Whats your take on switching seats on a plane? You've attributed them with a positive quality and to do otherwise means they explicitly prove they do not possess that quality people will (primarily sub)consciously attempt to live up to it. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. Don't give them even an inch. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. Though some people can vaguely guess their request for a seat exchange would be turned down, they keep trying. A reader seeks reassurance after declining to move for parents flying with children. Precisely! One time we were traveling internationally and a woman wanted my window seat. The next time she tries to pressure you, assert yourself: Ive already said I dont want to go. You could also change the way you respond to her invitations, from Im busy which suggests you would go if you werent busy to No, thanks. That way, your message will be clear. I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more. Of course, I agreed. But in the last year as restrictions have eased, travelers have begun booking vacations and business trips again and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that U.S. airlines carried over 71.2 million scheduled service passengers in May 2022. He asked if the man seated in the aisle would mind switching with his wife in the window seat. Sorry but NO..parents with children should plan better and if seating apart is an issue BOOK ANOTHER FLIGHT.your children are not my problem..Sorry but not sorry. But when they boarded the plane, a family of four approached the Redditor and asked if they could switch spots. Its totally up to you to decide. I am keeping the seat I paid for.'". Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. The pilot kept asking in different ways/ I kept saying no. refusing to switch "NTA (not the a**hole). A PASSENGER refused to swap seats during a flight with a family so they could all sit together - but people are saying the same thing. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. Twice. And if there were none left, they could have called the airline and figured it out ahead of time. I fly often and I usually choose the aisle because it's the only seat where my legs have a chance to fit, because I'm going to put them in the aisle. Man Refuses To Switch Plane Seats With Newlyweds But Feels Like A 'Villain' After Passengers & Crew Turn On Him By Megan Quinn Written on Mar 01, 2023 Photo: DavideAngelini / Shutterstock I do not give up my assigned seat. RELATED: The 7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane, According to a Flight Attendant. For instance, a woman was asked to switch seats owing to ultra-Orthodox beliefs. If you want to avoid having to cave to peer pressure or looking like the bad guy by not switching seats to accommodate families, then book a seat in the exit row since kids under 15 cant sit there. Your comments are much appreciated! I was very upset but it was too late to complain. This is a powerful position to take. If you have a similar dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. But would you trade your comfort for someone who wants to sit with their kid? Im so sick of people thinking its ok to disrupt someone for their lack of planning, one said. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. I am not your sweet old gray haired grandmother, and I dont care how cute your kids are, Im not moving. To be fair, sometimes when you book with points for example, you cannot book the entire family together at the same time, one explained. Flying with young children is challenging; doing so while sitting in separate rows, or under unexpected circumstances (a distant family member falling ill, for instance), is far more difficult. I wouldnt be doing my job, though, if I didnt encourage you to empathize with the parents. Unfortunately it was an uncomfortable flight since he could barely fit in his seat. On "Are You Obligated to Switch Seats on a Plane? This brings me to my problem: The last two times Ive flown, a steward asked me to change seats to accommodate a parent flying alone with small children. Seating arrangements in planes are first-come, first-served, and in some cases, youd get some added perks like extra legroom. Her seat was an aisle seat two rows behind my husband. Read a book. This puts the interaction on a positive footing. I like this seat just fine." When it comes to small children, the rules do get thrown out because you cant expect little kids to sit alone. I was a little shook up but my response made my daytill she accosted me again when getting my luggage so I notified the police in the area at LaGuardia and they walked her to their office. seat switch Smile and be polite yet firm. But the most common reasons a flight attendant will ask you to change seats is: 1- If the pilot determines that passengers need to be moved due to weight and balance of the aircraft. Certainly not!" Re: Seat Switch Refusal-Part 2 (or 3) I do not think anyone expects ( except the person doing the asking) someone to change an aisle sit for a middle seat! for long transcontinental or international flights. Answer politely and succinctly, give reasons, but don't belabor them. Well the young woman thru a fit, called me a bitch, etc. Passenger Praised For Refusing To Change Seats On 10-Hour What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? I said no and told him my switching would not solve the elderly ladys request to sit next to her husband. The debate around airplane etiquette has reached fever pitch in recent months - but it has been reignited once again by an influencer who refused to switch seats. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider There have been times when our flight was cancelled or missed a connection and there werent seats together. Credit: Audrey Peters. Do whatever you would normally do. