Expert Sheds Light on the Biggest Travel ‘Icks’

Traveling by plane surrounded by strangers in a confined space is a recipe for some seriously awkward moments. From seat etiquette to personal space, there's a whole list of do's and don'ts that can't help but give you the "icks" when someone crosses the line. The travel experts at SkyParkSecure teamed up with etiquette expert Jo Bryant to assess the most popular travel "icks" and the biggest traveling turn-offs.

Their panel of experts has pinpointed the top ten dos and don'ts regarding airplane etiquette. These include guidelines on reclining seats, the etiquette of getting off the plane, and even whether you should strike up small talk with your seatmate, among other travel wisdom.

Clapping upon landing, as it turns out, is regarded as a common travel behavior that raises eyebrows, and there's a specific rationale behind it. This action made the top three on their list. According to their team of experts, it can be considered impolite towards the pilots. Etiquette expert Bryant offers an explanation, stating, "Applause isn't required upon landing and can come across as impolite towards the pilots. If the landing goes smoothly, clapping may imply astonishment at their skill; but if the landing is less than perfect, applause might be taken as mocking."

Number two on their list concerns removing one's shoes during a flight. Not everyone appreciates the sight of exposed, possibly sweaty feet, yet some passengers disregard this concern. Bryant explains that it's generally considered better etiquette to keep your shoes on, but on longer flights, it's often deemed acceptable to remove them, provided a few conditions are met. She recommends ensuring your feet are clean and odor-free if you choose to do so. Bryant also advises. "Keep them to yourself: never put them on the seat or, worst of all, rest them on the armrest of the seat in front."

Finally, topping their list is the act of seat swapping. Based on their research, Bryant clarifies that if you decide to request a seat change, simply disliking your assigned seat isn't a sufficient reason to request a switch. They recommend having a valid justification for the request.

Thanksgiving travel is stressful. Here's a pro-tip: per CNN, flying out on Thanksgiving day is actually easier than flying on the days leading up to Thursday. Over the next few days, 54 million people will travel 50+ miles from Wednesday and Sunday this week. The worst day for traveling is the Sunday after Thanksgiving -- the single busiest travel day of the entire year.

The Monday before Thanksgiving, fares are 17% cheaper than flying out the Wednesday before, per Nerdwallet (via TikTok). By extending your trip one day and flying out Cyber Monday, you can save 15% on your flight as opposed to flying the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Airlines can allow passengers to track their checked luggage with an app, but TikTokers found a hack that's even better: take a tracker like an Apple AirTag and drop it in your luggage.

Most people will drive this holiday, which makes sense: the average airfare prices are up about 40% from 2021, with leisure travelers paying an average of $289 one way, according to CNN. AAA estimates that 49 million will travel by car over holidays, compared to 4.5 million who fly. And for those drivers, gas prices are a far bigger concern than airfares. See the best traveling hacks this Thanksgiving holiday below, and save yourself time and money: