How to exit a packed airplane without making a fool of yourself or annoying your fellow passengers

Boarding a commercial plane is a strict, regulated process that prevents people from rushing onto the plane all at once.

But when it’s time for passengers to disembark after their flight has landed, it’s often free (unless you’ve scored business or first class seats, of course).

Stunned by this blatant double standard, Christopher Muther of the Boston Globe wrote a column advising people how to exit the plane and fly politely, because airlines are unlikely to implement an orderly disembarkation system like the one that already exists for boarding.

The first rule for his fellow passengers is not to jump out of your seat as soon as the plane lands.

He points out the utter futility of getting out of your seat so quickly, because even with the “seat belt” sign turned off, it usually takes twenty minutes or more for the plane to taxi off the runway and connect to the boarding bridge.

If you have a connecting flight right after your plane lands, Muther recommends talking to the flight attendant to see if they can let you leave before everyone else

He also anticipates the argument that people are often eager to get out of their seats because they have been sitting in often cramped, uncomfortable chairs for hours.

Muther acknowledges this and advises standing up, stretching and then sitting down again, but says there is absolutely no need to clog the aisle as the wheels hit the runway.

He adds that it’s best practice to wait your turn – and wishes others wouldn’t give way to other people sitting in rows ahead.

The only exception Muther allows is if you have a connecting flight that you’re afraid you’ll miss if you don’t get off as quickly as humanly possible.

But even then, you can avoid the hassle of climbing over and pushing through others in the aisle by simply letting your flight attendant know you have a good connection.

There is no guarantee that the flight crew will give you priority when exiting the aircraft, but in theory they are there to ensure that you have an enjoyable flying experience.

Muther says to ‘assert dominance’ by running to the aisle and getting your bag from the overhead bin

Airports, as most people know, are stressful and uncomfortable, which Muther says makes politeness all the more important

Muther pointed to one 2014 study in the Journal of Air Transport Management that disproved the idea that a mad dash to the exit is the fastest way to get off a plane.

Instead, the study says it would be most efficient to ask passengers in the aisle seats to get off first, then the people in the middle, and then the window seats.

But as friends and family try to sit next to each other for the express purpose of staying together in busy airports, it’s unlikely a system like this will ever be implemented.

For a smooth process, Muther says it’s not ideal to assert aisle dominance by throwing your luggage out of the overhead bins prematurely and risking your stuff catching someone’s eye.

To avoid annoying others, he suggests not picking up your phone and shouting into it when the plane lands, a rule that could ideally be applied in all cramped public places.

Muther says texting your loved ones that you’ve landed is much preferable to shouting into the phone as soon as the plane lands

Since airlines are unlikely to institute an orderly exit process, the key is for each individual to refrain from rude behavior and have a little patience.

Muther says a text message letting your loved ones know you’ve landed should be enough.

To be a team player, he suggests being generally friendly and polite, but especially patient with your fellow passengers.

With a common goal in mind that every passenger can get to their destination, Muther says being understanding and considerate of others will make your experience much more painless.