Man Sparks Debate With Refusal to Give Up Premium Airline Seat For Traveling Family

Under what circumstances are you willing to give up or swap your airline seat?
One man has sparked an interesting debate after refusing to give up his seat to accommodate a traveling family.
According to reports, the man had paid additional for his premium seat near the front of the plane for a solo, 10-hour flight from Greece. He was approached by the family and asked if he would take their seat farther in the back so they could all sit together. He said the woman of the family made a scene when he refused and called him a bad name.
The panel debates: Should he have given up his seat?
#airlines #plane #airtravel
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[@richardwright1673]

No, he paid extra. If you are a family traveling together you need to plan better. Why you demand something, another person paid for. I hate self entitled people.

[@elenabob4953]

Not to mention that he probably paid attention to the hour if check in so he should get that seat.

[@aaronramirez2610]

The guys in the wrong,you must change seats immediately, no questions asked.

[@m.c.9419]

@@aaronramirez2610 wrong. Ask questions and don't let people push you around. Self respect takes as much priority as civility.

[@HakunaMatata-gr9mm]

​@@m.c.9419👍

[@Amanwalksn2abar]

@@aaronramirez2610 🤣🤣🤣. 🙄

[@user-lt7lw9kl5l]

"Your poor planning doesn't constitute an emergency for me"-Stewie Griffin

[@olimpio69]

Iconic

[@WadmanP]

Exactly! What is the thought process behind people thinking you should pay for their mistakes?

[@t3nosanfran803]

Stewie is so business savvy.

[@ruthkringle1353]

I buy my window seat at the front of the plane. Will I move to a middle or an aisle? No! It has happened and I said no. I child sat next to me. No problem. The stewardess made a comment to them how it’s too bad they couldn’t sit together. Plan ahead.

[@Rhaspun]

@@ruthkringle1353 Yes. I always select the front seat with business class in front of me. I want the leg room. After one time of dealing with a leaning seatback into my knee. I am always willing to pay the premium price for that seat position. This is what the airlines get for tightening the seat distances so tightly so they could get another couple rows of seats in.

[@charliechristie2949]

Why are we even discussing this. The seat belongs to the person who paid for it.

[@Banshee22068]

This is how you ask to switch seats. You start out by placing cash in your fingers and hold it up ($10-20 per hour of flight time is appropriate). Then you offer the cash to the person you want to switch. If they say no you either put more cash into your hand or walk away. Simple as that. Now if someone is rude enough to ask to switch seats without a cash offer you simply say nothing and hold your hand up rubbing your thumb against your index finger in the universal sign for cash. Cash talks BS walks.

[@joshie6213]

Entitlement, privilege, lack of manners. Take your pick

[@Vee6watchman]

@@charliechristie2949 Cos by some people, what they ask for must be granted, preferably at another's expense. Ohh, the selfish entitlement we witness these days!

[@eugenevalentine5014]

Period.

[@stevenallen9886]

That happened to me. Girl was in my seat and said her seat is back there since she was with her family, but it was 20 rows back in the middle, so I walked back up and said you are in MY seat. She just looked at me and would not move. The father got mad, but I simply said if you said please I would have thought about it but not now. The flight attendant seemed not to care, and I told her I expect her to do her job immediately. She gave me a first-class seat instead. None of them were happy with me but I got first class for free!!!😍😍

[@saltyolbroad2962]

@@stevenallen9886 but can you go back now? 😄

[@OneCatShortOfCrazy]

Good for you for sticking up for yourself 👍

[@QF_Flyer]

No he absolutely shouldn’t move, he’s 100% in the right sticking where he is. The family can ask, but he’s under no obligation to accept.

[@Rhaspun]

Yep. They can ask and the person has the right to refuse.

[@bethharvey7149]

why would they even feel they were entitled to ask?

[@Rhaspun]

@@bethharvey7149 Entitlement attitude.

[@suzannepatterson3445]

At least he wasn't forced by the flight crew to give up his seat. That's happened to some people.

[@shelbynamels973]

If you ask a question you need to be prepared for the answer, even if you don't like it.

[@tm502010]

Families deliberately do this constantly, expecting social pressure and politeness to leverage the unfortunate victim!

[@sblijheid]

A family asked me to switch seats, so they could be next to their ill mannered 4 year old. I refused and the mom looked at me angry the entire flight.

[@GaryGoldbaugh]

As a single man I could care less about entitled families... let them take greyhound next time

[@GaryGoldbaugh]

@@sblijheid she'll just have to get over it

[@neilmurray6943]

Agreed with you big time.@@GaryGoldbaugh

[@xapaga1]

​@@GaryGoldbaugh And let them eat the Greyhound cake!

[@moonbuni59]

My husband got kicked from his seat by the airline to accommodate a family without even asking him first. When he checked in at the gate they to,d him he had been reassigned. My husband is a disabled veteran. The airline didn’t care. We have never flown United ever again.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

I don’t think United actually allows flight attendants or gate agents to simply kick an innocent passenger off without consent just to accommodate a standby family. This was clearly an airline employee going on a power trip. I would have reported the airline employee to United airlines instead of giving up the opportunity to fly on a major airline that is actually better than most airlines.

[@rosc2022]

Aer Lingus did that to my sister who booked three seats together for herself, fiancé, and his daughter. Sister had different last name and was told the airline didn't care, they were moving her to accommodate a last minute family. She won't be flying Aer Lingus again.

[@bennymartinez5532]

Hello no

[@jenniferabraham4071]

I am truly shocked at this because United does follow procedures.

[@BG-bx4ey]

So? Was he given a lesser seat? You didn't describe an actual issue....

[@2MeterLP]

Its a grift. Book cheap seats, then guilt someone into giving you their expensive seat.

[@Chrisstian111]

No one is obligated to switch. Please do not be surprised when the world does not bow to your demands.

[@FlaThunderstorm]

@Chrisstian111 He is obligated to switch if the staff mandate it. The ruling is in the airline's terms and conditions of carriage which you acknowledge when you purchase a ticket. Just Google the terms and conditions of any airline.

[@ditzygypsy]

@@FlaThunderstormThey can only ask him though. They can TELL him only if it’s because of some sort of emergency. Otherwise they could force people who paid extra to move all the time.

[@GaryGoldbaugh]

@@FlaThunderstorm then the airline better refund me or the whole flight crew gets virally famous

[@FlaThunderstorm]

@@ditzygypsy Not true, sorry. Read the Airline's terms and conditions of carriage. Your seat on an aircraft is never guaranteed no matter what class or how much you paid for it. If necessary the airline staff can force you to move to another seat no matter what the circumstances. If you refuse they can put you off the plane. If that happens the airline is required to compensate you for the difference that you paid for that seat or to book you on the next available flight to your destination.

[@scottmyers10]

@@FlaThunderstorm Airline staff had nothing to do with this case, you might as well argue about the price of tea in China as it's a whataboutism that is as valid as the one you made.

[@busterellis7188]

Same thing happened to me. I purchased a seat with no seat in front for the extra legroom. I am 6'5. Woman asked me to switch so she could sit next to her husband. I said no and they got mad as hell. I stood my ground and the flight attendant finally told them to sit down and drop it. If you want to sit next to your husband or wife, purchase the tickets accordingly.

[@marklivingstone3710]

My sister was in business class, a man sat next to her and asked her if she’d mind swapping seats so his wife could sit with him and how much he’d appreciate it….his wife was in economy. When my sister said no he got quite aggressive and called the flight attendant. The flight attendant suggested he could go and sit in economy and his wife could then sit in business class. He sat there and sulked for the whole trip.

[@randomstuff-qu7sh]

If they wanted to sit together, why buy one premium and one economy? It sounds to me like they wanted to get an upgrade at someone else’s expense.

