Boarding a flight is the kickoff to a great vacation, but poor airplane etiquette can quickly ruin the experience. There are some unspoken rules when traveling 30,000 feet up — use headphones, don’t turn on the reading light during a red-eye, and so on — but there is one hotly debated topic that passengers can’t seem to agree on: seat reclining. Are you rude if you do it? Are you rude if you ask the person in front of you not to recline their seat? Flight attendants and travel experts have weighed in — check out their advice on the controversial topic below.

Disappearing Legroom

It’s a fact: The space between airline seats is shrinking, as are the seats themselves. As passengers feel increasingly cramped on commercial flights, the debate over reclining continues to heat up. In a little over a decade, the average pitch (the distance between the back of one seat to the back of another) on airplanes has decreased by 4 inches. This reduced legroom allows airlines to fit more seats in the cabin, but it comes at a cost. Frustrated passengers can’t recline, move around, or sit as comfortably as they once did.

The Verdict: Should You Recline?

Aside from during takeoff and landing, reclining your airplane seat is always allowed — but whether you should recline is up for discussion. This gray area causes many in-air arguments, much to the dismay of weary flight attendants. “Besides lack of Wi-Fi or a broken entertainment system, flight attendants hear more complaints about reclined seats than anything else,” U.S. flight attendant and author Heather Poole says. Like many flight attendants, Poole acknowledges that passengers can technically recline their seats at any time (except during takeoff and landing, per FAA regulations) because it is part of the seat function they pay for. However, there are best practices to be courteous to others — and there are times when it may be inappropriate to recline.

Travel Channel host and travel expert Samantha Brown weighed in on the unspoken rules of airplane seating, explaining that reclining depends on the situation. “Do I recline? Yes and no.” She explained, “I do not recline if the trip is under three hours. Over three hours, I want to get comfortable. So yes, I am going to recline.” In addition to flight time, there are other important considerations when deciding to recline, including awareness of passengers around you.

Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, also shared her thoughts. Although she doesn’t recline while flying, she understands that many passengers do. “If you really want to do it, at least check behind you. Make sure you’re not going to be spilling somebody’s coffee on them,” she suggests. The takeaway from this expert advice reveals that reclining can be OK if you pay attention to your neighbors and surroundings.

Always Ask First

As long as airline seats recline, passengers will recline them. However, there are ways to help ease the tension while reclining to ensure everyone is comfortable during the flight. One of the most common recommendations from flight attendants, etiquette experts, and travel gurus is to simply ask the passenger behind you before hitting that little silver button. This is particularly important during short flights or on small planes where people are less likely to expect you to recline. (On the contrary, it’s almost always expected that a passenger will recline on a long-haul or red-eye.)

If you get the green light from your neighbor, go ahead and recline, but do so slowly to avoid causing problems for the person behind you. Too often, an unlucky passenger has ended up with a lap full of ginger ale because the person in front of them lowered their seat too quickly. Avoid reclining during meal or drink services when other passengers will likely have their tray tables out and full. Not only does this cause spills, but many flight attendants have witnessed broken laptops, cracked tablets, and other unfortunate accidents from seats reclining without warning.

Flight Attendants Can Help

If you and your neighbor disagree about reclining, ask for a flight attendant. After all, they’re trained to keep passengers safe and comfortable. For example, if you’d like to recline your seat on a long flight to help ease back pain, but the person behind you doesn’t want you to recline because they’re working on their laptop, you might need help fixing the situation. It’s possible that the flight attendant can move one of you to an empty seat to solve the issue. It’s never worth arguing with a fellow passenger, as is often seen in viral videos on social media.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, your fellow passengers aren’t the problem — cramped airline seating is the culprit. So, try to be courteous and communicate calmly to solve problems. “Really, this isn’t a war on reclined seats. This is about space, and most airlines give you the option to purchase more space. So, remember that next time you’re searching for the cheapest flight,” Poole says. It might be worth shopping around for more space in an exit row or premium economy if this is important to you. Remember, there are no rules against reclining your seat (unless you are taking off or landing), so it is up to you to decide when it is appropriate for you and those behind you.

