Anyone know how to raise this armrest?
Mar 17, 2018, 6:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
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You'd like to Move it, Move it?!?
See the thick padding toward the back of it?
That padding is there on that, and a handful of other, armrests to meet the somewhat recent (last 10 years or so) increased Head Injury Criterion numbers by the FAA for the passenger BEHIND that seat.
So, the pad must stay stationary, and consequently that armrest cannot be raised.
It's worth noting that the criterion, and more specifically, the interpretation thereof has been... inconsistent across carriers. And some aircraft have actually had theirs changes or removed, as clarity has been sought.
So... it's a bit of a mishmash, and not just at United.
It's a long story. But that's the gist of it.
Edited to add: these are often found in the aft rows of the cabin, because the seats are offset as the fuselage tapers. The thinking was that a passenger's head would not strike the headrest in front of them, in that case, due to the offset, so the padding was added for additional protection. It became very convoluted, and this regulation is also the basis for the fairly recent advent of seat belt airbags, which people seem to despise. Personally, I think seat belt airbags are a great idea- there's tremendous potential to reduce injury in survivable crashes this way. But. People these days are only happy when they're complaining! Anyway, that's a SMALL part of the back story.
Last edited by Legend717; Mar 17, 2018 at 6:30 pm Reason: Additional deeeetailz
Mar 17, 2018, 6:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
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I'm sure there are exceptions. But when you get on a plane, by default, assume that the window armrest won't move.
Most of them are bolted to a bracket.
I HAVE seen MANY an armrest where Passenger XYZ has decided to MAKE the window armrest go up.
The carrier I work with spends lots of money replacing shattered aluminum brackets as a consequence.
Mar 17, 2018, 11:17 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 17
I'd like to.....MOVE IT!
You cannot raise that particular armrest.
See the thick padding toward the back of it?
That padding is there on that, and a handful of other, armrests to meet the somewhat recent (last 10 years or so) increased Head Injury Criterion numbers by the FAA for the passenger BEHIND that seat.
So, the pad must stay stationary, and consequently that armrest cannot be raised.
It's worth noting that the criterion, and more specifically, the interpretation thereof has been... inconsistent across carriers. And some aircraft have actually had theirs changes or removed, as clarity has been sought.
So... it's a bit of a mishmash, and not just at United.
It's a long story. But that's the gist of it.
Edited to add: these are often found in the aft rows of the cabin, because the seats are offset as the fuselage tapers. The thinking was that a passenger's head would not strike the headrest in front of them, in that case, due to the offset, so the padding was added for additional protection. It became very convoluted, and this regulation is also the basis for the fairly recent advent of seat belt airbags, which people seem to despise. Personally, I think seat belt airbags are a great idea- there's tremendous potential to reduce injury in survivable crashes this way. But. People these days are only happy when they're complaining! Anyway, that's a SMALL part of the back story.
See the thick padding toward the back of it?
That padding is there on that, and a handful of other, armrests to meet the somewhat recent (last 10 years or so) increased Head Injury Criterion numbers by the FAA for the passenger BEHIND that seat.
So, the pad must stay stationary, and consequently that armrest cannot be raised.
It's worth noting that the criterion, and more specifically, the interpretation thereof has been... inconsistent across carriers. And some aircraft have actually had theirs changes or removed, as clarity has been sought.
So... it's a bit of a mishmash, and not just at United.
It's a long story. But that's the gist of it.
Edited to add: these are often found in the aft rows of the cabin, because the seats are offset as the fuselage tapers. The thinking was that a passenger's head would not strike the headrest in front of them, in that case, due to the offset, so the padding was added for additional protection. It became very convoluted, and this regulation is also the basis for the fairly recent advent of seat belt airbags, which people seem to despise. Personally, I think seat belt airbags are a great idea- there's tremendous potential to reduce injury in survivable crashes this way. But. People these days are only happy when they're complaining! Anyway, that's a SMALL part of the back story.
Mar 17, 2018, 11:42 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,502
As I recall, the window armrests on the port (single seat/A) side of the ERJ 135/145 can be raised. Not sure about the starboard side since it's been a long time since I sat in a 'C' seat on that aircraft type.
Mar 18, 2018, 7:58 am
#8
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Mar 19, 2018, 8:05 am
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,418
Window armrests are, as a general rule, not movable.
I'm sure there are exceptions. But when you get on a plane, by default, assume that the window armrest won't move.
Most of them are bolted to a bracket.
I HAVE seen MANY an armrest where Passenger XYZ has decided to MAKE the window armrest go up.
The carrier I work with spends lots of money replacing shattered aluminum brackets as a consequence.
I'm sure there are exceptions. But when you get on a plane, by default, assume that the window armrest won't move.
Most of them are bolted to a bracket.
I HAVE seen MANY an armrest where Passenger XYZ has decided to MAKE the window armrest go up.
The carrier I work with spends lots of money replacing shattered aluminum brackets as a consequence.