[@teeciewalk]

@@randomstuff-qu7shexactly they play games. I’m glad people are standing their ground.

[@slackerman9758]

@@marklivingstone3710 I had this happen, and suggested he offer his wife’s neighbor his first class seat so he could sit with his wife in coach. He didn’t make the offer. The flight attendant stifled a laugh.

[@jackkarns2484]

That was a total set-up, Don’t give-in to these people! Keep the seat you purchased. They never offer you a trade-up in seat quality, always down.

[@user-ci2xg7rq5y]

I had this happen to me and the flight attendant shut it down for me real quick. Turkish Airlines from Dulles to Istanbul. Long overnight flight. Turkish has premium economy thats a separate section on a 757. The mother bought her own seat in premium economy and her daughters seat in standard economy then asked me to switch with her daughter. Naturally i told her no. It was a substantial price difference like $400. The flight attendant heard it and told the mom, who was standing there blocking the aisle with her kid, that she can ask the person sitting next to her child in the back if they'd like to switch. She ended up sitting in the back having paid for premium economy and the gentleman that got moved up couldnt have been happier.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

The lady that insulted him should have been kicked off the flight!!!

[@GgRae-gv1tg]

People who do this are scammers. I had this situation attempted on me. 1st class, front bulkhead. They were already in my seat, refused to leave the seat, had a sob story. I told him to beat it. Finally the head stewardess got involved and told me I was delaying the departure. I showed her my ticket, she told him to move to their correct seats. Real class act. I refused to sit in the rear. I am 6'8 and 350lbs, I buy the best seat to be comfortable. It took the air Marshall getting involved to move them to their seats. Never accept the deal.

[@carableu]

They should have been removed from the plane. If not arrested. Basically they were trying to steal what they hadn’t paid for.

[@TDavis_333]

I wish Erica had followed your advice. I was so mad for her when she told the story of that couple!

[@dknowles60]

If a Air Marshall had to move a person why was the person not toss off the plane

[@igloozoo3771]

If it took the Air Marshall to move them, they should have been removed out of the plane because now there is possible scenario for conflict during the flight.

[@TealleMadelaine]

EXCELLENT point. Never looked at it from being a scammer perspective. Passengers should not be allow to approach other passengers, and should be removed if they start the BS.

[@BurntRaisinToast]

Absolutely not. Popping out a child doesn’t confer special privileges, neither does carting one onto an airplane.

[@HamiltonSurrey]

Nicely put:)

[@emdee8840]

Indeed. People act like giving birth makes them special, hookers, bugs, and worms all procreate. It isn't a special skill you should be rewarded for.

[@planethedgehog2427]

Indeed! I'm already paying taxes to pay for the public school education for the kids of other people. I sure the hell am not going to pay extra for a good seat and then give it away to someone else who is too stupid to plan ahead and/or too cheap to buy it himself! The bad manners of far too many people, demanding that I trade seats or not recline my seat (!!!) are exactly why I'll drive myself alone for three days instead of enduring being couped up in a cramped, uncomfortable metal tube with them!

[@sharonbowers9929]

Exactly, mom or dad can sit with the kids. The other can sit in the rear.

[@Kr0nicDragon]

Their kid is not my problem

[@flyboykfpr]

When a passenger wants your seat, and you refuse, and they start complaining, then they should be removed from the plane with no refund.

[@sheilamailhes3329]

Entitled much?🤨 He paid for the seat. It's his decision. PERIOD!

[@donk499]

You can't expect passengers to give up their premium seats, especially on a long international flight.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Obviously, people do

[@ConstantlyRepeatingMyself]

Or a domestic flight for that matter.

[@MamaMOB]

You can't expect anyone to give up anything. I didn't bust my ass to pay for this thing just to give it to you.

[@r8chlletters]

It’s amazing I don’t see more comments about the airline. It’s their job to sort these things out if they are able. They have it in their power to upgrade passengers and could have easily done that. Family has the primary responsibility to book early but second is the airline. No one should be pressured to give up a seat I don’t care what you paid for it.

[@reneep.1978]

Wouldn't matter if it wasn't premium, if you've paid for the seat its yours; you're under no obligation to move.

[@toucheaulait892]

I can't believe that people are even debating this. No one is entitled to anything other than what they've paid for. You want your family to stay together when you're flying somewhere? Plan and PAY for it!

[@WoodsintheBurg94]

30 years ago on a 727 with a 3 seat per side setup, I had an aisle seat. A couple boarded and his seat was inboard of mine, while hers was across the aisle from mine. He casually put his bag in the bin and moved past me to sit down. She stood looking at her ticket number and the seat numbers overhead in a confused manner. She eventually took her seat and I could tell she was trying to decide on whether to ask me to exchange seats. I quietly asked him if he wanted to swap with me to be across the aisle from her, or if he would prefer me to swap with her so they could be together. He told me she was his girlfriend, not wife and they were returning home after two weeks visiting her family. He thanked me for the offer but said he could do with a 3 hour break from her. 😂 She never asked me to swap but I think she was surprised I never offered.

[@fishgutz4272]

The family tried to get a free upgrade. That is all. The mom thought she could shame the man into compliance. It was totally contrived. Edit. I witnessed a family try this on a flight. Even though the seat was empty, the flight staff correctly sent him back to cheap seat he paid for. His wife got the one upgraded seat they paid for.

[@tomsmith6513]

Yeah, dad got what he paid for

[@DigClams]

And you know this because…..

[@teeciewalk]

That’s good that’s why I fly Southwest where you can pick your seats. I don’t understand why people don’t book seats together when traveling as a family

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

@@teeciewalk When you have to switch flights very late it is not always possible to reserve seats. Doesn't give you the right to bully people who were able to reserve.

[@teeciewalk]

@@alexandergutfeldt1144 that makes sense especially if it’s last minute. Like you said it’s definitely not an entitlement to move people from their seats.

[@cjames0723]

As someone who travels a lot for work, this happens surprisingly often. Even worse are when these same people will come into packed airport restaurants and ask me to give up my table since I'm "just by myself" and they have a family. Like I somehow don't deserve to sit and enjoy a meal while I wait for my flight 🙄

[@MMCat7732]

That’s so rude.

[@Glum1964]

I’ve had families try to “take over” my table. They will sit down without asking at the other seats at the table I’m occupying, then quickly try to elbow and jostle me to get up and move. Nope. I’m gonna elbow and jostle to keep it!!

[@shandel499]

Thats straight up insanity. Who parented these parents? What a horrible example. The modern day thugs= strong arm parents with kids in tow​@Glum1964

[@mizrewlav]

Terrible

[@mocheen4837]

Yes, once asked and the person says no then you drop the subject and say sorry for bothering you.

[@tonyj9743]

As a 6'5 male, If i pay for the extra legroom upgrade on a long flight, im 100% not switching. With long legs, regular seats are an absolute nightmare for me.

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

I had an aisle seat in front of the door (747). The passenger next to me was well over 6’ and very muscular. He took his assigned seat next to me with no complaint. It was an 8 hour flight. I asked if he would like to switch seats so he could be comfortable and he said he didn’t want to impose! I insisted and we both had a good flight.

[@chuckh4077]

Bloody right. Same here. 16 hr flight I need that bulkhead aisle seat.

[@mabt4223]

haven't been on a plane since early 70s, dont need the hassles of flying nowdays😮🤪

[@chuckh4077]

@mabt4223 if you do ever go on a plane. Just remember it no longer has smoking sections. Lol

[@22lyric]

​@@chuckh4077 Even though it may still have ASHTRAYS!

[@danajulian2686]

Just happened to me on an international 12 hour flight. I paid for premium economy with an aisle seat. I was asked to change. It was two seats together. One aisle seat one window seat. I said I would change it if was another premium aisle seat. It was not. It was a middle seat. So no. That is not okay. Please plan ahead.