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Meanwhile, some offered an explanation as to why seats can often split groups up. How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? Or I would switch if I was offered a better seat biz or first, or more legroom. What video game is Charlie playing in Poker Face S01E07? Tone is important the aim is to sound firm, but not irritated by the request. And if I paid extra for better leg room, I would only do it if it was a short flight (less than 3 hours) AND I got a refund on the extra I paid for the better seat. Avoid continuing the argument unless you are willing to be persuaded/come to a compromise. An influencer has been applauded for refusing to swap seats on a flight so a family could sit together.. I travel alone quite frequently, plan ahead and select my seat for a reason and hold my ground. A PASSENGER refused to swap seats so a husband could sit with his wife and child on a plane. refusing to switch airplane seats Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences, The 7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane, According to a Flight Attendant. One of the suggested responses is perfect: I paid extra for this seat because (insert reason here). Airplane Seat I am an older woman who generally travels solo. They'd still all be together," said one commenter. On TikTok, Peters typically posts fashion and lifestyle content, filming herself putting together an outfit for the day or showing viewers some of her recent purchases from designer brands. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. refuses In this case, my response to "why?" TikTok user Surya Garg shared a story about being asked to switch seats on a plane. However if their request is reasonable (i.e. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. If they say something minor like "I like an aisle seat", you can dismiss their question fairly lightly: "I like an aisle seat too, unfortunately, that's why I booked this one", they are unlikely to be much offended, because they know the request was cheeky. However, you dont have to swap seats if you dont want to. No Im not switching for a middle seat. I hope you are able to have this situation resolved.". We would just suck it up and sit apart. If the request does not come from a flight attendant, just say. A polite decline will leave you in the seat you reserved. I didnt say anything but thought after that I should have said no but didnt want to cause a scene. I'm short enough that my legs fit in just about any airline seat. switch I also try to keep our rows close together so people dont have to move their bag in the overhead if I dont reach them in time. Unless theres a very good reason I will not switch and even then only to an aisle seat. A Woman Defends Her Refusal To Switch Airline Seats To Help Youre seated next to a kid or spouse of someone whos sitting several rows away, and theyd wonder if youre ready to switch so they can spend the flight together. I told the crew member that unless they [American Airlines] gave me a first-class seat near a bathroom and immediately refunded the $164.00 I paid for my seats to and back from London, I was staying where I was. The passenger said the woman continued to "make a scene" and call him out in front of other passengers. The New York Times recently featured a story titled: I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. But for others, no. Did the parents book a trip at the last minute for an emergency or did they book far in advance and didnt spend the time to get seats together? Yes, they want your seat. That one I turned down with "Do I look stupid? For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here. The 25-year-old said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. You may be going on vacation with your band, but that one person maybe going to a dreaded funeral or a new job theyre already stressed about without you adding to their stress level because you need your emotional support humans next to you. Of course, that never happens. It turned out that the gentlemen beside me now was her husband. Influencer refuses to switch business class seats so family can sit In October, a woman named Maresa Friedman defended herself for not moving seats in a TikTok that went viral, eliciting a response from another creator who urged her to "do better" and have "compassion" for families. I had settled into my aisle seat. It's been my experience that when people want a reason, it's to argue. I think the flight crews should be more proactive about that when they see an uncomfortable seating arrangement, when they have crew on travelling on board. The man was traveling from Athens (ATH) to either Newark (EWR) on Maybe they glare at you. IF it was possible to have a civil discourse on the subject AND a convincing enough excuse was given (e.g., death in the family, emergency, not enough money, etc. I had booked a flight and paid for my seat on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt for August 31, 2022. Thanks for reading! Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation, The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. Now a flight attendant wouldnt ask that because they know the reason. If you truly do not wish to, you can simply look at the person, smile, and say, Im sorry, but I specifically chose The Reddit user u/Unlikely-Strategy596 shared a story Saturday, asking: "AITA (Am I the a**hole) for not giving up my plane seat so a family could be all together? AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Several passengers made nasty comments. She got in my face and continued her tirade at lower volume but I took then took the opportunity to say loud enough everyone could her me included 3 stewards standing frozen waiting to jumpdont threaten me again or I will scream and you wont be sitting anywhere other than the police room at the airportI got almost a 100% standing ovation from all within earshot. ), then I would almost always move, except to a location one poster mentioned abovenear the bathroom. I said, 'respectfully ma'am, your travel issues are not my problem. In these days of having to PAY EXTRA a lot of the time to get a specified seat I agree with everyone who politely says no, weighs ALL of the circumstances and what (everyone has to offer) if I do agree.. And if I dont get a seat I had to PAY EXTRA for, I always request the airline REFUND MY SEAT MONEY! Eventually the passenger in the window seat next to Mr Kloss offered to swap with Zoe meaning the couple did sit next to each other. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? When they asked a passenger seated near them if they were willing to switch seats, he refused. I personally hate travelings so I spent a bit more money to be closer.". OR your ESA (emotional support animal). Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been, Perhaps rather than "thank-you, for asking." But after some firm words, she gave in and sat down, with the husband apologizing. 