When flying, I’m a window seat guy, for a variety of reasons (not the least of which is that looking out the window never gets old for me). In this post, I want to briefly talk about the etiquette regarding accessing the aisle when seated in a window seat (or middle, I suppose), because I’m curious how many OMAAT readers have a different take…
In this post:
Mutual obligations of aisle & window seat passengers
Some people prefer aisle seats because they want control of access to the aisle, and don’t want to be at someone else’s mercy. Others prefer window seats so that they won’t be disturbed by others trying to access the aisle.
Broadly speaking, I’d consider the correct etiquette regarding aisle access during the flight to be as follows:
- If I’m seated in the aisle seat, I’ll of course always get up if the person in the window seat needs to use the bathroom, without huffing or puffing
- If I’m seated in a window seat, I try not to consume too many liquids, so that I don’t have to go to the bathroom too often, and I also try to be respectful regarding the timing of using the bathroom, if at all possible; in other words, I’ll try to avoid going to the bathroom when the person in the aisle seat is sleeping, eating, etc.
Let me add one other note, which brings me to the main point of this post. If you’re seated in an aisle seat and someone needs to use the bathroom, you should stand up and let them out, rather than having them climb over you.
I’d argue that’s always the correct etiquette in economy, and it’s also the correct etiquette in a premium cabin, unless we’re talking about a very spacious layout (like a plane with certain types of flat bed seats). One of the reasons it’s important to get up is because it’s a bad practice to pull on the seat in front, and how else are you supposed to balance yourself while climbing over someone, short of giving them a face-to-face lap dance (which also seems like bad etiquette!)?
Why do some people not stand to let people out?
Yesterday I flew Avianca’s A320 business class from Miami to Bogota. In reality, this is almost like intra-Europe business class, in the sense that they’re economy seats with a bit more pitch, and extra width. Still, 33″ of pitch isn’t exactly a lot of space, and that’s especially true when people are reclined.
Anyway, I was in a window seat, and there was a guy in the aisle seat, but we had a bit of a language barrier (which I realized when I asked him if I could get up). So I then pointed to the bathroom, and he clearly understood what I meant. But rather than standing up, he instead maybe moved his knees an inch to the side, and motioned for me to climb over him (by pointing a finger along the floor, and sort of dragging it).
So I did that, and it was an adventure, especially since I’m unwilling to yank on the seat in front for support (so I instead tried to balance myself by pushing against the overhead console area). Go figure the second that I got up, the pilots were getting their bathroom break and breakfast service, while the crew was also blocking the economy aisle, performing service there. So the crew motioned for me to sit back down… which required going back exactly the way I exited into the aisle.
Then 10 minutes later, when the coast was clear, I finally went to the bathroom again, using exactly the same process. All-in-all, I had the pleasure of climbing over this guy, and being way too close for comfort, four times.
This isn’t the first time that something like this has happened to me. Though in the past, I’ve found that after the first time, people proactively get up, because they realize “oh, climbing over someone isn’t really practical.” But that wasn’t the case here.
I’m just puzzled by the psychology of this. Do some people just really hate getting up that much? Or do they just think that climbing over people is the correct way to do it? Have others found themselves in similar situations, with or without a language barrier?
What’s interesting to me is that I witnessed exactly the same thing with two other people in the cabin, who I don’t believe were traveling together (though who knows). Like, are airplane norms just different in Colombia (or Latin America at large), was this an isolated incident, or…?
Bottom line
To me, it seems like basic courtesy for a person seated in an aisle seat to stand up if someone seated next to them needs to use the lavatory. Every once in a while (including on my Avianca flight yesterday), people just don’t seem to think it’s necessary to get up, and want people to climb over them.
I don’t really get it, so I’m curious if I’m in the minority on that, or what. I could be wrong. I mean, a lot of people disagreed with me about putting shoes on lounge furniture, and I learned something there, so hopefully I can learn something here as well.
Where do you stand on the aisle seat passenger getting up when others need to use the lavatory? Under what circumstances is it not needed?
Yeah, this is a Latin American norm based on recent experience. Having spent the last month flying around the continent, this behaviour, as well as reclining seats during meal service (and being pissy about the FA asking them to bring their seat forward during meal service) is a really common trait. It smells of entitlement and self importance - I’ve never seen this in Australia, Asia or Europe on daylight flights that are only a...
Yeah, this is a Latin American norm based on recent experience. Having spent the last month flying around the continent, this behaviour, as well as reclining seats during meal service (and being pissy about the FA asking them to bring their seat forward during meal service) is a really common trait. It smells of entitlement and self importance - I’ve never seen this in Australia, Asia or Europe on daylight flights that are only a maximum of a few hours in length.
A few choice phrases in Spanish definitely helps illicit a change in behaviour though if spoken loudly enough .
