Travel Etiquette

Aircraft etiquette

When travelling by air, you are forced to rub elbows (literally) with people you don't know.
In close quarters and for extended periods of time, a little consideration goes a long way. To have a smooth flight, please practise the following aircraft etiquette:

To ensure you have a smooth, comfortable flight. We encourage you to practice the following etiquette when travelling by air:
  • Reduce or limit alcohol consumption before and during the flight. Airlines do not allow any passengers to board if you are suspected of being over the limit on alcohol consumption.
  • Carry your bag in front of you and low to the ground as you walk down the aisle to your seat to avoid knocking into other passengers. You can pull it along if it has wheels.
  • Utilise the overhead space allocated to your seat row. Do not place your bags in the overhead at the front of the plane unless you are sitting in that row. Do not put your bag in a bin near the front of the plane for a quick exit.
  • Keep your chair upright at least until you're told it can be reclined. Don't lean your chair back as soon as you board. When you do recline your chair, do it slowly – this will help you avoid disrupting the passenger behind you, especially during meal and beverage times. If possible, wait until food and beverages are finished being served and cleaned up.
  • Check behind you whether the person is tall, or whether they have a child on their lap? If so, consider keeping your seat upright out of consideration, especially if it's a short flight.
  • If you prefer seating with more space and know that having the seat in front of you reclined will make you uncomfortable, choose a bulkhead or exit row seat.
  • If another passenger breaches etiquette, chat to your flight attendant to handle the situation. If you are still struggling with a challenging passenger, chat to your chief flight attendant (purser) to handle it.
  • Avoid grabbing the back of the seat in front of you. Copy the flight attendants who balance themselves in the aisle by grabbing the luggage compartments above their heads, rather than the seat backs.
  • Respect personal space.
  • If you want to watch a movie on your personal DVD player, keep in mind your screen is visible to those behind you. Using a smaller, handheld device to view movies, such as on an iPod Touch, may be more practical if you want to view content that is more appropriate for adults.
  • Watch your elbows. If you're reading a newspaper or using a laptop, try not to let your elbows "spill over" onto someone else's personal space.
  • Make use of your own arm rest and headphone plug outlet.
  • Keep your belongings close. If you put a bag or a jacket at your feet, don't let it spill over onto the legs or feet of the person sitting next to you.
  • Always be swift and alert while stowing items in the overhead lockers
  • Be considerate of other passengers when you exit the plane.
  • Take care when retrieving luggage from the overhead compartment.
  • If you have a lot of bulky, heavy luggage in the overhead bin, wait until others have left before retrieving your luggage. This will help with traffic flow and allows all passengers to leave the plane as fast as possible.

Hotel etiquette

  • Be aware of local customs when travelling.
  • Research the destination prior to arriving so you are familiar with the culture and environment.
  • Tidy your room.
  • Watch your alcohol intake during the trip, any issues related to overindulgence will be dealt with in terms of the bank’s disciplinary code.
  • Keep the noise down and at a minimum after 23:00.
  • It is NOT advisable to bring extra guests back to your room.
  • Do not take photographs of or near military and official institutions and always ask permission when taking photographs of people.