When your flight arrives at the gate and the seatbelt sign is turned off, should you immediately stand up no matter what, or should you remain seated? This is a surprisingly contentious topic…
In this post:
Pros and cons of getting up when plane arrives at gate
View from the Wing writes a post about four reasons you should stand up as soon as the plane lands (and by that I assume he means when the plane arrives at the gate, because there are some countries where people commonly get up as soon as the plane lands, and it’s not pretty). 😉
Gary argues that you absolutely should get up as soon as the plane arrives, because it benefits you and your fellow passenger. His argument comes down to three points:
- Getting ready to deplane, including getting things out of the overhead bin, speeds up the process
- It’s polite to the middle seat passenger who’s been stuck in place for hours
- You’ve been stuck in an uncomfortable seat for hours, why not stand as soon as you can?
- “Operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers” (which is a point someone else made that he agrees with)
While those points are fair, there are also some downsides to cramming into the aisle, which aren’t addressed:
- Aisles are tiny, and there’s simply not enough room for both aisle passengers to stand up at once throughout the plane; a 737 aisle is roughly 18″ wide, and if you assume 30″ of seat pitch, that means you have under four square feet for two people to stand, not even accounting for their luggage
- While you should absolutely gather your belongings before it’s your turn to deplane, there’s no benefit to doing this 10 minutes before you’ll be able to move, which is the case if you’re seated in the back of a large plane
- I can’t count how many people I’ve seen hit by large bags because there’s not enough room in the aisle due to everyone crowding it
- While some people in middle and window seats may prefer to have a bit of extra room for a few minutes, personally I just find the whole deplaning process to be smelly; people with bad breath are breathing down your neck, people are just sweaty and gross when standing up after sitting for so long, etc.
Personally, I think Gary’s argument is too “all or nothing.” We can (and should) differentiate between the value in getting up when people several rows before you are deplaning, rather than getting up when the door hasn’t even been opened, and you’re 30 rows from the front of the aircraft.
My approach to standing when the plane arrives
Admittedly I usually prefer a window seat to an aisle seat, so typically standing up right away isn’t an option for me. However, my personal approach is to remain seated for as long as possible, so as to not crowd the aisle.
I respect both perspectives, though. It’s probably good that some people want to stand up right away while others don’t, since not everyone would fit in the aisle if everyone chose to stand.
In an ideal world (which we don’t live in), I think people would get up when those several rows ahead are deplaning, and not earlier. This would leave the most space in the aisle to maneuver, so everyone could get on their way in a safe and timely manner.
As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re courteous to your fellow passengers. To me that comes down to two basic rules:
- Make sure you gather all your belongings shortly before it’s your turn to deplane, so that you’re not holding up other passengers; personally I think it’s fine to do this when people a few rows ahead of you are deplaning
- Respect that passengers should be allowed to deplane row-by-row; just because you get up before someone else doesn’t mean you should expect to deplane before them
Bottom line
People have conflicting viewpoints as to how quickly you should stand up when a plane arrives at the gate. It’s a polarizing topic, and people seem to be either staunchly for or against it. Personally I’m somewhere in the middle.
I think it’s fine that some people stand up right away, though it’s good that not everyone does, or else deplaning would be even more of a mess. I just think the key is to make sure you’ve gathered your belongings before it’s your turn to deplane, and that you respect that passengers deplane row-by-row, regardless of when they get up.
Where do you stand (no pun intended) on aircraft deplaning etiquette?
I stand cause I genuinely hate sitting in one place for a long time. As someone who likes the aisle, I will also stay solid to let the people in front of me deplane before moving.
I’m an aisle guy and a first to stand. Ever since that day I remained seated and another early riser got their bag out of the overhead and dropped a heavy bag on my head it has been a basis of self preservation . First up and save yourself
I love these etiquette posts you do from time to time. I'll admit I get up right away and I sort of hate myself for it. I feel like it adds to the chaos but I'm a bigger guy and I really need to stretch my legs and back out. I am careful when removing my bag as well so as not to hit anyone. Honestly, any time I've seen someone get pinged by an...
I love these etiquette posts you do from time to time. I'll admit I get up right away and I sort of hate myself for it. I feel like it adds to the chaos but I'm a bigger guy and I really need to stretch my legs and back out. I am careful when removing my bag as well so as not to hit anyone. Honestly, any time I've seen someone get pinged by an bag it is because the bag is ridiculously big and pushing the limits of what is an acceptable cabin bag. If airlines would only enforce size limits... :-)
Recently I have seen it on a few airlines they deplane 10 rows at a time.
First business and then 10 by 10 rows. And passengers listened...
