Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Middle Seat - Pointy elbows = who has the right of the arm rest?

Flying home to GVA the other day I was seated in a middle row and had a non-verbal elbow "fight" with the person sitting to my right. His left elbow was well within "my" space of comfort and after a few counter-elbow moves from my side he didn't nudge very much.

I felt that having to sit in the middle seat the person sitting here should have the right of the arm rest as the persons sitting on either side have much more room to either their left or right and a whole arm rest for them self.

So what do you think?

Unless you want to rest your entire lower arm along the length of the arm rest, there should be enough space for two elbows to rest. I've never had problems sharing an arm rest this way, but then again I don't consider that either passenger "owns" it!!!

It's certainly not all that difficult to share the space, but when that doesn't work out, I've always believed the middle should get both armrests

The person in the middle seat does not have less space, in my opinion.

- The window seat often has less space due to the curvature of the plane (Granted, depending on the row).
- The isle seat cannot be used to 'overflow' in the isle - when you have any arms or legs sticking out, they will be hard hit by passing carts. Additionally (at least for KLM B73x) the space under the seat in front is less due to the seatlegs being kinda in the middle of your leg space.

So yes, the middle seat is uncomfortable because you have somebody next to you on both sides - but not because you have less space.

Anyway, ontopic..I believe the armrests can be shared fine. Just dont shy away from possible arm-contact (:p) with your neighbour.

It's certainly not all that difficult to share the space, but when that doesn't work out, I've always believed the middle should get both armrests

Agreed. I usually sit Window and often leave most of the armrest to the person in the middle..

Also, I generally only use the bit of the armrest that is closest to the lumbar area (with my arms crosses).. That means I only use the first 15-20cm of the armest... Usually, people seem to prefer to lay their arms staight and therefore use the more forwrd part of the armrest/.

(...)Anyway, ontopic..I believe the armrests can be shared fine. Just dont shy away from possible arm-contact (:p) with your neighbour.

Unless it is a NEO seat, with 1/2 length armrests. This is for me the most unpleasant feature of this seat. :mad::td:

My philosophy of shared space... ;)

- If the shared space can be easily divided (e.g. middle seat when only window and aisle are occupied) it should be divided equally between both parties

- If the shared space is hard to divide (e.g. some armrests - it really depends on planes etc) then it is best left empty as a bit of - space precisely - between people. I hate the feeling of being within touching distance of unknown neighbours whether it is my arm going to them or theirs going to me

Had to chuckle when I read this. Had my own share of armrest battles.
Then I had a deep thought about it: wether I am in the isle or at the window, I always give the armrest to the middle seat person. I have one armrest all for myself in any case.

Had to chuckle when I read this. Had my own share of armrest battles.
Then I had a deep thought about it: wether I am in the isle or at the window, I always give the armrest to the middle seat person. I have one armrest all for myself in any case.
I think this is the implicit polite convention among FFers but it's certainly not a rule and there are arguments about disadvantages to the window and aisle seats too. To me, it's YMMV but I would be nice to the person in the middle seat and if I were in the middle seat, I would probably try to establish territory early if I wanted to be sure to have use of the armrests......Now if I could convince people to stop the legs-spread sitting position in full coach cabins....

Had to chuckle when I read this. Had my own share of armrest battles.
Then I had a deep thought about it: wether I am in the isle or at the window, I always give the armrest to the middle seat person. I have one armrest all for myself in any case.

There is one exception: our beloved exit row. The window exit rows do not have an armrest, and if the person in the middle seat hogs the other one it can be quite uncomfortable!

I shamefully admit, when I'm sitting in an aisle or window seats in the first rows, that I did OLCI 30 hours before and the person trying to mark his (never her...) territory probably did a regular check-in a few minutes before departure, and this needs to come with a price... Therefore, I'm familiar with the elbow battles!

If you're a member of Flyertalk, and you find yourself sitting in a middle seat, you're doing something very wrong and should reconsider your membership...

Given the business model airlines are tending to apply, armrests will soon be available as paid options.

Given the business model airlines are tending to apply, armrests will soon be available as paid options.

or 25000 FB miles.

If you're a member of Flyertalk, and you find yourself sitting in a middle seat, you're doing something very wrong and should reconsider your membership...

Well, for many of us, what you call 'something very wrong' is probably merely travelling on a full flight with a significant other whom we are polite enough to leave the window or aisle seat to... ;)

Well, for many of us, what you call 'something very wrong' is probably merely travelling on a full flight with a significant other whom we are polite enough to leave the window or aisle seat to... ;)Apart from gallantry, there could be such things as last minute bookings, invol reroutes, etc...

Apart from gallantry, there could be such things as last minute bookings, invol reroutes, etc...

Indeed! Or even, nowadays, a bad joke played on any of us by the Frankenstein-like AF invention called auto-check-in! ;)