Flight Passenger's 'Infuriating' Legroom Drama Sparks Debate

A Reddit user recently shared her frustration over an awkward and invasive encounter with a fellow passenger during a flight, describing the experience as "infuriating." The post, titled "Please don’t do this," quickly gained traction among other air travelers.

According to the woman, she woke up mid-flight to find the man seated next to her encroaching on her space. His right leg had extended into her seat, with his foot positioned under her chair. When she asked him to move, the man reportedly responded, "Well, you have plenty of room and you’re shorter than me." Because that’s apparently justification for turning someone’s seat into your personal ottoman?

He later explained that his bag was stored under his own seat, leaving him "no room." The woman, who described herself as a "5’9 woman with long legs," was understandably baffled by his excuse, questioning why people feel so entitled—especially in the cramped quarters of airplanes.

Many Reddit users chimed in with their own stories and advice, including the ever-reliable strategy of calling a flight attendant. One user theorized that post-pandemic travel has somehow made people lose their sense of common decency, while another suggested reclaiming space early in the flight to set boundaries. Others took a more cheeky approach, joking about "accidentally" spilling drinks on invasive limbs or invoking the iconic line from "Dirty Dancing": "This is my space, this is your space." Classic.

Several commenters pointed out the gender dynamic of the situation, noting that "manspreading"—a term for men taking up more space than necessary—often disproportionately affects women. One user praised the woman for standing her ground, while another humorously proposed swapping seats and engaging in a manspreading competition. The winner? Probably not airline etiquette.

Speaking of etiquette, Jacqueline Whitmore, an expert in the field, weighed in on the matter. Whitmore emphasized that proper airline behavior involves keeping your arms and legs to yourself. "The seats may be getting smaller by the day," she said, "but that doesn’t give you the right to spill over into someone else’s space or put your head on another person’s shoulder—unless, of course, you know that person well." Amen to that.

As the debate over the unwritten rules of airplane manners continues, one thing is clear: personal space on a plane isn't just a luxury; it’s practically sacred ground. So, for all the future flyers out there—let’s keep our legs where they belong, shall we?