Noticing longer lines at the airport? You’re not alone. This summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a new single-day record number of passengers screened, topping 3 million travelers for the first time. Fortunately, there’s a way to shorten your wait time at select airports. Find out how you can make a free reservation for airport security below. 

How Does It Work?

RESERVE is a program offered by biometrics company CLEAR (which also offers a separate membership program that lets travelers bypass the identity verification step of airport security). With RESERVE, any traveler can make a free reservation at the security checkpoint for select airports. There are dedicated lanes for appointment holders at airports where the service is offered, which means the lines typically move faster and the experience is more predictable. Note that if you use this service, you will go through the general security screening process — so if you’re a member of the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program, you should use those lanes instead, as you won’t be able to take advantage of benefits such as not removing shoes. 

To make an appointment, visit the RESERVE website (or the website of an available airport) and enter your flight details, the number of people in your party (up to 10), and your preferred time to go through security. Booking windows vary by location, but reservations typically open up three days before departure and a limited number of slots will be available. If your preferred time is open, all you’ll need to submit is your email address to receive a QR confirmation code — the service is completely free. Once you get to the airport, follow the instructions on your email confirmation to head to the dedicated security checkpoint. There’s a 20-minute grace period should you be running late for your appointment.

Which Airports Let You Make a TSA Security Reservation?

As of mid-2024, appointments are available at 19 airports across Canada and the United States. These include some of the busiest airports in North America, such as Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), Seattle (SEA), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Note that the service is usually available only in specific terminals that may be served only by certain airlines, so be sure to read up on the details carefully. Travelers can also make reservations at select European airports. For the complete list of available airports, visit the RESERVE website. 

Also Consider a Trusted Traveler Program

While this program can potentially save time at the airport, travelers will still need to undergo the standard identity verification and security screening process — which means taking out your laptop and liquids and removing your shoes. If you want to skip those steps and save even more time, consider signing up for a Trusted Traveler Program, such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck). You’ll need to submit an application for approval and pay a membership fee, but once you’re in, you can use an exclusive line without those requirements. According to the TSA, 99% of PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or less.

CLEAR, the company that offers the free reservation service, also has a membership-based program offered for an annual fee. CLEAR Plus, available at select airports, allows members to access dedicated kiosks that use biometric technology to verify their identity. Those travelers can skip the line for a TSA officer to inspect a physical form of identification, saving even more time. And the ultimate combo? If you have both CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, you’ll be able to breeze through the airport like a pro.

When visiting a new city, even experienced travelers might feel overwhelmed. They may experience a pervasive fear that they’re missing out on something they really should know about, or they might make a simple mistake when they arrive that can start a trip on the wrong note. Exploring somewhere for the first time can present certain challenges, but well-prepared newbies needn’t worry. Here are eight things you should never do in a new city.

Automatically Book an Airport Transfer 

Arriving in a new city can be a daunting prospect, and for peace of mind, it can be tempting to reach out to your hotel to ask them to pick you up. But you’ll usually pay extra for the service compared to a licensed airport taxi or ride-share service. Plus, if their driver is late, there’s a chance you’ll feel vulnerable standing and waiting on the sidewalk. Instead, check to see if there’s an airport shuttle or public transportation that will drop off close to your accommodation. One exception is if you have a late-night arrival — in that case, you might prefer the reassurance of having your transfer organized up front. 

Assume You’ll Need a Rental Car

Though having your own wheels can be a boon in some cities, it’s definitely not the case everywhere. Heavy traffic and unfamiliar signage can add to your woes and send stress levels soaring — hardly the recipe for a fun vacation. So, before you arrange a rental car, it’s a good idea to do a little background research. Many European cities, for instance, have excellent public transportation networks, which provide an efficient, cheap, and reliable way to get around. If you forgo the rental car, you’ll also save yourself the hassle of looking for convenient and affordable parking during your stay.

