How to get more space on a plane with this 'secret' button

Stuck in economy? Few people know that those armrests on the aisle actually go up

Space is at a premium on many flights (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Everyone wants more room on a plane. Some study seatmaps, others pay extra for bulkhead and emergency exit rows. But few people know that those seated in an aisle seat have a hidden advantage - they can get more space to themselves at the mere push of a button.

The 'secret' button, which isn't flagged up by airlines and few people know about, allows you to lift the armrest on the aisle. To find it, feel under the armrest - you'll find a button close to the hinge. That releases the armrest and allows you to move it up so it is flush with the back of your seat. That gets you a little more legroom, a lot more wiggle room, and space to spill out into the aisle (just watch for the trolley when it comes your way).

With many airlines reducing seat sizes, particularly on low-cost short-haul flights, space is increasingly at a premium. Official "extra legroom" seats - usually in exit rows, bulkheads or at the front of each section of the plane - usually command a premium, and often sell out well ahead of time.

The button was designed as a safety measure to allow passengers to escape quickly in case of an emergency (why passengers aren't told about it in this case is not known). It's usually used by crew helping to seat special assistance passengers, who have more difficulty manoeuvring into their seats.

Fans of this "hack", as they call it, claim that using the button can also mean that you can access the overhead compartment without having to stand in the aisle. Although unless the person in question has longer than average arms, this is probably pushing it a bit.

However, in the fight against ever-shrinking space in economy, every little helps.