A mathematical proof that this should not be a problem: @:-)

The ideal solution is to sit next to someone with whom you don't mind body contact, even if you don't hold hands for the entire flight. That happens 20 percent of the time on average, figuring that most FT travel is without the significant other, leaving 80 percent.

Failing that, sit in front, where the divider is wide enough for two armrests. Most FTers upgrade every chance they get, which is often. That eliminates half the remaining time, leaving 40 percent.

In third place, if you're in back: have a vacant seat next to you. Since FTers tend to be elite and benefit from seat blocking when an aircraft is not full, say that's half of what's left, leaving 20 percent.

When none of those is possible, both your hands will be occupied for about half the flight with eating, holding a book, and so on, or you'll be out of your seat, so you don't need an armrest. That leaves 10 percent.

When none of the above apply, the person on the other side will be similarly occupied 10 percent of the time, half of which will overlap with yours (you'll both eat at the same time) but half of which won't, leaving only 5 percent of the time that armrest use is an issue.

If the average flight lasts four hours (on longer ones you'll often be sleeping part of the time, shortening the waking time, which is the only time this matters) 5 percent is 12 minutes.

So, for 12 minutes per flight, can't we get along?