Air travel is supposed to be a shared experience where everyone on board does their part to be courteous and respectful of each other’s space. Most people understand this unspoken agreement, but every so often, there’s a passenger—or in this case, a couple—that takes things a little too far. A recent incident has reignited the ongoing conversation around airplane etiquette after a traveler, who goes by Flea online, shared his disbelief over what he witnessed during a four-hour flight. The situation, which quickly went viral, involved a couple who turned their entire row of seats into what can only be described as their personal lounge. They sprawled across three seats, barefoot and completely intertwined with each other, leaving other passengers feeling uncomfortable and sparking debate about where the boundaries of in-flight comfort should really be.

Flea, seated within clear view of the couple, decided to document the scene and post the photos on social media. “Can’t believe my view on the plane. It was like this the whole four-hour flight,” he captioned the pictures. The images showed the couple lying in a spooning position, the woman’s legs wrapped tightly around her partner. One of her bare feet was resting directly on the tray table—an area meant for food and drinks—which many considered an immediate hygiene concern. In another photo, the couple could be seen forming a heart shape with their hands as they snuggled. Yet another image showed the man sitting with one bare foot on the floor while his partner stretched across his lap, completely oblivious to the fact they were on a commercial flight, not in the privacy of their own home. As soon as the images hit social media, the backlash was swift. Many users were quick to call out the pair for their inconsiderate behavior, criticizing their apparent lack of awareness and disregard for the other passengers stuck sharing the cabin with them.

As expected, Flea’s post sparked a wave of reactions online, ranging from outright disgust to sarcastic commentary. Some people couldn’t get over the fact that the woman had placed her bare foot on the tray table, an action many consider crossing the line of common decency. One user commented, “I would have stared at his feet the whole time. Absolutely nasty.” Another pointed out the potential safety risk, writing, “This isn’t even safe. What if there was turbulence?” Others took a more humorous approach, joking, “They’ll be broken up in two months,” and comparing them to high school couples blocking hallways. Still, many raised a valid question: Why didn’t the flight crew step in to address the situation? The lack of intervention led some to question how consistent airlines are in enforcing basic etiquette and hygiene standards on flights.

This isn’t the first time airplane etiquette has been the subject of viral debate, and it surely won’t be the last. In fact, there’s no shortage of stories circulating online about passengers pushing boundaries in ways that spark outrage and heated discussions. Common topics of debate include whether passengers should be allowed to go barefoot on planes, how far back it’s appropriate to recline a seat, and who exactly has the right to claim the middle armrest in a row of three.

Another frequent issue is personal space—whether or not couples should be allowed to stretch out and occupy more than their fair share of seats, especially if the plane isn’t full. In this case, the couple managed to touch on all of these hot-button issues at once: bare feet, excessive public displays of affection, and taking up more space than necessary.

So, should airlines be doing more to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the first place? Most airlines have rules in place that outline expectations for passenger behavior, but enforcing them can be hit or miss. Flight attendants often rely on passengers to speak up when something makes them uncomfortable, but not everyone is comfortable calling out strangers on a flight. Some people believe it’s time for airlines to implement stricter rules. This could include stricter hygiene policies, like prohibiting bare feet on tray tables and requiring shoes in shared areas. Airlines might also consider clearer guidelines about seat usage, ensuring that couples or solo travelers aren’t monopolizing space at the expense of others. And offering an easier, more discreet way for passengers to report inappropriate behavior could help avoid awkward situations. While airlines probably won’t micromanage every minor etiquette violation, even small changes in policy could go a long way in preventing future incidents like this.

This recent mid-flight drama isn’t unique. Just a few weeks earlier, another incident went viral after a passenger shared a controversial “hack,” fastening her seatbelt around her ankles instead of her waist to get comfortable—an action that left many questioning basic safety standards. In another case, a woman refused to give up her first-class seat to accommodate a child, triggering an intense debate about whether personal comfort should outweigh acts of kindness. These moments highlight the simple truth: while air travel brings people from all walks of life together in close quarters, it also brings out wildly different views on manners, boundaries, and behavior.

At the end of the day, airplane etiquette is as divisive as ever. Some people prioritize their own comfort above everything else, while others believe that courtesy and respect for fellow travelers should come first. In the case of this overly affectionate couple, some say they were just enjoying themselves, while others believe they crossed the line, making things uncomfortable for everyone around them. So, where do you stand? Was the couple completely out of line, or is this just another case of social media blowing things out of proportion? One thing’s for sure: the debate over how we behave in the air isn’t landing anytime soon.