The unwritten rules of business travel

Every seasoned traveller has a few quiet rules that make life on the move just a little smoother. They’re not printed on your boarding pass, but every frequent flyer knows them by heart. 

Rule one:
The middle seat deserves respect

It’s not glamorous, but it’s the toughest position on the plane. The person in the middle automatically gets both armrests, no debate needed. The window gets the view, the aisle gets the legroom, and the middle gets the moral victory. 

Rule two:
Don’t sprint to board

The aircraft isn’t going anywhere without you, and the last one on usually gets a faster path to their seat. There’s something oddly satisfying about strolling on while everyone else is still wrestling with the overhead bins. 

Rule three:
The pen principle

Always have one. You might never need it, but if customs forms or landing cards appear, you’ll suddenly become the most popular person in three rows. 

Rule four:
Breakfast buffets are a test of character

You don’t need three croissants, two sausages and a pancake tower before your 9am meeting. (But we understand the temptation.) 

Rule five
Kindness travels further than luggage

Smile at the gate agent, thank the cabin crew and be patient with the person ahead of you in security. A little courtesy has a funny way of coming back to you, sometimes as a complimentary upgrade. 

Business travel has its challenges, but unspoken rules make it civilised, let’s keep it that way.