This seat-spreading dispute on a flight is dividing people online – was it rude or reasonable?
- Replies 17
We here at the Seniors Discount Club are avid bargain hunters, and we love to take advantage of cheap travel deals and head off on a holiday whenever we can. (Who doesn't, really?)
However, as budget air travel has become more and more popular in recent years, flying has become less and less comfortable – especially for those of us who are taller than average.
When flying, it's not uncommon to be crammed into a tiny seat with barely any legroom, which can make even the shortest flight an uncomfortable experience. And if you're unlucky enough to have a chatty or inconsiderate neighbour, it can easily ruin your trip before it's even begun.
Which brings us to the latest aeroplane etiquette debate that's been taking the internet by storm: is it ever okay to spread out and invade your fellow passenger's personal space on a plane?
One woman recently found herself in this very situation when she boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Florida.
To her horror, she discovered that the man sitting next to her was so tall that his legs were spilling over into her seat! Not only was this extremely uncomfortable for her, but it also meant that she had very little legroom for the duration of the four-hour journey.
The woman, who goes by the name of Emily Kauai on Reddit, shared a photo of the man sitting with his legs splayed out, completely taking over her space.
'This was how my entire four-hour flight went today,' she captioned the post. 'I am a five-foot-eight-inch female.'
As you can imagine, the photo quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate about aeroplane etiquette. Some people were quick to jump to the man's defence, arguing that it's unfair to expect someone of his size to be comfortable in a standard seat.
'There simply isn't room for people with longer legs unless we do the splits like this,' wrote one user, while another added, 'It's absolutely horribly uncomfortable.'
Others agreed that it's not the man's fault that he's too big for the seat and that it's the airline's responsibility to provide more comfortable seating for all passengers – regardless of their size.
'I don't see a win for either person. It doesn't appear the guy can get his legs forward, either. This is the airline's fault, not the passengers,' wrote one user.
However, not everyone was so understanding. Many people were quick to criticise the man for being disrespectful and inconsiderate and said he should have been more aware of his surroundings.
'People like this suck. I would have said something,' wrote one user. 'To everyone saying tall people, I get that. But it's the space she paid for and not her fault. If I want more legroom, I get a seat with extra legroom or suck it up. I'm six-foot-three and don't do this.'
'This photo makes me angry on [the original poster's] behalf. People should have some basic self-awareness and courtesy,' slammed another person.
So, what do you think? Is it ever okay to spread out and invade your neighbour's personal space on a plane? Or should we all be more considerate of those around us? Let us know in the comments below!
However, as budget air travel has become more and more popular in recent years, flying has become less and less comfortable – especially for those of us who are taller than average.
When flying, it's not uncommon to be crammed into a tiny seat with barely any legroom, which can make even the shortest flight an uncomfortable experience. And if you're unlucky enough to have a chatty or inconsiderate neighbour, it can easily ruin your trip before it's even begun.
Which brings us to the latest aeroplane etiquette debate that's been taking the internet by storm: is it ever okay to spread out and invade your fellow passenger's personal space on a plane?
One woman recently found herself in this very situation when she boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Florida.
To her horror, she discovered that the man sitting next to her was so tall that his legs were spilling over into her seat! Not only was this extremely uncomfortable for her, but it also meant that she had very little legroom for the duration of the four-hour journey.
The woman, who goes by the name of Emily Kauai on Reddit, shared a photo of the man sitting with his legs splayed out, completely taking over her space.
'This was how my entire four-hour flight went today,' she captioned the post. 'I am a five-foot-eight-inch female.'
As you can imagine, the photo quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate about aeroplane etiquette. Some people were quick to jump to the man's defence, arguing that it's unfair to expect someone of his size to be comfortable in a standard seat.
'There simply isn't room for people with longer legs unless we do the splits like this,' wrote one user, while another added, 'It's absolutely horribly uncomfortable.'
Others agreed that it's not the man's fault that he's too big for the seat and that it's the airline's responsibility to provide more comfortable seating for all passengers – regardless of their size.
'I don't see a win for either person. It doesn't appear the guy can get his legs forward, either. This is the airline's fault, not the passengers,' wrote one user.
However, not everyone was so understanding. Many people were quick to criticise the man for being disrespectful and inconsiderate and said he should have been more aware of his surroundings.
'People like this suck. I would have said something,' wrote one user. 'To everyone saying tall people, I get that. But it's the space she paid for and not her fault. If I want more legroom, I get a seat with extra legroom or suck it up. I'm six-foot-three and don't do this.'
'This photo makes me angry on [the original poster's] behalf. People should have some basic self-awareness and courtesy,' slammed another person.
Key Takeaways
- A recent controversy on aeroplane etiquette has sparked after a woman shared a photo of a man spreading his legs and invading her leg space on a flight.
- The debate is centred around whether or not it is acceptable to spread out on a flight, with some people arguing that there is not enough room for people of larger stature to rest their legs comfortably.
- Other commenters have blamed the airline, saying it is the airline's fault for not giving passengers more legroom.