This Breach Of Airplane Etiquette Caused A Stir On Social Media For Good Reason

Imagine that you're about to board your flight, off to a destination that you've been looking forward to since the moment you booked it. You read up on the best things to wear during a flight so you'll be comfortable for the journey ahead. You're even seated next to the window in 18E, which some consider the best seat on the Delta A220-300 Airbus. Located in the exit row, this coveted Delta seat has ample legroom because there isn't another seat directly in front of it. As you board the plane and get comfortable in your seat, you suddenly notice another passenger encroaching in your space. 

This obtrusive situation happened to Reddit user IntelligentMountain on July 12, 2025, as they flew to Toronto in a Delta Airlines Airbus A220-300. "This is a new one," they posted, along with a photo of what they experienced. A fellow passenger seated in the row ahead had turned sideways, placing their legs under the armrest and directly into the extra legroom of the Redditor's exit row seat. This breach of airplane etiquette understandably caused a stir in the reactions to the Reddit post.

While there are plenty of unspoken airline etiquette rules you may not be aware of, placing any part of your body in an intrusive way into the personal space of another passenger is surely one of them. This one certainly takes the cake for being one of the strangest breaches of etiquette we've seen. 

Fortunately, IntelligentMountain didn't have to handle the situation alone. "[A flight attendant] came over and told him that all passengers 'need to be facing forward for takeoff' and winked at me," IntelligentMountain said in an update on the post. "My legs are now fully extended and will be for the rest of the flight."

The comments in response were surprised by the gall of the person taking up space. "I genuinely am amazed at people everyday," u/EconomicsOk6508 said. "How are people this clueless. wtf," to which u/lawfulneutral88 replied, "They know what they're doing and they don't care. It's worse than being oblivious."

Others said what they would do in a similar situation. "Use their knee as a footrest," u/Wander80 suggested. "Passive aggressive me would inconveniently find the need to grab something from my bag every 5-10 minutes and ask them to move their legs each time," said u/Aura0505. "Or just put my bag on their legs like a luggage rack." As entertaining, not to mention tempting, as it would be to react this way, passive-aggressive behavior could have made the situation more awkward than it already was.

Fortunately, flight attendants are diligently trained to notice potential conflicts between passengers on their flights and de-escalate the situation before it gets worse. They're taught to handle tense situations respectfully and empathetically, with professionalism and poise, so they can help other passengers who may not know how to react.

Frequent Delta flyers often praise the Airbus A220-300's highly sought-after seat 18E in the exit row. Known for its exceptional legroom, seat 18E does not offer under-seat storage, but the extra legroom more than compensates, especially when compared to standard economy seating.

Seats 18E and 18A both feature an impressive 60-inch pitch, a width ranging from 18.1 to 18.6 inches, and a 3-inch recline, which delivers a near Premium Economy experience in the main cabin. In contrast, standard economy seats on the same plane offer just 30 to 32 inches of pitch. For taller travelers, or anyone who values extra space and added comfort during their flight, seats 18E or 18A stand out as some of the best choices available when selecting a spot for the journey.

Ultimately, the generous legroom is exactly what makes 18E on the A220 a favorite among frequent Delta flyers. And if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, like another passenger encroaching on your space, a few polite words might clear things up. If that doesn't help, don't hesitate to ask a flight attendant for assistance. While there are some things you should never ask flight attendants for, assistance or help is always available.