Armrest battle likened to 'a cage fight in the air'

Nearly a fifth of people surveyed said middle-seat passengers have more right to the armrests than flyers in other seats. (Image: SuperJet International)

The Wall Street Journal

Sun, 05 Nov 2023

By Joseph De AvilaSuzanne Coppola hates an armrest hog.If Coppola is taking a flight and her seatmate’s elbow spills over the armrest and encroaches on her space, she knows how to deal with it.She taps into her roots as a New Yorker.“Look, I’m a Brooklyn girl,” explains Coppola, a 71-year-old retiree in Winter Garden, Florida. “I just look at them, and I give him a gentle push back. If it happens again, I then say, ‘Hey, this isn’t your space.’ It always gets a good reaction.”Airline travell...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market close

NZ sharemarket up 0.1% on flat trading day

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 11,790.92, up 14.18 points or 0.12%.

Graham Skellern 6:15pm

Policy

The Great Expectations on Kāinga Ora and KiwiRail

The Government is continuing to refresh boards and fire up expectations.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:55pm

The Great Expectations on Kāinga Ora and KiwiRail

Economy

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Auckland has fallen to 5th place.

Tom Raynel 4:10pm

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Sponsored

Smart chargers don't just charge EVs

They also take the pressure off a stressed power network - We.EV

We.EV

Sponsored

Big change coming to insurance

Industry reset sees risk-based pricing coming for many homeowners.

VERO

More Travel

Travel

A short break in Europe? Try this Amsterdam-to-Paris drive

Hiring a car lets you travel at your own pace and visit off-the-beaten-track gems.

The Washington Post 30 Jun 2024

Markets

Jetstar muscles into Air New Zealand services to Queensland

Jetstar is launching two new trans-Tasman routes and basing another aircraft in this country to boost and “significantly” expand its New Zealand operations in moves that will help bring down fares.It will fly directly against rival Air NZ with new flights between Auckland and the...

Staff reporters 24 Jun 2024