A male passenger recently expressed surprise when a flight attendant announced a strict rule: “No one is allowed to use both armrests when seated on the airplane.” He, like many, had always assumed that the middle seat passenger held a unique privilege to both.
This announcement came from a flight attendant on an American airline. “The flight attendant clearly stated that no one could place their arms on both seat dividers,” shared the traveler, known online as Littleike.
Furthermore, the flight attendant provided specific instructions on armrest usage: passengers in the right-hand rows of the aircraft should consistently use the right-side armrest. Conversely, those seated in the left-hand rows should utilize the left-side armrest. The armrests bordering the aisle, the flight attendant explained, need to remain unobstructed. This ensures smooth passage for both passengers and crew, particularly when they are moving through the aisle or using service carts for food and beverages.
The flight attendant also indicated that they “would address any conflicts arising solely from disputes over armrest space.”
“I felt guilty for those in the middle seats because they couldn’t use both armrests,” the man admitted after hearing the flight attendant’s directive.
This traveler’s account quickly garnered hundreds of comments, highlighting the perennial passenger interest in the etiquette of airplane seat armrest usage. According to social etiquette experts and frequent flyers, an informal code of conduct often exists onboard. Window seat occupants typically benefit from leaning against the fuselage for sleep, while aisle seat passengers enjoy the advantage of more legroom. Consequently, the middle seat passenger, facing the most confined space, is often unofficially granted the right to both armrests. Many have agreed with this unspoken spatial arrangement on airplanes.
