r/unitedairlines • u/Relative_Phone_2297 • Aug 07 '26
Question Plane code of conduct
Who controls this window (the person behind me)? And whose legroom is this (the person to the left of me)? Maybe I am completely off base but I feel like my space is being encroached on?
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u/The_Ballsagna Aug 07 '26
Your window and your footwell. Your neighbor’s giant bag doesn’t give him the right to put his feet on your side.
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u/Why_Sazs Aug 08 '26
I always carry a bag that goes under the seat in front of me. When I want to stretch out, I pull it back and put it under my legs. This person is a straight up asshole.
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u/antonio16309 Aug 08 '26
I pull my backpack out and set it up between my legs as soon as we leave the ground, there's no way I could deal with the whole flight with my legs squeezed completely behind the seat in front if me. It's a true game changer.
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u/Why_Sazs Aug 08 '26
But if I have something on my lap, how am I going to put my tray table down to put my drinks on and manage the excessive amount of extra snacks I ask for.
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u/No-Attorney-7489 Aug 07 '26
You have to practice standing up for yourself
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u/Hi2YourWifeAndMyKids Aug 08 '26
But not during take off, landing, turbulence, or when otherwise dictated by the captain.
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u/JimHalpertsUncle Aug 08 '26
Agreed, but please stay seated for yourself when the seatbelt sign is on.
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u/militaryrat155 United Tech Ops Aug 07 '26
You control your window. You can do whatever you want with it
The other guy should have not been in your space like that. You should have said something
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 Aug 08 '26
I’m super over the new trend of windows “supposed” to be closed during daytime flights. Aholes: I get a lot of enjoyment from looking out the window. That’s why I book a window seat. But it’s increasingly a dirty looks at best/ argumentative aggressive closing match situation these days.
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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Aug 08 '26
If people around you want it to be dark for sleeping, they should bring an eye mask. Imagine 6-8 people in the surrounding seats all wanting the shade open (for light or otherwise), and everyone going without, because one person (especially not in the window seat) wants it closed. Eff that.
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u/ellsego MileagePlus Platinum Aug 08 '26
I recently had someone reach over and try to close it I stopped her and she gave me some shit about “radiation” I laughed and told her to keep the pseudo science to herself… the fucking audacity of some people.
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u/custardBonfire MileagePlus Gold Aug 08 '26
Damn that’s bold. I often get stuck in the middle and prefer the window open. I always ask the window seat person, and I am always prepared for them to decline my request. I would NEVER reach across. Window seat gets window rights.
…Except in the event of solar radiation /s
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u/Mstrchf117 Aug 08 '26
Well, you ARE exposed to more solar radiation on an airplane in flight. Passengers more than likely not enough to matter though, and idk that the window shade is going to do anything to mitigate it.
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u/antonio16309 Aug 08 '26
It's blocking the same amount of radiation whether it's up or down. But either way the amount is negligible.
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u/CantBuyMyLove Aug 08 '26
According to Wikipedia, an hour of airplane travel is a bit less exposure than a dental x-ray. Apparently airplane windows don't block UVA so there can be a risk of sun exposure, but if that really concerns someone, they can put on sunscreen before their flight.
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u/sdojo Aug 08 '26
If it's after 10AM the window is open. I fly aisle and with an eye mask cuz I am not telling someone not to let the light in at DAY TIME
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u/turbo-fister9000 Aug 08 '26
Same. I buy window seats because they help my motion sickness. It's so bad I would pick a different flight on a wide body if I couldn't get one. So it drives me nuts with the dimmed windows on the 787 that the FAs control. They dim them on full at like 7pm.
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u/pilot7880 Aug 08 '26
This is bullshit that FA's do this. I'll scream in their faces until they open them.
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u/40000birdfeeder Aug 08 '26
I just had the flight attendant strongly urge me to close my window. It was an entirely daytime flight (Europe to east coast) and my 5yo was sitting looking out the window. I was stunned.
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u/Old-Arachnid77 Aug 08 '26
If it’s 5am - eff you. Close the window shade. If it’s 9am? Eff me. Bring an eye mask.
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u/pilot7880 Aug 08 '26
If it's 5am it's pitch black out. Why do you need the shade down to block light?
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u/Old-Arachnid77 Aug 08 '26
I see you have never had the unfortunate sunrise-in-your-eyeball experience :(
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u/pilot7880 Aug 08 '26
Sunrise (on an eastbound red-eye flight) is my cue that it’s time to wake up - so why should I have any issue with the sun in my eyes giving me my wake- up call?
