Traveling is an exciting opportunity to explore new cultures, meet diverse people, and experience life from different perspectives. However, understanding travel etiquette is crucial to ensuring pleasant interactions and fostering positive relationships with locals and fellow passengers alike. Whether you’re boarding a long flight or sampling local delicacies, practicing travel etiquette can significantly enhance your journey. To help you out, we’ve put together a handy guide, and two of our expert Travel Concierges share their top travel etiquette tips.

Respect for Language and Culture

Before you head off on your journey, embracing a few key aspects of pre-trip etiquette means that once you arrive at your destination you’re already in tune with local culture and customs.

Learn a Few Key Phrases: Learning basic words and phrases in the local language, such as “hello,” “good morning,” “please,” and “thank you,” can greatly enhance your trip. This effort shows respect for the local culture and often fosters friendlier interactions. In many places, locals appreciate your attempt to communicate in their language, which can lead to more attentive and kind service from servers and others you encounter.

Research Local Customs: Each destination has its own unique customs and etiquette that can sometimes surprise travelers. For example, in Japan, tipping after a meal is often considered rude, while in many Asian countries, showing the soles of your feet is seen as disrespectful. In India and the Middle East, eating with your hands is customary, but using your left hand can be viewed as impolite.

Consider Local Religion and Sensibility When Packing: Clothing plays a vital role in demonstrating respect for local customs. In many regions, especially in Muslim-majority countries, it’s advisable to cover your arms and legs to ensure comfort for both yourself and the locals. Additionally, when visiting temples in Asia or churches in Italy, it’s important to make sure your shoulders are covered.

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Don’t Expect Things to be the Same as Home

When traveling, it’s essential to embrace the differences you’ll encounter rather than expecting things to mirror your home environment. Be open-minded and patient; understanding that others may have distinct ways of life will enrich your experience.

“A huge part of cultural expression is seen through the cuisine of a destination. When you visit a new country part of the joy is embracing their food and ways to prepare it,” says Travel Concierge Dom, who specializes in Iberia. “In fact, it is these differences that bring the country alive through your taste buds.

“I have seen visitors become annoyed in Spain when butter is not served with bread, primarily in places south of Madrid, when in fact they are visiting the largest olive oil producing country in the world. With a product this tasty, my advice is to try the many varieties and find one that you love. Of course you can always bring your own butter! But whatever you do, be polite about it.”

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Dining Etiquette

Eating food and sharing a meal is one of the best ways to learn about another culture and make friends with locals.

Learn the Local Ways: Dining etiquette varies significantly across cultures, so it’s wise to research local customs before you arrive. For example, burping during a Chinese dinner is a compliment, while doing so at a British Sunday roast would not be the case. In Egypt, requesting salt and pepper if it’s not on the table is seen as bad manners, whilst in Japan, slurping noodles or soup is acceptable, but in Brazil, eating with your hands—including hamburgers and fries—is considered unclean.

Try the local foods, gracefully: Trying local foods is a vital part of experiencing a culture. Embrace new flavors, textures, and culinary traditions with an open mind and positive attitude, even if they differ from your usual preferences. Avoid negative comments or grimacing at unfamiliar dishes, instead ask questions and expressing appreciation. This respectful approach fosters genuine connections and you may just surprise yourself with what you like.

If you love sensational dining, we recommend you read: 5 Michelin Star chefs celebrating local culture through food

Etiquette up in the Sky

Such a key part of many vacations, air travel requires close contact with others, whatever class you travel, and exhibiting proper etiquette is essential. Understanding the subtle rules of conduct can significantly enhance your journey and the experiences of those around you.

“Being considerate of your fellow travelers and respecting their personal space is very important,” says Karen Gower, who was a Travel Concierge for over 10 years before becoming Senior Travel Experiences Manager Europe at Luxury Gold. “Something that I have seen more in recent years that I find very frustrating is people watching movies without headphones and expecting the rest of the plane to participate in their in-flight entertainment. However, it is also disruptive when people keep their headphones in and therefore miss all the announcements from the flight attendants, such as telling them to sit down!

