On an airplane, what is the etiquette of the single armrest?

It depends. Sometimes it works out as first come first served. If the person next to me is a very large person, I just let them have first shot. Many times I think it works out that each person uses one of the armrests so each person has an opportunity to use one; that seems the most fair. Since I don’t care much either way if I get the armrest or not, I don’t pay much attention to it.

Three seats across: Whoever’s stuck in the middle owns the armrests.
A pair of seats: Negotiated verbally or non-verbally between the occupants.

@gasman Person in the middle gets the armrests? Interesting. That kind of makes sense. Never thought of it like that.

In my experience, the bigger person takes it. For a shortened lifespan, it’s the least compensation we can offer them. Doesn’t bother me.

I usually let the other person have it.

If everyone leans towards the aisle, then everyone gets one each, on the side furthest from the window. (Unless it’s a strange plane where there is no armrest on the aisle side of the last seat?)

@gasman I like that rule.
I’m not a big guy so I usually let the wider loads take it. They need it more than I.

No one. It’s a divider, not an armrest! But it’s okay, you can have it.

You can usually share, quite easily, maybe one person sits further forward than the other… normally an elbow is only going to take up half of it! At least that is what has usually happened to me.

I usually poke them into submission with my pointy elbows.
I really let them have it ;)

@sarahjane90 Oh yeah. I do that too sometimes. I didn’t remember until you said it.

Same thing in the movie theater – ‘cept you can say whoever bought the tickets, get the armrest… And of course, if you’re two dudes, you’re not sitting right next to each other if you can help it!

I never use them. Most public-use seats, like in airplanes, theatres, etc., are plenty big for me. My arms rest on my lap.

Agree with @sarahjane90. Usually I’ve managed to coexist peacefully with my seatmate regarding the armrests. Unless they’ve pissed me off for some reason; then all bets are off.

It’s mine, mine, all mine! Mwah, ha ha.