Tips to survive being stuck in the middle seat
On a long haul flight, being stuck in the middle seat is about as much fun as realising the cabin crew are out of peanuts.
Here are some clever ways you can survive being lost in the middle seat without having to sacrifice too much comfort.
1. Assume priority armrest placement
Armrest etiquette is difficult on planes, but it’s pretty safe to say that on longer economy flights the person in the middle seat should have priority placement. You’re going to be going through the most on this flight, so make sure you grit your teeth and just bear it in the middle seat.
2. Go before you go
If you’ve got a flight that isn’t too long and you think you want to avoid going to the toilet too much make sure you take the opportunity to go to the bathroom before you head on your flight. Otherwise the interruption won’t make you too many friends in the air.
3. Hide yourself in plain sight
The middle seat leaves you open to conversations on both friends which can be great if you’d like a long chat but annoying if you’d just like to get through your flight. To avoid this, employ some products like eye masks, books, magazines and iPod earphones to avoid invasiveness.
4. Lighten your carry-on load
Try to make as much space for yourself as possible. If you are already checking bags, consider cramming as much of your possession into these as possible. Nothing takes away your space in the middle seat as a bunch of carry-on luggage, and your offsiders will appreciate it!
5. Take a deep breath and accept it
In the end of the day there’s only so much you can do to make yourself comfortable in the middle seat so if you accept early on that it’s not going to be fun, easy or comfortable you can make the best of it. And remember, before you know it you’ll have two feet on the ground.
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