[@lrock48]

Notice the majority of the instances are people trying to "upgrade" their crappy seat? It's never like "Hey, I want to sit with my family, here's my seat in the first class".

[@marsbearmcw3050]

That’s exactly what I thought too.

[@wildbikerbill6530]

By 'the majority' you mean 99.9%

[@trooperdgb9722]

Its never that... but it's also never someone offering a better economy seat in trade. Funny that. They NEVER offer their good seat to someone down the back in order to "sit together" ..NO..they must always "sit together" in the BETTER SEATS.

[@lonewolf4429]

Of course no one would do that...if they can afford first class they can obviously pay to choose their seats in coach..Duh

[@DeathyAS]

I’ve had it happen twice actually both time I was flying out of Orlando. Someone was flown in by their company for work and met up with their family in the parks and asked for my economy seat so they could sit with their family on the way home. The difference is we don’t have an issue getting a free upgrade.

[@BrentsCardsAndCoins]

First off, he paid for a premium seat. Second off, if you have a credit card on file and in flight food and drink are ordered to the seat you were assigned to, you could get charged for it. So that is a big no. Their poor planning is not his problem anyways.

[@skontheroad]

"If you have a credit card on file and food and drink charges are charged to your seat...??" 😂😂😂 Have you EVER flown before???

[@BrentsCardsAndCoins]

@@skontheroad Just last year. I had food charged to my seat.

[@Jax2Ash]

100% agree

[@skontheroad]

@BrentsCardsAndCoins Not without running a cc you didn't!

[@BrentsCardsAndCoins]

@skontheroad Obviously, you haven't flown lately. It doesn't work like that anymore.

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

The audacity of the mother for complaining after he said no. You can ask for a favor, but he has no obligation to give.

[@alfr1]

As a kid, I flew Not beside my parents at 7 and 10 yrs old. Never cared, just looked out the window for take-off, and slept. As an adult, I have been upgraded 3 times by Stewardesses. As a MARRIED adult traveling beside my Wife, I bought the two seats together. As an OLD MARRIED guy sitting beside my Wife, I would NOT accept an upgrade, unless it was given to us both.

[@darcychurch9749]

I’m a disabled veteran and have difficulty moving. I always book an isle seat. I never give it up, ever. I don’t care what YOUR problem is, but it’s all yours!

[@murraystewartj]

This. People need to own their crap.

[@lindaschultz8124]

Ditto. Ask someone else.

[@mylifewithmarmalade4624]

110%. Lots of people book seats who need those specific seats to manage physical (and/or mental) health conditions. I planned months in advance and probably paid extra to accommodate my unique needs and make sure I arrived at my destination feeling well enough to do what I went there to do. Someone else not having planned ahead and/or having decided to play roulette to try to save $50 a seat is not my problem. I’m not going to jeopardize my health and well being to save them from their poor life choices.

[@crossbowskiss]

Perfect example of why vets are ignored..

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

One time, the passenger next to me refused to give up his seat for my mom only cause he was too lazy to get up.

[@carly4513]

I was traveling with my family of 5 on an international flight. My husband got an upgrade for everyone on his ticket, which was 4 of us. But one of my kids (teen) had flown on a separate ticket and didn't get upgraded. I sat in her seat in the back of the plane. I never even thought of asking someone in the front of the plane to switch with me. That's a nasty thing to do.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Glad to see you sacrificed the upgraded seat for your child.

[@carly4513]

@@SYDAirlineEnthusiast I wanted my kids to be able to sit together since it was a family vacation.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

@@carly4513 yep, my dad once did that for me when I was 9. We got a free upgrade to first class, but only 3 out of 4 of us could go. My dad took one for the team.

[@carly4513]

@@SYDAirlineEnthusiast Good dad, esp. because he could have used the bigger seat. 😄

[@luizalouyoga]

That’s nice of you, but… I don’t know… I feel like maybe your husband should have gone instead of you 😬 It feels odd to me that he left you there.. but… anyways, it’s not my business. You sound like a really good mum!

[@joesr31]

Even if the value of seats are the same, he is not obliged to switch seats

[@unaallcock9380]

I was on a ten hour flight a mother got on with twins - aprox 6 months old. She also had her mother with her. The twins were seated on laps and after about half an hour the kids were hot and fractious, the flight attendent was summoned and asked for a free up grade, she did'n get it Why were these people prepared - dont travel if you cant look after your own kids. Dont ever give up your seat to these ill prepared people who thnk they are intilted to free upgrades.

[@amber3868]

Even if he refused extra money to switch seats, that's still ok, it's the seat he paid for and people aren't obligated to change because people whine.

[@GaryGoldbaugh]

The more they whine the less I even think of switching.... besides it's fun to wind these karens up and make them lose it

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

@@GaryGoldbaugh i think people need to be smart enough to plan ahead. The amount of energy they applied to making this situation was more than enough to just select a seat ahead of time.

[@JoJo15105]

Would I accept $500 to move from my Premium Economy to Economy on my 10-hour flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco? Not a chance. In Premium Economy I arrive fresh and cheerful. In Economy I arrive tired and cranky. I have often had gentlemen stake out my Premium Economy seat from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. When I informed the claim jumper, he was in my seat he said, "Could you please sit across the aisle, I'm all settled in here?" "No, thank you, but you are welcome to sit across the aisle." He slowly moved gathering up all his squatting stuff. After he squatted across the aisle that passenger arrived and booted him 20 rows back to economy.

[@user-jp4vh7hs9z]

maybe for 5k not 500 .. that is bs

[@danwake4431]

your story had a wonderful ending lol

[@FlaThunderstorm]

jojo15105 In all my years of flying I have never seen this happen and I have flown all three classes. Are you sure you're not just making things up or watched it transpire in a movie?

[@1137rmb]

@@FlaThunderstorm LOL!!! What a ridiculous thing to say!! 😂😂😂😂

[@FlaThunderstorm]

@@1137rmb Well, I think you're rediculous for saying that what I said was a rediculous thing to say. A lot of people on these forums make things up. Many of the incidences are too absurd to believe. In over 60 years of flying I have never had one person "steal" my seat ever and then on top of that refuse to move. Of course in today's woke environment I'm not surprised at anything.

[@vociferon-heraldofthewinte7763]

I never pay for seat selection ahead of time unless there are kids traveling with me. 95% of the time the airline assigns seats together with my travel companions and when they don’t, we just sit where assigned because entire plane will be going to the same place together. Asking people to switch, especially in the more expensive seating is just a scam by entitled grifters.

[@lillyjosie3074]

Just the fact that a stranger is talking to me when I sleep very little before a flight. Will be enough for me to go off

[@undasea]

Change to a worse seat? Absolutely not! The family can work it out, parents can switch seats back and forth to cover the kids as needed. It's a good learning experience for the kids anyway.

[@Ophelia_Pain]

Good learning experience for both kids and parents.

[@jimroscovius]

That's what I did. I made sure my kids had their snacks, and they had their GameBoys and books. No problems.

[@alkgprd]

Absolutely, family needed to well plan the trip before flight like they always should, the mother is a shame to make a scene. She even sound like tried to take advantage of having kids versus he’s single. If he was with kids or with some accompany too, then should would not ask him. She definitely targeted the single person.

[@tammykhair]

Yup I had to do that when my kids and I were separated. I went back and forth to see if they were ok. The flight was booked and only had those seats left so I had no choice.

[@jimroscovius]

@tammykhair Yup - you make it work. Our last flight, they were across from us, and on our flight to China, we took four seats across in the middle section. But it was no big deal having them some rows up or back either.

