Plane seats aren’t famed for being comfortable – no one really looks forward to the fact they’ll be crammed together with strangers for extended periods of time — but it’s just a part of getting to where we need to go.
Everyone is in the same boat (or should we say plane?) so to make everyone’s journey that little bit better, it’s good to know what’s considered common courtesy.
Part of being a courteous fellow passenger is knowing some basic rules of plane etiquette, especially surrounding the much fought-over territory that is the plane armrest.
Who do the armrests belong to? It’s quite simple when you think about it. The person in the middle seat gets a raw deal. You’re stuck between two people, you have to step over others to go to the toilet and you can’t lean to either side for extra room. Therefore, the armrests on either side of the middle person belong to the middle person.
The person in the window seat has the benefit of snuggling up to the window with the potential to even sleep resting against the wall — not to mention the exciting views!
The person with the aisle seat is afforded a little bit more breathing room and possibly leaning room towards the aisle, as well as the best toilet access.
So, give the middle person a break and let them have both arm rests. Should you find yourself in the battle of the elbows, remember, that’s where the funny bone is so remain calm and polite.
If for some reason you require an extra armrest, your seat-mate should understand if you ask them nicely.
Travellers over 60 were mostly in agreeance that the middle person gets both arm rests, and some offered more helpful tips, as well as sharing their horror stories.
“Actually SPEAK to the person next to you and offer to share!” suggested Carolyn.
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“I was in the middle seat but the lady next to me lay claim to one armrest by placing her cardigan over it! She knew what she was doing,” Betty said.
Barbara said she had a nightmare flight when she was in the middle seat between two passengers and couldn’t move because they hogged the armrests.
“I had a problem when the man on my right was unable to use his arms and the man on my left threatened me as he was supposed to have a 15-inch scar on his arm,” she said. “He still managed to hold a huge computer all the flight though.”
No matter what you believe, a little kindness and consideration goes a long way.