Limit Yourself to Major Sights

There’s no rule of travel that says you need to tick off all the famous sights in a new city. No one will judge you if you don’t bother with Xochimilco the first time you make it to Mexico City, or if you eschew the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb when you’re only just getting acquainted with the land Down Under. On the contrary, it can feel liberating to deliberately choose a different path and follow an itinerary that’s personalized to your own interests. Book a walking tour of an off-the-beaten-track neighborhood, perhaps, or take a cooking class to learn more about the city’s cuisine and the history that shaped it.

Wing It When It Comes to Popular Attractions 

It’s great to be spontaneous in a new city, but not if you realize you’ve just missed out on something special. Imagine visiting San Francisco for the first time and not being able to get a ticket for Alcatraz, or making it all the way to Vatican City and not being able to see the Sistine Chapel. During the planning stage of your trip, figure out what attractions you’d be gutted to miss. A couple of months out (at least), purchase tickets or make reservations online for whatever major attractions are available. If you’re too late, all is not lost, however — you can always see if last-minute tickets are available or local tour agencies are holding tickets.

Neglect To Do Your Homework on Neighborhoods

For many travelers, familiar places often feel the most comfortable, so landing in a new city can make us a little uneasy. But in some cities, straying into the wrong neighborhood can have negative consequences for either your possessions or personal safety, particularly at night. Familiarize yourself with the current situation before booking accommodations — for example, by reading verified reviews on trusted websites — and follow local advice once you arrive. 

Trust That the Internet Always Knows Best

Guidebooks are becoming a thing of the past, as travelers increasingly turn to the internet for up-to-date information. But figuring out whether what you are reading is accurate can be tricky. Many webpages don’t display a publish date, making it hard to trust prices, opening hours, and other such information that can change regularly. Verify information from multiple sources, including the city’s own tourism board site, and double-check anything crucial with your hotel concierge, at the tourist information office, or by calling locations directly.

Forget To Check the Weather Forecast

Nothing ruins a vacation faster than being caught out by inclement weather. If you’re heading to a new city, you might not think the weather’s so important. After all, there will be plenty of indoor attractions to keep you amused if you can’t be outside. But getting between them certainly won’t be fun if you’re cold or have wet feet. It’s a good idea to plan your trip around climate averages,  but be sure to take a look at the short term forecast right before you leave home. And make sure you pack for all kinds of weather scenarios by bringing a pair of waterproof sneakers. 

Be Hesitant To Try the Local Food

In an unfamiliar environment, it can be all too easy to default to what we know — including when eating out. But on a visit to a new city, you could be passing up a great way to learn about the place and the people who have shaped it. Influences from history, local agriculture, and shared cultural traditions are all revealed through the dishes that define a place. Don’t just retreat to restaurants in busy tourist areas or chain restaurants you know from back home; instead, make the effort to seek out a bistro, taverna, pub, or street food stall frequented by locals.

Packing for a cruise — especially a long one — is a daunting task. Sunscreen, multiple pairs of flip-flops, and a generously sized tote bag for the beach are a given, but other items often make their way into your luggage that are considered to be contraband or hazardous. At the same time, there are items that, surprisingly, are allowed in your cabin. Here are the things you should consider bringing on your next cruise — and other belongings better left onshore. 

Things You Can’t Bring

Irons and steamers: If you’re hoping to keep those shirts pressed onboard, you may have to settle for wrinkled clothes. Irons and steamers are considered fire hazards, so you won’t be able to pack these items in your luggage (and unlike in hotel rooms, they’re usually not supplied in cruise ship cabins, either). Hair straighteners, on the other hand, are permitted, so you may want to use one of those instead to keep your clothes looking crisp.

