A common occurrence in the cabin of an airplane: one seat armrest for two, which must be divided somehow. Periodically, conflicts arise over the coveted elbow rest. In 2017, a photo of a passenger’s aggressive attack on his neighbor’s arm was actively discussed on Twitter. A year later, two lawyers fought for the disputed space: when the lawyers exhausted their legal arguments, fists were used, and the flight attendants had to seat the brawlers away from each other.
How to divide the armrests?
There are no clear rules on this issue, but there are opinions of various experts.
Body language expert Judy James says that people who find themselves in a confined area behave like animals fighting for space. Some of them thus assert themselves in their status as “leader” or “strong” and entitled to life. Such people, placing their hands on both armrests, feel like they are sitting on a throne surrounded by subjects. And if there is a person of the same type with a desire to dominate, a struggle for the symbol of “power” may break out between them.
D. James believes that the passenger in the middle seat should give up his elbow rests to those sitting on the sides of him, so that at least two out of three will feel comfortable. And the “voluntarily infringed” will get a plus to their karma.
Give way?
Joe Bryant, an etiquette consultant from the UK, believes that passengers at the window or in the aisle have a better position than their neighbor in the center. They can neither lean on the seat, stretch their legs, nor look out the window, and in order to get off, they have to disturb others. In addition, everyone has at least one armrest, but he does not. So it’s only fair that everyone keeps one armrest and frees up the other for their neighbor.
First come, first served
But travel blogger Gilbert Ott, who takes about a hundred flights a year, is convinced that both armrests should go to the first to arrive. As the famous ABBA song says, “the winner takes all,” but it’s easy to lose priority because sooner or later you have to get up and go to the bathroom.
Etiquette coach William Hansen believes that the problem is less than people think. Since you don’t put your whole arm on the seat dividers, but only your elbows, there should be enough space for everyone.
In any case, you should negotiate with each other and try to find the best solution for everyone. Most people are open to discussion and compromise.
What do you usually do in such cases?
