With that in mind, here are a few tips for things you shouldn’t do while on the plane that will make the experience better for you, the flight crew and your fellow passengers, according to Fox News.

DON’T DRINK THE WATER (OR ICE, OR COFFEE, OR TEA)

Flight attendants won’t even do it.

As a flight attendant told Business Insider: “Flight attendants will not drink hot water on the plane. They will not drink plain coffee and they will not drink plain tea”.

In a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study, one in every eight planes failed water safety standards. It should be noted that many US-based airlines disputed those results — but the issue has raised concerns in the past.

A 2004 EPA study tested the water supply of 158 aircraft, of which 20 tested positive for total coliform bacteria and two tested positive for E. coli as well.

If you’re concerned, stick to bottled water and skip the ice if it is made from tap water.

THINK TWICE BEFORE ORDERING A DIET COKE

Apparently, flight attendants hate when you order this particular drink.

This is why: pouring Diet Coke takes longer than other beverages while in the air. Soft drinks foam up a bit more due to cabin pressure, and Diet Coke is apparently the worst, so flight attendants must take extra care when pouring the beverage.

A flight attendant on the blog These Gold Wings claimed that if passengers requested Diet Coke, she would gladly get the orders started — but while waiting for the foam to dissipate, she would take and serve three other drink orders before coming back to finish pouring the Diet Cokes.

PUT SOME SHOES ON

In a piece earlier this year, Men’s Health talked with two flight attendants for their secrets on flying. One attendant said: “Don’t walk around without shoes. Every bodily fluid has been on the floor”.

The flight attendants also said cabin crew accepted and appreciated tips.

AVOID SITTING THE ENTIRE FLIGHT

As tempting as it might be to sit in your seat and watch movies for the whole flight, doing so might not be great for your health.

Aaron Aday, a cardiology fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, US, told Condé Nast Traveler sitting in a small aeroplane seat can make blood circulation from your legs to your heart more difficult.

To minimise the risk of blood pooling in your legs and causing deep vein thrombosis, there are some preventive measures you can take. Try to stretch your legs during the flight, even while sitting, and also try to get up and walk around about once an hour.

LAY OFF THE ALCOHOL

Drinking while in the air can actually make you feel more intoxicated as there’s less oxygen than if you were on the ground.

Further, drinking too much might get you arrested, prevent you from boarding your connecting flight, ruin the rest of your prospects for the day and leave your fellow passengers hating you, among other consequences.

DON’T EAT DIRECTLY OFF OF THE TRAY TABLE

That’s right — the tray you use to eat is one of the most germ-ridden parts of the cabin.

According to a 2015 Condé Nast Traveler article, which cited a US National Science Foundation study, tray tables are home to nearly 10 times more bacteria than the flush button in the lavatory.

Safe to say you should pack some hand wipes to use before digging into your meal.

EASE UP ON THE SOFT DRINK

Carbonated beverages can cause bloating and cramping, two things you don’t want to endure during your flight.

Also on the list: foods high in sodium and saturated fats, which can be difficult to digest as well as foods like onions, beans and cauliflower can leave you bloated and gassy.

NOT STARVING? MAYBE SKIP THE AEROPLANE FOOD

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay refuses to eat on planes.

“I worked for airlines for 10 years, so I know where this food’s been and where it goes and how long it took before it got on board,” he said.

Instead, he prefers to eat something at the airport prior to takeoff.

There is also the train of thought that not eating at all might help reduce jet lag.

The body’s natural circadian clock regulates when we eat, sleep and wake up, all based on light. Researchers found, however, that a second clock may take over when food is low, and manipulating such clock might help travellers adjust to new time zones.

Dr Clifford Saper of Harvard Medical School, whose study examined this idea, said that 16 hours without food is enough to engage this new clock. The tests were performed on genetically engineered mice, so we are not sure whether this works for humans.

KEEP YOUR FEET AND HAIR TO YOURSELF

This is self-explanatory. Don’t do it.

HAVE SOME CARRY-ON COURTESY

Placing your jacket, carry-on and personal items in the overhead bin? Be sure to grab your snacks and phone chargers first, lest you needlessly displace your seatmates midway through the flight.

It’s also a good idea to place your items in a bin as close to your seat as possible to make disembarking the plane easier for everyone.

DON’T BE RUDE TO YOUR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Very simply, be nice. Most times flight attendants are trying their best, and they won’t always have the answer. Plus, they deal with disgruntled customers all day, so your efforts could truly make a difference.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission.