Feet on the Bulkhead in First Class?

by Gary Leff

I don’t like the bulkhead in domestic first class, and especially the bulkhead window, it tends to be pretty claustrophobic and will often prefer the bulkhead in coach, an economy plus style coach aisle, or an emergency exit row.

So I don’t know that I think it’s fair to beat up on the person who gets into the first class cabin last and is stuck in the bulkhead. They don’t get to keep their personal items at their feet for takeoff or landing, either.

And I suppose it’s a small miracle that I should be thankful for that the guy in front of me on Sunday’s transcon was at least wearing shoes when he had his feet up high against the bulkhead. I’ve been sitting up front when people in bare feet are doing that. Heck, I’ve even had the displeasure of watching people clip their toenails in first class. During. Dinner. Service.

Still, it bothers me, and I’m wondering if it’s just a pet peeve of mine and if others consider it reasonable. Plenty of people out there must think there’s nothing wrong with it, given the frequency with which people do it.

Tell me — and thereby validate if I’m normal or a bit meshuga — is it ok for a person sitting in the bulkhead row to stick their feet up high against the bulkhead? Is the bulkhead an appropriate (chest level) foot rest?

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. ive been guilty of it before. i’m 6’04” so its extra hard for me not to extend my legs. Sometimes United’s 757 1A and 1C has a feet cutout, but 1F side does not — very terrible. in that case, i think its okay with shoes/socks.

  4. No. It’s not okay. I’m 6’3″ so I don’t fit either. It’s the same as going to a friend’s small apartment or office in their house and putting your feet up on the wall of the room. Would you justify that to your friend because the floor space was scarce in a room in their house? I don’t think so. We all have an obligation as human beings to try to be considerate of others around us. That is what separates us from the animals.

  5. For the most part, people do stuff like this to get attention. To them, there’s no such thing as bad attention.

  6. With socks on, I guess it’s a little better than with bare feet or shoes on.

    A little bit of a tangent, but i’ve seen a whole group of people in the Changi nap area lie backwards on the lounge chairs with their feet elevated up on the part where someone sitting normally would rest their head.

  7. I’ve had two people do this recently. Both were in 1C on United flights, both with just socks. 757-200 DEN-LGA, A320 ORD-JFK. DEN-LGA was an evening flight and I can mostly understand as the gentleman was tall. However, 3B was unoccupied and he probably would have been more comfortable moving.

    I just had 1B on a 757-200 and even with the small cutout I was unhappy. I’m 5’11” and I was getting restless legs. I actually enjoy bulkhead economy plus seats on United’s A319/A320 (as long as the cutout is there). There’s room for my bag and there’s no one in front. I’ll trade an inch of seat width (vs. regular E+) for all of that glorious leg room.

  8. I don’t see the issue with using the bulkhead wall to help support one’s covered feet.

    It’s public transportation, not someone else’s home.

    Personally, I don’t like to draw attention to myself (unless I’m drunk), so I do it in a way so as not to be noticeable to anyone other than my seatmate. Placing my feet on the top of the magazine holder seems to work well for me.

  10. Definitely done it before. Not particularly sorry about it, although I try not to put them WAY up there so as not to draw unnecessary attention.

  12. Unless you are giving birth, don’t do it. It is extremely unpleasant to look at, shoes or not. So unclassy and disrespectful.

  13. “A rather peculiar American thing…”

    Indeed it is! Americans in general tend to put their feet wherever they want to, disregarding other people completely.

  15. Ha! This is hardly a “strictly American” issue. Ignorance at its finest. More to the point, I do put my feet up sans shoes but with socks and covered by a blanket on long flights. I also try to keep them lower than seat level or propped on a bag. I see no issue.

    Now the nail clipping. I could get violent with someone who does that next to me.

  16. I think the biggest issue is how high you place your feet on the bulkhead. As someone stated, if no one else but your seatmate can tell, not a huge deal. I know esp 1A on US I will prop up my left foot on the edge

  17. I don’t have a problem with it as long as the feet are covered. In fact on a recent flight MEX-JFK that departed at 130am my seat mate and I in row 1 both put our feet up on the bulkhead. It was the only way to get anything akin to a decent nap. And I hate attracting attention while traveling so I definitely only do this for the purpose of comfort.

    By definition sitting in the bulkhead in row 1 your feet are not in anyone’s face. No one who opposes feet on the bulkhead has said why other than personal preference. Are people opposed for hygienic reasons? Other? FWIW I’d completely against clipping toenails and bare feet for hygienic reasons.

