It’s vacation season, and everyone’s excited to go see Grandma, head to the seashore, or visit a special historical site. But the trip to your destination isn’t nearly as fun as the vacation itself—particularly if an airport is involved. To make your next air travel experience go more smoothly, our colleague Annie Holmquist spoke to etiquette instructor Bethany Friske and summed up the top tips into five points.

For example, it never hurts to “dress for success” when traveling, Ms. Friske says. Choosing business casual clothing balances comfort with a polished appearance—and may even get you bumped up to first class more easily. After all, “First impressions are lasting impressions!”

When taking your seat on the plane, give a friendly greeting to your seatmates as you initially interact, but don’t pressure them to continue conversing. “Watch for their body language and cues,” Ms. Friske says. “You can tell pretty quickly if they want to chat.” Likewise, it’s perfectly fine for you to signal your desire for quiet, such as by picking up your book or putting in your earbuds. Read on for the rest of the tips here›

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