It is one of the stresses that can turn you off air travel.
You board the plane, stow your luggage away and try to squeeze past passengers doing the same - all in a very tight space.
But one design firm claims to have come up with a novel way of bypassing the hassle while also saving the airline money by cutting turnaround times and fuel costs.
US company Molon Labe Designs claims that its 'Sider Seat' will save airlines two hours of extra flying time each day and result in 'happy, loyal customers'.
The system works by enabling the outer seat to slide over the middle seat, increasing aisle width from 19 inches to 43 inches and allowing passengers to move about more.
Travellers then just slide the seat back, locking it into place
The aircraft interior design firm says the plan would not only improve emergency exit time due to a 'shorter pathway to overwing exits' but help settle that other battle air passengers endure - competition for the shared armrests.
The company's website says: 'Increasing the aisle will reduce airline on-ground turnaround times.By allowing aircraft to turn in half the time we can give airlines 120 minutes of extra flight time per day per aircraft.
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'Passengers would be able to take their seats quicker as they would be better able to manoeuvre around people and crew who are stowing their belongings and assisting others.'
The one downside to the design could be comfort, as the seats appear to have little in the way of cushioning and don't recline - so are perhaps best suited to short haul trips.
In response, company founder Hank Scott told TravelMail: 'It is as comfortable as any seat out there, and with the money the airlines save they could actually ask to make it more comfortable and provide even more legroom!'
A prototype is reportedly in development and expected in November.
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