Yes it depends. Last year I was flying back from EZE in J class, sat next to Sir David Attenborough. Now that is someone I could have chatted to for hours. He was friendly, polite, but we did put up the divider. Both slept for a several hours. Come breakfast the divider came down, I asked him if he had slept well. Then I asked him what he had been doing in Argentina, and he told me all about the rare fossils he had been observing/collecting in Patagonia. Absolutely fascinating. Charming gentleman who is approaching his 90th birthday.

On the other hand, years ago, sat next to a famous racing driver in F class to SIN. No names mentioned, but he was obnoxious to the crew, got rather drunk, and decided to tell me his life history and sordid gossip about other racing drivers. Not the slightest bit interested, he was a total jerk, I put on my earphones which he pulled off my head at least 3 times, saying "I am trying to talk to you!" He got a bit nasty at my lack of interest, could not change seats as flight was full, thank God he fell asleep, and not another word!.

One of the best, though, was an elderly lady I sat next to from CCS to LHR in y class. Some continuous turbulence for the first 3 hours, and I could see that she was very frightened. (As was I) She held my hand!!! She told me her life history, about her son who had married a Venezuelan girl and lived in CCS. She did not like CCS (does anyone?) She was delightful, and we exchanged addresses, never met her again, but we exchanged Christmas cards for a while. She has probably passed on by now. Often think about her.

Another flight years ago to SIN, on a staff standby ticket, got a middle seat in y class at the bulkhead. Young Asian lady with a baby next to me, bloody hell, I thought! But such a lovely mother and baby who only cried for 2 minutes on a 12 hour flight. We did not chat so much, but I held the baby several times, this was a great experience.