“My advice to travelers to ensure that flying remains an enjoyable journey rather than a burdensome task is to always read your information. Even knowing all your boarding info, such as whether to board at the front or the back, and knowing how to navigate the security line can greatly enhance the experience and leave everyone feeling fresh and relaxed.”

Hear more wisdom form Karen: How Luxury Gold Journeys Go Above and Beyond with Expert Karen Gower

Whose armrest is whose? A valuable travel etiquette tip regarding armrests is to recognize the seating hierarchy: the window seat enjoys the armrest closest to the window, the aisle seat claims the outer armrest, while the middle seat—often regarded as the least desirable—has a right to both center armrests. Acknowledging this simple guideline can help reduce discomfort and tension during crowded flights, making the journey more pleasant for everyone.

Seat etiquette: Avoid reclining your seat during meals, as it can encroach on the space of the person behind you.. and take care not to overly knock the seat in front. If you plan to get up often, consider reserving an aisle seat for easier access.

Personal Grooming and Scents While personal care routines are popular on flights, do pay attention to how it affects your fellow travelers. Strong perfumes and scented personal care items can be overwhelming in the confined space of an airplane. A subtle spritz may seem like a good idea, but actually not welcomed by your neighbor.

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Of Course, There’s Always Your Luxury Gold Travel Concierge

There is nothing more awkward than arriving in a foreign country without being familiar with the customs, which is where your Travel Concierge comes in. At the helm of every Luxury Gold journey, they’re an expert in the local culture and language. Offering insights into appropriate behaviors, dining protocols and cultural nuances, they help you navigate unfamiliar environments with confidence, ensuring you have the best experience, as well as ensuring a seamless, flawless journey from start to finish.

Frequent flyers and long-haul aficionados know the value of the world’s best airport lounges. They’re not simply a place to grab a snack or get some work done before a long flight; they can be an oasis for a long layover (the very best have shower suites, barbers or even spa treatments) and offer a quiet, civilised place to lay your head during a delay.

Unsurprisingly, it’s the world’s big business cities and the home hubs of the biggest, most luxurious airlines that contain the very best. From above-and-beyond airport cuisine to runway views and astonishing design, these are the bucket list airline lounges to book up ahead of your next international Luxury Gold journey. 

1. Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge, Hong Kong International Airport

On an international flight from East Asia to London or the US, you’ll want a quality airline with great facilities. Enter Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong-based airline whose jade-hued flagship lounge has a horseshoe-shaped cocktail bar, tucked away desk areas, shower suites with Bamford toiletries and spa rooms where all visitors are entitled to a 15-minute head or foot massage. The glossy, mid-century style is very Mad Men meeting room, while the food and drink are ultra luxe (wagyu burgers, macarons, Piper Heidiseck Champagne).

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2. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London Heathrow Airport

Even the world’s best airport lounges sometimes lack a sense of fun – not Richard Branson’s Upper Class hangout, which has swing seats, foliage walls, “retreat” relaxation pods, Peloton fitness bikes and a pool table to hit a few balls at. Multi-level design, an airfield view, Swingin’ Sixties-feel bar and banquette seating take you back to the golden age of air travel, while menus encourage you to dig into the cocktails – dry Martinis, Negronis, Bloody Marys and more. Chicken burgers, plant-based burgers, chicken wings and sausage rolls channel a British-Americana comfort food vibe. 

3. British Airways Chelsea Lounge, New York JFK Airport

The chandelier-style crystals that adorn the circular bar at the Chelsea Lounge set the tone for the deluxe experience New York flyers are about to have. In a different style to many wood-panelled airline lounges, the Chelsea’s decor is a pearlescent palette of whites and dove-greys, with comfy seating stocked with relaxed reading lights and ample power points for getting some work done, while seating around a modern fireplace installation is a stylish spot for a drink. A refined cocktail menu and expertly-chilled wine fridge kick off the refreshments, with Moet and Ruinart champagne top of the list, while upmarket dishes such as steak frites and sole Meuniere set you up for a long layover.

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4. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan business lounge, Doha Airport

Most of the world’s elite status lounges are solely for first class ticket holders, but Qatar’s Al Mourjan lounge is an example of a gold-tier hangout you can access with a business or first class ticket. Views of Doha’s undulating glass ceiling and forest of indoor foliage give it an architecturally striking feel, while the sheer space and range of seating mean everyone gets a quiet moment while awaiting their international flight. Plush leather chairs, high ceilings and suspended chandelier-like light fixtures add a luxe feel; there’s fresh sushi at the deli counter and a games room with pool table and table football. Shower suites are equipped for freshening up on a long layover, too.

The bedrooms at Swiss Air’s First Class Lounge Terminal E

5. Swiss First Class Lounge, Zurich

Ask a frequent cross-Europe flyer for their best airport lounges and you’ll likely hear Swiss’s First Class lounge in Zurich mentioned. One of two First Class lounges at Zurich, the one in Terminal E is the real looker: an airfield with a mountainous backdrop fills large windows, while slatted-wood room dividers have a Japandi feel; there’s even an outdoor terrace running along one side for a breath of fresh air with a view of the planes. You’re greeted with champagne as you enter, and there’s a huge whisky selection at the sculptural bar; set menus mean you can feast in style, with table service. But the standout feature here is the two bedrooms guests can access, for a much-needed nap between international flights.

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6. Turkish Airlines Lounge, Istanbul Airport

With 60,000 square feet of space to roam around, you can really stretch your legs here on a long layover. Turkish’s flagship lounge has a generous bag storage area, so you can enjoy the airport hands-free, and shower suites are available on a first come, first served basis. Little flourishes like a grand piano and a balcony level overlooking the airport concourse give it a high-end feel, as do high ceilings and indoor trees; the kitchen area is also built like a traditional stone-clad tavern. There’s a Turkish tearoom, a comfy TV viewing area and a huge hot buffet of deli foods, Turkish specialities, and of course a dessert and baklava station.

Delta Sky Club at LAX Airport

7. Delta SkyClub Lounge, Los Angeles International Airport

Delta Air Lines’ premium lounge at Los Angeles airport has 30,000 square feet of space, making it one of the largest in the Delta network; a standout feature is its outdoor Sky Deck, which allows guests to enjoy fresh air and relax while watching planes land and take off, with views of the Hollywood Hills and LA skyline beyond. Wellness was a big priority in the design, with spa-like restrooms, shower suites, and designated quiet zones for getting some downtime before a long international flight. Meanwhile the menu spans breakfast burritos, healthy quinoa and salad bowls, fruit plates and craft beers reflecting the healthy, local-minded LA scene. There are shower suites for a freshen-up, too, though you have to register your interest at a kiosk and wait.

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Emirates’ First Class Lounge at DXB

8. Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai Airport

Spanning the entire length of DXB Airport’s Concourse A, Emirates’ First Class lounge is only available to First passengers, making it more peaceful and less crowded than the business lounge, and regularly voted one of the world’s best airport lounges. Glossy wood panelling and a mosaic-tiled food counter give it an exotic, Middle Eastern feel, though there’s a brightly coloured playroom for children travelling with First-flying parents. You can pick up premium dishes at the sushi and sashimi counter or chilled Champagne bar, or order a la carte to your table. Leather-upholstered day beds with blankets and pillows are available in a relaxation area – ideal for naps on a long layover – while generous shower suites in the mosaic-tiled bathroom feel more like a mini spa.

How to access airport lounges:

The most straightforward way to gain access to a lounge is to have a First Class ticket (for the First Class lounges) or a Business Class ticket (for the Business Class lounges) for the relevant airline. After that, there are a couple more ways: there are certain credit cards that come with lounge access, including the American Express Platinum card to access the Delta SkyClub lounge or American Express Centurion lounge, or a Chase Sapphire Reserve card to enter Chase Sapphire lounges in the US.

