Anyone who’s flown on an airplane at least a few times is probably familiar with the basic rules and regulations of air travel: Arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight, keep carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces or less, make sure your bags don’t weigh more than 50 pounds, and don’t try to cut the boarding line to board before your group is called. But there are also a few lesser-known — and sometimes downright bizarre — airplane policies that only frequent flyers and industry insiders are clued into. Discover seven weird airline rules you probably didn’t know existed.

Pilots Can’t Chit-Chat Below 10,000 Feet

Ever heard of the “Sterile Cockpit Rule”? The FAA introduced a regulation in 1981 that forbids pilots from engaging in any nonessential conversation during critical phases of flight, particularly below 10,000 feet. That makes perfect sense, considering pilots have a lot on their plates — and even more so right after takeoff and during descent. The rule was implemented after a series of accidents that investigations later revealed were due to pilots being distracted by conversation. 

Certain Seats Are Off-Limits

Airlines are businesses, and ideally they want to fill every available seat on every flight to maximize profits. So how do you explain a seat blocked with a “Do Not Occupy” sign? In some cases, that could be due to a broken or malfunctioning seat, but on Croatia Airlines, seat 31E at the back of the airline’s Airbus A220 aircraft must remain empty on every flight due to safety regulations. 

Interestingly, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified that model for only 149 seats, while Croatia Airlines has outfitted theirs with 150 seats. In order for that seat to be sold, the airline would need to go through a costly process to add additional overwing exits, so it decided to keep it empty instead.

You Can Be Denied Boarding for Smelling Bad

Whenever you purchase an airline ticket, you are agreeing to the airline’s contract of carriage — a legal contract between the company and you, the passenger. You can find this on the airline’s website, but most of us have probably never read one through front to back. So, a few rules may come as a surprise. One is that airlines can technically deny boarding for poor hygiene. For example, in Delta’s contract of carriage, it states that the airline “may refuse to transport or remove passengers from its aircraft… when the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.”

“No Smoking” Signs Still Have To Function

It’s been 25 years since in-flight smoking was fully banned in the United States, so many people were left scratching their heads when, in early 2024, United Airlines temporarily grounded its newly delivered Airbus A321neo planes because the “No Smoking” signs couldn’t be switched on or off. 

A (perhaps outdated) 1990 FAA regulation stipulates that flight crews must be able to manually adjust these signs in order for an aircraft to be airworthy, unless the agency approves an exemption. However, United’s previously approved exemption didn’t specifically list the Airbus A321neo model, which it introduced in 2023. The issue was quickly rectified, and the planes are back in service with the no-smoking signs illuminated at all times.

Flight Attendants Often Don’t Get Paid During Boarding

In most industries, as soon as you get to work, you’re on the clock. But that’s not usually the case for flight attendants, whose hourly pay technically starts as soon as the aircraft boarding door is closed. All that time doing safety checks and standing in the aisle greeting passengers with a smile and helping fit bags into overhead bins? It’s unpaid work. 

Airlines argue that flight attendants technically are compensated for their time through a scheme known as guaranteed minimum pay, but flight attendants are, understandably, trying to change this long-standing practice through contract negotiations. Delta was the first to implement boarding pay in 2022 — still only at half of flight attendants’ regular hourly wages — and American followed suit in 2025.

Seat 1A Has Special Rules on Some Planes  

Ah, the airplane window shade. As with the issue of seat recline, the etiquette can get a little fuzzy when it comes to who gets final say on when you should (and shouldn’t) open your shade, which can sometimes lead to uncomfortable confrontations on board. But if you’re lucky enough to be ticketed up front in seat 1A, there’s no debate, at least during takeoff and landing. Because some smaller regional jets do not have the portholes typically found in boarding doors on larger planes, airline regulations require that the passenger seated in 1A keep the window shade up during critical phases of flight, allowing the crew to see out the window if necessary. 