[@jlpack62]

This happened to me on a flight from Madrid to Miami this past Spring. The airline did not assign any economy seats and you had to pay for an assignment if you wanted to be assured a particular seat. A family asked me move for them to a much less desirable seat and I politely declined and informed them that I had paid for my seat. All of these folks knew that they didn't have seat assignments just like I knew that I didn't. I have to think that people play the family card to get what they want and I resent that the airline puts its paying customers in confrontational situations between each other. Shame on the airline (Iberia) and shame on the passengers for presuming that they can use their family status to get their way.

[@DungNguyen-ti9dk]

In August I had an international 13-hour flight. So I paid for a seat in the front. And then a woman just casually came up to me and ask for a seat change because her friends sat in front of me? I was like nope, not gonna. And then she and her friends just stared at me and I looked at her back, smile and put my earphones on. It’s not my problem when she doesn’t plan her seat the way she wants to.

[@jamesgibbs6970]

@@DungNguyen-ti9dk While in full agreement with you there, someone in this situation could also tell the friend to swap her better seat with someone back in the cattle car section.

[@RestingBeachFace]

100% agree. They don’t pay for the assigned seat and hope they can dupe some sucker into moving seats. Grrrr.

[@babalu-oc6iu]

I was in a dash 8 plane for a 30 minute flight and there was a 17 yo guy next to me. His mother was squished in the very last row with 4 other people and asked me to switch to sit next to her so. I said no. It is only 30 minutes. Your son will live.

[@ahapka]

@@babalu-oc6iu and the son was probably happy for the alone time.

[@susanrand512]

You have the option to book the seats together when you make the reservation. Airlines should have a hard rule, sit in the seat you paid for and don't ask to change or catch another flight. That would put a stop to this nonsense once and for all.

[@MarleneMeier]

I have never asked anyone to move or switch, and I've traveled with 3 kids. What a jerk to impose your bad planning to someone who paid for their seat in advance. I would never move my seat period.

[@mary-janegreen1513]

As a mother, NO HE SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN IT UP! The audacity and entitlement absolutely boggles the mind! Ive travelled with my family several times, and when you travel with your family you need to PREPARE AHEAD. Dont expect other people to pick up your slack.

[@mizrewlav]

Agree. 5 of us went to Cancun in Sept. That trip was booked and seats were chosen 8 mon prior. Roomier seats purchased as 3 of men are 6' 3"-6'7" Alot had to come together to make it happen b/c we all work. When boarding the plane, an elderly woman was in my seat. (I figured out later she wanted to sit closer to her friend) I paid extra for that seat I wanted it. She just kept sitting there pretending not to hear. Then suggested I find another seat. I'm standing in aisle and people are waiting for me to do something. I MADE HER MOVE. I was already a jumble of nerves getting 5 people to airport through morning rush hour traffic Atlanta .This really topped it off. It made me physically ill. It ruined the flight. Her buddy glard at me. Others across the aisle acted like I was wrong. I hate people sometimes

[@fourlittlebirds6166]

Four kids and we’re a family of six. Same. I would never even think of this. No way I’d make a scene unless someone else had taken one of my kids seats without asking. I would never try to oust someone else from their assigned seat. You want a better seat? Then you need to schedule it and pay for it ahead of time. Otherwise you get what you get and you don’t get upset. Deal with it. Life’s rough.

[@IowaKim]

I have noticed that when someone wants to switch to be "be with family" they always want to switch to the better seats. Seats go both ways, so switch the other direction!

[@tm502010]

Scam! Scam! And more Scam! One guy buys a cheap car, the other an expensive car. Then the guy with the cheap car expects the other guy to exchange with him, “because my family is bigger.” Not right….

[@barbarajones9250]

If you want to sit together, book the seats and pay like the rest of us.

[@rosc2022]

... and if you don't book in time to get seats together, don't whine, just live with it.

[@Bnjones988]

If you want to fly with your family then pay extra to sit together. I would NEVER give up a seat I've paid for, especially for a less comfortable seat.

[@lianealbert7728]

It happened to me this past weekend on a flight from Raleigh to Philadelphia on my way home to Maine last Friday. Both my husband and I booked tickets early and paid for aisle seats so we could sit across from each other, instead of me sitting in the middle every leg of the flight. There was a daughter and mother. The mother was in the middle seat, one row in front of me and her 11-12 year old daughter was in the middle seat sitting next to me. She asked me and warned me that her daughter was airsick and she asked if I’d switch seats with her. I said I’d prefer NOT to because I wanted to sit across from my husband and I’m that I’m claustrophobic and don’t like middle seats. I shouldn’t have even had to explain that to her. She was trying to guilt me into switching and she said to me, I hope she doesn’t throw up on you. To top it off, she was eating candy bars and drinking soda so she couldn’t have been too sick to me. The mom glared at me every time she turned back to talk to her daughter. I’m sure she wouldn’t have switched if someone asked her. Her daughter was totally fine and I think she just didn’t want to sit in her middle seat. I wish people would STOP asking fo switch esp when their seat is far worse than the one they want to switch to.

[@TokyoXtreme]

@@lianealbert7728 I’d have told her “um, excuse me? But, uh… I don’t talk to people who paid for middle seats. Eww!” Imagine a classic valley girl accent for that one. It’s time to shame these middle-seaters.

[@BudgetBoatCruising]

It just happened to me. We booked our seats ahead and a family did not so when we got on the plane, our seats were occupied. We also were travelling as a family, and wanted to sit together and had the forethought to book ahead so we asked them to move. It took the help of a flight attendant but it happened. Shortly after the purser made an announcement that everyone must sit in the seat shown on their boarding pass.

[@strangerland9791]

In the video, the guy said "I will move if they Venmo me $500". But if they were going to do that, they would have spent the $$ to get assigned seat in the first place. They did NOT want to spend the $$ in the first place BUT wants something for nothing.

[@davidkermes376]

an announcement that should be made at the START of every flight!

[@ej3943]

Such announcements should not be necessary in order for people to sit in their assigned seats. Otherwise, what's the point of having seat assignments on boarding passes. This happened to me, too, flying from Germany to the LAX. A flight attendant asked me if I would sit in the back so a family of 4 could sit together. I refused, the flight attendant told them there's nothing more she can do. The Mom ends up sitting with her son behind me and throughout the flight, she would have side comments that I ignored but only just barely. First of all, I have a connecting flight in LAX. For those who don't know, it's even more time-consuming to connect in LAX than in other airports because the terminal for international flights is separate. I only had about 2hours. 2nd, I found out from flight attendant their original seats were in the back where they all seated together. Not only did they ask to move to the front, but they also wanted to be seated together. By the way, they arrived late too.

[@lmcc0072]

@@strangerland9791$500 isn’t much to move from business class to coach on a 10+ hour flight. It won’t even cover the difference between the 2 tickets. If I’m feeling nice I would consider $5,000 cash plus the cost of my ticket. Then again maybe not even that.

[@strangerland9791]

@@lmcc0072 I don't think the guy in the subject was sitting in biz class seat. Most likely paid extra to sit in exit row or bulkhead row up front.

[@gbas76]

Why didn't the family give their premium seats to people in the back, and then they could all sit together in the back.

[@vociferon-heraldofthewinte7763]

Because it’s a grift.

[@CrazyCarmenMirada]

If the family wanted to sit together, they should have booked the seats together when they purchased the tickets.

[@jamesgibbs6970]

Airlines are now charging people for the "service" of being able to choose their seats. So, they have to strictly side with any passenger being told by another to give up a seat. They are literally creating these types of situations with their pricing policies. Passengers who pay more shouldn't have to suffer due to the airline pricing policy.