  19. No and no. It’s not a footrest. It’s a wall. Do you put your feet on any other walls in public?

  21. I, personally, don’t care if others do it as long as they have socks on and their feet don’t stink. I prop mine on my bag or purse because I find that more comfortable. What I really hate is for people to climb over the passengers seated in the bulkhead to get to the opposite side of the aircraft! I recently had several passengers stumbling over my and my family’s legs as we were sleeping on an overnight 777 trans Atlantic! Walk around for goodness sakes!!!

  22. Unclassy? Define unclassy please.

    Disrespectful? To who? Anything and everything is disrespectful to someone. I find it disrespectful that people wear hats inside an airplane.

  23. I’m with you Gary. No and no. Let’s mind our manners people, your mama didn’t raise you in a barn!

  24. I’m short and it’s often more comfortable to put my feet up on the wall than have them dangling barely reaching the ground. I also tend to sit with my legs crossed or up on the seat somehow for this reason. I see no problem with it and don’t understand why people are so upset by it – perhaps if someone was being really conspicuous about it or banging their feet on the wall, or doing it without socks or shoes and their feet smelled. Otherwise it really shouldn’t bother anyone else. Don’t look.

  26. Guilty as charged.(MD80’s usually) However I have no feelings of guilt about it. I’m a runner and sometimes I need to make sure my feet stay elevated after a workout that morning. If I felt it made the person next to me uncomfortable or if I was asked not I wouldn’t otherwise I do. However I’m careful not to leave marks or tear the magazine holder.

  28. Meh, feet on the bulkhead, no biggie. Now start shelling peas on the flight in the aisle, you will set me off (Korean Air five years ago…)

  30. No, it’s the same as putting feet upon furniture or on someone’s home wall. I’ve noticed that some carriers have signs asking pax not to put their feet on the bulkhead walls and a few foreign carriers vigorously enforce this request.

  31. I actually think it’s an issue with Deep Vein Thrombosis to not be able to move your legs around. I know getting up is recommended but I think on long flights putting them up with socks on is acceptable.

    Many discussions on this topic but I never see the DVT issue raised.

  33. I don’t like it, but it’s not as much as the guy next to me who was scratching his balls for an entire two hour flight emitting a foul stench.

  35. I don’t know…..particularly in First, it seems a bit pedestrian. Even if the airlines have removed “posh” from the experience, those of us who travel, particularly up front, can be a bit more Continental.

  38. I agree with those who think it’s ok as long as one wheres socks and shoes.

    I recall once being on a transcon flight with the late queen of etiquette Letitia Baldridge where she put her bare feet up on the back of the seat in front of her. I was seated just across the isle and she immediately lost any and all respect for her etiquette judgment.

  39. No and no but if you must, with socks and not above chest level. This discussion brings back memories of NW flights in first where people tried to rest their bare feet on the arm console between the two seats in front of them.

  40. It’s just so gauche. While others might do it, too, it’s particularly prevalent here in America. VERY un-classy, and certainly not First Class in any way.

  41. the general public has lost all sense of decency. your feet belong on the floor or a foot rest, not a wall. and as for personal hygiene and grooming, that should be done in the privacy or your home.
    an as for the comments about this stuff being an american thing, believe me, it isn’t. i lived in europe for 27 years and today it is just as bad there as here.
    gary, you are not alone, just part of a dwindling minority that has been brought up properly.

  42. No it’s not acceptable. Any more than it would be if I went to their home and put my feet on their wall (in which case they’d probably prefer I did NOT have my shoes on).

    Whether it be airlines or most anything else, some people have no respect for property that they don’t own.

  43. Some of them are absolutely ridiculous. Having your feet up on the bulkhead is OK. You should not be barefoot, and shoes should be nice and clean. 😉

  44. Not o.k. Placing one’s feet against the bulkhead below knee level may be forgiven for those yet to enter college, in my opinion. A parents should correct them promptly, if present.

    Placing one’s feet (in shoes, socks or bare) against the bulkhead above the knee is just begging for someone to call you an ass. You know better. You’re disrespectful to the airline and those around you. And you know it.

    And why does this same person always seem to have headphones at full volume so everyone in three rows can listen to their crap music?

    And while we’re at it–keep your damn feet off the top of the chair in front of you at the movie theater! (I’m talking to you–16 year old at the flick last week)

    –RANT OVER–

  45. I have no problem with it, as long as people take their shoes off. Putting your shoes on the wall is not acceptable, but I have no issue with feet in socks. I think bare feet takes it too far.

