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A United Airlines passenger recently shared their bewilderment on Reddit following a flight during which a flight attendant announced unexpected guidelines regarding armrest usage. Contrary to typical airplane etiquette, the attendant reportedly stated that no passenger is entitled to both armrests.
The directive was issued before takeoff, with the attendant specifying that passengers should use "the armrest to their right" or to the left, depending on their seat location within the plane. Additionally, those seated in aisle seats were instructed to leave the armrest free to accommodate movement of other passengers and crew members along the aisle.
The legitimacy of this account remains uncertain, as these instructions do not align with any known official policy of the airline. The Matador Network has reached out to United Airlines for clarification and promises to update the report upon receiving a response.
This incident has reignited discussions surrounding the unspoken rules of armrest allocation on flights. It is widely accepted that passengers seated in the middle are entitled to both armrests. Given the constraints of the middle seat, which includes limited legroom and no access to window views, the dual armrests serve as a minor concession for occupying what is considered the most uncomfortable seat. Offering an armrest to a neighboring passenger can be a gesture of goodwill that enhances the comfort for all involved.
Following the announcement, the original Reddit post indicated that the flight attendant also emphasized that "no armrest drama would be tolerated," pushing the conversation to social media where many voiced their opinions.
Commenters on the platform expressed dismay, particularly about the impractical rule regarding the use of aisle armrests. A consensus emerged among users that the flight attendant's instructions were not aligned with the conventional seating norms of aircraft.
"I've always thought the middle seat deserved both armrests. Considering how uncomfortable the middle seat is, it's the least we can do," shared another commenter, echoing a common sentiment found throughout the discussion.