[@xapaga1]

Well said. I didn't choose my seats for the recent intercontinental flights between Tokyo NRT and Tel Aviv TLV. All the available seats on Economy were not good enough by the time I booked the flights. I found El Al (Israeli flag carrier) most peculiar since they didn't allocate me a seat on TLV-NRT until the very last minute of boarding. It was like a lottery ticket at a less gorgeous charity reception.

[@jasonandersen5975]

I can’t speak for the economy airlines, but airlines I fly don’t charge me to choose my seats, unless I’m choosing to upgrade to premium seats.

[@ClarityDetermination]

I agree but that said, you might still have to sit between two bad vibe spouses for the duration. I hate that.

[@mahadevparmekar2565]

Exactly!! This whole fiasco is created because the airlines are becoming increasingly greedy and want people to even pay for the 'privilege' of choosing their seat... Just ~15 years ago, this wasn't the norm. Although certain seats were premium seats, bought for extra price, airlines allowed you to choose a seat during check-in. Nowadays every seat on the plane is a 'premium' seat. Hell, they even make you pay for the middle seat sometimes.. LOL! And during the flight, if a passenger wants to exchange seat and there is a disagreement, the flight attendants simply look the other way and force you to face the situation. It's as if, the 'privilege' to choose the seat ends at the time of payment. When it comes to actually claiming the seat the 'you have paid for', it's a matter of mutual respect and politeness.. F it!!! Why don't the airlines show such politeness when alloting seats to families, or people who travel in groups?

[@jasonandersen5975]

@@ClarityDetermination book early enough to never take a middle seat. I flew from SLC to Orlando between a monstrously obese couple. It was like fighting two sweaty, STINKY bean bag chairs for hours.

[@lovevioletflowers3442]

I was approached by a mother who wanted me to swap seats so she could sit beside her son. He looked like he was around 7 years old. I said no. And why did I say no? Because I'm a mother who was sitting beside MY young child, and if I moved, I wouldn't be sitting beside him any more. I pointed that out to her. How's that for entitlement - I should stop sitting beside my own child so you can sit beside yours? NOT happening.

[@jobi6953]

Did she try to continue pressuring you to switch? If so, that is ultra-entitlement. Expecting a mother to move away from her child so another mother can be near her child. You're a great mother for standing your ground.

[@bonniecarruth8429]

In college I came home for Christmas on a red eye flight. When I got on the mostly empty plane a couple were sitting in my seat and the sear next to it. So I just took a seat further back. Afterwords an attendant came by and ask to see my ticket and said ‘You are sitting in the wrong seat.’ I said yes I know. That couple is sitting in my seat and the one next to it. ‘Well you should sit in your assigned seat.’ Then he went and talked to the couple. Looked at their tickets and walked away. Never came back to explain or apologize.

[@justinmcquaide4862]

Happened to flying from Dallas Fort Worth to Dublin Ireland woman asked me to move seats so she her boyfriend could sit next to her . I had paid extra for this seat because there was no seats in front of us . I politely declined she wasn’t very happy !

[@RestingBeachFace]

Okay. Poor planning on the family’s part does not mean they are entitled to the seat. I am saying ENTITLED because while the mom has the right to ask, she has absolutely no business getting mad when he refused! Ask someone else, or figure it out, but don’t put the man on blast because he didn’t want to give up his seat! The audacity of that mom is unbelievable!

[@gwenverde7970]

Traveling alone can come with surprises. I had my seat changed at the last minute- at the gate - when I was boarding the plane - to a middle seat so a mother could sit next to her kid. I’d made my reservation along with seating choice months in advance. Another time, an elderly couple asked me to switch my middle seat for their aisle seat so they could sit beside one another. Everything is temporary. If you’re patient, eventually everything evens out.

[@RestingBeachFace]

@@gwenverde7970 Agreed! I would definitely change seats if it meant moving from a middle seat to a window or aisle, but the airline randomly putting me in a middle seat would really tick me off. I am a large woman, and tall, so sitting in a middle seat would make both seat mates uncomfortable. If I couldn’t move out of the middle seat I would likely reschedule my flight. But I admire your patience and ability to go with the flow. I should take a page from your book!

[@javaman7199]

It may not have been poor planning. They bought one premium seat and expected someone to give up their premium seat or if the seat was empty, they could use it anyway. IMO, they were trying to get premium seats for less. Notice how they didn't offer to trade the premium seat for a lesser seat so that they could sit together.

[@sqnhunter]

@@javaman7199 Good point!!!

[@francisnewlandnewland]

Lately, we've noticed if we book good seats or nice business class seats, there's already someone sitting there! The grifter looks ever so shocked when we present our boarding papers. This is becoming a scam but most people dont get away with it tho.

[@schnabel5347]

Year ago, I had a business class seat booked and when I boarded, someone was in it. They were there "on spec", though. The business class was sparsely populated and they thought they would give it a try, I suppose. When I presented my boarding pass they moved.

[@jaypatwardhan4740]

Romanians tend to do.

[@RWernsing]

How is that "a scam" ?

[@davidransom4476]

@@RWernsing , book 3 tickets in premium and one in economy for the family. Get on the plane and try to switch for free using sympathy.

[@stacyvolek3418]

It’s time the Airlines took responsibility for this challenge! If someone books a seat, there should be NO QUESTION that the seat belongs to them! If they are asked ONCE, and ONLY ONCE to trade seats, that should be the END OF THE DISCUSSION! NO WHINING, NO CRYING, NO COMPLAINING! People if you want your family to sit together, or if you want to fly in a specific seat, RESERVE IT! Don’t make some random person responsible for YOUR LACK OF PREPARATION! I understand that there are times that flight reservations are made last minute, emergencies, etc. In that case, you should just be grateful you got a seat. Also please remember that most children above 9 or 10 are able to entertain themselves on a flight if they are separated from you. My sister and I, first flew alone on an overseas flight when we were 8! We were fine! No one is ENTITLED to anyone else’s seats! Please be kind to one another and when someone says no, respect that! 💚

[@SahvonEdwards]

How TF is this a debate?

[@darrylblanch8463]

I've moved from my awesome seat for a child that got extremely sick (preasure sickness, not remember the name sorry). Also got threatened with legal action by an airline for not moving another time, made them drag me out the seat. All 3 stewardesses got fired. Their excuse was "he's a man so he should move". Flight fee & return fee refunded, return was upgraded & idiots tried it again untill i told them my name, not 1 peep from them after that. Only other time i willingly moved was for another young kid, flying solo. Why she was by herself? Her guardian was sent to hospital but kid was already on the plane, misinformation happened & kid ended up alone. I was at front of plane by stewardess section, swapped so they could keep eye on her & she felt safe. Kid was flying to fathers place, guardian was responsible for hand over between parents every 6 months, thats all I know. I'm 6f3inch, buy seats with lots leg room, yes I ofter pay more so if people can't plan to sit together early enough, it isn't my fault or problem.

[@jobi6953]

Which airline was this?

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

At least the airline acted nice even if the flight crew was not.

[@shaybaby2427]

As a single woman I can afford to pamper myself once in a while and fly first class! At the moment you are purchasing your ticket you are informed about your seat number! The time to figure out where your family is sitting is then and not after you board the plane! It’s pure entitlement for families to feel they are special because they have kids! They are basically saying a family with kids outweighs a single person! Unless they are paying twice my ticket I’m not moving!

[@karlostj4683]

It's great that you can see what seats are available on most airlines before you purchase your ticket(s). If your family cannot all sit together, take a different flight.

[@ClarityDetermination]

Cheers - I agree.

[@petermerchant4439]

That can depend, though. Many airlines have tickets where you don't have an assigned seat--it will be assigned at check-in based on what seats are available. Remember that nobody likes to sit in the middle seat so they'll stick you there. You usually pay less for doing this. Since flying is expensive, some groups choose this approach. After all, it doesn't matter where we're sitting, as long as we're together. Of course, when booking the ticket, there's no option for "There's 2 of us flying and you can put us anywhere you want as long as we're together." I believe some airlines are working on this.