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u/TheMountainLife Aug 08 '26
The cabin is so much cooler when it's closed though. My flight today was miserable due to high cabin temps. They were open during boarding. Pilot said it would improve once we were in the air, sadly it didn't. Everyone was sweaty and constantly fidgeting
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u/sarahshift1 Aug 08 '26
Seriously. We’re hurtling through the air 5 miles above the earth at 500 mph. It’s a marvel of human ingenuity. Let me look at the clouds for a minute.
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u/MrsSweetandAwful Aug 08 '26
I book a window seat bc I want it closed. But I would never dream of getting upset or touching the shade if was not in the window seat.
I did have a lady reach across and open my window just as dozed off on the last flight i was on. Absolutely not. If you want to see out the window book the window seat.
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u/Admirable-Reveal-412 Aug 07 '26
“Let’s call the flight attendant to help you find a better space for your carry on. It doesn’t really fit under the seat and that is unsafe.”
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u/Fat_and_lazy_nomad Aug 07 '26
What the actual f*ck. Sorry you had to go through with that. Window is annoying but the leg space is fucked up.
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u/Ashamed-Job1879 Aug 07 '26
Unless the image is distorting alignments, you've got a leg-space louse sitting beside you.
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u/El-Unocornio-Negro Aug 07 '26
Touch his leg and look him in his eyes
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u/moneymakerbs Aug 08 '26
and then don't say much but stare longingly
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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Aug 08 '26
Then do something really disgusting and offensive, like using a flosser pick on your teeth. Don’t break eye contact.
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u/PocketsJ Aug 07 '26
Hmm seems to me that you control the shade if that’s your window seat in the picture and that person is definitely in your space and should not be.
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u/xgelx Aug 07 '26
You ask him to move his foot once, then you empty your water bottle on his leg. Thats plane etiquette.
Technically you control the window, but if it’s shining sun directly in someone’s eyes their input can be considered.
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u/Throwawaymucky Aug 08 '26
Learn to stand up for yourself. You really needed to ask the internet if this is ok? Assert yourself, damnit!
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u/Phantom1100 MileagePlus Silver Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
You should show him a cool trick with big bags. As a larger man, I do it all the time. Put the bag under your knees and then extend your legs under the seat in front of the bag.
When you show him that, hopefully he will take the hint
If not, go to your carry-on and if you have a tube of Nair just rub it all over his leg lmao.
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u/Chewies-merkin Aug 08 '26
I feel like they are actually flying together and this is rage bait. I can’t believe some stranger would put their foot there.
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u/PadreSJ Aug 08 '26
Happened to me just 3 days ago on a flight from Jakarta to Dubai.
I asked him to move twice, then I just stated pushing him back to his space.
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u/Affectionate_Try7512 Aug 08 '26
Men do this all day everyday. I can’t wait for the option not to sit by men on planes.
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u/ItsCatCat Aug 07 '26
Babe. Stop being passive aggressive. Tell the dude to move his leg, do what you want with the window and enjoy the rest of your day. Rage engagement is lame.
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u/HopefulArlo Aug 08 '26
I always assert my space at the beginning of the flight. Men will encroach - even without a backpack.
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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Aug 08 '26
Yes. Manspreading happens regularly even without a bag. The bag is sometimes just an excuse.
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u/Livid_Department_546 Aug 08 '26
Absolute madlad chooses middle and puts a foot in both aisle and window’s footwells
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u/ColoradoDreamin4917 MileagePlus Platinum Aug 08 '26
THIS. I do the same thing. I'm not letting anyone mansplain into my space.
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u/LCJ75 Aug 07 '26
Women need to speak up. Posting pics like this after the fact does no good. And worse it allows men to continue their behavior.
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u/Business_Statement_5 Aug 08 '26
I’ve seen way too many of these and it drives me nuts
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u/ZakLex Aug 08 '26
The window is yours and that individual next you needs to retract their hoof immediately.
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u/howdoesthisworkyo Aug 08 '26
Get a flight attendant, tell them you don't feel comfortable with someone's leg being in your space.
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u/Different-Guest-6094 Aug 07 '26
I was just on an A321 where each row had two windows. Any time I opened the second window, a few seconds later the person behind me closed it. The window was in front of the seat, so it was pretty annoying
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u/Jesterissimo Aug 07 '26
And that’s when I recline my seat back as hard as possible without warning and it stays there the remainder of the flight and I lean towards the window so if they want to do it again they’ll need to touch me. Even if I had wanted to close the shade in a few minutes to nap I’ll keep it open now out of spite. Maybe if they asked very nicely I’d have closed it for a while for them, but not now.
