SIGHTS
Narrow carpeted aisles, flight attendants greeting passengers and assisting with directions as they walk on, a first class section (roomier reclining seats, special blankets and pillows, media centers, menus and beverages served in glassware by attentive flight members), a curtain divider, economy class seating, white overhead compartments, armrests with consoles for sound volume and radio channels, seat belts, porthole windows with shutters, air and light controls overhead along with a call button for the flight attendants, people blocking the aisle as they shove bags into overhead compartments, an emergency exit mid plane (opening instructions, door release handle, red or yellow hazard stripes to draw attention), fold down trays, tattered in-flight magazines, a safety instructions manual tucked in a backseat slot, a small television in the seat back (with either touch screen or armrest controls), a barf bag, travelers (typing on laptops, reading, listening to music or playing games on handheld devices, bouncing babies on their laps, eating, adjusting cheap foam pillows), a drink cart (loaded with plastic cups, coffee, pop, water, tea, single serving alcoholic beverages, wrapped cookie or pretzel snacks), an aisle that lights up in case of emergencies, seat-as-flotation devices, oxygen masks that drop down if cabin pressure is compromised, a galley area for food and beverage preparations, several tiny restrooms (a toilet, mirror, stainless steel sink, smoke alarm, paper and soap dispensers), row numbers and seat letters, a fire extinguisher and medical kit secured to the wall, a locked doorway to pilot’s cockpit, an air marshal pretending to be a passenger
SOUNDS
The roar of engines firing up and accelerating during takeoff, the steady sound of the engines during the flight, items jiggling on a beverage cart, the snap-click of overhead compartments shutting, people talking, laughing and snoring, babies crying as parents try to soothe them, the creak of a seat as people readjust, zippers being manipulated on purses or bags, rustling food wrappers, the clunk of a tray locking into position, the rustle of newspapers and magazines, crisp book pages turning, people typing, flight attendants giving instructions or waiting on passengers, the hiss of air conditioning, coughing, throat clearing, a shudder or clatter during air turbulence as luggage jitters in overhead bins, suction toilets flushing, the click of a restroom door shutting, galley bins snapping shut, a loud passenger complaining, bell dings when seat belts can be removed, the captain’s voice over the loudspeaker
SMELLS
A seatmate with too much cologne, food smells, fresh coffee, canned air, minty gum, bad breath, beer, a whiff of hand sanitizer, sweat or body odor, musty fabric (if the plane is older), hair products, smelly feet if someone takes their shoes off, diapers that need changing if one is sitting near a baby or toddler, sour vomit if someone has used their airsickness bag
TASTES
Water, coffee, pop, juice, tea, sugar, alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, spirits), plane food or food bought in the airport (sandwiches, chocolate bars, chips, granola bars, bagels, muffins, wraps, cookies), cough drops, mouthwash, mints, gum, a sour or bitter taste from dry mouth
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
Armrests that dig into flesh, nudging a seatmate when adjusting or reaching for something, bumping one’s head on the low storage compartment as one gets up to enter the aisle, seats that have a lot of give or bounce, cramped and swollen feet inside hot shoes, dipping one’s hand into a bag for a book or device, sorting through other items by feel (scarves, magazines, a water bottle, etc.), feet sliding against the floor, the seat pressing into one’s back as one tries to raise up to stretch out legs, kinks in the neck, the puffiness of a pillow, leaning against a hard wall as one waits for the restroom, bumps against the back as a kid behind one’s row kicks the seat, the pinch of a tight seat belt, jabbing a finger against armrest control buttons, the papery feel of book pages, balling up a napkin, pulling off the wrapper of complimentary cookies, sipping at hot coffee and feeling steam against one’s mouth, patting lips with a napkin, brushing crumbs off one’s shirt front, lifting or lowering the shade on the window, the comforting weight of an airplane blanket as one tries to sleep
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Mechanical trouble
Airsickness
An allergy attack (to perfume, onboard snacks, medication, etc.)
A rude or inappropriate seatmate
Drunk passengers
Medical distress (appendix pain or a heart attack) during a flight
Realizing one has lost something of importance (money, credit cards, a passport)
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
A captain and crew, air marshal, flight attendants, passengers
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Airplanes vary depending on size, age and condition. Smaller planes (especially ones built for short trips) may only have little or no service for the flight. Movement and storage may be restricted on small planes due to space, and have only economy class seating. Also, if you are naming a particular airline in your novel, take care to research cabin crew dress and service style to ensure accurate description.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
As I adjusted my miniscule pillow, I glanced sidelong at the passenger next to me in the window seat. Sweat glistened on his pale face and his hands gripped the armrests so hard I was surprised finger bones didn’t bust through. His breath was choppy like he’d run a marathon, not just eaten what was possibly the worst meal in the history of the world. Great. I ditched the pillow and switched on the TV, giving up the idea of sleep. Hopefully we didn’t hit air turbulence. Something told me this guy was a hurler, and I didn’t trust that he’d be able to make it to the restroom in time.
Techniques and Devices Used: Hyperbole, multisensory descriptions
Resulting Effects: Characterization, foreshadowing, tension and conflict