[@freddieclark]

In 45 years of flying I have never been informed of my seat number when I bought my ticket, I was informed how I could choose a seat (even back in the days of no internet) or request a seat at that time, but no airline ever said 'This is your seat number, have a good flight next month when you travel. Perhaps it is different in the US, but I don't see how as many of my international flights originated in either DFW, IAH,SFO, LAX,ORD and JFK.

[@karlostj4683]

@@freddieclarkIn my 40 years of flying, only once have I ever purchased a ticket where my seat was only determined after I got on the plane. This was Southwest Airlines, which allows passengers to choose any available seat upon boarding. Every other airline I have flown with has offered the ability to pre-select a seat when purchasing a ticket, even weeks in advance of the flight. If you want to choose any available seat, Southwest still offers this, kinda sorta. This is one reason I choose to fly other airlines.

[@tonychan8558]

Food court, not plane. I was by myself in a four seat table. No single or double tables available, very busy lunch rush. A family of three asked me to move because there were no 4 seat tables available. I said no, but offered the other three free seats at my table. They said they wanted the table all to themselves. I repeated no, because I was there first, but again they were welcome to seat next to me. They tried to make a scene, before another couple asked if the seat were taken. I said they were free, and they immediately sat down next to me. This enraged the mom, but I pointed out that they didn't want it and the couple did. The family walked away, huffing, calling me entitled and rude. The couple had a WTF look on their faces. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued eating my lunch.

[@TDavis_333]

If we saw that, my husband and I would have made a point to sit next to you just to shut them down even if we didn't have any food or any plans to sit!

[@kikyrustam2435]

Good for you.

[@hilihkintil6789]

I remember PewDiePie telling a story that when he play at his friends house at dinner time he got told to wait while his friends family just eat leisurely. US can really learn from other cultures to respect people while they eat man

[@apollovizsla]

You made the right decision! There were many times where I would share my table with strangers if they needed a seat and they gladly accepted. A few of those times we were dining outside and the only seats that were available were huge picnic tables with room for 8 or 10 people, and it didn't feel right when it was only my husband and I sitting there. This flight thing is so wrong though.

[@user-wk2hz6lz6x]

@@tonychan8558 myself and daughter were looking for a table there was one person on six seater table just asked if we could share the table they just said yes being polite helps

[@Wilhuf1]

Pitiful how we let the Airlines pit passengers against each other. The AIRLINE should provide seating to keep the family together and the AIRLINE should provide premium seating for the passenger who paid for it.

[@amberr6]

When buying MOVIE tickets these days, you pick your seat. If you are flying with your family then pay to sit together. Simple as that.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Depends cause some places still don’t have reserved seating.

[@geoffashden2]

I went through a similar situation on a 13 1/2 hour over night flight whereby I paid extra to ensure I had a window seat so that I could rest my head against the window to get some sleep. when I boarded the plain, someone had decided to sit in my seat and refused to move. Unfortunately I had to create a scene with the flight attendants who eventually shifted him out. This unecessary stress really ruined my flight.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

At least you were able to get your seat. When I was 13, I had a window seat, but this guy sat in my seat by mistake until a flight attendant pointed out the letters. He wanted the window, but I refused, and then, he asked if I could trade with him during cruise. I refused, and then, he forgot about it.

[@robertveith6383]

* plane

[@coloraturaElise]

Yes, people rarely mention the fallout of having to argue to keep your rightful seat--the stress!

[@Booboonancy]

The airlines should probably enforce the assigned seat rules and make it a reason to de-board you if you cause trouble and refuse to sit in your seat.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

@@Booboonancy unless the assigned passenger of the seat is okay with this, I agree, though no need to deboard an entire flight. Just the unruly passenger.

[@RebellionFreedom]

“I want something for FREE!!!” Sick and tired of these people.

[@GelatoAndMelatonin]

It's like they don't realize we would ALL like something for free, it's not a special dream of just theirs. We are all out here not living our dreams of something for free, pals...but we get the hell over it and don't act like an ass on a plane. Simple.

[@yamamancha]

Hard no. With zero guilt.

[@TheGreatSeraphim]

He is under no obligation to surrender his seat.

[@iamme1566]

Once, I was in business class for a 13 hour flight and a man asked if I would switch seats with his son. Guess my answer when I found out this stingy mf bought himself a business class seat and stuffed his 13 yo son in economy. And he threw a hissy fit when I pointed out it would be easier for him to switch seats with the person who’s sitting next to his son in economy. He never bothered to do that nor did he even go back to check on his son once during the whole 13 hours.

[@M_SC]

Poor son. Not because he’s in economy but because his father is such a non family minded person

[@TDavis_333]

He planned it that way counting on you to switch and pay for his kid's upgrade!

[@iamme1566]

@@TDavis_333 His expectations met the wall of reality. 🤣 I think my ticket was around £5k while economy was £1k, give or take a few quid. So there was no way I willing to switch seats.

[@qv6486]

@@iamme1566 if you give me 5 thousand quid cash on the spot them I will give up My premium seat. This usually leads to that cheak skate to reconsider his options

[@vapsa56]

Imagine being abandoned by your parents in the back of the plane with perfect strangers. Those parents also expect that those same strangers help their children out of the plane in an emergency.

[@naughtybaroness]

This happened to me back in October when I was flying from New York(JFK) to Manchester on Virgin Atlantic. A young woman (College Age) wanted me to give up my seat 💺 so she could sit with her crush… Yeah, not her boyfriend or husband but her crush. I told her no that I paid good money for this seat and I was going to give it up for THAT reason. She proceeded to call me names (among other things ) and even had the AUDACITY to make fun of me because I had a disability. 😔😔😔 Thankfully, other passengers came to my defence and put her in her place. Karma got her in the end though because when she went back to her original seat 💺 with an attitude, a flight attendant was there to inform her that because of her disruptive behaviour she would no longer be allowed to stay on the plane and would have to catch another flight. ✈️✈️✈️✈️

[@JustGettinBy1321]

Love that instant karma! If more airlines did this, most of the entitled nonsense would stop.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

No kidding. I mean calling a person with disabilities insulting names is an automatic ban from the flight. She was lucky enough to get rebooked on a new flight. I would had charged her for a new flight.

[@rdred8693]

🤣 I love a happy ending. Don't people realize that not everything is about them?

[@carolw1624]

I dont even talk to the passenger if they are in my seat. I go straight to staff, smile and politely ask if I have made an error with the seat numbers. They deal with it, not me. This has happened twice in my flying expeiences and the passenger gets moved with no interraction from me.

[@r8chlletters]

Yes this is how I handle it.

[@luizalouyoga]

Perfectly handled.

[@TDavis_333]

Solid plan!

[@kittykatz4001]

🎉😂

[@CarolB55]

What an easier way to handle it! I must remember that

[@sheilamailhes3329]

It's not his fault the family failed to plan ahead.🤷🏼‍♀️

[@nodrogytsirk]

Just had this happen last week. We boarded early because my bestie needs a wheelchair…and there was another handicapped man and his wife in our premium seats. They said we were wrong…tried to show us tickets that looked like the same 21 & 12). I didn’t even argue just called the air host who asked to see our tickets that said row 12…they flashed their tickets and she asked for them…it was 21 and they left and apologized but we knew they were hoping that we wouldn’t also be “handicapped” and were hoping that they could play a sympathy card. Didn’t work.

[@_Viking]

I don't understand the problem. If someone wants to sit together, why don't they _order_ seats together??

