words and phrases before you go. Apps like Duolingo can be a fun introduction to a new language. It’s also handy to have Google Translate, or something similar, on your phone. Just type a sentence in English to get a translation into any one of dozens of languages.

If you’re not used to carrying a lot of small bills in your wallet, remember that you’ll need them in situations where you can’t simply add a tip on your credit card. Think about the staff at your hotel, like the concierge, porters or housekeepers, who are usually tipped in cash.

You probably have a sense of how much to tip if you’re traveling in the United States — $2 to $3 a night for hotel housekeeping, 10 percent to 15 percent for a taxi driver, 15 percent to 20 percent for restaurant waitstaff. But there may be different expectations when you’re traveling abroad. For example, in Europe, restaurant tips are generally more modest than in the United States, and service may be included.

Regulations regarding photography also vary. At some places, you can take photos everywhere, as long as you don’t use a flash. Others may allow it only in certain areas. Or, photography may be banned completely. For example, you can take photos in all areas of the Vatican Museums apart from the Sistine Chapel, where it’s forbidden.

Many museums have also banned the use of selfie sticks, out of a concern that distracted visitors could damage priceless artwork or inadvertently poke someone while they’re trying to get that perfect shot. If there’s any doubt about the photography policy, just ask.

If you’re a business traveler, there are other considerations when it comes to etiquette, especially if you’ll be meeting people for the first time. From what you wear to the way you greet new clients and colleagues, you want to make sure that you strike exactly the right tone. You want to fit in — not appear overly casual or overly formal. It’s a good idea to read up on the business culture of the place you’re visiting, especially if it’s abroad or even in another region of the United States.

For help navigating any travel plans, contact your travel advisor or connect with one through JetSetGO .

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Airplane Etiquette Rules for a Happy Flight

When boarding a plane, settling in for a comfortable flight is likely a top priority—reclining your seat, kicking off your shoes, and stashing your belongings away in the bins to prep for the long haul. But one passenger's comfort can be (and usually is) another's pet peeve. While these all seem like relatively minor offenses, learning about a few common pain points (and how to compromise) can ease the journey for everyone on board.

The Elbow and Armrest Dilemma 

Just whose armrest is it, anyway? Well, if you're in the middle, more power to you if you want to seize sovereignty of armrest territory: the window and aisle already have one each of their very own, thus, the middle seat gets both the interior armrests. Feel free to enlighten an armrest-stealing seatmate regarding this rule.

Better yet, don't get stuck in the middle -- choose a window or aisle seat when you buy your ticket.

Place Your Bag Over Your Seat

Have you ever boarded a plane to find the overhead bin above your empty seat row is already full? It turns out that some travelers keep an eye on their bag by storing it one row ahead of where they're sitting. These passengers are afraid that someone will steal their bag, so they place it in an area where they believe they'll be able to notice if it's taken. We've never heard of someone stealing someone else's carry-on bag, and think it would be incredibly noticeable and quickly resolved if someone was to try it. 

The problem with this tactic, though, comes when you then have to walk to a different area of the plane to find a free spot, then squeeze your way back to my seat. Then the passenger whose seat is there won't be able to place their bag above them, and the pattern continues. If this happens to you, then you'll need to practice Zen and the art of calmly waiting for everyone to get off when the plane lands, rather than shouldering your way down the packed aisle to retrieve your carry-on bag.

Keep out of the Aisle

When you board the plane, try to put your bag up in the overhead cabin bins and sit down in your seat as quickly as possible. It can be frustrating for everyone except (apparently) the person doing it to watch someone stand in the aisle and rummage endlessly in a bag inside a bin whilst everyone else waits, bags on shoulders. 

So, before you board, stash what you want for the flight -- laptop, book, energy bar, lip balm -- inside the small carry on you'll keep at your feet under the seat in front of you. Stow your bigger bag in the overhead bin, sit down and then rummage to your heart's content.

Don't Recline Your Seat

Nothing gets an air traveler more worked up than the person in front of them reclining their seat. 

If at all possible, do not recline your seat. Yes,  airline seats are shrinking , but you reclining your seat means that the person behind them has to recline their seat, and so on, until everyone's annoyed and leaning slightly backward. 

The advice offered by etiquette experts seems to be to do whatever you politely can or suffer in silence if you're on the receiving end; if this is your first time in the air, know that reclining your seat more than two inches is going to make the person behind you fairly sad for several hours. If they're polite passengers, they won't be reclining their own seats and thus, thanks to you, your head will practically be under their noses. It's also an invitation to get your seat banged from behind as the squished passenger tries to get into their under-seat carry on despite the seatback in his/her face.

Oh, and you can break the open lid of the laptop on the seatback tray behind you by quickly throwing your seat backward. If you must recline, do it slowly enough (after turning around and mentioning that you're about to do it) that the passenger behind you can move spill-able, breakable stuff out of harm's way.

Keep the Window Shade Up

If you're sitting in the window seat and have control of the window, other people may not want to sit in darkness or be unable to see the bright blue sky outside their window, and it's nice to be respectful of that.

