"Ladies and gentlemen, these are your exits, oxygen will drop from above, and let's all be clear that if you are in an aisle or window seat you MUST NOT take the middle armrests too. It's the law. Everyone in the squishy middle seats, please assume the position and put your elbows on the armrests on the count of three.
"When sitting three across on a plane, the person in the middle has dominion over both armrests," Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, told Reader's Digest in February.
Yes, you're owed both armrests. Yes, you should ask for them if you're feeling slighted. But you also need to have realistic expectations. Even though you're in the worst seat, flying economy is miserable for everyone.
We asked etiquette experts and they all came to the same conclusion: The person in the middle seat gets control over both armrests. One of the great travel etiquette questions ever considered has to be who gets the middle seat armrests on an airplane.
Know the Rules
Each airplane seat is permitted one distinguished perk — the aisle has the most breathing space, the window seat has a built-in headrest, and the middle seat is allowed both armrests. So, next time you find yourself stuck in the middle, take full advantage of those armrests — you deserve it.
One of air travel's many unwritten etiquette rules is that the middle seat passenger gets priority over both central armrests as compensation for being the middle seat passenger.
So try and find a seat in the middle of the cabin to avoid potential noises from each end. While bulkheads offer extra legroom, the better option is exit rows.
(WYTV) – You're sitting there on your flight, in the middle seat. Who gets the arm rest? Most people might agree the person in the middle seat on an airplane gets to use both armrests.
Why do we have to put our arm rests down when an aeroplane is landing? According to Sebastien Bouevier, who worked as a Safety and Emergency Procedures instructor at a major airline, it's to do with the speed of the plane meaning the arm rest could do great damage if it slammed downwards.
IT MAY seem counterintuitive to put your armrests down during takeoff or landing, making it harder to get in and out of your seat, but there's actually an important reason why airlines ensure you do it. It's all for your safety, according to a former cabin crew safety trainer.
3. A faster exit. If you don't have assigned seating and can take your pick, often middle seats are the last to fill up — which means if you want to sit near the front of the plane, your best chance of finding an available seat is often choosing a middle one.
Earlier this year, Reader's Digest reached out to etiquette experts (yep, such people do exist) and they all came to the same conclusion. Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, told the publication: "When sitting three across on a plane, the person in the middle has dominion over both armrests.
You have easy access to the aisle without getting constantly hit by carts and people. You can also see out the window without straining. Also, most people agree that the middle seat person gets both armrests, so you can take full advantage of that. How do you choose a window seat on a plane?
The armrests should be positioned at your natural elbow position. When they are properly set, your armrests should sit just under your elbows when your hands are in your lap. The last scenario might be that you do know how to adjust yourself properly at the workstation.
Buckle all children ages 12 and younger in the back seat.
Buckle children in the middle of the back seat, when possible (using a lap and shoulder belt), because it is typically the safest position in the vehicle.
When it comes to sharing the armrest, it can be an awkward encounter with your fellow passengers. According to a travel expert, however, the middle passenger should get access to both armrests to make their flight as comfortable as possible.
But can you take a blanket on a plane? Fortunately, for all of us who like to pack light and travel with as few items as possible, the answer is yes! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows travelers to include blankets in their carry-on bags and checked luggage.
If you do decide to lie across an empty row or seat, remember that you MUST sit up and put your seat belt on when instructed. Also, at the time of check-in, you can ask the airline staff how full the flight is.
Bracing in a planned emergency
This allows for the cabin crew to still be able to hear and shout emergency commands whilst protecting the face and head from any flying debris.
The reason why flight attendants tell you to put the armrests down during takeoff and landing is because they can cause serious injury if the plane comes to a sudden halt. This was explained in detail by former cabin crew safety trainer, Sebastien Bouevier.
In the middle, at the back
Nonetheless, a TIME investigation that looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data found the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared with 44% for the middle aisle seats. This logically makes sense too.
So many travelers struggle with this fear, so the best way to cope is to find a seat with plenty of space. The least crowded section of the plane is first or business class. But if upgraded flying isn't in your budget there are still options. Try sitting in an aisle seat in an exit row towards the front of the plane.
The most surefire way to avoid the middle seat is to pre-select a seat during the booking process. With most airlines moving towards charging for extras (at least on domestic flights), you might have to pay somewhere between $10 and $80 to preselect a seat.