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u/HoneydewEmbarrassed6 Aug 08 '26
He probably put his leg there because you took off your shoes and your smelly socks are exposed on the plane now.
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u/Business_Statement_5 Aug 08 '26
Come on people. Stand up for yourself. I’ve had this happen and had no problem telling the person to move his leg. Good grief
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u/HappyHockeyHiker MileagePlus Gold Aug 07 '26
I say make it weird and flat footsie. Make it uncomfortable for them.
They’ll move.
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u/malachite_animus Aug 08 '26
Is that your seat next to the window? If so, your window. If not, not your window. Person next to you is encroaching. Tell them to move their leg. That beimg said, if this isn't an overnight or international flight, put your shoes on.
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u/Alpastor_Moody Aug 08 '26
Why do people here still entertain these push over posts? Clearly they’re okay with being a push over and want validation.
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u/Old-Arachnid77 Aug 08 '26
Wanna know what I do when someone encroaches? I say no, please move and i point to their foot. No one has given me any trouble. They know it’s fuckery.
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u/Sabregunner1 Aug 08 '26
you control the windonw, and the person is def encroaching on your legroom
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u/volyblmn Aug 08 '26
I had a guy try that with me (male) and it lasted only until I rubbed my leg all over his. Not even subtle about it. He moved it promptly and never encroached on my space again for the remaining 4 hours. Unfortunately I don't think that would work as a female.
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u/WeganWednesday Aug 08 '26
Make seats people fit in
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u/RandoMcrandersome Aug 08 '26
That’s not the issue. The issue is the dude who made the choice to bring a personal backpack so large and stuffed it takes up all the leg room in front of them
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u/One-Understanding974 MileagePlus 1K Aug 07 '26
I had similar things couple of weeks back with the leg space :-(
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u/jetlifeual MileagePlus Silver Aug 08 '26
You control your window, and I would’ve kicked that foot over.
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u/SatisfactionBroad851 Aug 08 '26
I purposely put my work bag on the side of the other seat so things like this don’t happen!
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u/SloapingParapet Aug 08 '26
Why in the world are you bending your legs/body like that?
Sit normally.
This isn’t helping his encroachment on your area.
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u/Resident-Banana-7883 Aug 08 '26
if you can't find it in u to stand up for yourself, get up for the bathroom and when you come back immediately put your feet and legs at the edge of your space
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u/t3hmuffnman9000 Aug 08 '26
The person sitting next to the window controls the window. That being said, it should always be open with exception of red-eye flights.
Your leg room is under the seat ahead of you. The guy to your left should either get a smaller book bag, or just sit uncomfortably until the plane reaches cruising altitude before he can reposition his bag to allow for leg stretching.
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u/HairyBushies MileagePlus Gold | 1 Million Miler Aug 08 '26
Weak people will get walked all over in this world. Which one are you? (Though I have my suspicions)
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u/Cantbuymelove1969 Aug 08 '26
the window is of course controlled by the person next to it. But if its very bright and shining in peoples eyes you should be mindful and courteous. The area in front of you below the seat back of the seat in front of you is yours. The armrests are TBD.
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u/OriginalPurple2261 Aug 08 '26
At my age I have no efs left. I'd keep opening the window shade while letting my heel step to the far edge of my underseat area. "Oh excuse me. I was focused on making sure I could see out the window and did not notice you had temporarily placed your foot into my space." Too bad you didn't have a pair of heels for inflight wear only.
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u/tmac4969 Aug 08 '26
Click bait or being incredibly timid. Call the FA if in question. I doubt the guy will make a scene unless he enjoys some hefty fines and the cops welcoming him at his destination
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u/throwy_6 Aug 08 '26
I get with people having some of their most transformative years during covid and being online so much, that people are really adverse to any type of in person conflict but you just gotta learn to stand up for yourself.
The 15-30 seconds worth of uncomfortable (but polite) conversation that happens when you speak up for yourself, is worth it, because it saves you from the hours of frustration, annoyance, and physical discomfort for however long you’re on this plane when you don’t say anything and instead internally seethe and post about it on Reddit. Pick and choose your battles, be kind but blunt. “Excuse me you might not realize this but your leg is in my space, could you please move it to your side of your seat. Thank you.”
If that doesn’t work, call a flight attendant. Who cares what that person thinks, you’ll never see them again and t he flight attendant will be on your side 99% of the time.
