The proper manners could astonish you.
A vacant middle seat on your plane can feel like a blessing, particularly after navigating the chaos of the airport which often feels akin to being inside a pinball machine. Once the flight attendants announce “boarding complete” and confirm that the adjacent seat remains unoccupied, you breathe easy knowing you won’t be crowded against an unknown passenger throughout the journey. Furthermore, this open spot provides added benefits such as increased under-seat storage, expanded legroom, extra tray table area, and another compartment for items like your coat or travel pillow. But does it really offer all these advantages?
The topic of empty middle seat courtesy frequently surfaces on Reddit, where passengers discuss their thoughts on this matter.
what is fair
When the gap between you and another traveler remains empty.
As someone who travels often, I recently encountered a situation that challenged my understanding of considerate conduct regarding an unoccupied middle seat. Sitting by the window—with another passenger in the aisle seat, each engrossed in their laptop—I extended the middle seat tray table as the refreshment trolley approached. In such scenarios, I’ve typically thought it was fair game for either of us to utilize the additional space for our beverages. But this time, my neighbor courteously sought permission before placing her drink on the extended tray table.
Did I unintentionally stake a claim on the tray table just for myself by pulling it down?
I would say she probably traveled extensively by air,” stated John, a flight attendant at Delta Air Lines, requesting anonymity. “This indicates strong environmental perception.
John, along with a travel etiquette specialist
Dean Foster
, the writer behind “The Global Etiquette Guides,” had a conversation with
Travel + Leisure
Regarding what is recommended — and safe — concerning extra room between passengers in the middle seats.
It’s not first-come, first-served.
John points out that many travelers mistakenly believe they can just rush to grab an available spot whenever a middle seat is unoccupied. “It’s definitely not a ‘first come, first served’ situation,” he explained. The individual who initially took over the entire row or was quickest to slide their luggage beneath the middle seat doesn’t have automatic rights to sit there.
“He mentioned that there’s no protection for the idea that ‘I arrived first, so I have the right to use it.’” Therefore, if a flight attendant intervenes in a conflict regarding additional legroom, you shouldn’t count on using that reasoning to prevail.”
Stay mindful of safety precautions.
Do not assume that splitting the additional space evenly allows one person to use the underseat storage while the other uses the seat.
It’s fine if you want to leave your airline pillow or blanket there as long as you’re not planning to use them,” explained John, noting that both travelers could benefit from this arrangement. Jackets might also occupy the center seat; however, items heavier than jackets should not remain there due to safety concerns, particularly when taking off or landing. “Occasionally, folks try placing their heavy backpacks on the seat with a seatbelt over them—this isn’t allowed either,” he added. “In case of turbulence, those bags could become airborne and possibly injure someone.
Consider personal space.
Although having an entire row to oneself allows for maximum comfort, occupying just an empty middle seat should be done minimally according to Foster. He advised against moving significantly into that space as it might make the other passengers uncomfortable, even if those passengers had no intention of stretching out or putting their feet up.
With the center seat vacant, you each gain some additional room to stretch out, cross your legs, or rest your head against the unused headrest. However, steer clear of generating bad vibes or causing conflict by refraining from intruding excessively into what should remain a communal area.
Communication is key.
Regardless of whether you enjoy talking to your co-passengers, some courteous interaction can significantly help in fairly dividing extra legroom.
Whether or not you’re speaking with them directly, it isn’t too presumptuous to inquire if they’d be okay with your using the under-seat storage area or placing a small object on their seat,” explained John. “Everyone should understand that you aren’t taking for granted that this would be alright.
For actions that could potentially help both of you, such as sharing the center overhead bin or displaying the inflight entertainment on an additional armrest display, “do not presume that the other individual will interpret your intentions positively; instead, make sure to communicate clearly,” advised Foster.
When language poses an obstacle, using gestures and non-verbal cues can be both helpful and courteous. “It’s possible to convey your intentions effectively,” noted Foster. “Your discussion isn’t centered around complex scientific topics like astrophysics; instead, it revolves around something simple, such as finding a place for your luggage.”
Enjoy the flight.
“Cultivating a greater sense of modesty and making extra efforts for others, especially when flying which tends to be cramped, can prevent many issues,” stated Foster. “Therefore, being proactive about this is crucial, as I’ve found it’s always well-received. Consequently, you end up having a far more pleasant journey since all potential tensions related to these matters simply vanish.”
