These suggestions are fine for short domestic flights. Perhaps that’s what you are talking about. But I’ve traveled internationally for 10 years now and these rules don’t all apply to international flights.

Getting up and walking around is permissible on a 8–12 hour flight (or longer). Getting things out of your overhead bin is also ok. Furthermore, you generally have a lot more room to get up and move around in international flights. Granted, no one wants to watch you perform yoga in the aisles — that’s a bit much.

As far as shoes goes. I’m with you on this. However, there are wonderful in-between shoe/socks (fabric-spandex uppers with a rubber sole) that I carry with me. I generally put them on before I board. Very comfortable, they cover your socked feet, and they have a rubber sole so you don’t get your socked feet nasty. (Yes, I’d put foot deodorant powder in them, too — it’s nice to be kind).

Part of the thing to remember is to be courteous to those around you. For instance, I make it a point if I am sitting next to someone with a small child to tell them, “There is nothing your child is going to do that will upset me. They don’t understand what is going on, there will be pressure on their ears and they may end up crying a lot. I am ok with that. Don’t worry that I will be upset.” This puts them at ease and frankly, when I begin that way, I find myself becoming a lot more patient and kind in the process.

Yes, it is irritating when someone reclines their seats — unless you’re the one who wants to recline! That’s the way it is. You just have to accept that and not complain. However, if you are flying internationally and a meal is being served, pull your seat up for at least the duration of the meal. That is the courteous thing to do.

I would add some more important “no-nos”:

1. Don’t get drunk on planes or right before you board. Really. Very bad form.
2. Don’t try to find romance on planes (that’s just creepy and will likely get you in serious trouble)— Furthermore, no one on the flight wants to watch that train-wreck.
3. If you are flying Southwest: Don’t stick your bag on the empty seat beside you just because you don’t want anyone sitting there! It’s rude and irritating — and it makes the person sitting on the other seat an unwilling accomplice. If you don’t want someone sitting next to you, fly some other airline and purchase two seats!
4. Don’t ignore the cabin crews’ instructions. Pull the seat in an upright position, put your devices in airplane mode, don’t store your small items in the overhead bin (that’s what the floor space under the seat is for) and put up the tray!