3 Unspoken Rules To Follow If The Middle Seat Is Empty On Your Flight

The boarding door has just been closed and the middle seat in your row is still empty. Congratulations, you've won the seat lottery! Whether you're on a quick trip or flying halfway across the Pacific to explore Maui's stunning black and red sand beaches, you'll likely have a more comfortable flight (and an easier walk to the lavatory). However, that doesn't mean that you're the only winner — the other person in your row also won, and etiquette says that you should share your winnings and behave reasonably.

While not having the middle seat occupied can be a great feeling, it can also be annoying if one passenger in the row oversteps unspoken boundaries. Once you high-five (or air-five) your co-winner, feel free to lift your new armrest if it doesn't encroach on their comfort. However, make sure to always communicate with them if you have plans for your new shared space. Below are three of the most important unspoken rules for flyers to ensure a more pleasant, safe, and comfortable flight for your row.

Having an open middle seat instantly makes your trip more comfortable. After all, instead of having just 17 or 18 inches of space, you can spread out a bit more — though it's essential to do so within reason. Your first thought is likely to use the middle seat as a space to keep things handy during the flight. While it's perfectly reasonable to use your half of the space for small items such as a tablet, jacket, book, or an extra blanket and pillow on longer flights, it's inconsiderate to make the space your new office or locker in the sky — or your new footrest. Moreover, keeping large or bulky items sitting in the middle seat can be dangerous if the aircraft experiences turbulence.

On the same note, you should also be willing to share the space beneath it. So, yes, feel free to enjoy the extra few inches of legroom; however, it's rude to simply move your large personal item underneath it to make more room for your feet at your neighbor's expense. 

Finally, since the middle seat in your row is empty, it wouldn't be out of turn for the passenger sitting in the row ahead to plant their own flag by fully reclining their seat. Whatever you do, don't get into a heated and frustrating debate about their choice to recline if they cash in their winnings before you do — they're stuck in their own middle seat, after all.  

Small touches, such as polite or friendly service from a flight attendant, can make a flight even more enjoyable. So can other small extras, including power ports, or an extra tray table and seatback pocket. If you and your seatmate across the row want to work mid-flight, feel free to use the tray in the middle to hold your drink or an extra glass of water while you have your laptops out. Alternatively, an extra tray table can be great for freeing up space for your meal. However, be mindful not to use the entire tray (or the chair) as a dumping ground for your trash.

For the additional USB port or outlet, feel free to use it to charge your phone or tablet — but only after you've asked your seatmate if they would like to use it after your device has been sufficiently charged. Even if you beat the other person to it, being civil and considerate goes a long way in such a small shared space. Especially in those rare instances where the other passenger's port may not be working, meaning they won't be able to make a call with a dead phone battery once the plane lands.

Once your flight has fully boarded, you might want to trade your prize to sit closer to your travel companions, or you may even be tempted to ask one to join you in the vacant seat. It's open, right? Before you even think of asking, note that your request is likely to be denied by the flight attendant because seat swapping can lead them to miscount the number of passengers, or because people moving from one place to the other can lead the plane to become unbalanced — creating a safety hazard for the entire aircraft. If you feel like you might miss your travel companion too much while sitting apart, simply meet them in the galley for a chat once the seatbelt sign is off.

On that note, don't get too comfortable and sprawl out over the middle seat, even mid-flight. In the event that something unexpected happens, flight attendants may be required to give your open seat to another passenger to keep the departure on schedule. This can also happen when you're halfway across the ocean if another passenger suffers a medical emergency mid-flight. If you do have a legitimate reason to move — your seat or in-flight entertainment system is broken — ask the flight attendant to reseat you at boarding. Just make sure not to tack it onto this one request that flight attendants can't stand.