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Home  >  Travel  >  Is It Rude To Give Yourself A Facial On An Airplane?
Travel

Is It Rude To Give Yourself A Facial On An Airplane?

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 6, 2022August 6, 2022 31 Comments

My seatmate on a recent airplane flight gave herself a facial. I was amused…not at all offended. But since the thought crossed my mind to join her, I thought I’d put it out for discussion here.

Facial On Airplane: Rude Or Tolerable?

First, let me define what I mean by facial. I mean a beauty treatment for the face, meant to enhance or preserve beauty or youth. This was a fairly young woman and we sat next to each other on a fairly long flight.

As we were approaching New York, she pulled out a disposable hydrating mask and placed it on her. For 20 minutes or so, she sat in her seat with the mask on.

I smiled because I use the same type of masks on my face, though I started about 10 years too late and am only trying to slow the growth of wrinkles, not prevent them. I had several in my bag and thought about joining her, though that may have been a bit awkward…and then I thought it also may be rude.

Unlike clipping nails or shaving, the mask is odorless or has a light and very pleasant smell. It sits on your face and doesn’t drip or otherwise cause a mess, as long as it is properly disposed of after (she folded it up and put it in an air sickness bag).

But I realize also realize there’s a certain decorum we should keep when around others, especially on an airplane. An aircraft cabin is not our bathroom or bedroom. I don’t wish to make others feel uncomfortable, because I hate to feel uncomfortable when others around me fail to respect reasonable boundaries (most often by not using headphones when watching something on their phone).

It’s weird, and admittedly a bit inconsistent, that bare feet, even if clean, really bother me in a cabin, but this did not. But I figured I’d ask you, dear readers, before putting on a mask myself (and finding myself the latest feature on the Passenger Shaming Instagram account).

Is a face mask permissible or off-limits in business class? If rude, what makes it rude?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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31 Comments

  1. Anonymous traveler Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 1:07 pm

    I’m pro face masks on planes. It’s so dehydrating in the air. Makes perfect sense.

    • Eric Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 1:14 pm

      same here. Do my complete facial routine when in Biz Class on long haul flights (including these masks make make look like a ghost). But I generally warn the flight attendant tending my section beforehand during meal service…

  2. jfhscott Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    If it is rude, and I am uncertain, it would likely be that personal grooming should ordinarily be discrete, and this was hardly that.

  3. ECM Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 1:50 pm

    Pro-face mask as well. I think back in 2019 flying JAL F the amenity kit had one, so if it’s ok for the airline to use it, it’s okay for everyone?

  4. Not Lucky Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    if they keep their shoes on the floor and not on the furniture, and their feet covered with socks, then have at it with the facials as long as there’s not a strong smell or anything.

  5. Dave Edwards Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 2:05 pm

    Not as bad as giving your seat neighbor one.

    • Maria Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 3:09 pm

      Ewwwww, gross!!

  6. Christian Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    No big deal.

  7. anonymous Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    PSA: This kind of thing doesn’t restore youth or fight wrinkles, although it might feel refreshing. Avoidance of sun damage from childhood through adulthood will give you the biggest bang for your proverbial buck.

  8. Chuck Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 2:52 pm

    When I have flown on ANA in business class there was hydrating mask in the personal packet they give you which includes toothbrush, paste etc. I have used it and it is very refreshing to use before landing.

  9. Chuck Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 3:10 pm

    I always fly ANA when I go to Japan or Taiwan. I fly business class to these destinations and the personal packet Which contains Kleenex, toothpaste etc also has a hydrating mask. It is very refreshing to use before landing. I have used it many times.

  10. derek Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    In the days of needing to wear a suit to fly, even if you’re a kid, a facial would be inappropriate but in modern times is fine. It is far better than putting feet in the air, pulling on the seat ahead of you, or looking at porn.

    • Debit Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      “pulling on the seat ahead of you”

      Yeah. Try getting up from an economy seat without pulling on seat in front of you.

  11. Stuart Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 3:32 pm

    It’s fine. Nail polish though, not fine.

    • Jr Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      I don’t think Matthew uses nail polish! Lol

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        August 6, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        That is correct.

        • DavidM Reply
          August 6, 2022 at 4:01 pm

          What a report when Matthew has to clarify if he uses nail polish or not! Thank goodness it was the latter, so the conversation did not devolve into color preference with accompanying comments. LOL…

  12. CHRIS Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 3:54 pm

    You don’t like it when I swear so I’m not even going to touch this one….te hehe he

  13. Nico Z Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 5:15 pm

    Something is wrong with men who want to go their grave looking like they’re 25 years old.

    • Maria Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      To make a ridiculous comment like that, I’m guessing your skin looks like the surface of the moon.

  14. MeanMeosh Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    My philosophy is, if it doesn’t make noise, doesn make a mess, and doesn’t stink, it’s fine. As others have mentioned, some amenity kits contain hydrating masks, so I really wouldn’t think using one is inappropriate at all.

  15. Arthur Meursault Reply
    August 6, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    All facials should be done in the bathroom.

    • Maria Reply
      August 6, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      Or the bedroom…

    • Tony N Reply
      August 7, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      …hopefully not in the airplane bathroom.

  16. Jamieo Reply
    August 7, 2022 at 2:24 am

    And where did she put the air sickness bag?

    • Aaron Reply
      August 7, 2022 at 3:21 am

      Probably in the same place everybody else would.

  17. Tony N Reply
    August 7, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    That’s just as bad as showing your feet and cutting your nails.

  18. Tony N Reply
    August 7, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    I hope she gets a bad bacterial infection from touching the surfaces around her…

  19. rsb29 Reply
    August 7, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    Its the only thing when you get off a redeye to London, Zurich or Abu Dhabi and have to head straight to meetings if you don’t want to look 15 years older than when you boarded. For maximum impact with minimum time, get a silicone sheet mask cover which really pushes the moisture into your face (what cabin air does to your skin, its does to the sheet mask). 15 min flat. Follow with an occlusive cream.

    Not needed for Bombay meetings as a humectant cream + 15 min in India humidity does the same thing. Just roll the car window down. France and Milan are too civilized to force someone into meetings right off a plane.

  20. Amazed Reply
    August 12, 2022 at 9:02 am

    Guys, are you seriously debating about anti wrinkle masks on planes and not the lifesaving masks that we all need to be wearing in such close quarters?
    The pandemic is far from over. A growing number of vaccinated people are dying every week from covid. Even if that doesn’t bother you, are you happy to roll the dice on long covid for yourself or someone close to you…including kids? What universe are you living in where you care more about your damn wrinkles?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      August 12, 2022 at 1:50 pm

      Yes, we will take the risk. We must live our lives. From dust we came and from dust we shall return.

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