It’s Against the Rules To Skip Your Last Leg

Generally, people like to fly nonstop and prefer not to have a layover. But some crafty travelers intentionally book a connecting flight with no intention of ever stepping foot on the last leg. It’s a practice known as skiplagging or hidden city ticketing, and it’s used when it’s cheaper to book the connecting flight to a different destination than the direct flight to your intended destination.

Say you want to fly from Rome to Atlanta. Delta is the only carrier offering nonstop routes on that route, so it can charge a hefty premium. But if you book a flight from Rome to, say, New York with a connecting flight through Atlanta, your fare may be cheaper since there are several other airlines competing on that route. A skiplagger would simply get off the plane in Atlanta and leave the airport. 

However, this practice violates pretty much every airline’s contract of carriage. If you skip any leg in your planned itinerary, the airline will most likely cancel the rest of your ticket as a no-show, potentially leaving you stranded if you’re in the middle of a trip. They also reserve the right to penalize you by revoking your frequent-flyer miles, so for most travelers it’s probably not worth the risk. 

Between the narrow seats, limited legroom, and fighting over seat recline, flying for the vast majority of travelers is far from the most comfortable experience these days. But according to recent industry rumblings, things have the potential to become even more uncomfortable in the form of standing-only seats. (Yes, you read that right.) Here’s a closer look at the controversial vertical seat concept and whether or not you should expect them to debut in the near future.

The Skyrider Standing Seat

In 2010, the Italian company Aviointeriors unveiled a concept for a new type of airline seat called the Skyrider. The firm debuted its first prototype in 2012, with the most recent 3.0 version of the seat arriving in 2019. Each chair features a rigid back attached to a small seat cushion that’s similar in nature to a traditional bike seat. Passengers are meant to straddle the seat cushion with their legs hanging over the sides, resulting in a half-standing, half-sitting position. Since the seats aren’t designed to recline,  you’ll effectively be upright for the duration of a flight.

The logic behind this design has to do with lessening seat pitch, the distance from one point on a seat to the very same point on the seat behind it. The shorter the pitch, the more seats airlines can theoretically fit into the cabin. Today, the average seat pitch in economy class hovers around 30 inches, but with the Skyrider 3.0, the average pitch can be lowered to just 23 inches.

Aviointeriors claims that these seats would allow airlines to potentially increase cabin capacity by up to 20%, which would likely add to their bottom line. Furthermore, the company notes that the Skyrider 3.0 is 50% lighter than a standard economy-class seat. This means less weight on the aircraft, which results in less fuel consumption. The seats also require less maintenance, which means the planes can spend more time in the air and less on the ground. These cost savings may be compelling for some airlines, even though they come at the expense of customer comfort.

Rumors of a 2026 Debut

Some publications, such as the Daily Mail, have reported that a few low-cost carriers are mulling over the idea of rolling out standing-only seats as soon as 2026. According to Euro Weekly News, the seats would be intended for flights of two hours or less, as their design would make them too uncomfortable for long-haul journeys. 

One of the most vocal proponents of standing-only seats is Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. Back in 2012, O’Leary proposed a plan to install these seats on his company’s airplanes, which would have bumped up average capacity from 189 seats to 230 seats. At the time, O’Leary suggested that anyone willing to stand would pay a discounted ticket price. That plan never materialized, though similar concepts have been pitched in the 13 years since.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Worried

If you’re worried about standing-only seats popping up on your next flight, you can breathe a sigh of relief — for now. A spokesperson for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) told Birmingham Live in May, “In terms of standing seats in aircraft, EASA has yet to have any applications for such an approach nor have we seen any practical use cases because the design of the fuselage does not provide space for standing passengers right across to the window. Any organization applying to use standing seating would face considerable challenges in redesigning aircraft to accommodate them and to demonstrate their ability to meet the safety and evacuation requirements.”

