Liegen beim Fliegen: Darf ich mich beim Flug auf freien Plätzen hinlümmeln?

While flying, passengers are allowed to occupy adjacent seats if the spot next to them is free. However, the rules vary depending on the phase of flight and the airline's policies. The German Air Transport Association (BDL) clarifies that using neighboring seats without permission is prohibited, but the final decision rests with the cabin crew. Major airlines like Lufthansa expect passengers to coordinate usage of free neighboring seats with the crew, as they may need these seats back for operational reasons at any time.

During takeoff, landing, and turbulence, passengers must remain upright and fastened in their seats. They are also not allowed to extend their heads or feet into the aisle. If a passenger wants to rest their feet on the seat, they should remove their shoes if there is no separate footrest available. Some airlines offer the option to book entire rows of seats for lying down, such as Lufthansa's "Sleeper S Row," Air New Zealand's "Skycouch," Vietnam Airlines' "Sky Sofa," and All Nippon Airways' "Couchii."

Prices for these seat row bookings vary widely depending on the airline and booking time. It is recommended to compare different airlines' offerings and consider other cabin classes that provide lying arrangements, such as Economy Plus, Business, or First Class.