@Lucky - your philosophy of waiting until a few rows ahead doesn't work. I have seen it hundreds of times. In general people simply don't get their bags down ahead of time, delaying everyone.
Gary is right...
-Getting ready to deplane, including getting things out of the overhead bin, speeds up the process
- It’s polite to the middle seat passenger who’s been stuck in place for hours
- You’ve been...
@Lucky - your philosophy of waiting until a few rows ahead doesn't work. I have seen it hundreds of times. In general people simply don't get their bags down ahead of time, delaying everyone.
Gary is right...
-Getting ready to deplane, including getting things out of the overhead bin, speeds up the process
- It’s polite to the middle seat passenger who’s been stuck in place for hours
- You’ve been stuck in an uncomfortable seat for hours, why not stand as soon as you can?
Stand. Don't Stand. The choice is yours. Just stop blocking the damn isle while you gather your crap!
Standing is fine. Sitting is fine. If you're at the window, how do you stand unless you're basically very small or a child? This is about aisle seats. And no one should be moving forward until the row Un frontof them is cleared. I stand simply so no asshole behind can cut the line.
I say everyone stay seated until and ONLY until the flight attendant tells you to get your stuff and deboard the plane. Should do it by row
I always stand immediately because I am so uncomfortable. However it doesn’t matter, just be ready to go. It is mind boggling the number of frequent fliers who hold up the whole plane.
I am all-for not getting up until your turn is near.
On the airline i usually fly with, there are usually pilots and flight attendants deadheading, and there is always an announcement once the plane lands saying that these crew members must deplane first, but most times people just don't care and storm the aisle, forcing the deadheading crews to crawl through dozens of people before getting to the door.
Davisson Xu says it well - those who send up will continue to do so and those who do not will also do so. Articles like this will not change anything.
Let's also comment that you are mostly flying business or first class so whether you stand up when the plane arrives or not makes much less of a difference. As I've commented before, I think some comparisons of various airlines economy and premium economy...
Davisson Xu says it well - those who send up will continue to do so and those who do not will also do so. Articles like this will not change anything.
Let's also comment that you are mostly flying business or first class so whether you stand up when the plane arrives or not makes much less of a difference. As I've commented before, I think some comparisons of various airlines economy and premium economy would be a welcome change, so people can compare different products on what they are likely to fly. Not everyone will always fly business or first.
I agree with your sentiment about reviewing PE and economy as well. I’m a long-time reader because I like the consistency and style of the reviews: it’s all coming from one person. But variety of products is welcome. I rarely fly business or first because I’m pretty frugal when using my points and I don’t want my young child growing up thinking it’s normal. He’s going to have to learn how to play the game himself when he’s older.
I prefer aisle seats and I stand up quickly simply because it feels good to stand up after being cramped in a coach seat.
Folks who can stand up will most likely stand up.
This is the same phenomenon seeing with why people stand next to the baggage carousel instead of waiting orderly behind a line so everyone can easily take their luggage.
There is a famous youtube video that mentioned this phenomenon and compared to why trees are so tall :)
I completely agree with Ben. Which in essence is respect and common courtesy which are in very short supply anymore. Sadly.
Just more of the chaos, disrespect, and non consideration when flying in the USA these days..... There is very little civility left, and the me first, me first attitude prevails... Happy Flying....
Hi Fed-Up. I assume you are either my age (or older) and forgot, or much younger but with an older person temper.
Here's the scoop - People used to stand up at landing 10 years and 20 years and 30 and 40 years ago (that's how far my own memory goes). Back in the day they'd stand up with their lit cigarettes, and I had a couple of pieces of clothing with cigarettes burns...
Hi Fed-Up. I assume you are either my age (or older) and forgot, or much younger but with an older person temper.
Here's the scoop - People used to stand up at landing 10 years and 20 years and 30 and 40 years ago (that's how far my own memory goes). Back in the day they'd stand up with their lit cigarettes, and I had a couple of pieces of clothing with cigarettes burns on them.
The reality is there have always been civil and polite people, as well as people who are neither. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I think people should be thinking about where they put their bag and not wait till they are walking off to stand around and figure it out!!!
It’s okay to stand as long as doing so does not prevent people in the rows ahead of you from coming out into the aisle and getting their belongings. Otherwise this leads to chaos.
In business class it’s not really a big deal due to space but in economy it’s very rude/inconsiderate to stand anywhere forward of your row.
A self anointed leader agreeing with a self anointed high performer.
"Then I realized that operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers.
It's just how we roll."
High performing is relative, and certainly not self assigned.
Now, no disrespect to that person from Twitter. He claims to have a successful career. I believe him. And consider he was CMO few times (benefits of being a founder), his BS...
