How to get past a sleeping stranger on a flight - when you're desperate for the toilet

Suffer in awkward silence no longer with these tips

Imagine the scenario; you're off on your holidays - hurrah! Not only that, but you've bagged a window seat, remembered to NOT order a Diet Coke and life is good.

Suddenly you need the toilet, but the person in the aisle seat is in a deep, deep sleep . Now you face a dilemma.

Do you hold it in, praying they wake up, while your need to relieve yourself reaches critical levels?

Or do you try to wake them in a roundabout, passive aggressive way? Maybe clearing your throat loudly should do the trick?

Heaven forbid you should actually wake them with an apologetic "sorry I'm bursting."

Happily etiquette expert William Hanson has revealed exactly how to deal with this awkward situation.

William revealed to Telegraph Travel the best way to get past a sleeping stranger on a plane, explaining you should face away from them towards the front of the plane, and try to side-step in front of them.

This is worse though (Image: Getty)

"Leaving the row with your bottom facing to the back of the plane is the correct way to shuffle past people", he says.

This was backed up by another etiquette expert, Jo Bryant, who agreed.

"If your neighbour is asleep, think before you climb. You need to be confident there is enough room to get past comfortably, without using the headrest in front as a lever.

"If you decide to go for it, then always face forward and keep physical contact to a minimum.

"If in doubt, however, it is always better to wake them and ask to get out rather than attempt to squeeze past with the risk they may wake mid-climb."

After all, no one wants to wake up with a stranger's groin in their face.