Flying can be irritating (Clipart.com)

Flying can be irritating. It's not uncommon to find yourself on a plane with zero leg room or squished between two fellow passengers in a too small seat, while discovering the person next to you possesses an incredibly strange odour or is a heavy talker.

Despite these annoying situations, though, Canadians remain remarkably polite while flying, according to results of a North America-wide Travelocity.ca survey.

"While line-ups, small seats and crammed quarters can be trying, our recent poll suggests that North Americans pack their manners with a carry-on of tolerance," said Travelocity.ca's Brian Simpson in a release. "This is great news for Canadians preparing to jet-set this March break."

The survey revealed 66% of North Americans polled wouldn't mind chatting with their seat neighbour if he or she struck up a conversation. Sitting next to a pair of overly affectionate flyers? Nearly 75% of North Americans quietly ignore lovebirds on planes, while 20% say they would ask the other passengers to stop or have a flight attendant request they tone down their flirtatious behaviour.

There is some good news for travellers who wind up in the dreaded middle seat. Twenty-five per cent of passengers feel this person is entitled to both armrests.

Also on board, 93% of those surveyed said would assist someone with getting luggage up into the overhead compartments. Roughly 50% of travellers said they'd also switch seats if someone who wanted to be closer to a travel companion, as long as a comparable or better seat is part of the trade-off.

Apparently the politeness of Canadians knows no limits. An amazing 64% of travellers surveyed said they'd climb over or maneuver around a sleeping passenger so as not to disturb him or her when they must make a bathroom trip. And, as long as your fellow travellers' feet aren't smelly, 50% of North Americans have no problem with fellow passengers slipping off their shoes mid-flight.

Read the Meandering Musings blog online at blogs.canoe.ca/travel