    I’m not quite sure what the problem is with socks on the wall. I find it a comfortable way of sitting and actually often pre-request the front row for precisely this reason.

  48. No & No.

    [Miguel said,

    “A rather peculiar American thing…”

    Indeed it is! Americans in general tend to put their feet wherever they want to, disregarding other people completely.]

    That is not our only disrespectful trait!

  49. It isn’t feet on the bulkhead that particularly bothers me, its people going to the toilets with only socks or bare feet that absolutely grosses me out. That ain’t just water on the floor in there….

    Americans definitely have no problem putting their feet where others would not. I once put my foot up on a chair to tie my shoe in the Abuja, Nigeria airport and a security man came over yelling at me. Of course, seeing people urinate, et al. by the side of the road is not uncommon there…

  50. Nothing wrong with it as long as socks are kept on. What’s wrong is airlines selling “first class” seats with less legroom than coach.

  51. “an as for the comments about this stuff being an american thing, believe me, it isn’t. i lived in europe for 27 years and today it is just as bad there as here.”

    Although it is seen everywhere, I’ve never been in a country like the US where so many people feel entitled to put their feet everywhere! You can’t go into a café, airport boarding area, or a university classroom without seeing lots of people putting their feet (many time bare feet!) on top of chairs, tables, whatever.

  56. Just add this to the list of uncivilized behavior you see on airplanes. When I see someone put their feet on the bulkhead, it tells he/she was raised by wolves and could care less about others who such might find such behavior unacceptable (and from the 50+ comments above I know I’m not alone).

  57. People have no class and don’t care about anyone else but themselves. Very selfish.

  58. Its fine, though bare feet are gross. Its the airline’s fault that you are able to do this, if they had a real first class the bulkhead would be too far away to put your feet on.

  59. It’s not necessarily the last one in the cabin. For awhile, the PoS SHARES would just drop upgrades into the cabin from front to back (sort of like how CO stupidly takes meal orders). If you didn’t move your seat in time, the cabin would be full.

  60. It’s fine. Most of the time I’ve seen people do it up front. My seatmate in F did it shoe-less on LAX-HNL. After finding out that he’s a seasoned traveler, I, a not-so-seasoned flyer, did the same. It certainly helped stretch the legs and was a comfortable sleeping position.

  61. Many are saying that feet should be kept on the floor but as mentioned previously by another poster, my feet do not touch the floor either and they are dangling. They barely touch the bulkhead wall but I point my toes and put them on the bulkhead wall to keep from continually sliding down in the seat and having to pull myself back up. With shoes on, with a newspaper under my shoes so I don’t get the bulkhead wall dirty. I don’t mind if someone else does it either as long as their shoes are on.

  62. Technically, it is not good manners. However, I would not mind if it’s done w/ socks on, and shoes off. Shoes off so there’s no scuffing of the bulkhead; socks on so as not to be as offensive to everyone else.

  63. No and no.

    Would you put your bare feet up there if you knew the last person who did it had athletes foot or some toe fungus?

  66. Perhaps a better question would be whether it is appropriate for a First Class seat to be so uncomfortable that it leads passengers to utilizing the bulkhead wall.

  67. I don’t understand it either, beachfan. It is not particularly mannerly to get a blood clot and die and leave one’s family without support. I elevate my feet, and I suggest anyone who cares about their health do the same. Considering the rate of DVT, I think a lot of people are in denial about their chances. It’s a bit like smoking. The person doesn’t die right away — it’s my understanding that it takes more like 48 hours or so after the flight because the DVT is discovered — so it’s going to take a long time to change laws and attitudes because airlines can deny their contribution to these deaths.

    There just needs to be more room, even in first class. Some first class seats are a joke, especially Row 1. They’re a health hazard!

  68. No across the board! Seen this many times in first – with shoes/socks it’s not as bad but with bare feet it is just plain gross!

  70. Wow! What a response…….Anyone with manners will say it is bad form and de-classy to do this……..but I do admit that I have done it for brief periods before while feeling like gutter trash while I was doing it………….Now I will make extra effort NOT to do this again……………But I will wear flip flops from time to time………..

  72. I have more problems with my seatmate taking up the floor space in between the 2 seats, especially when more of it is clearly on my side of the central divide. I like to site with my legs apart!

  73. Feet on bulkhead is a minor issue to me compared to the number of people that take their shoes off during the flight and think their feet don’t stink. YES, WE CAN SMELL THEM! You too, ladies! Totally gross. Stop it!

    There should be a FAA regulation against this.