Both the EASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require airplane seats to pass dynamic testing that proves they can handle turbulence, and there’s no confirmation that the Skyrider 3.0 seats have undergone this testing yet. It remains to be seen what type of impact these seats would have on the human body in the case of severe turbulence, as the upright position of the seats distributes force in a different manner compared with more traditional airplane seats.

Additionally, the configuration of these standing-only seats may pose complications when trying to evacuate the aircraft, as more people onboard means larger crowds and less mobility. Given that the FAA requires every plane to be evacuable in around 90 seconds, the seats are unlikely to be certified unless those requirements are changed. Furthermore, the configuration of the airplane cabins themselves would likely need to be reconfigured, as the seats are designed in a way that means both the seats and passengers will be higher off the ground and closer to the overhead luggage bins and low cabin ceilings. 

All told, if and when certification takes place, it will be a lengthy process, and it remains to be seen whether such seats will ever take to the skies. For what it’s worth, aircraft manufacturer Airbus also filed a patent in 2014 for a fold-down, bicycle-style seat meant to maximize cabin space, but, like the Skyrider, this seat has yet to come to fruition.

But perhaps the most conclusive evidence to dispel these 2026 rumors comes from Aviointeriors itself. The company recently took to its social media pages to issue a statement, sharing, “The Skyrider, often mistaken for a finalized airline seat ready for takeoff, is in fact a conceptual prototype design.” The company added, “For now the Skyrider is not part of the official lineup. But who knows what the future of aviation may hold?”

These days, no matter which airline you fly, traveling around the U.S. can seem remarkably similar — and not all that glamorous. Yet, there are a few key differences among each of the major U.S. airlines, and understanding them can turn a mediocre experience into a positive one. American Airlines — the world’s largest airline by number of seats — operates hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. If you’re planning an upcoming trip on American, be sure to check out these five helpful tips before you book.

Understand Your Options (and Beware of Basic Economy)

Like many airlines these days, American offers customers quite a few choices when it comes to the travel experience, and the number of options may overwhelm you. Let’s start with the basics: basic economy. This is American’s lowest-priced option, but it comes with a few important restrictions:

• After a 24-hour grace period, basic economy tickets cannot be changed or refunded. You’ll be able to cancel for a future travel credit if you added your AAdvantage loyalty number to your booking, but it will cost a $99 fee. 
• American allows one free carry-on and personal item on basic economy tickets, but checked bags will be extra. 
• You can choose your seat prior to check-in for a fee; otherwise, one will be assigned to you (and it may be apart from your family or group).

American also offers a standard economy-class option called main cabin. Tickets can be changed without a fee, though you will have to pay any fare difference. Nonpreferred seats can be selected free of charge, but checked bags are extra. As an upgraded experience within the economy cabin, Main Cabin Extra comes with perks like a few extra inches of legroom, early boarding, and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

If you’re looking to upgrade your flight, American has several options:

• When flying domestically, first class is American’s highest cabin offering. It includes a wider seat with more legroom at the front of the cabin with a dedicated flight attendant, hot meals, and perks like priority boarding and free checked baggage.
• On shorter international flights (think Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America), American offers business class. This is the same recliner seat you’ll find in domestic first class on aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A319.
• On wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787, American offers premium economy. This is a similar seat to domestic first class or short-haul business class, but it comes with elevated amenities and upgraded meals. It’s available flying to long-haul destinations in Asia, Europe, and South America, plus on select domestic flights, including some flights to Hawaii. 
• On those same long-haul flights, American also offers Flagship business class. Seats recline into fully flat beds and have direct access to the aisle, and access to the Flagship lounge is included before you take off. (American also currently offers Flagship first class, but this is being phased out.) 

Pro tip: Keep a lookout on the American app or by managing your itinerary online for any upgrade offers, which can typically be purchased using miles or cash. You may be able to score a better deal by upgrading after the fact, as the airline looks to sell unsold seats closer to departure.