[@haydenfowle7576]

Because they didn't want to pay the extra 30$ for assigned seats that would allow the family to sit together I have no compassion for those people

[@BusArch42]

Too cheap

[@Rhaspun]

They don't want to pay for the extra feature and probably think they can bully someone into giving up their seat.

[@pmc2999]

I rarely fly but I've always paid to have an assigned seat. If you're a family why would you not do that? My friend and I went to Scotland so of course we got preassigned seats together. Why would you take a pretty likely risk you would be separated?

[@BusArch42]

@@pmc2999 cheap. They are cheap and don’t want to pay.

[@williambarnes3868]

I would NEVER give up a seat that I had paid for. I pay for a seat with extra leg room and would not consider giving up that seat for anyone, especially on a long haul flight.

[@moonbuni59]

I would not give up the seat, plus because of back problems I always book early, pay for extra legroom and sit on the aisle.

[@Tennisisreallyfun]

The question is should he have swapped seats? My answer is that it depends. Normally I would be fine. It’s a family and they want to sit together, so I’m okay moving a bit back or a bit forward or giving up the window or isle or whatever so families can sit together. However, if I paid a lot of money for a premium tier-say, First Class to Economy Class as it’s commonly labeled in the US-I don’t want to switch. Now, this one doesn’t describe me, but I also won’t be switching if I am someone who chose their seat for physical reasons (say I have big legs and I need the isle to stretch out, or I need to see out a window to help ease the pain of motion sickness).

[@bndballerz5794]

He paid. Family didn’t. No, he should not give up his seat.

[@johncox9868]

I am 6'3". If I paid extra for a premium seat on a long flight, I wouldn't take $2,000 to switch.

[@Parascuba]

Amen! i'm 6'11" I Felt the same. But I would take it if they pay 5 time more what seat cost if it cost me 500. I'll expect them to pay me in cash 2,500

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Funny considering that is more than double of an economy round trip ticket.

[@turquoise_sky]

I had a husband and wife try this on me. They asked me to take his seat, which was all the way in the back of the plane, so they could sit together. I said no. They grumbled at me, tried to guilt me as if *I* was the one doing something wrong. So I put my headphones on while they were still mid-sentence. Conversation over, Mr and Mrs. Entitled!

[@debracooper1901]

They could have asked the person next to his seat at the back to move to the front so they could then sit together at the back - but that isn’t their game

[@robertveith6383]

@@NiqueV1018 -- Actually, you could *not* care less.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

I had a husband sitting next to me try this. Luckily, I asked him to show me where his wife was and have her point at me. I switched only cause her seat was good enough for me.

[@aresorum]

@@NiqueV1018 "I could care less because I planned and paid extra why should I get leg cramps so you get a free upgrade." So you cared. Are you feeling guilty?

[@linedanzer4302]

I've taken 100s of flights in my lifetime and (multiple times) have had to deal with people sitting in seats for which I've selected and paid extra $$. A few have snatched attitudes, tried to make me feel bad, or complained about the airline. It's happened at least 4-5 times. Folks who are bold enough to sit in your seat are not going to be pleasant when booted. It's best to let the crew handle them when they turn it up. I give them zero energy.

[@carminaburana9765]

The family should have been removed immediately when they started harassing the other passenger.

[@egyphon]

On a train, a 6-month pregnant lady sat in a four-seater my family had booked, we asked her to move, she got all pissy. Two of my family members are disabled. The entitlement of this woman was off the charts. Her assigned seat was in the next car over.

[@amirmsebe]

So... Being nice is mandatory? Y people are not entitled to sit on their booked seats.

[@Booboonancy]

Hopefully she moved ?

[@prodigalpriest]

Doesn't sound like that happened. At least the person telling the story didn't say anything of the sort.

[@flovoices4u294]

The airlines need to do something about this. There should be no seat swapping on the plane when airlines are charging us extra cash for use to pre-reserve those seats. The haul to ask someone to switch to a lesser seat, because that person failed to plan or was cheap..is horrible and abusive and bullying behavior. Stop asking people to switch from a window to a middle seat and stop acting like an a-hole when they say no.

[@DisleyDavid]

The rules actually prohibit changing seats without the agreement of cabin staff.

[@rap3208]

@@DisleyDavid What if they personally know or friends with that flight attendant and that attendant would abuse his/her power to benefit his/her friend? There should be no exception, all they can do should be is to ask and respect the wishes of the passenger being asked.

[@billmoran3219]

I booked and paid for an aisle seat from Florida to Atlanta and Atlanta to the bay area, it was stated on my itinerary and the first boarding pass was an aisle seat didn’t notice that my second boarding pass was changed and a passenger showed up and said it was his seat . I showed the paid for seat to the flight attendant she said it doesn’t matter, it’s what is on the boarding pass. I wasn’t happy I had to seat in the middle seat and the guy who got my seat wouldn’t let it go after he won the argument, I made sure I had to get up from my seat multiple times to inconvenience him on that 4 hour flight. That was Delta and I never flew with them again !

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Seat swapping can be allowed as long as the assigned passenger is also okay with it. However, just simply sitting in someone else’s seat thinking you can get away with it is unacceptable. There were two instances when I accidentally sit in someone else’s seat. Once two rows behind, and the other on the opposite end. The first time, the flight attendant told me to stay, so I was disappointed. The second time, the other passenger was cool with it.

[@TheVagolfer]

Courtesy is not a requirement.

[@cynthiashaw45]

It is impolite to even ask. If you ask and they say no then go away.

[@browniewin4121]

I'd say it was ok to ask, but absolutely not ok to refuse to take no for an answer. After harassing this man for his seat that he paid extra for, they should have been ejected from the flight, this was not ok.

[@spikefivefivefive]

Actually it's not ok to ask and make someone uncomfortable. If you want a better seat, pay for it ahead of time.

[@Callidus7SSM]

@@spikefivefivefivethis!

[@nikoqaddadeh3238]

No one has to give up their seat regardless of where you are sitting for a family! I am tired of this! I have been on several flights lately, and these families tie up the isle trying to get people to change. I have had it with that! When you schedule your darn flight, you choose seats together! You don't expect people to move. I don't care if you have offspring!

[@mamaj6028]

And if the kids were raised by that rude woman, they are possibly entitled also ! 🙄🙄

[@Highly-censored]

Absolutely! If you pay for a Cadillac, you don't accept a Yugo!

[@katsybo]

I have this happen to me. I won’t swap!!! I plan ahead and I pay extra. Period. The family needs to plan ahead. And pay extra.

[@Nathan-ry3yu]

I was forced to give up a window seat I paid for by flight attendant claiming they will kick me of the flight if I don't for a couple of middle aged people complaining they wanted a window seat on the way to Europe. I wasn't compensated for that. It still piss me of what the airline did. I was stuck on a 13 hour flight in the middle of the plane I thought stuff it, I'll try to sleep as long as I could since I was already tired working night shift a few hours before getting on the plane. I woke up with a 10 year old kid legs lying on me and his mother just looks at me like it was a normal thing. I was like WTF.

[@happygal1974]

What? If flight attendant can assign seat then why would anymore pay extra for assigned seat?

[@memeelashay]

Please sue the airline, they can't do that and get away with making you feel uncomfortable smh.

[@user-bm7kk7hk8t]

I would have still refused to give up my seat. My Lawyer would have ensured that I was well-compensated for the inconvenience.

[@skontheroad]

In order to sue, you need to show damages. Beyond the inconvenience, what were the damages and how much did they amount to? The lawsuit also needs a value, and a way that they came to that amount? At the end of the day, feeling uncomfortable is no more than a nuisance suit.

[@aaronramirez2610]

It is a normal thing.

[@jjfrenzy789]

To quote Stewie: “Your poor planing does not institute my emergency” that woman was definitely in the wrong!!