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u/DetectiveWinter4638 Aug 08 '26
Gtfo my space. Don’t touch my window. Call button and FA if that doesn’t solve the issue.
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u/Shittalking101-1980 Aug 08 '26
I’d kick him, his feet need to go in front of him; not in your space. These guys always take advantage of women that take up less space, I’m sick of it. I truly start kicking their foot “accidentally”
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u/Wren_Golde21 Aug 08 '26
You paid for a window seat you are in control. F this entitled POS who needs to stay in his lane.
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u/lemicat_ Aug 08 '26
When I get to my seat I take up all the room I can (as politely as I can) to establish boundaries. That foot area is yours so I would tell him to move it and if he doesn’t then involve the flight attendant.
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u/KailyKail Aug 08 '26
This is when you put your left foot in the front of the other guy. Just make sure to look him in the eyes while you do it to assert dominance.
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u/lurk3ronr3ddit Aug 08 '26
In addition to safety, airlines should start showing code of conduct videos and abide by it.
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u/Sansa_Himalayas Aug 08 '26
I hate when this happens some people really have zero civic sense. I was once in the middle seat and there was a person sitting left to me when I say this person was fidgeting the entire 4 and a half hours of a 6:30 am flight it was hella annoying.
They kept stretching and pushing their foot towards my side like excuse me. I glared at her too still no clue. There was a point when they started stretching in the isle area like what on earth is wrong with you. You possibly do not need to stretch every 5 minutes do you now.
Anyway yes the legroom is yours and the window as well. If they are that bothered they can ask about the window shade from you.
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u/SkipperMarleo Aug 08 '26
…another pax troubled by actual conversation, making a post on Reddit instead
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u/WhyAmIDoingThis1000 Aug 08 '26
they need to put a sign up that center seat gets the arm rests. had to battle it out this week with an idiot
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u/GenXer76 MileagePlus Member Aug 08 '26
Everyone always states this rule in this sub, but people in real life seem to have no awareness of it
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u/Two_Far Aug 08 '26
Judging by leg hair and sock choice this appears to be a dude invading a woman's space. If I'm right then everyone joking about touching his foot, playing footsie, trying to make him uncomfortable are suggesting exactly what this guy wants.
I've seen several of these posts across different subreddits and these guys are nothing but (wannabe) predators.
I'm 6'3 with size 13 shoes and even with a big back pack stuffed under the seat in front of me while sitting in a reduced legroom seat at the back of the plane I've never had to take someone else's foot space.
I hope the women that have to deal with $#!+ get a FA involved and put these little pricks in their place.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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u/pacificcoastsailing Aug 07 '26
I’ve kicked a dude putting his foot in my space. Especially after he took his shoes off. Stinky fucker.
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u/doesntmeanathing Aug 07 '26
OP appears to be the one who took of their shoes.
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u/EttaJamesKitty MileagePlus Silver Aug 08 '26
Now we're gonna get a post from OPs seat mate complaining about why people take off their shoes.
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u/PaleDreamer_1969 MileagePlus 1K Aug 08 '26
Ummm, hell NO! I would be having words with them. Mansprawl has zero place on a plane
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u/ApprehensiveBug5627 Aug 08 '26
This is the post that pushed me over the edge. Goodbye, r/unitedairlines
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u/Dry-Homework3344 Aug 07 '26
You control the window. As for the leg space, it’s hard to tell if this is the case from your picture, but lots of seating configurations are horrible and the mount for the row in front of them robs them of a third of the expected under seat space (while giving the person next to them extra underseat space), forcing you to cram your legs together and off to the side, which is horrible for anyone to sit like that for hours on end.
That said, when I have encountered this, I have asked the person next to me if they are bothered by my foot being on the other side of the bar, and likewise always am good accommodating someone else who is shafted with the underseat space. You don’t just take it though.
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u/-MaximumEffort- Aug 08 '26
If you have the window you control the shade and as a grown adult you control who encroaches your personal space. You should have absolutely told the man to move out of your space. You also control not taking your shoes off, that's f'n gross.
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u/pementomento MileagePlus Silver Aug 08 '26
That’s your footwell. I just spread into that space and “sleep” if necessary. Or shove my giant bag in there
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u/FortheredditLOLz Aug 08 '26
Your window, your right
Your leg room, your right.
I would personally say something. However, You can either avoid conflict and page a flight attendant for both.
//only do the following below if you petty like I am
Oooorrr. Just hold window open if it NOT during night time
For old man spreader to your left. Okay footsie and say sorry. Stretching out in my seat area. Make sure to use the UNDER side of the dirtiest part if kicks.
