Usually I don't like to socialize on planes but sometimes you can learn a lot of things and meet some interesting people. On the way back from Dublin a few weeks back I sat next to a chatty Irish lady. She said she flies to Philadelphia a few times a year to spend time with her friend in Delaware. Saying she was going over for thanksgiving because everyone wants the Irish girl to make some sheperds pie and creamy mash. Haha although she said she is going to cut her flying down to once maybe twice a year as she was 76 and a TATL wears her down, even relatively short ones.

When I mentioned I flew to Dublin for the USA vs Ireland soccer game and that PHL wasn't my final destination, I still had to take a flight to DFW, then from there take a flight to ELP, then an hour drive home her jaw dropped and she said she would never do that for a football match. Then said that I was still young and it is great to travel when I can and enjoy it. She talked about how she used to fly even more frequently in her younger days, would get the occasional upgrade on Aer Lingus, also said that even though she hates the English they sure do know how to run a good airline. BA has always been good to her when she has flown them. She hates Ryanair though, said they charged her for a cup of water to take her medicine.

Was great and she was saying about how friendly the Irish are and Americans are always welcome. Her dad used to give weary travelers a place to stay and a meal for free when she was growing up. Kinda creeped out though when she said she used to live in Belfast for a bit and said Americans are welcome everywhere, but she said she couldn't go to a protestant area because she was Catholic and apparently there would be trouble. :eek:

The chatting, plus watching a bit of the movie and playing some video games on my phone plus a quick nap and that was the fastest 7 hour flight I have ever had.

Since I had a guy telling me all of his life on a ten hour flight I fly business class and only airlines who provide seats without companion seat. I can eat, drink, sleep, watch a movie without being disturbed by any one.

Unless I know you or see the yellow Flyertalk tag most likely I'll not be talking. I'm just not one to talk to folks I don't know.

I've only chatted on one flight to Hawaii and that was for maybe a half hour, after I found out he was the brew master for Kona. I found out when I ordered a Longboard for breakfast and he was glad not to be the only one who would be doing so.

Other then that everyone that wanted to chat were either try to sell me insurance, Jesus, useless crap, old people who wanted to tell me their life stories or people that wanted a free shrink.

Fly Southwest lately? The one and only flight I took with them last month felt like I was at a TGI Friday's happy hour. People were all yakking. I was mesmerized by it as I've never seen this before on United or any other domestic airline for that matter.

I want peace and quiet on a plane, please.

Even if I do want to chat it's no longer convenient because a lot of new business cabins are designed to isolate the travelers from each other. Take AA's new J cabin on their 77Ws, I have to raise my voice and shift my body into an uncomfortable posture just to chat face to face with the person next to me.

Weren't any of them on Tinder?

Just wander back to the Emirates bar...

There's nothing wrong with socializing on a plane if both parties want to do so. If you want to socialize, try to talk to the person next to you and see if they are receptive. If they are, then great. If not, then take the hint and keep quiet.

Exactly. Personally, I offer a quick hello as my seat make sits, then nothing else. But there is nothing wrong with the those wanting to talk, as long as its mutual. And preferably not too loud.

All of 'em

I find it awkward to not even have a brief conversation with the person sitting next to me, especially on long flights. It just seems weird to sit in such close proximity for hours on end and not acknowledge the other person's presence.

Erin

I wish it were possible to separate the "socializers" from the "non-socializers" and group each type together. I recently had an awesome 3 hour delay at PBI (that I wish was longer), mostly because of who I met at the airport bar. For the airline that does this, the socializers will remember the fun times they had on their flights because of who they met.

Obviously, everyone is different, but I find nothing awkward about sitting near someone and not talking to them. I don't know them and they don't know me, so there's no obligation to interact. I have headphones in the entire time I travel, so as not to give anyone the impression that I have any interest whatsoever in interacting with them. I acknowledge my seatmate with a polite nod, nothing more.

This. Perfectly stated.