The Basic Etiquette of Private Flying

Submitted by Miguel on Fri, 05/28/2010 - 23:47

If after my first blog “IMPERIAL JETS: A basic necessity”,  have managed to convince you to try to fly private, next is to learn these basic rules of etiquette to jumpstart you to a pretentiously private flyer from day 1.

 

Whether you are flying on your own, co-sharing or just hitching, these basic rules of decorum apply. Read on-

 

Before the flight:

 

Baggage

Though in principle, you can carry as much as you want, small and mid-size aircrafts have alas, space & weight limitations.   

 

Soft-case luggages are preferred against the hard cased ones but if you cannot live without your Hermés trunks, be safe and call your agent  for your dimensional and weight limitations lest it will be air cargoed to your destination (your Hermés trunks with the goats and the chickens in cargo is not a happy thought.).

 

If you are a guest, pack light and never make the faux pas of having more luggage than your host even if space allows for it.  I hate, hate, hate this rule especially if my host gets by with a gym bag.  But – c’est la vie!

 

As a host, you are to ask the guests of their preferred entertainment.  If what they like are re-run episodes of "Friends",  lie between your teeth and say that it is not available.  Then ask the customer rep to provide the entertainment of your own preference.

 

Catering

 

 

During my trans-Atlantic flights, the chartering company  usually offers various menus and it would be good to make a prearrangement of my preferences.  

 

However, not unless your name is Mariah Carey, you may not ask them to serve you just the red M&Ms and fugu.

 

If you have guests flying with you, ask about their dietary restrictions.  

 

One time, I flew with my Jewish friend  from London to NYC. I forgot to ask her about her dietary restrictions and she almost ate her arm off if not for the  cookies she had with her.  I tried the whole flight to convert her to a new religion only to appease my shame for not having kosher food. 

 

You can also bring your own food if KFC and Krispy Kreme donuts are your thang.  However, tis always wise to ask your customer rep for any food restrictions to your destination (ie:  Australia!!)

 

Be on time

 

 

Yes, I know- the main advantage of flying private is having time at your disposal.  You can paint the town red till the wee hours of the morning, get to the airport as a zombie and still not miss your flight.   (Not unless you are Lindsay Lohan and decide to “lose” your passport altogether- but I digress)

 

However, do not overdo it.  More than 45 minutes late is plain stupid.  Don’t arrive too early either (as in duh- you are flying private… ummm helllo!) as pilots and ground staff will be working on the plane, bringing the catering in and all the pre-flight check.   Arriving about 15 minutes prior to flight time should be just right.

 

Guests, try to arrive same time if not a tad earlier than your host.  Remember, the host can always decide to leave without you!

I’ve left some friends & former colleagues couple of times at the Nice airport, and they have learned their lesson well. 

 

Host or guests, call your chartering company if you are running late. CALL!

 

Boarding:

Sweeties,  you are hereby freed from the shackles of the BOARDING CARD! 

 

But, if you are a guest, let your host enter the aircraft first and take their seats.  It is like being sat to dinner sans the place cards.  As the hosts, they have the noblesse oblige to place.

 

 

During the flight:

 

This is specially for 1st timers:   Not because you are flying private means that you are freed from the inconveniences of polite society.

 

I was on a flight with 6 other friends from Vegas to Miami when one couple went for the Mile-High Club - causing an hour of insufferable turbulence for the rest of us …OMG...ewww!  To make things worst, they were just hitching! 

 

Don't be embarrassed to inform your co-passengers and the crew that it is your first time to fly private.  If you want to see the cockpit, meet the pilots (like I always do) like a giddy boy scout - knock yourself off!

 

Just wait for 30-45 minutes after take-off and then ask your FA (if there is) if it is possible to have a chat with your pilot and check out the cockpit. 

 

Pilots love chatting and explaining the whole flight procedure especially if you are cute *wink*.   If he is on the radio though, don't be offended if he does not answer. Better STFU and return to your seat.

 

One reason I love flying private is I CAN SMOKE during the flight. 

 

However, not all flight/aircraft or chartering company allows it. Always ask prior to your flight. But be sensible to other passenger/s who do not smoke. 

 

Ask the crew before lighting your ciggies. 

 

Don't get fresh with the crew.  It is ok to interact with the pilots & crew but reserve being Ms. Congeniality to Sandra Bullock.   Be polite but keep respectable distance.  

 

As a guest, it is normal not to know the aircraft at all so do not hesitate to ask your host or the crew about the various amenities and gadgets inside the plane. 

 

Once, I tried to play a CD and didn’t realize that the volume was set to 2 million decibels.  My in-laws almost got a heart attack thinking that the plane had crashed.   After all my struggling with the buttons for what seemed like eternity, my in-laws recovered but I so died of shame.  Never again!

 

Even as you're flying with family and/or friends, LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Don't be the in-flight entertainment (this is so moi!). Some need to rest or prepare for a biz meeting as soon as you land, so learn to zip it. 

 

Post flight:

Thank the pilot/s and crew sincerely (and only if they earned it). 

 

Do not give your biz cards, unless there is biz to talk about in the future.

Do not tip the crew or the pilots.  The best you can do is write the company a thank you letter commending the whole in-flight team. And promise to fly with them again requesting for the same in-flight team if you really mean it. 

 

If you are a guest, ask permission first if you can post pictures taken in flight (with or without your hosts) in your social network.  

 

You fly private to get privacy.  Now respect to do that.  

Flying private is enjoying the moment, not for showing off a souvenir (eeeww!).

 

After your flight and you have settled in, invite  & treat your host/s for a nice dinner as your gesture of saying thanks.  Go easy with the BS. 

 

Keep it short and sincere.

Enjoy the friendly skies… privately!

 

(Special thanks to Imperial Jets for the stunning photos. Am ready for my BRU-LAX-BRU flight, guys!)