Flight attendant's plea to people who use FaceTime when boarding a plane

05 June 2023 , 14:43

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Your video call needs to wait, according to this flight attendant (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Nothing quite beats the airport buzz when you're about to head off on your summer getaway.

Whether you love or loathe being high in the sky, there's a certain thrill of walking onto a plane, as your holiday destination awaits you.

But not all of us has the perfect in-flight experience, as proven by the endless plane etiquette debates swirling around the internet as of late.

It's safe to say that no-one can decide whether it's acceptable to use both armrests, recline your seat, or refuse to give up your seat for a stressed-out parent, but one flight attendant has a new bug-bear that needs to be on your radar.

Video calling while boarding a plane can cause issues for other passengers (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We all know it's a requirement to turn our phones onto airplane mode while flying, but the industry insider has urged passengers to stop video calling their friends and family while boarding the plane too.

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It can be tempting to call a loved one last minute to bid your farewells ahead of a big trip, or to show them what you're up to while boarding the plane, but this flight attendant has stressed that it's poor etiquette to do so, as it can cause issues for staff other travellers.

Discussing her ultimate air etiquette rules with The New York Times, Kirstie Koerbel, a flight attendant, bluntly explained: "Boarding an airplane is not the time for your goodbyes. It's time for you to concentrate on finding your seat and stowing your bags as fast as possible so the people behind you can do the same thing."

It's safe to say that airline staff won't take too kindly to distracted passengers who are too preoccupied with their video call to focus on where their seat reservation is, or ensuring that their luggage is safely stowed away in the appropriate area of the plane.

Outside of etiquette rules, you might want to reconsider wearing leggings on a plane if you've set them aside for your next airport outfit, as they can be a safety risk.

Aviation expert Christine Negroni has previously said that wearing leggings could lead passengers to struggle if there is an emergency on board the flight.

Christine told The Sun : "You might have to escape through a cabin fire or there could be a separate fire on the ground once you leave the aircraft.

"Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire."

Ellie Fry