Most premium lounges also offer entry to certain high-tier members of loyalty programmes with a partner airline, so long as they are flying the lounge’s own airline at the time. For example, Cathay Pacific’s First Class The Pier lounge is only available to First Class flyers as well as Cathay Pacific Diamond club members and Emerald-status OneWorld members (including BA Gold members) who are flying Cathay Pacific.

Airplane etiquette is broadly the same as standard, everyday etiquette, but there are some specific differences that come up repeatedly. These include (but are not limited to) reclining your seat, using the overhead bins, employing tray tables and – quelle horreur – bare feet. Let’s tackle how to do the right thing by everyone, once and for all.

Embarkation: starting as you mean to go on

As you board the plane, you will want to say hello to the flight attendants waiting to greet you and potentially to some of your fellow passengers, too. This may sound obvious, but as you try to navigate the tiny aisle with your carry-on in one hand, your passport in the other, and all the many thoughts in your head, it can be difficult to remember to exchange common courtesies.

Hello is an important first step in not getting so wrapped up in your own journey that you forget about everyone else’s, which means it’s a good time to take a break from noise canceling headphones, too (more on those later). Do extend the good vibes when stowing your baggage – of course you want to be near your stuff, but the space above your head is not yours by right. Make space and compromises where you can, help your fellow passengers hoist their bags.

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The A, B, C (and D, E, F) of airplane seating

The big question: what is the middle seat etiquette on a plane? Well, it’s generally agreed that both armrests are yours, but you must pay attention to how you’re using them – two arms so relaxed that you have an elbow in the face of both neighbours is not acceptable, for instance. Keep in mind the person in the window seat can lean that way, but the person in the aisle seat has nowhere else to turn. Meanwhile, if you’re in the window seat, you’re in charge of the window shade. It’s your choice whether it’s open or closed, but it doesn’t hurt to turn to the person next to you before you close it, to make sure they don’t mind.

If for some reason you need to switch seats (for access to the bathroom, to be near your family), ask politely, and offer a comparable seat to the one they have. Never take someone’s seat before they’ve boarded, and do take no for an answer – they, like you, may have good reason. That said, if you’re asked to switch seats, do honor the request if you can. It could radically transform someone’s journey.

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Keeping it civilized at 40,000 feet

Noise canceling headphones can pose a significant barrier to airplane etiquette, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear them. They can also be a very helpful tool for switching off from screaming babies and overly chatty neighbours, protecting your patience and personal space. As a rule of thumb, just slide them off while flight attendants talk you through safety protocols, and whenever you see a cart approaching. That way, you won’t get frustrated when you miss out on snacks either.

Flying with (and in the vicinity of) children

Noone is having a harder time than the parent or carer of an unhappy child. Always bear that in mind, as a minimum. Beyond that, if you can offer a stressed parent or baby a smile, it will go a long way. If you happen to be the passenger in the seat in front, exercise patience for the first few minutes while the family behind you settles in to the unfamiliarity and discomfort of the plane. If you feel the dreaded kick in the back, just give the parents a few minutes to deal with it before you speak up. On the other hand, if you’re the parent: watch those small but mighty feet. They are one of the cornerstones of airplane etiquette.

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The seatbelt light is still on…

What is the etiquette when exiting a plane? Should you pop up as soon as you hear the ding and crank open the overhead bin? Or should you remain seated until the last possible moment? If you’re in a hurry, or have a connecting flight to catch, let a flight attendant know so they can help you get off quickly. Otherwise, you may stand when the light goes off and stretch your legs, but try to remain in your own personal space, as you gather your possessions. Don’t enter the aisle to access the overhead bin until it’s clearly your row’s turn. That means giving people in the row before you the time and space they need to access their own belongings.

Finally: feet

Don’t remove your shoes. Don’t do it! Always fly in shoes that will last the distance.

Do you have any favorite airplane etiquette tips? Share them with us in the comments section, below.