One thing you could do if you like the shade closed is to ask your seatmates how they feel about it. If they don't mind whether you close it or not, feel free to keep it shut for the flight. If they do want it open, you could offer to trade seats with them, so they get the window and you don't have to spend the flight trying to avoid looking out of it. 

Keep Your Phone on Silent

​There's nothing more annoying than having to sit and listen to somebody having a phone conversation on a flight -- everyone can hear you and nobody can escape. Whether it's making a phone call with your phone or calling someone from Skype to show that you're online at 35,000 feet, keep your conversation quiet and no longer than a few minutes. 

This article has been edited and updated by Lauren Juliff . 

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A refresher on business air-travel etiquette

T he covid -19 pandemic has, thanks to Zoom, killed off many work trips. But not all of them. Some in-person meetings far afield are coming back. And so is business flying. Plenty of obvious edicts of air-travel etiquette are effortlessly acquired, along with air miles, merely by flying frequently. As a sophisticated traveller, you probably know the drill by heart. Still, air-rage incidents are up markedly compared with pre-pandemic times—by 50% in America and a whopping 200% in Britain. Some people could do with a refresher.

Many rules of aeroplane decorum apply to all travel. But as a business traveller, you represent not just yourself but also your employer, whose logo you may well be sporting on your jacket or laptop bag. So hewing to them is critical. They begin to apply before you board the aircraft. Arrive at the gate early and in style—do not run for your life only to be panting embarrassingly or even worse, hold the plane and make 200 people wait for you while you are browsing gadgets at Duty Free. Queue-cutters and pushers have their own place in hell.

Once on board, remember the basics. Do not keep your headphones on when spoken to, make a fuss when you are told that chicken tikka is finished or, heaven forbid, perform any personal grooming in public. Bare feet on the seat or bulkhead are a no-no. Aggressive typing on your laptop is, too. Manspreading and “galley yoga” in the flight attendants’ work area are to be avoided.

Be wary of booze. Alcohol’s effects are more pronounced 30,000 feet above ground, even in a pressurised cabin, because of lower oxygen levels. If you tend to feel nauseous when cabin pressure changes during take-off and landing, avoid the vodka during the flight. Unruly, entitled passengers tend to be boozing passengers—and vice versa. You don’t want to become a TikTok sensation, and nor does your employer. Cabin crew, trained to be courteous and professional, should be matched in tone.

Economy class is the trickiest. As airlines are packing more seats on planes in coach, legroom is scarce and your own meal tray is encroaching on your space. This does not excuse putting your feet up on tray tables, slamming back your seat when you recline or handing the flight attendants rubbish while they are distributing food. Overhead bins are meant to be shared. So are armrests. You have no control over who sits next to you but you have agency. If you find yourself elbow to elbow with Chatty Cathy, it is alright to say “excuse me” and slip on your noise-cancelling headphones.

You should probably avoid working on anything remotely sensitive. As your company’s chief of security no doubt regularly reminds you, some people are nosy. Even those who aren’t may inadvertently sneak a peek at your spreadsheet. Take the time to think about strategy or read that management book you have been meaning to for months.

Corporate dress codes may have relaxed but opt for transatlantic athleisure only if you have time to change before heading to your meeting after you land. Boarding the red-eye in pyjama bottoms is not OK . Elasticated waistbands are acceptable. Yoga pants and flip-flops are not; they clash with the spirit of work—especially if colleagues and clients might be on the same flight. And you never know whom you might run into at the luggage carousel.

For those lucky enough to work for firms with fat travel budgets, business class helps attenuate these problems. You can work more freely and never need to kick the seat in front of you to let the passenger in the row ahead know they are reclining too comfortably (which, incidentally, you shouldn’t do in economy either). Even so, remember you are not alone. Do not violate other passengers’ personal space with your body, voice (just because you are a senior vice-president at Goldman Sachs does not mean others want to listen to your phone conversation while you board) or odour (splash on your hypnotic sandalwood cologne in moderation).

Most of these challenges are eliminated if you fly first class. You get a personal suite, à la carte dining, vintage champagne and, on some flights, doorstep baggage pick-up, check-in and drop-off by airline employees (though even that probably doesn’t excuse flip-flops). Or so this guest Bartleby is told. When she suggested corroborating it herself for the purposes of research, her request was regrettably denied. You will have to work this part out on your own. Fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the flight. ■

Read more from Bartleby, our columnist on management and work: The dark and bright sides of power (Jul 27th) Workplace advice from our agony uncle (Jul 20th) Executive coaching is useful therapy that you can expense (Jul 13th)

Also: How the Bartleby column got its name

https://www.economist.com/business/2023/08/04/a-refresher-on-business-air-travel-etiquette A refresher on business air-travel etiquette

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A refresher on business air-travel etiquette – The Economist

by | Aug 4, 2023 | Uncategorized

A refresher on business air-travel etiquette   The Economist

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