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

To quote Bully Maguire: I missed the part where that’s my problem.

[@msprettypinkpanther6142]

I even refused when they offered me an upgrade because I need an aisle seat for medical reasons and one wasn’t available.

[@Nikkimommyof4]

What people have failed to mention in this discussion is that when you ask someone to do this you have to be prepared to accept whatever answer that person gives you and respect it. If that passenger says no then that's it - final answer. Do not bother this person again - move on. You don't get to harass this person or act a fool because you don't like their answer. Even if you offer them money and they said no, that's their right. There literally is no scenario where that passenger is obligated to give you their seat. At that point, you have no choice but to put on your big person pants, gather your dignity and move on. If you are a family traveling together this is your problem to work out BEFORE you arrive at the airport. This should not be something a stranger is expected to help solve. PLEASE STOP FORCING OTHERS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOUR DRAMA. IF YOU DON'T LIKE YOUR SEATING ARRANGEMENTS FIX IT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE AIRPORT. PLEASE STOP ASKING STRANGERS TO GIVE UP THEIR SEATS TO MAKE YOUR TRAVEL SITUATION EASIER. THIS IS NOT ONLY ENTITLED BEHAVIOR IT'S IRRITATING AS HELL TO EVERYONE ELSE AROUND YOU. THE LAST THING ANYONE WANTS IS TO BE PESTERED BY STRANGERS AT THE AIRPORT/ ON THE PLANE BECASUE THEY WANT SOMETHING FROM YOU. THAT'S WHY MOST PEOPLE WEAR HEADPHONES SO THEY CAN TUNE YOU OUT.

[@derkong7114]

Its not a debate, I pay extra to chose my seat and I am not moving for anybody including a family to move.... Now I have changed seats for a person who was injured and in bad shape as I held the first seat in first class. The young man had been in a bicycle accident and was flying home for surgery. No way would they get his wheelchair down the isle and he was in great pain trying to stand. I gave him my fist class seat and went back to coach. But it was my choice, he did not ask.. He was super grateful....

[@danwake4431]

ive heard its becoming a common scam. a family will pay for one of the parents to sit first class while the rest buy cheap tickets. they will then ask an entire row to move so the 'family can sit together'. Somehow the idea of offering a person in back a first class seat so the dad can go sit in economy with the family makes them mad.

[@wildbikerbill6530]

Of course they're mad - their scam backfired. Boo-hoo!

[@GelatoAndMelatonin]

I used to fly a lot and have had so many people try to take my seat in exchange for one in the last row where you can't recline at all if the person in front of you reclines into your space. I've said "sorry, no, I'm sure the other person in the back would love to give up the seat that doesn't recline and come up here, so you guys can sit together." You know, point out that while the trade isn't appealing to me, they have a great can't-fail exchange if they approach the stranger in the last row. Oddly, not a single one has ever asked the person in the back. They usually lose their interest in sitting together. Heck if I understand it. A real puzzler.

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

Wow, that's amazing! Maybe they will get angry enough to be considered disruptive and kicked off the flight.

[@trainsplanesandotherthings5187]

NO... get the F out of my seat !

[@Isabella-nh5dm]

You book a seat, you pre-select, you get that seat. You dont pre-select your seat, you get what's there. You don't ask anyone for a change because you dont want to pay the seat selection fee. People are far too entitled and far too willing to take advantage of others. It's just plain bullying behaviour to get what they want. I don't like that and I'm not about to encourage behaviour of that kind in anyone at any time and in any place.

[@BoringTroublemaker]

My husband and I ALWAYS pay extra to sit in seats next to each other in premium wider seats with more leg room because I’m a bigger lady and neither of us wants to get into a brawl on a plane from someone giving me crap for existing. If we got on a plane and someone was already in my seat, acting like they are entitled to be there, we are going to have a problem.

[@afonphoenix16]

It's very considerate of you to take responsibility and buy extra space. Some overweight people refuse to do so, and it's not them "existing." It's them forcing OTHER people to suffer from their own poor life choices. I've sat on a plane and had half of MY seat overflowed by an obese person. It's not them being victimized for existing, it's them pissing people off by inconveniencing others and acting entitled. 🤷 I appreciate you NOT doing that.

[@HakunaMatata-gr9mm]

"For existing"... No ma'am.. Everything is not fatshaming

[@BoringTroublemaker]

@@HakunaMatata-gr9mm it’s estimated that only 20% of the population can fit in standard airline seats as they currently stand. So, chances are, your shoulders are actually spilling over onto your neighbor unless you literally wear a size small or _maybe_ medium in men’s shirts. But my wider hips are somehow a bigger problem? At least I acknowledge it instead of pretending to be superior.

[@HakunaMatata-gr9mm]

@@BoringTroublemaker again I am pointing out its not for "existing"... You cant really blame people if they are uncomfortable when you take bit of their seat...

[@anitasegal13]

Same with my husband and I.we pay above the normal amount for seats that are comfortable and suit our needs and this adds to our travelling budget ..I simply do not understand people who think they are entitled to demand a change of seats .

[@ellejaysmith6623]

I chose a window seat on a recent flight. When I boarded, my seat was taken. She wanted to sit with her two daughters. I firmly but politely stood my ground. She finally moved to her own seat which was the aisle immediately across. She and her daughters then proceeded to use their devices for the entire flight. They didn’t interact at all.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Good work. I mean she could interact with her daughters after the flight. One flight in a different row from her daughters is not going to make her or her daughters explode.

[@timothyconard2825]

This is no debate at all. Even if he didn't pay for a premium seat, as long as he selected his own seat at booking, and not some "give me a random seat" option, he has two strong legs to stand on. Ridiculous.

[@lindadaulby]

This happened to me when we were going to Alicante i was sitting next to my handicapped nephew when this lady came over and asked could she have my seat, i told her no because my handicapped nephew was to the right of me while i was in the middle seat next to her husband. I honestly don't know why they book seats to sit together which we did, as we were flying she kept on muttering self centred brat just because her nephew is handicapped. I was livid and pulled the air hostess over and told her what was happening, she told me can you not swap seats i told her no and she asked me why not. I told her my handicapped nephew is none verbal he can't talk and does sign language, so she told the lady what an excuse tell is another Joke. I was livid and said to my nephew Johnathan say hi to the lady he looked at her and told her to get another seat, but in the signing, he said a rude word which she looked and her face went red. I guess she can understand sign language because she was going ape on him and hit him, well that was it she ended up off the flight with her husband trailing behind her and kept on saying to her. That's it we are done i have had enough of your temper tantrams and just walked away from her, she eventually followed him muttering foul language.. Sorry this was long, but i do wonder if they are still together or not. 🤔

[@1c2h3e4u5n6g]

We have 2 kids, we made that choice. No one else owes it to us to accommodate our needs. They don't owe it to us to foot the bill for our poor planning. If we expect a stranger to switch seats with me, we should offer him/her money. And if they don't want to switch, we have no entitlement to someone else's things.

[@Madashell1200]

Not a debate. Where else can you buy something and other people can guilt you into giving it to them?

[@nathankinman7753]

Healthcare insurance.

[@tech9803]

"I like your Mercedes better than my Hyundai. What do you mean you don't want to swap?"

[@patmcbride9853]

We are being asked to give up more, every year, by Socialists that want to pay off voters with the fruits of our labors.

[@lonewolf4429]

Other people can ATTEMPT to guilt trip you, but most people will rightly say no way to switching and not feel guilty about it.

[@gointothedogs4634]

@@nathankinman7753 WHAT????

[@bamkablam]

Get out of my seat. End of discussion. What you want to do and what you are entitled to do are two vastly different things and way more people in society need to wrap their head around that concept.

[@nunya8903]

Absolutely not!! The family should have planned better!