Is the middle seat passenger entitled to the armrests on a plane?
A Twitter poll asking whether middle seat plane passengers get both armrests has stirred up public debate around the divisive topic once again. More than 107,000 weighed in on the poll posted by the Rich Eisen Show earlier this month, with just over half, 52.9 per cent, voting "no way". The close result further illuminates that we're no closer to finding a clear-cut rule when it comes to the contentious middle seat armrest etiquette. It's not the first time the issue has been spotlighted. Perhaps the most controversial instance was in 2018, when a Twitter video went viral featuring a woman who allegedly 'fat shamed' her seatmate for their arms touching during a flight. Amber J Philips, 28, uploaded footage of the woman to her Twitter account after her American Airlines flight ended with police being called. RELATED: Drunk plane passengers may kill the in-flight drink with increase in brawls on aircrafts  The altercation between the two women began when Amber's seatmate began "aggressively rubbing" up against her arm before asking her to move over (she couldn't, of course, there was simply no room) and "making an active scene". Amber's awful experience is not a one-off event. Armrest etiquette  According to Zarife Hardy, director of the Australian School of Etiquette, good etiquette is simply about making people feel comfortable in your presence. So when it comes to who gets the armrest, while there are no hard and fast rules whatever people would have you believe, there is a system that's widely accepted as being fairer than others. "The person seated at the window seat has their own armrest and wall, along with the person seated in the aisle seat  they also have a little more leg room. RELATED: Flight attendant spills on travellers' worst habits  "So the person or people seated in the middle generally get the armrests first," Hardy told 9Honey Travel, adding "however let's keep it fair and just wait to see how it casually and politely happens." But while this approach is deemed fair by many, it's important to get it out of your head that it's a 'rule' (it's not) and adjust your expectations. (iStock)  Space invaders  Perhaps you're seated next to a larger passenger or someone who is either willingly or unwillingly encroaching on your seat space. According to Hardy, neither of these options is acceptable. In this most delicate of situations, Hardy says there are a few different paths you can go down but communication is key for all of them. RELATED: Traveller cops $13,600 fine for blowing nose on plane blanket  "Talking to your cabin crew privately is a great place to start  do so in the galley, not in front of others," she suggests. "Politely ask them if they know of any other available seats that you may be able to move to." "Wait until you're in the air and see if there are any spare seats that you can move to." If no spare seats are available, then don't underestimate the power of befriending your seat neighbour. After all, it's harder to be angry at someone you're having a friendly chat with. "Communicating with the passenger beside you is also a great solution, especially if there are no other seats available," she says. "Getting to know someone next to you adds a human element to the situation and [the seat space issue] may be less likely to be a source of frustration or discomfort, it may make the situation a little easier." (iStock)  Pack your manners  While it's probably easier to think of your space-hogging seatmate as the bad guy, it's important to take the time to remember they're only human and probably not out to ruin your day. "These days, planes are made to fit many bodies in them and they are often full, seats are not designed for every body shape so just remember people have feelings, be polite and understand that everyone is trying to get from A to B as peacefully, politely and comfortably as possible. "Switch your manners on." For a daily dose of 9Honey, sign up here to receive our top stories straight to your inbox