  75. I think feet with socks against a wall are fine (chest height or lower). Bare feet- not a chance. Nor with shoes on. Why? Because they can cause scuff marks, scratches, and stains and future passengers don’t need to see that wear and tear.

  77. My only issue with this post is that it somehow matters in f. Not acceptable in y either.

  78. None of my friends with small living rooms require me to buckle up, sit for extended periods, or sleep in their chairs overnight, next to other people neither of us chose. The bulkhead divider on a plane is simply not equivalent to furniture in a house – find a stronger analogy.

    We can agree it’s not the most appealing sight, but unless and until flight crews start enforcing etiquette (and previous commenters have identified a plethora of violations that should be addressed first), here’s a dose of perspective: you can’t see what passenger 1A is doing from a seat in row 32. Pick your battles 🙂

  79. People who have a problem with this need to get the stick out of their rear-ends. What a bunch of ninnies.

  80. I have never done it domestically and usually if I’m on a long haul international flight I tend to be in the middle seat in an exit row and the wall is too far away to put my feet up. But last month I did SFO-HNL-GUM-ROR and back on United; 20+ hours of travel time each way.

    On flights like this DVT and feet swell are a concern for anyone in coach. I was in 1st for SFO-HNL and GUM-ROR (and back) and never considered putting my feet up. But in coach for the long leg; HNL-GUM (and back). This time I had the window seat and yes I did put my feet up for periods of time on the edge of the door. It’s actually not very comfortable but it did reverse the blood flow for a while.

    I gave up on compression socks after doing SFO-DXB-MLE and back on Emirates and found my feet swelled up for a couple of days each way despite the socks. And I did get up from time to time to walk a bit. But I guess not enough.

  81. I personally don’t find feet disgusting, nor do I understand why people get so upset about feet on a bulkhead. If you don’t leave scuffs or stains, what is the difference? Unless you plan on licking he bulkhead, why does it matter if there were feet there once?

  82. Also, in the realm of what’s appropriate and what isn’t, my seatmate on the HNL-GUM leg decided to use the extra space on the floor to lie down and do stretching exercises. For an hour at a time. I couldn’t believe he had the gall to do it and that the flight attendants didn’t put him back in his seat after fifteen minutes of this. And he did it three times on the seven hour flight!

  83. I’ve seen dudes in Emirates First Suites put their bare feet up along the side wall, so i guess i can’t complain if folks on some crappy domestic flight do it with their shoes on.

    But i hate it anyway, i notice it in the lounges, starbucks, everywhere. People just seem to think they are in their living room and can put their feet on furniture where people sit and eat.

  84. It is discouraging to see the degradation of what was once elegance in flying. It is unfortunate that so many disregard the consideration of others. It is ugly, distasteful and inconsiderate, regardless whether the seats are comfortable or not.

  85. The bulkheads are covered in carpet. They aren’t like walls or furniture in one’s home.
    Bare feet–no, of course not.
    But stocking feet or shoes have always seemed appropriate to me.
    I request bulkhead seats so I can put my feet up and relieve my back pain.

  86. i don’t see why people think feet shouldn’t be supported by chairs and such, but it’s fine to have nasty butts on those same chairs. there is a Barbie movie that my kids watch all the time and there is a line I remember: “offense can never be given, just received”. if you have a problem with it, the issue is you, not them.

  87. IT IS RUDE! But now that being rude is the new “cool” get ready to see more of it. Hollywood has convinced us that we are all better off acting like Adam Sandler, Vince Vaughn, Roseanne Barr, and Conan OBrian… I personally think it is sad that our population has fallen for this and prefer feet on the floor.

  88. What’s wrong with u folks ?
    I always put my stinking bare feet up on the wall
    and it’s an easy way to trim my toenails at the same time when I need to be productive
    Just look the other way lol
    Pure clawss

  89. DVT is not a valid excuse, there are plenty of ways to avoid DVT. Get up and take a lap around the cabin and do a stretching exercise. Feet are meant to be on the ground. Unless there is a designated footrest then the bulkhead is not intended for feet and they should not be placed there. Its all the more worse if you have no shoes or socks on (just plain gross) or have shoes on (causing damage to someone else’s property). I still don’t like when people do it even with just socks on. I don’t want to see your feet and I certainly don’t need them even a little closer to my nose.

  90. No and no, particularly without shoes. Even if you think they’re fine, those feet stink, people, and I don’t want to have those stinky feet “out and about,” the better to get a whiff of them. Yuck. Keep them down on the floor out of sight where I might not notice that you’ve taken off your shoes.

