A simple photo shared on social media during a short domestic flight in India has ignited a fierce online debate about passenger etiquette. Maria Mammen captured an image of a fellow traveler sitting barefoot with her feet propped up on the seat while scrolling through her phone. The relaxed posture struck Mammen as overly casual for a public setting. She posted the screenshot on Threads along with her frustration about the behavior lasting the entire journey from Chennai to Bangalore.
Mammen’s caption expressed clear annoyance with the situation. “How annoying it is when a fellow passenger in your row sits with their feet on the seat as if it’s their own living room? She spent the entire flight from Chennai to Bangalore like that!” The post rapidly gained traction and amassed more than 4500 likes and nearly 6900 comments. Reactions poured in from all sides with people fiercely defending or condemning the woman’s choice to go barefoot and put her feet up.
Many users rushed to defend the woman in the photo. One pointed out that she occupied her own paid seat and did not encroach on anyone else’s space. The commenter directly challenged Mammen’s complaint by asking if envy played a role in her reaction. “She’s sitting in her own place and not invading your space. What’s the problem? Are you jealous that she can sit like that?”
Critics of the behavior took a stronger stance against it. They argued that basic public courtesy applies even in a personal seat. One user highlighted the discomfort of inheriting a seat touched by bare feet from a previous passenger. “The comments are unbelievable. There is basic courtesy about how to sit in public, whether it’s your seat or not. Stop justifying this kind of behavior.” Another added concern about boundaries. “It might not bother the person next to her, but would you sit in a seat where the previous passenger put their bare feet? There is a boundary between private and public space, and this definitely crosses it.”
The incident underscores broader discussions about in-flight manners. Guidelines from travel resources stress the importance of considering fellow passengers in confined spaces. Removing shoes on flights is often discouraged for both safety and hygiene reasons. Travelers who need to take off their shoes on longer routes are advised to pack slippers to keep feet covered.
Additional etiquette tips focus on avoiding intrusive actions like placing feet on seats or armrests. Passengers should show respect toward crew members and maintain reasonable noise levels. Proper handling of overhead bin space and awareness of others, especially families with children, also feature prominently in these recommendations. Such rules aim to make shared travel more pleasant for everyone on board.
Airplane etiquette has evolved as air travel has become more accessible worldwide. Short domestic flights like the one from Chennai to Bangalore typically last about one hour and offer limited room for relaxation. Debates over personal comfort versus communal respect frequently arise on social platforms. Incidents involving footwear and seating positions highlight cultural differences in expectations around public behavior.
Hygiene concerns remain central to many complaints about bare feet in cabins. Aircraft seats endure heavy use and cleaning between flights varies by airline. Passengers often seek ways to balance comfort with consideration on crowded routes. These viral moments serve as reminders of the unwritten social contract in the skies.
What are your thoughts on putting feet up on airplane seats during a flight—share them in the comments.
