8 Basic Rules of Air Travel Etiquette

Respect the Space of Those Around You
No one likes the person who uses the space under all three seats, has a carryon bag that doesn’t quite fit in the overhead bin, takes over both arm rests, and reclines as far back as the chair allows. Limit what you take onboard the plane to a small bag that fits in the bin and one other item you can easily fit under the seat in front of yours.
The armrests are narrow so show some respect for the people on either side of you. It’s not that difficult to work out a solution if you are both agreeable. Reclining your chair all the way back can diminish the legroom of the person behind you.
Don’t Be a Chatterbox Many people enjoy flying in silence so before you start running your mouth to the person in the neighboring seat, learn to take a hint. You might want to introduce yourself when you sit down to get a feel for the other person’s mood. If he or she quickly dismisses you by opening a book, be respectful and stop talking.
Moving Around the Cabin Constant up-and-down movement can annoy your fellow passengers, particularly those in your row whose feet you just trampled. Use the restroom before you board your flight and avoid drinking so much that you’ll have to go again. If you know you are one of those people who cannot hold it for the duration of the flight, choose an aisle seat and let someone else have the window.
Alcohol Whoever thought alcohol during a flight was a good idea has obviously not sat next to someone who couldn’t hold his or her liquor. Don’t be one of those people who quickly downs an alcoholic beverage in order to max out on what is allowed.
If you happen to sit next to one of those people, and the person starts to annoy you, don’t get into a discussion with the boozer. Instead, ask the flight attendant if there is a vacant seat somewhere else.
Jostled Seats
Show respect by not jostling the seats around you. When you need to stand after a long flight, try not to pull too hard on the seat in front of you. If you are traveling with a small child, make sure he or she doesn’t kick someone else’s seat. If that happens, apologize and keep an eye on the child. A pre-flight lecture and a bribe for good behavior can solve that in most cases.
Communication With Airline Personnel Always be polite when communicating with airline personnel. They have quite a bit of responsibility to make sure you arrive at your destination safely and on time. Don’t chitchat with them too long, and avoid taking up too much of their time. Chances are, there are people behind you who need their attention. When someone from the airline or airport asks you a question, give a direct answer with respect. Don’t forget to say thank you.
Smells and Sounds Show respect for others by not inflicting odors and noise on your fellow passengers. Avoid the temptation to douse yourself with perfume because you might cause a respiratory problem for someone who has allergies. If you carry food onto the plane, make sure it doesn’t have a strong aroma that might offend someone who is squeamish.
Listening to your iPod is fine, but keep the volume down so you don’t inflict it on someone who doesn’t have the same taste in music. Don’t be one of those people who chats on a cell phone during the entire process of going through security and boarding.
Germs If you are sick, don’t fly. The small space in the fuselage of a plane practically insures that your germs will spread, even during a short flight. However, if you cough or sneeze on the plane, do so in the crook of your elbow and away from others. Carry fragrance-free hand sanitizer and use it whenever you touch a common area to prevent the spread of germs.

source:http://etiquette.about.com