  91. Hysterical. A lot of people really get so wound up over this? It’s totally fine. Yes socks or shoes would be preferred.

  92. Covered feet okay, and for some people, putting up one’s feet above their heart is a health issue. Some people have venous insufficiency, which means that sitting in a cramped area for a long period of time cuts off the circulation. Putting one’s feet above the heart helps them to have a safe flight rather than get DVT, or experience heart problems, or just unbearable leg pain. Better to tolerate the feet being up, then having your plane rerouted because of a life threatening emergency.

  93. Tacky and disrespectful. Keep your feet on the floor just like everyone else! NOBODY wants to see your ugly feet!

  94. So interestingly — so far, and if i exclude all of the contest/giveaway threads over the years — this is now one of the 20 most commented posts I’ve had. Heh.

  95. It doesn’t seem like it would be comfortable, but sure, it’s ok. As long as you’re feet aren’t smelly, I considerate your problem to be bothered.

    Until you get a reasonably stringent scientific study proving how unhealthy it is to have *feet* touching *walls*, then it’s just your cultural standard of clean being bothered by it.

    ***DISCLOSURE: I’ve travelled to a couple of 3rd world countries and my view may be biased. However, do consider that literally millions of people literally live in the place that they poop/throw garbage/etc. and survive every day, when considering your justification for finding this unacceptable behavior, and worthy of a post.***

  96. It doesn’t seem like it would be comfortable, but sure, it’s ok. As long as you’re feet aren’t smelly, I *consider it* your problem to be *being* bothered.

    Guess I should have proof-read that! Oops!

  97. I’m fine with it. As for the shoes off, in a lot of European countries its actually considered rude to put your feet on something with your shoes still on. This applies mostly to trains and buses, but I would think it would translate to planes too.

    Now the cutting of toe nails, that’s another story.

  98. Honestly people?! Who cares? Sit in your chair upside down for all I care. Just make sure I don’t have to touch you, hear you or smell you and everything is fine.

  99. it’s kinda tacky, IMHO, to have ‘feet and/or bottoms of shoes’ raised above an area for food or drink. icky. I don’t think it’s EVER ok to have bare feet out for any reason. you aren’t home. you aren’t in a hotel room. you are sitting with groups of people, captive, who really don’t want to get up close and personal.

  100. Wow–it takes this kind of post to generate this number of comments? 😉

    Not unclassy or gross at all if feet are covered. It’s often the only way to get comfortable in those seats.

  101. People are idiots. I think that covers a lot.

    Bloggers are no better, by the way. I see another prominent “expert” travel blogger showing pictures of himself seated in first class wearing flip-flops and gym shorts. Keepin’ it classy, bloggers!

  102. Two thoughts come to mind reading these astute comments…..I want to go buy an electric car and never fly again and barring that due to the Atlantic Ocean I hope few if any airline executives read this as they would probably react with just “let the pigs eat cake”…….

  103. This makes me laugh!!! Of course you shouldn’t have your feet on the bulkhead. It’s rude and unclassy.

  104. While I don’t agree with putting feet, in any state of undress, “all over the bulkhead”, I just don’t understand why so many are repulsed by bare feet. Are feet in flip flops or strappy open-toe sandals not essentially the same??? If odor is the concern, well, SHOES are the culprits there. Odor causing fungus and bacteria thrive in warm, damp, dark environments. Closed-toe shoes are great incubators! You all may want to re-think bare feet.

  105. It is a slovenly thing to do. Same as putting your feet up on your walls at home. I own an airplane. If somebody put their feet/shoes up on one of my bulkhead surfaces, I’d…….

    People who are pigs ..are pigs…

    And I am in 3F on an MD80 as I type this note, and guess where the feet are of the slob next to me?

  106. This is an old post but what the heck!
    I fly first class (being crammed next to strangers just doesn’t work for me, I appreciate the attentive service, and I refuse to fret about overhead space). If I get stuck with a bulkhead seat, you’d better believe I’m kicking my feet up. I’m only 32 but very thin and have issues with vericose veins and clotting risks. My feet don’t stink (it takes a lot for me to sweat at all) so I take my clean, well-kept designer shoes off and prop my odorless feet -covered with clean bright white or solid black socks- right up there!
    I don’t touch anyone, bother anyone, or in any way affect other passengers (in any meaningful way). If you’re “offended” too bad. I smell good, I smile gently, and if the worst thing you can come up with is that you don’t like what I’ve chosen to do with my feet (which are nowhere near you) then I’d say your life is pretty worry-free.

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