A former flight attendant has given her verdict on whether and how passengers ought to recline their seats on a plane. With thousands of Brits jetting off across the globe this summer, many may feel tempted to lean their seat back once they're airborne.

However, former flight attendant Elaine Swann cautioned that those wishing to do so should remain considerate of the passenger seated behind them.

She told the Guardian: "Yes, but recline it slowly, so that if someone has laptop or a beverage, they can see you're starting to come back. Think of the inches above your knees as being shared space with the person sitting in front."

Elaine further noted that it was perfectly acceptable to move other passengers' belongings in the overhead locker, though it would be courteous to check with those nearby beforehand.

She said: "Typically, you'll find that it is someone within close range, so ask whose bag it is, and then say: 'I'm just going to scoot it to the side a little bit'."

While Elaine has been addressing the etiquette surrounding an everyday occurrence, another former flight attendant has weighed in on something considerably rarer — passengers giving birth on planes.

Though uncommon, it does occasionally happen that a baby arrives mid-flight, presenting a significant challenge for those on board.

Speaking to the Independent, former flight attendant Marika Mikusova revealed that while cabin crew do receive training for such situations, it was not something they were assessed on annually. She told the publication: "Although we do receive training for childbirth on board, it's not something we're tested on annually.

"So, if a childbirth were to happen during a flight, our first step would be to immediately ask if there is a doctor on board and contact ground medical support for guidance on how to proceed, to make sure we are doing everything we can.

"If circumstances allow, the delivery would ideally take place near the bulkhead seats. As stated in the manual, we would place the passenger in a comfortable position, preferably upright with knees parted and drawn back against the bulkhead."

However, should the bulkhead be unavailable, the passenger may be relocated to the galley owing to the additional space it provides. While there would be insufficient time to clean the floor beforehand, Marika explained that a fresh blanket would be laid down prior to the delivery taking place.

She further disclosed that aircraft carry a dedicated onboard delivery kit for such eventualities, and that crew members would receive guidance throughout the process from a medical team on the ground.

On the question of whether a plane might be diverted or continue to its destination, Marika stated that this would depend entirely on the circumstances surrounding the birth at that particular moment.