Flying ban on Indian standup comedian Kunal Kamra by few airlines has stirred a debate on what counts as a violation of airplane etiquette.
The controversy arose when a video of Kamra heckling Indian journalist Arnab Goswami of Republic TV, onboard an Indigo flight from Mumbai to Lucknow went viral. This led to Indigo suspending Kamra from flying with the carrier for a period of six months.
Following this, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, India urged all other homegrown airlines to follow Indigo’s example, which subsequently led to Air India, Spicejet and Goair banning the comedian.
Puri said in a tweet:
Taking this incident into account, we list a few airline protocols/rules that you are expected to follow for a hassle-free journey:
Don’t hold up the security line: Everybody dreads a long security queue. However, you can do your bit for a speedy process by keeping your required documents like boarding pass ready for checking; and by removing your watch, belt, placing laptop in the tray, and separating liquids before reaching the conveyor.
Listen to flight attendants: Arguing with the cabin crew for trivial reasons is something you should avoid. So when they ask you to put your phone on a flight or switch off mode; wear a seatbelt and not recline the seat during takeoff and landing, just obey them.
Dealing with fellow passengers: If you wish to not be on the No Fly List of India, then you have to be aware of how you deal with others onboard. Offences under the National No Fly list are categorised into three levels — inappropriate physical gestures, verbal harassment and unruly inebriation are Level one offences and punishable with ban of up to three months; Physically abusive behaviour, including inappropriate touching, are Level two offences punishable by ban of up to six months; and any action that threatens the life of a passenger or attempts to damage to aircraft systems constitutes of Level three offence and is punishable with a mandatory minimum ban of at least two years.
Be in your senses: Trying to enter the flight completely drunk may lead to you being deboarded, as the flight attendants and pilots would not want any ruckus created during the journey. Likewise, during the course of the flight, enjoy your inflight tipples, but don’t go too overboard with it.
Respect the space: Be mindful of your space as well as of fellow passengers. Stretch your legs within the stipulated seat space available to you. Let the middle-seat passenger use the armrest, so they can have some comfort.
Keep the washroom clean: As far as bathroom etiquette are concerned, don’t make a mess, don’t taken too long and don’t pick the wrong time to go.