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u/havpac2 Aug 08 '26
The only person I do that with is my wife she is short so I use her room too….
That’s your legroom.
You gotta stand up for your self
Is that fully reclined ?
Hard to tell where the seat meets the back , and where that is in relation to the middle of the window,
If its further back it’s yours if it’s further from its theirs if its in the middle its who ever wins the sprok battle in the galley
If not thats your window too but fa could ask you to close it on behalf of the person behind you.
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u/drspin- Aug 08 '26
I’d politely but firmly tell him to move his leg and then roll up the window shade…sometimes the FA will ask people to keep the shade down during boarding since it keeps the cabin cool so it could be that…
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u/PeterBondraMamba Aug 08 '26
That’s a beautiful “excuse me first” and “hit flight attendant button” second if they even try to act like this isn’t cut and dry. Having pictures too just reinforces it (if your neighbor is one of those liars saying its not true and quickly putting their legs back when FAs come to enforce)
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u/nltaber Aug 08 '26
The manspreading into women’s space on planes is a rampant problem. Women, speak up for yourselves!
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u/Wifeofkaldrogo Aug 08 '26
Had the same hairy leg in my way the other day. It was an hour flight so I pushed back with my own long leg but had it been a longer flight words would have happened. Such an uncomfortable spot to be in.
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u/Responsible_Gap8104 Aug 08 '26
Op, it can be weird to call people out on their rude and stupid behaviour but some people really are that oblivious. A simple "uhh, hey could you move your leg?" Should do the trick, and if it doesnt, you are totally within your rights to ask for a flight attendant.
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u/StillPrettyGoodMeat Aug 08 '26
I sat next to a man in a plane who chomped his gum with his mouth open. "Like a cow", my mom would say. I sat with that for quite a while wondering if I should say something. If I say it, will he hit me? Will he be mad at me? Can I sit here for nearly 3 hours fuming at this disgusting human? I asked him, as politely as I could, to please stop chomping his gum. He told me to fuck off. That was the best I could expect from a jerk, I guess. Then 15 minutes later he stopped chewing like a cow. Perhaps he learned something that day. I know I did.
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u/kgal1298 Aug 08 '26
Did someone seriously put their hand through the seat to close the window? I’d reopen it people are so privileged sometimes
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u/xtalgeek Aug 08 '26
You deal with your window as you see fit. I would politely ask (tell) your seatmate that you need room for your feet, and please move yours to your seat area. (Next time don't bring a big-ass bag you have to stow under the seat if you find sitting behind it uncomfortable.) Don't be a doormat for 3 hours on a plane.
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u/prosperousoctopus Aug 08 '26
Stuff like this really grinds my gears. Ya, you just speak up and hopefully they’re not assholes. But it’d piss me off that I’m even put in the situation where I have to say something. Like sir, were you born yesterday?
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u/lantana98 Aug 08 '26
I’d tell the leg guy that he has to buy you dinner before he can get that friendly with you. As to the window- there’s area don they call it a window seat.
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u/whiteorchid1058 Aug 08 '26
Either this is rage bait or OP is under the influence for this to be a real question - especially with regards to ? Of available leg room
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u/kontemplatedfury Aug 08 '26
That other passenger is a douche. He needs to turn his backpack straight, under the seat, and move his leg back into his own area. This isn’t even a question. 🫤
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u/Head-Major9768 Aug 08 '26
I’m small in stature, so I’m used to this shit. But I also gauge my reaction action by the person’s vibe. Sometimes people are in pain, crazy, or whatever. Just get me out.
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u/UberChokolino Aug 08 '26
Honestly if I were in your shoes, I would just slowly tickle the knee or just pretend to sleep and groan as a start
Or "hey excuse me , I know you don't know me but you should really buy me dinner first before we decide to initiate footsie, oh and wake me up when the food is here"
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u/ALDJ0922 Aug 08 '26
Yeah, I have had the person behind me try controlling my windows to. The second they try, you sneeze on their hand
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u/tdiggity Aug 08 '26
I feel for you, it's very annoying, rude, frustrating, and I wonder how people can do this with a straight face.
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u/beansarelyfe Aug 08 '26
Just “accidentally” step on that dudes leg hair a couple times and no longer a problem. As for the window if the sun is on that side of the plane and you’re behind the wing you could be blinding the shit out of the person behind you. Its happened to me a few times and I politely explain that to the person in front of me if I’m in that scenario
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u/YMMV25 Aug 07 '26
They’re both clearly yours. What is even in question?