A tall woman has vented her frustration online after two businessmen seated either side of her on a flight refused to give her access to the middle-seat armrests.
The original poster (OP), user Certain-Shoe8019, recounted the incident on Reddit, explaining that after boarding, she had immediately placed her elbows on the armrests on either side of her middle seat.
But rather than conceding the space, the men on either side allegedly kept their own elbows planted, repeatedly bumping against hers.
Stock image: An empty plane cabin with no passengers in the seats.
“I am 99% sure their assumption was ‘Well, she’s smaller, she doesn’t need it,’” the OP wrote, adding, “Brother, I swear my arms and legs are longer than yours.”
She later clarified that the two men were in suits, worked during the flight and appeared to be seasoned travelers.
“I would totally give the benefit of the doubt if there was a different vibe,” she added.
Reddit Reacts
Commenters overwhelmingly sided with the OP, insisting the middle-seat passenger should get access to both armrests.
“Armrests go to the middle seat regardless of gender or size,” one Reddit user declared. “Anyone who acts otherwise lacks proper flying etiquette.”
Another suggested a direct response: “Say to them, ‘Hey, if you want two armrests, I’m happy to switch seats with you.’”
“Window seat controls the shade. Middle seat gets two armrests,” a third pointed out. “These are the rules. Anyone who doesn’t follow them is an entitled a******.
“And the airlines can all go to hell for making the entire experience a s*** show. They have the power to make this a more pleasant experience for everyone, and they choose not to.”
Airplane Etiquette
Airplane etiquette guidance generally backs that idea, with an article from The Points Guy noting the middle passenger usually gets the most armrest space because they already have the least desirable seat.
The article adds that this does not mean the middle passenger should spread out into other passengers’ space, but says it is reasonable for them to get most of both shared armrests.
A separate guide from Upworthy also describes the middle-seat rule as one of the unspoken rules of airplane etiquette.
“The middle seat rule means that the aisle and window seat occupants let the person in the middle seat use the two middle armrests,” the article states.
For this OP, however, the verdict seemed clear.
From her perspective, the issue wasn’t whether she was entitled to the armrests—it was why the men beside her appeared convinced they were entitled to them too.
Newsweek has reached out to Certain-Shoe8019 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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