Surge protectors: Cruise cabins often don’t have many outlets for charging your phone and other devices at the same time, so some passengers think it’s smart to bring a power strip. However, this item isn’t allowed onboard, as it’s another fire hazard. Cruise ships generate electricity in a different way than on land, and short-circuits are more of a concern, according to a report by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Pool inflatables: Noodles and other inflatables might seem like a great idea for a Caribbean cruise when you’re exploring sandy stretches with the little ones in tow. But they’re actually forbidden since they may disturb other guests, take up too much room on the ship, and are at risk of blowing away at sea. Also, some guests may be tempted to use them in place of flotation devices, making them dangerous in the event of an at-sea evacuation.

Baby monitors: New mothers may assume a baby monitor is safe to bring aboard, but these small devices can actually interfere with the ship’s navigation and radio systems. For the same reason, many cruise lines have also banned walkie-talkies and other devices that use radio waves.

Helium balloons: According to the Ocean Conservation Society, more than 100,000 marine mammals die each year from plastic debris, and balloons are unfortunately a big part of the problem. The latex pieces end up in animal stomachs since they are often mistaken for food, and balloon strings can get tangled around fins and flippers. Your helium balloon will likely end up in the ocean accidentally when the party’s over, so cruise lines forbid them.

Coffee makers: Small appliances are also considered a fire hazard, so if you prefer to make your own coffee on vacation, you might be in for a surprise when they don’t allow your Keurig to board with you. You’ll have to settle for a cup of joe at the breakfast buffet, pack instant coffee, or use a nonelectric coffee-making device such as a French press or a Chemex. 

Things You Can Bring

Portable fans: Given that a coffee maker is considered a fire hazard, you might be surprised to learn that a small portable fan is actually permitted on your next cruise. While size restrictions vary by cruise line, Carnival Cruises, for example, permits them as long as they are no larger than 12 inches in diameter. Typically, the fan can be battery-powered or electrical, and a quick way to tell if your fan is safe onboard is checking to see if it is UL certified.

Battery-powered lights: Want to make your cabin feel cozy? Battery-powered twinkle lights, lanterns, and other lamps are also permitted onboard. As long as they aren’t too big (staff may confiscate them at their discretion if they are deemed too large), they’re perfectly fine to pack and will instantly make your temporary home feel more like an actual home.

Condiments, spices, and coffee creamers: Many cruise lines will have different condiments, sauces, spices, and coffee creamers available onboard, depending on the countries you are visiting. But if you want to err on the side of caution and pack your own salt, pepper, hot sauce, ketchup, or mustard, feel free to bring these items. As long as they are prepackaged, you’re good to go.  

Artificial Christmas trees: Spending the holidays onboard? The good news is that you can take an artificial tree, ornaments, and other décor to get you more in the spirit. For size restrictions on trees, check out this helpful video. 

Costumes: Or, if you’re taking a cruise around Halloween, feel free to bring a costume. As long as it’s not obstructive, offensive, or violent, packing a costume can be a fun way to celebrate onboard. 

Mattress toppers: Cabin bed a little too firm? Mattress toppers are allowed on the ship so you can snooze more soundly on the high seas. Some cruise lines will offer passengers mattress toppers for an added fee, but it’s good to know you can also bring your own. 

Featured image credit: yipengge/ iStock via Getty Images Plus 

As travelers, we love visiting new places — but we don’t like being stuck in traffic. (Who does?) So, we looked to navigational technology company TomTom, which analyzed traffic data from thousands of major cities in 2025 to find the areas with the most congestion. If you’ve visited (or lived in) these destinations, you can likely attest to the bumper-to-bumper conditions and annoying delays — but if you’re willing to be patient or consider alternate methods of transportation, there are plenty of exciting things to do and see. Discover the 10 North American cities with the worst traffic.

10. Tijuana, Mexico

Located 20 miles south of San Diego, California, Tijuana is a quick hop across the U.S.-Mexico border — or at least it should be, theoretically speaking. Travelers who make the day trip to Tijuana will likely encounter some heavy traffic en route, as the border city ranks as the 10th-most-congested city in North America. On average, drivers in Tijuana lost 72 hours to rush hour traffic last year, according to the TomTom report.

