After doing an exhaustive search of the Federal Aviation Regulations, I've come to the conclusion that the requirement for the armrest to be down is not a requirement of the government. If you think about it, it would seem to be safer to have the armrest in the up position in case evacuation of the aircraft is needed. In the full up position, it will not interfer with the person exiting his seat. In any other position, it could interfer with a rapid egress. David R > On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 12:42:15 EST, you wrote: > > >On the Southwest TV show last night one of the gate agents said that " seat > >armrests must be down for takeoff and landings--faa regulations " This was > >during the segment on oversize psgrs. In over 30 years of flying I have never > >heard this--never saw it enforced or even mentioned. Whats the deal? > > I've seen this enforced by BA, and it wasn't on a flight to/from the > US. So, maybe CAA regs or the airline's own regs.