I ABSOLUTELY am going to get up when I'm in the aisle. I definitely don't want someone climbing over me and possibly falling. If I were in the window, I think I might say something along the lines of "I'm very clumsy, can you please stand up so I don't fall on you?".
If you sit in a window seat, you should always abide by anybody else in that row asking you to open the window shades during the first minute of flight and the last 3-5 minutes. Do not be an a-hole. Seeing if there is a fire outside is important. Once a fat African American female refused to do so.
And the fact that the person was a large black woman is relevant why?
When I was a F/A, I almost exclusively flew Latin American routes working all three cabins and I can tell you that not standing up if you are in an aisle seat is very much a cultural thing that I had not seen much of in North America or Europe. Why ? Have not idea but it was then and is now "a thing".
Relevance of her being "fat"? And African American? I think that's known as "casual racism"....
US flight with its stupid and archaic no-aggregation-policy near the toilet. While the rest of the world is far more civilized and you'd not have to climb over some neckbeard twice in 10 minutes.
This was on an Avianca flight. Avianca is a Columbian flagged airline.
In my opinion...
Window seat - close the windows when the lights are dimmed (in other words when others are wanting to sleep) or if the crew tells you to do so. If not it's up to your choice.
Aisle seat - get up when the window seat passenger wants to get outside, and hope that the aisle seat passenger is willing to get up as well.
Aisle seat - get up when your seatmate wants to get out.
"Window seat - close the windows when the lights are dimmed (in other words when others are wanting to sleep) "
Hmm, that's a tough one. I'm with you partially, but there are also times when people are trying to nap late into the morning and I'm not certainly closing my window to facilitate that (unless sunlight is directly coming near their face). Why bother grabbing a window seat if it needs to be closed?
@Redacted - agreed. I'll close my window in exactly two situations: (1) I am asked to do so by crew; or (2) I personally want it closed.
I'd say you're in the majority, Ben. If you choose the aisle seat, this is gonna happen, so just stand and let the other person past! It's neither difficult nor terribly inconvenient.
It's very simple. Would a woman climb over the aisle person if they didn't get up? Especially if they were in a skirt or a dress? Nope. Make them get up.
"All-in-all, I had the pleasure of climbing over this guy, and being way too close for comfort, four times."
@Ben, you're an stoic!
I have seen this frequently in flights within Latin America (not only Colombia). It also happened to me on a flight from CDG to SCL where I was the victim of a reversed situation with a Chinese passenger who simply "threw himself" over me every time he wanted to get to the aisle with no warning, gesture, or any kind of notice at all.
I am an aisle person at movies, concerts, plays and airplanes. In all cases I always stand up to let people in and out. I also try to recognize the people who are in my aisle so I can ensure I am standing up when they return from the bathroom or intermission.
I follow the same rules, it's the polite thing to do. However, if the aisle person is an unaccomodating tool too self important to get up, I float an air biscuit as I crawl over them to show my displeasure for their lack of manners. Seems fair.
No shortage of a holes in the world. If someone doesn't want to get up during flight reserve/buy a window. Otherwise, tough fecal matter.
When in domestic first I try for the bulkhead because I can get in and out without the other passenger getting up. I try to limit liquids and if possible use the lav when the aisle passenger gets up.
Those few times I'm in an aisle seat if the window seat person needs to get out I get up. It's not that difficult.
In general I agree with you about getting up when someone wants out, but I am understanding of people for whom it is difficult to stand up or sit down. This may appear obvious if you witnessed the mobility issue (e.g. you witnessed as they sat down slowly), but many disabilities are invisible.
Then they should sit window and stay seated. It’s a safety hazard having them on the plane at all, let alone in an aisle seat.
"Invisible disabilities" is the latest catchphrase being bandied-about as an excuse for inconsiderate, selfish, or antisocial behaviour. If you walked onto the aircraft and found the seat under your own steam, you can stand up and step aside to let your seatmate past to the loo. If you're so incapacitated that this is beyond your comprehension, you need to travel with a guardian.
I've had only a couple of people who wanted me to climb over them so I could use the restroom while they were seated in the aisle and I always assumed it was because they had an injury that made it difficult or painful to stand up.
Why do some people not stand to let people out?
Sometimes because they're wheelchair bound, or have some other physical constraint or disability.
But it's almost always because they're assholes.
Willy gets it.
I’m middle aged but I still notice some older people expect me to climb over them in the airplane, theaters and stadiums.
I think in general most places I go away from home have a culture where less personal space is the norm. I’m not personally a fan of all the strangers touching me all the time when traveling, but it seems mostly unavoidable.
Norms about manners and personal space are different in various...
I’m middle aged but I still notice some older people expect me to climb over them in the airplane, theaters and stadiums.
I think in general most places I go away from home have a culture where less personal space is the norm. I’m not personally a fan of all the strangers touching me all the time when traveling, but it seems mostly unavoidable.