Bring Your Own Devices

If you’re flying on a wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 or Boeing 787 on a longer international flight, you can expect built-in screens in all cabins. 

However, American Airlines is in the process of removing seatback screens from narrow-body aircraft (e.g., Boeing 737s) serving domestic and shorter international flights. On these flights, instead of seatback screens, American offers free entertainment streamed to your personal device, such as a phone, laptop, or tablet. That means you’ll want to come prepared if you’re looking to stay entertained during your flight.

Fortunately, most American planes offer power ports (and the airline is in the process of installing more) so you can keep your devices charged. Currently, Wi-Fi is available for purchase starting at $10 per flight, but American has also announced plans to roll out fleetwide free Wi-Fi, following other airlines such as Delta, United, and JetBlue.

Don’t Try To Cut the Boarding Line

The internet likes to call them “gate lice,” but even if you’re unfamiliar with this term, there’s a good chance you’ve observed them in action before a flight. They’re the people who stand around crowding the gate before their group is called, often hoping to board earlier to stow their carry-on bags as quickly as possible. With busy and often overworked gate agents, gate lice often make it on the plane before their group is called. 

While this is common on many airlines, American has introduced new technology to crack down on the problem. Now, an audible alert lets the gate agent know if a passenger attempts to board before the assigned group on their boarding pass, prompting the agent to send the passenger to the back of the line. So, if you want to avoid potential public shaming, make sure to stay calmly seated until your group is called. 

Of course, many passengers worry about overhead bin space running out before they get a chance to stow their baggage. In that case, you can look to upgrade your boarding priority on American by flying in a premium cabin or by holding elite status or certain American Airlines-branded credit cards. American also offers an a la carte option to purchase early Group 4 boarding on economy-class tickets. 

Rack Up Points (and Other Perks) on Everyday Spending

If you’re flying American, it’s a no-brainer to sign up for AAdvantage, the airline’s free loyalty program, and add your frequent flyer number to your reservation. (Fun fact: AAdvantage was the world’s first frequent flyer program when it launched in 1981.) When you fly American, you’ll earn at least 5 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on airfare (except basic economy, which earns 2 miles). These miles can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and much more.

But flying isn’t the only way to unlock value from AAdvantage: You can also earn points when you shop online or dine out at thousands of stores and restaurants, when you book hotels or car rentals through American, and when you spend on an American Airlines co-branded credit card. You can also earn when you fly on airlines in the Oneworld alliance and other partner airlines.  

Additionally, in 2022, American introduced Loyalty Points. The miles you earn from flying and spending now also count as Loyalty Points, which unlock elite status and other perks. For example, when you hit 15,000 points in the program year, you’ll receive perks such as coupons for preferred seating and priority check-in and security for one trip. At 40,000 points, you’ll reach Gold status, which offers complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, and more points earned per flight. 

Moral of the story: Even if you don’t think you’ll fly enough on American to unlock these perks, keep in mind there are many other ways to earn them, particularly through everyday spending on a credit card or online purchases. 

Unlock Greater Value With Partner Award Tickets

As travel credit cards and loyalty programs have grown in popularity and more travelers are racking up points, some airlines have taken to increasing (often without much notice) the cost required to redeem miles for a free flight. 

So, while you may have been able to redeem, say, 70,000 Delta SkyMiles for a flight from the U.S. to Europe back in 2018, that might cost anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 miles now. Airlines have also made pricing of award tickets fully dynamic, rather than at fixed prices, so there’s less transparency about the true cost and value of these points.

However, American Airlines has approached this situation a bit differently. At least for now, the airline is alone among major U.S. carriers by still publishing a useful award chart, explaining the starting prices for the amount of miles you’ll need to redeem based on region. Plus, American still offers valuable fixed-price redemptions on many of its international partner airlines. 

