Most of us don’t pay much attention to anything on a plane except maybe the seatback video screens and the overhead lights and air vents. However, if you stop to look around, you may notice some secret features hiding in plain sight — like the tiny holes on each window or doors that lead to hidden sleeping bunks for crew members. If you look closely, there may even be a mysterious button located within arm’s reach on your seat. Here’s what that secret button on your plane seat is for.

Extra Space at the Push of a Button

Many travelers think that the only way to get a more spacious airplane seat is by splurging for business or first class. After all, economy seats are configured tightly, and they recline only a few inches (if at all). And while some passengers choose the aisle seat for a little extra shoulder room, they often find the armrest still digs into their lower body.  

On some planes, you’ll find a solution to that problem in the form of a tiny button or lever that’s located beneath the armrest of the aisle seats. You may assume that the aisle armrests are fixed in place, but when pushed, this button releases the aisle armrest, providing you with several additional inches of valuable space.

To find the button, run your hand along the underside of your armrest, close to where the hinge connects with the rest of the chair. Then, press the button to release the armrest from its locked position, which will allow you to lift the armrest so that it’s flush with the back of the chair. Suddenly, you’ll have a little more room to spread out.

Potential Drawbacks

Of course, the biggest benefit of this “secret” button is the additional space it offers. It also makes it a little easier to get up from your seat to access the restroom without having to put up your tray table. But be careful not to intrude too far out into the aisle. Without an armrest in your way, you may be inclined to spread your legs out, but in doing so, you could trip other flyers or flight attendants walking in the aisle or obstruct the beverage cart.

It’s also mandatory to keep the armrest lowered during taxi, takeoff, and landing, because a raised armrest may increase the risk of injury in an emergency. To avoid such concerns, you’ll need to keep the armrest locked in place during those phases of a flight.

Which Seats Have This Feature?

Another downside is that not every armrest has this button. The feature was originally incorporated to allow flight attendants to assist those with accessibility concerns, which is why it was deliberately hidden, according to aircraft seating executive Alistair Hamilton, who was interviewed by Reader’s Digest about this feature. For travelers without accessibility needs, the extra space is simply an unintended benefit. 

According to Hamilton, the Department of Transportation requires airplanes with at least 30 seats to have a button present on at least 50% of aisle seats, as it makes those seats more accessible. However, he says that, in practice, the button is found on most aisle seats. 

The good news is that many major airlines make it easy to understand which seats have these flexible armrests. First, look for the make and model of aircraft you’ll be traveling on (often found during the booking process or by clicking “flight details” within your reservation). Then, head to the airline website where you can find the seating specifications for that type of aircraft. While not all airlines offer detailed layouts, United and Delta are among those that indicate which aisle seats have movable aisle armrests.

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