A self anointed leader agreeing with a self anointed high performer.
"Then I realized that operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers.
It's just how we roll."
High performing is relative, and certainly not self assigned.
Now, no disrespect to that person from Twitter. He claims to have a successful career. I believe him. And consider he was CMO few times (benefits of being a founder), his BS is probably how he rolls, but unlikely because he is a high performer.
“Operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers”
Uh huh. Is that why you're on a commerical airliner traveling in economy class, Elon Bezos-Buffett?
On trips to SA, Latam typically requires forward seated passengers to remain seated while they allow the rear third to exit first, then the middle third and finally the the front. They claim it is done this way to "balance" the plane and prevent mishap. It can be annoying but always seems more orderly than a the typical free-for-all. Maybe they do it for that latter reason. Anyone know about this practice?
View From The Wing and OMAAT each posted a story about whether to stand upon arrival within minutes of each other. Ironic? Odd at the very least.
Special, today only, 2 for 1 deal for engagement farmers on “should you stand up?” posts.
No. "You" shouldn't. And when people try to get in front of the row I'm on: I block them. And when they ask me to take their ridiculous carryon out from several rows away so that they can block the aisle: I tell them no.
Yup. I do the blocking too, and I’ll deliberately stand there until everyone in my aisle has been able to leave.
Anything to send a message to inconsiderate jerks.
Agreed! Everyone on my aisle and the people in front of me are leaving first. These people that feel the "need" to rush the front of the plane need to pay up or stand back and wait.
I stand up only when a couple rows in front is leaving. I think we'd better free up the aisle until it's your turn to leave because:
1. Some passengers in the back may have tight connection, so let them deplane first.
2. Some passengers may have their carry-on a few rows in the back. They have to move backwards in the aisle, and it's really hard when the aisle's packed.
It'll actually make deplaning faster than having everyone stand up and occupy the aisle.
Yes because some people have gone stiff sitting in a seat made for an eight year old. And be ready to grab yourself stuff and move. That person behind you might have a tight connection and would like to use the loo before they get jammed back into a child's seat.
A little OT but if you want to have an appreciation for how dumb the human race, or at least Americans, has gotten just...
Yes because some people have gone stiff sitting in a seat made for an eight year old. And be ready to grab yourself stuff and move. That person behind you might have a tight connection and would like to use the loo before they get jammed back into a child's seat.
A little OT but if you want to have an appreciation for how dumb the human race, or at least Americans, has gotten just look at the boarding process. The task of walking onto a plane, locating your seat and putting your larger bag in a nearby open bin mind boggles the average person today. And along that lines is the old man seated in first that stands in the aisle going through his crap while 150+ plus boarding are waiting to board.
Gary is that obnoxious tubby white man shouting into his mobile phone that yeah he’s just in the lounge while shovelling his 3rd plate of food down his throat while composing his next obnoxious inflammatory right-wing post.
He makes me skin crawl.
I’m sure it’s hard for you when anyone, even a single person, in the media is even ever so slightly right leaning. You should look into finding a local HSP group.
lol i usually stand up and take a step backwards in the aisle so no one can push their way forward. let every row in front of me (including my row) empty before I move. Granted normally in fc but try to bring some order to the chaos
Really don’t care what people do but the two biggest things that annoy me:
1. People who are somehow surprised it’s their turn to move and aren’t ready
2. People who push forward without saying something. We go row by row, if you have a tight connection just let me know and I’d be happy to let you pass
I feel like Gary is writing from the perspective of someone who almost always travels in first, or at least near the front of the plane. Yes, if you are in row 2, the whole plane will appreciate if you are ready to go when the door opens. But if you are in row 29, and immediately jump up, grab your rollaboard and occupy the aisle, you are probably in the running for the "worst guy on the plane."
The “operating with urgency” point is totally unsupported pseudoscience. File it in the same drawer as “you are the average of your 5 closest friends,” or “the average person eats 8 spiders while sleeping at night, over the course of a lifetime.”
Is urgency sometimes good? Yes. Obviously. Is urgency always good and does it signify anything with a strong enough statistical signal that one can make deductions about a total stranger just by observing...
The “operating with urgency” point is totally unsupported pseudoscience. File it in the same drawer as “you are the average of your 5 closest friends,” or “the average person eats 8 spiders while sleeping at night, over the course of a lifetime.”
Is urgency sometimes good? Yes. Obviously. Is urgency always good and does it signify anything with a strong enough statistical signal that one can make deductions about a total stranger just by observing them act in a single setting without knowledge of what external factor may be influencing their behavior? Absolutely not.
interesting that Ben copies a topic that Gary has run multiple times - with the same reader reaction.