According to The Points Guy, this is one of the best ways to redeem AAdvantage miles. For example, as of mid-2025, you can still fly from the U.S. to Europe on an American partner airline such as Iberia or Aer Lingus for the starting price of 57,500 miles in Business Class — far fewer points than are required on other airlines (or even American Airlines’ own flights). The catch is that these awards are classified as “Saver,” and American only releases them in limited quantities, so they might be difficult to find — try to book as early as possible and be flexible with your travel dates and destinations to find the best value.

While the vast majority of airlines assign seats ahead of departure, for decades, one airline has bucked the trend: Southwest. The Dallas-based airline is famous (or infamous, depending on whom you ask) for its open-seating policy, in which customers are assigned a boarding number based on their time of check-in and can choose any available seat when they walk on the plane. But after more than 50 years, the airline is done holding out. Find out when Southwest will finally make the switch to assigned seats — and what other big changes are in store at America’s fourth-largest airline.

When Will Southwest Start Assigning Seats?

Southwest Airlines has long been known for doing things differently. When the airline launched flights in 1971, the carrier earned a reputation for offering low fares, frequent flights, and no-frills service. 

To keep costs low, Southwest operated only Boeing 737s and scheduled them to have quick turnaround times. While other airlines could have planes sitting at the gate for up to an hour between flights, Southwest became famous for allotting as little as 10 to 20 minutes between flights. Open seating aided in those quick turnarounds, as it was generally faster to board an airplane when people could choose any open seat. 

Since Southwest did things differently from other airlines, it was a reason to choose the carrier and have the flexibility to simply sit down in any available seat. On the contrary, there are some travelers who prefer the certainty of knowing where they’ll be sitting — and not having to set an alarm to check in exactly 24 hours before departure to secure a good boarding position — who might have booked away from the airline.

Times have changed, however. With profits lagging behind those of competitors, Southwest recently announced it was taking steps to boost profitability. For many travelers, the biggest headline is that flights with assigned seats will be available for purchase as of July 29, 2025, with the first flights to feature assigned seating taking off on January 27, 2026. Fans of the open-seating policy have a few more months to take advantage of it before it goes away for good.

New Boarding Process and Seating Options

Assigned seating isn’t the only change to Southwest’s business model. The airline is refitting its Boeing 737s to introduce an extra-legroom section at the front of the cabin and near exit rows, which will feature — for an extra fee — up to 5 extra inches of legroom along with dedicated overhead bin space and upgraded snacks and beverages .

Travelers will also be able to pay extra for a “preferred” seat on Southwest. Though these don’t feature extra legroom, they are located near the front of the cabin, so customers will be able to deplane sooner. To make space for the new extra-legroom seats, Southwest will be reducing legroom for standard seats, which make up the rest of the plane.

Once assigned seating rolls out in January 2026, Southwest will also introduce a new boarding process. Gone are the lettered boarding groups and assigned boarding numbers; in their place will be eight numbered boarding groups, similar to on other airlines. Among the first groups to board will be those who purchased an extra-legroom seat or an upgraded fare bundle, along with elite members and holders of a Southwest credit card. 

Also New: Baggage No Longer Flies Free

After American introduced checked baggage fees in 2008 and other airlines quickly followed, Southwest once again bucked the trend by continuing to offer two free checked bags to all passengers. Unfortunately, that generous policy ended for reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025. Now, checked bag fees will apply to most customers, except those who hold elite status or a co-branded credit card. 

Along with baggage fees, Southwest also introduced basic economy fares for the first time. Like on other airlines, passengers holding a basic-economy ticket will have their seat assigned at check-in (unless they pay an extra fee) and board the aircraft last. These tickets also earn fewer frequent-flyer points and have restrictions on changes and cancellations. 

Clearly, change is in the air at Southwest, and it remains to be seen how it all shakes out with customers. At least for the time being, the announcements have certainly stirred some controversy in online forums and with industry experts, with Skift proclaiming that Southwest is “now just like every other airline.”   

Featured image credit: Courtesy of Southwest Airlines