Airplane Behavior Mishap Sparks Controversy on Social Media, Warranting Attention
In a recent incident on a Delta Airlines Airbus A220-300 flight to Toronto on July 12, 2025, Reddit user IntelligentMountain experienced a breach of airplane etiquette that sparked surprise and amazement among fellow passengers and online commentators.
The offending passenger encroached into IntelligentMountain's personal space by placing their legs under the armrest and into the extra legroom of the exit row seat. This obtrusive behavior caused a stir, with comments expressing disbelief at the gall of the passenger taking up space and amazement at people's cluelessness.
Fortunately, a flight attendant intervened and told the passenger to face forward for takeoff, ensuring that IntelligentMountain's legs were able to fully extend for the rest of the flight. The flight attendant's quick action and professional handling of the situation was appreciated by IntelligentMountain, who later reported that the attendant even winked at them after resolving the issue.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unspoken etiquette rules that help maintain a respectful and pleasant environment for everyone onboard during flights. Some key rules include avoiding taking both middle seat armrests if you are in a window or aisle seat, being considerate with overhead bin usage, and respecting personal space by not extending your legs or body into neighboring seats or aisles.
Flight attendants are diligently trained to notice potential conflicts between passengers and de-escalate the situation before it gets worse. They are taught to handle tense situations respectfully and empathetically, with professionalism and poise.
For taller travelers or anyone who values extra space and added comfort during their flight, seats 18E or 18A on the Airbus A220-300 are some of the best choices available. Seat 18E, in particular, is a highly sought-after exit row seat, known for its exceptional legroom. While it does not offer under-seat storage, the extra legroom more than compensates, especially compared to standard economy seating which offers just 30 to 32 inches of pitch.
While there are some things you should never ask flight attendants for, assistance or help is always available. If a passenger encroaches on another's space, a few polite words might clear things up. Remember, maintaining a respectful and pleasant environment for everyone onboard is essential for a comfortable flight experience.
[1] Source: [Airline Etiquette: The Unspoken Rules for a Comfortable Flight Experience](https://www.airlinegeeks.com/2019/07/29/airline-etiquette-the-unspoken-rules-for-a-comfortable-flight-experience/) [2] Source: [The Ultimate Guide to Airplane Etiquette](https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/airplane-etiquette/) [3] Source: [The 10 Unspoken Rules of Airplane Etiquette](https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/airplane-etiquette) [4] Source: [10 Simple Ways to Be Polite on a Plane](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/10-simple-ways-to-be-polite-on-a-plane) [5] Source: [How to Stay Comfortable on a Plane](https://www.healthline.com/health/stay-comfortable-on-a-plane)
In light of this incident, it's crucial to remember that maintaining a respectful and pleasant lifestyle onboard, especially during travel, is essential. Actions such as encroaching into another's personal space, for instance in home-and-garden matters like seat placement, can be as offensive as it is clueless. Fortunately, flight attendants, trained to handle such situations with professionalism, are on hand to ensure fellow passengers' comfort and safety.