There is no single answer but there are some common themes.
1. If you are at the aisle and CHOOSE to stand, you not only gain a little extra room for yourself but also for the people next to you.
2. If you choose to stand up, don't get upset if others don't. If...
interesting that Ben copies a topic that Gary has run multiple times - with the same reader reaction.
There is no single answer but there are some common themes.
1. If you are at the aisle and CHOOSE to stand, you not only gain a little extra room for yourself but also for the people next to you.
2. If you choose to stand up, don't get upset if others don't. If someone at the window or middle seat asks to get up, do your best but you can't do wonders.
3. At most, about half of the people with aisle seats in a narrowbody can comfortably stand in the aisle.
4. DO NOT get any roller boards or large bags out of the overhead bin.
5. Regardless of where you are seated and where you stand, figure out where your bag is if it is in the overhead bin.
There is nothing more frustrating than having people jump up the minute their row can deplane and then search the overhead bins for your bag.
6. Save the lengthy phone conversations for the gate house; a quick call is to be expected.
7. Regardless of when you stand, it is expected that rows will deplane front to back and you shouldn't rush the aisle unless someone indicates they aren't ready to deplane.
It's all common courtesy and the most basic verbal communication - both of which are lacking in modern society
I don't mind getting off a minute or two later if other people really want to get off the plane. Even if people in rows further back stand in the aisle in front of me I try not to let it ruin my day. It's just a few people and it probably delays me single-digit minutes at most. Maybe they have a tight connection or something idk
Slow news day Ben?
@ chris w -- Yes, to be honest, it actually is a very slow news day in the travel space, best I can tell. A combination of summer (when many people aren't working) combined with other world events.
Hey Ben, sorry but this is totally unrelated but have you decided whether or not you’re moving from AA to the BA program? I signed up for the BA offer made to existing EXP AA members. I completed six BA flights recently and have 920 tier points. I’ll get another 160 next week and will have more than the required 1500 before the end of the year. As of now my BA gold status runs...
Hey Ben, sorry but this is totally unrelated but have you decided whether or not you’re moving from AA to the BA program? I signed up for the BA offer made to existing EXP AA members. I completed six BA flights recently and have 920 tier points. I’ll get another 160 next week and will have more than the required 1500 before the end of the year. As of now my BA gold status runs through April 2026. I no longer get upgrades when I fly AA but access to Flagship checkin and lounges more than makes up for the upgrades I very rarely got as an AA EXP. I’m not looking back!
You really have run out of decent things to post. Yet there are tons of amazing stories or topics you could cover.
@ Jordan -- Topics aren't mutually exclusive. If you have any amazing stories or topics you've seen that are timely that you'd like me to cover, just let me know and I'll do my best. :-)
@Ben, I would love to see you write an explainer on the big South American airline groups Avianca Group and LATAM and how they work in their respective countries/hubs.
I understand the Big 3 European groups but not the Big South American groups.
Thank you!
“Operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers”
What a moron.
Is "operating with urgency" a sign of a "thought leader," too?
He needs to see a neurologist, code red.
If you're not first, you're last. That's why I'm always the first person to stand. In fact, I stand during landing approach just to demonstrate who the real alpha on the plane is.
The real alpha is the cabin crew.
While you think you can stand on landing. You're nothing, an insignificant nobody.
The real alpha decides who can stand, when and where to land.
There is absolutely ZERO empirical research to support the assertion that operating with urgency indicates high performance. Even if the research did exist, the support would narrow to the specific ways in which researchers defined “operating,” “urgency,” and “high performance.”
Anecdotally, the most impressive people I know across the fields of law and social science (academia) are methodical, deliberate, and slow.
I'm usually in the exit row aisle on narrowbody aircraft and I'm happy to let window/middle scoot past me as I wait for the door to open and the line to start moving. They can then stand in the aisle doing nothing as I quietly read something on my phone, before standing up at the appropriate time and making it off the aircraft literally two steps behind them.
High performers also don't waste more energy than they need to!
Same feeling. We haven't heard from you in a while
“Operating with urgency is a superpower and a hallmark trait of high performers” Did Gary actually write this. Is he doing alright?
Stay seated until your row is close to moving forward.
Hot take: when a plane is delayed and FAs ask people to chill so connecting pax can get off sooner, inevitably someone will gunk up the aisle past your row and I feel like it’s acceptable to leave while they’re gunking up the aisle as long as you don’t slow down the connectors.
Had the wildest connection "delay" last week. We arrived at the gate just 3 minutes late and the FA's made an announcement about tight connections and to stay seated. I'd say half the pax laughed out loud and no one yielded. People may be stupid but they're not that dumb