9. Toronto, Canada

While there are plenty of sights to see in Canada’s largest city — from the CN Tower and High Park to the Royal Ontario Museum and St. Lawrence Market — it will take you a while to reach them. Toronto’s high congestion levels are due to a multitude of factors, including construction, the number of daily commuters, and streets that have been repurposed for bike lanes and patio dining to make the city more biker- and pedestrian-friendly.

8. Monterrey, Mexico

The capital of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León, Monterrey is Mexico’s second-largest metropolitan area in Mexico (after Mexico City), with over 5 million residents. While the charming downtown area — home to attractions such as Macroplaza, Barrio Antiguo, and Paseo Santa Lucía — is fairly walkable, the city relies heavily on cars to get around. Monterrey drivers lost an average of 89 hours (nearly four days) to traffic congestion in 2025.

7. New York, New York

Maybe they call it “the city that never sleeps” because they’re always stuck in traffic. To drive 3 miles in New York City, it takes an average of 15 minutes. The average speed in the city barely reaches 12 mph, according to TomTom’s findings. Not surprisingly, many choose to get around on foot or by the excellent subway system, but New York is also taking steps to address traffic. Congestion pricing in the lower half of Manhattan, the city’s busiest area, went into effect in 2025, and results have been positive in reducing the number of cars on city streets.

6. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is known for its stunning coastal views and lively restaurant scene, but with 116 hours lost to traffic annually, those attractions come at a cost. One of the most congested stretches of road in San Francisco lies within its most famous attraction, the Golden Gate Bridge. More than 100,000 cars traverse the historic bridge on any given day, while even more drivers cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

It may be one of America’s safest, healthiest, and most cultured cities, but Honolulu has one major downside: traffic. If you’re seeking sun and surf on world-famous Waikiki Beach or hiking Diamond Head for epic views over the city, be prepared to spend a little extra time in the car getting there. The Aloha State’s capital ranks No. 5 for worst congestion in North America, according to the TomTom report.

4. Vancouver, Canada

This busy British Columbia port city is home to picturesque parks, beaches, art galleries, museums, and a burgeoning culinary scene. It’s little wonder, then, that Greater Vancouver’s population has doubled over the last four decades. Now home to over 3 million people, Vancouver sees its fair share of traffic, too. Adding to the congestion are popular year-round events such as the Vancouver International Film Festival, the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) Fair, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

3. Los Angeles, California

The “City of Freeways” is often synonymous with bad traffic, so it’s no surprise to see its high position on the TomTom list. L.A. drivers spent over 60% of their travel time on highways, the most of any city in the top 10. The section of Interstate 5 between L.A. and Santa Ana in Orange County ranks as the busiest highway in the U.S. — more than 500,000 vehicles use it on an average day. 

2. Guadalajara, Mexico

The vibrant city of Guadalajara is known for its local tequila, mariachi music, and, unfortunately, busy streets. Drivers here can expect to spend over 125 hours in rush hour traffic annually. While traffic does move slowly, patience is rewarded, with many things to see and do. Enjoy a fútbol (soccer) game, view the murals of the Instituto Cultural Cabanas, or explore the local culinary scene, where regional specialties like tortas ahogadas (“drowned” sandwiches) and birria (a slow-cooked meat stew) steal the show.

1. Mexico City, Mexico

As one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City is home to fascinating historical sites such as Aztec temples, but the city also has expanded dramatically since its ancient past. Today, it’s home to around 22 million people, making it one of the world’s most populated metro areas. Due to its sprawling area, large population, and significant tourist numbers, Mexico City has the highest congestion level of any city in the world. Commuters here lose a staggering 184 hours to rush hour traffic annually, and the average distance driven in 15 minutes is just 2.7 miles.