Norms about manners and personal space are different in various parts of the world, so I think this is a good question to ask! For example, some places kiss all kinds of people I wouldn’t and others don’t even shake hands. I sometimes find my own culture’s ways are optimal and other times suboptimal. I think it’s kind of fun to notice and learn. I also think it’s normal and somewhat understandable to be uncomfortable with unknown people and cultures.
I agree. I think there's a cultural aspect to it, although I would not say this is 100% of the picture. I prefer window seat, too, and I see more people on the aisle getting up for me in North America than in Asia.
Aisle seats come with acknowledgement of people needing to get up from middle and windows - anytime and as many times as they want. For most seats - yes get up. But for very wide exit rows - when at the aisle, if the arm rest can be lifted - I just swivel 90% and the perons can walk out. And don't be prude, if someone brushes against you on the way out - so...
Aisle seats come with acknowledgement of people needing to get up from middle and windows - anytime and as many times as they want. For most seats - yes get up. But for very wide exit rows - when at the aisle, if the arm rest can be lifted - I just swivel 90% and the perons can walk out. And don't be prude, if someone brushes against you on the way out - so be it. When two people pass in the aisle - both usually turn to seats and maybe their bottoms bump - and your crotch will be in the face of the person in the seat you are facing.
I always try for the aisle as I hate having to ask someone to get up for me so I can use the bathroom and hate the feeling of being trapped. Still, it sometimes happens, and I try to use the bathroom at an appropriate time.
On my last flight, I was in AA domestic First Class and the man on the aisle was asleep. I was tempted to try to climb over him...
I always try for the aisle as I hate having to ask someone to get up for me so I can use the bathroom and hate the feeling of being trapped. Still, it sometimes happens, and I try to use the bathroom at an appropriate time.
On my last flight, I was in AA domestic First Class and the man on the aisle was asleep. I was tempted to try to climb over him because I didn’t want to wake him and I had to go. I ended up just tapping his shoulder, and I apologized when he woke up but he understood and got up for me.
When I am in the aisle, I always respond with a smile and stand up when someone asks to use the restroom. It is good to stand up every hour or two on a plane anyway.
I generally agree with the analysis in this post (as someone who also prefers window seats). However, I usually don't mind climbing over someone if that's their preference; it's more uncomfortable for them than for me as far as I'm concerned, so if it's reasonably doable, I'll do it. In the end, though, this is all contextual. It may not be practical at all in a scenario with limited pitch, particularly if the aisle pax...
I generally agree with the analysis in this post (as someone who also prefers window seats). However, I usually don't mind climbing over someone if that's their preference; it's more uncomfortable for them than for me as far as I'm concerned, so if it's reasonably doable, I'll do it. In the end, though, this is all contextual. It may not be practical at all in a scenario with limited pitch, particularly if the aisle pax is tall, and in those scenarios it is indeed the obligation of the aisle guy to stand up.
I will add that I generally seize any opportunity to use the lav immediately after my seatmate does, so as to minimize disruption.
Ben - Maybe this guy wanted a lap dance at 32,000 feet. Language barrier or not, this common courtesy extends all over the world. Maybe he was just a jerk.
I'm amazed how often people in the aisle just motion me to climb over them. I won't do it. I politely refuse and insist they get up. 100% success rate.
Right?? I'm NOT very limber, and I've fallen and really hurt myself and I don't want to do that again. Just get up.
You've traveled much more than me, but for me that is just consistent with cultural norms in that area of the world. You are going to have people with different experiences and personal preferences, but for example if you travel by crowded bus or train in that culture, you're going to see someone similar. At least those are my observations.
I almost got into an altercation when a fully grown man tried to climb over me (I was aisle) in domestic first. You are 100% correct Lucky. Bonus points for etiquette of not grabbing seat in front of you. This article makes me enjoy my current week of no flying.
if someone made me climb over them to access the bathroom, i wouldn't mind or worry about accidentally bumping into their knees, legs, feet, etc. it comes with the territory if your unwilling to move or stand up.
“Manners maketh man”.
However Michael, I’m with you on this point.
If someone is so ignorant as to make it difficult for one to pass, then I could also display mine by following your example.
If I have the aisle seat, I get up if someone from middle or window seat needs to go to the rest room. Or just the aisle, to get something from the overhead storage. If it is for the latter, I also ask them whether I can get them their backpack/purse/whatever.
If I have the window seat, I expect the other person gets up for me as well.
I haven't been in the middle seat...
If I have the aisle seat, I get up if someone from middle or window seat needs to go to the rest room. Or just the aisle, to get something from the overhead storage. If it is for the latter, I also ask them whether I can get them their backpack/purse/whatever.
If I have the window seat, I expect the other person gets up for me as well.
I haven't been in the middle seat for ages, but I would get up / expect someone to get up as well.
I think that's just the polite way of traveling.
Now I have to find out what the comments on the shoes in the lounge are.