60,000 bonus points. I booked my ticket specifically to be closer to the front of the plane so I can be closer to the gate when it's time to get out. Basic economy states exactly that issue if you want to save a few bucks and not pay for the seats. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Stewardess and elderly lady went to front of plane, knocked on pilots door and got what I assume was the assistant pilot. I have read similar columns like this one. I asked where he was and stewardess pointed out the husband in the very back of first class. I am 80+ years old and have a brace on my left leg. Like S. Kincaid, I am an older woman as well. He ignored her and looked at the guy at the window in the same row. Twice. ", Another wrote: "A mom asked me to give her two ish year old daughter my water bottle that I had ALREADY opened.". What happens when a man on a flight says he can't sit next The flight was roughly ten hours and around this time of year, it's extremely hectic. Have you been in a similar situation where someone requested you to switch places on a flight? "Normally I'd be ok with that but switching spots would mean moving back 20 rows down which leaves me at an inconvenience and I would not get my money's worth," they wrote: "I rejected and said that I would like to keep my seat.". Terms apply. But I didnt want to move! WHAT KIND OF [expletive] WONT LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!. Audrey Peters, a content creator from the US, said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. Its an added advantage to passengers, especially if the flight is considerably long and tiring. He asked if I would sit in the middle so he could have the aisle since he was anxious about flying. Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. Wow, can you believe that? sighed one passenger after a parent started fussing about his refusal. seat Flight fright: Family asks person to switch plane seats, he refuses How can I properly refuse my mother's help? My code is GPL licensed, can I issue a license to have my code be distributed in a specific MIT licensed project? Book your flights earlier babes.. Now, its getting annoying. I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. (They could have booked in advance, too.) Im not exactly clear whether your objection to the plus one is that his sister is unmarried, her P.D.A. by Eric Spring. Sometimes, aircraft swaps are beyond your control | Photo: Pixabay/tstrong20. In that case, who cares if they are scowling at you or glaring? flight What seemed like a peaceful flight turned into a nightmare when a mother approached the guy and asked him to trade his seat so that she could sit with her kid. Refuses To Switch When folks have asked me to move, I am very polite but explain that I paid for my seat in advance so that I could have extra leg room or movement. When the flight was over, the elderly ladys husband was in the deboarding area and really gave me a glare. The internet has backed a Redditor who refused to give up their plane seat so a family could sit together. Don't give them any opening which would allow them to argue with you that their "need" might be greater than yours. I am 75 and mildly handicapped (cerebral palsy mild) and mildly arthritic. Last year I was taking American Airlines to London. How can I refuse tactfully, without causing this bitterness? You werent wrong to politely refuse a request to move. Again, as I figure, a family who had not been willing to pay for three seats together. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Passenger refuses to give up his plane seat so a man could sit The influencer also posts content about her designer purchases on Instagram, where she has 94,000 followers. Perhaps they might be able to accommodate your needs.". refuse to switch airplane seats The Redditor lost his cool when the mother couldnt control her child from grabbing his phone. He was crying, I want to sit next to you, Mom! so before she even asked, I volunteered to switch. Not my fault youre too cheap to pay.. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. A passenger has been praised online after refusing to swap seats twice on a 10-hour flight. My first officer was flying, and he experienced problems when he rotated the aircraft: It was very heavy. Bulkhead seats usually have ample legroom than the other seats of the same fare class. "but this was a time not to be tactful." A stewardess with an elderly lady came to us and asked to check our boarding passes. I select mine well in advance esp. Plan ahead or drive. So I dont have any sympathy. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Travellers unfair seat swap request. TikToks about whether adults should make sacrifices for children they encounter often spark debate, especially in the context of flight etiquette and whether it's fair to be asked to swap seats on planes so families can sit together. The flight attendant asked if I wanted her to ask people to move so we could sit together, and before I could reply my kids declined saying they were all set they behaved as angels sitting alone. I suggest that stewards look elsewhere for volunteers if fellow passengers try to shame me from the sidelines. Terms apply. Very rarely would I change seats. How about arriving at your seat and finding someone already sitting there, all settled in, who then asks if I mind him taking my seat so he could sit next to his wife? I had to lean into the aisle the entire flight. Melanie Wolfson paid for an aisle seat but was shocked to find two men in the window and middle seats. In the end, she switched places to avoid any delay to the flight. Do we really have time to ascertain and give judgement on the circumstances surrounding their seat separation? dear Johnny Jet, it is my understanding that for identification and tracing purposes in case like pandemics and serious aviation or other accidents/incidents, passengers are to remain in their assigned seats; in fact prior to takeoff announcements are made to take the assigned seats in my experience; quite surprisingly to me, i have not seen any reference made to this reason in the comments nor in your own remarks. If you decide to turn down the request to switch seats, doing it politely and in a friendly tone may help soften the blow even though you dont owe an explanation for why youre not okay with swapping. Was boarding my flight when a teenage girl was siting in my aisle seat to sit next to her friend in the middle seat. Stay up to date with what you want to know. She stated I could call customer service and they would handle it. For me, it probably wouldnt be worth the emotional energy (and possible fallout at future play dates) to stage a formal breakup with a casual acquaintance. I remember once, I was flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and I had an aisle seat. Plane Passenger Says Seatmate Kept 'Mumbling Profanities' After A New York woman who was on a flight recently said she was asked by a young family sitting across the aisle from her if she would swap her aisle seat meaning, If I was asked to switch, I would do it if it was an equal seat, ie, aisle, not right by the bathroom. Was I Wrong? The reader submitting the question wrote: I am an organized person. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 views, Audrey Peters toasts the camera with a glass of fizz.. I happily switched when they offered to move me to first class! I had a situation a few years ago when the plane was full except for the middle seat next to me and the seat directly behind it and we were all waiting for the doors to close. NOW, if the airlines want to offer an upgrade OR an incentive to accommodate someone who is whining to the flight attendants, I MAY consider such an offer, but more than likely not. Needless to say, she walked away defeated and I kept my seat. It leaves the door open for them to propose something different that still satisfies my requirement; if a family is trying to do seat-Tetris to sit together, maybe that information helps them. | doubt the flight attendants even think about this what I call flight attendant gender targeting. After all its a short flight. When I meet new people, they often apologize on behalf of Minnesota (Sorry about the winters! as if I didnt know it was cold here before I came) or express shock that I chose to move (I would love to live in Denver!). In the video, which has received 1 million views, the influencer appears to be sitting on a plane as she raises a glass in the air while an on-screen caption reads, "When a family asks me to switch seats on a plane so they can sit together. They asked. Travellers response to familys mid-flight request sparks furious When I was an armed federal officer on the flight (plain clothes), I could not switch seats. On flights, seatmates (strangers near my seat) have asked me to swap my aisle seat (reserved in advance, sometimes paid for), usually to my disadvantage as their seat has some snag (dirtier, narrower, too close to lavatory). Johnny Jet does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. Another commented: 'Bro I'm sick of people asking to switch seats. But this spurs more questions, or silent but detectable hostility and scowling from some of these rejected seatmates. Peters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ", With more than 9,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, the passenger explained: "I traveled home today from Greece. Across TikTok, the audio in the video has been used by many to discuss the experience of being asked to look after or pander to the needs of another person's kids. tactfully refuse to switch seats Also, our wedding is taking place across the country, and including this man in wedding events over several days doesnt sit right with me. 'You Are Truly Heartless': Man Refused to Swap Seats with a An influencer who said she refused to move seats on a plane so a family could sit together is being met with a wave of support from viewers who said they thought she's completely in the right. AITA: Refusing to change seats with newly weds But does the person who first requested a seat swap approve? I would also get on the plane early and ask the passenger before they got settled in. After reading these posts, maybe next time I wont move:). I dont know why they let her stay on the plane as she caused problems before we left and for several hours during the flight. If this verbal deception doesn't sit comfortably with your personal moral code then you could infer non-specific discomfort with the request by gripping the seat arms and giving a shake of the head with an ashen look on your face. Many passengers are downright with their refusal | Photo: Pexels/athena, SEAT SWAPS BEFORE TAKEOFF CAN BE RISKY, CLAIMS PILOT. Bumping & Oversales | US Department of Transportation Terms apply. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. I am not sure I understand: they want you to take their worse seat (dirty, middle or whatever), just like that? Arleen's video sparked a number of duets and stitches from users who shared their own stories about people they have seen refusing to move seats on a flight.. One user called @lizarddame shared a story on January 15 about traveling with a I like it here. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Re: Seat Switch Refusal-Part 2 (or 3) u got to hold your ground, rise above the nastiness and get into your zen zone. refusing Not really. I am sorry but I am just as important as you are. I think its a tough call. (Edit in response to @M.Mat) And you can conclude the whole interaction by offering to help: "I understand your need to find a different seat; I'm sorry I can't help you with this. @Tim I think that may be cultural, I grew up in a culture where the sympathy meaning of sorry is far more emphasised than the personal responsibility meaning, so that may have shaped my view. You have to sit next to someone? A holidaying couple has been commended for refusing to bow to pressure from another passenger who asked them to switch seats so her young daughter, who is Twice. Was I Wrong? Imagine being called heartless and cussed for not switching your seats with a mother who wants to sit with her kid in a long-haul flight. It only takes a minute to sign up. Shockingly, the crew never intervened in Wolfsons matter both the times until she sued them. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. But with Southwest, there are no seat assignments, I would gladly switch if the airlines priced all seats the same like they used to but am not giving up a AA PREFERRED MAIN CABIN SEAT that I either paid extra for or got thru my loyalty to AA. This approach communicates that I have a specific preference (that I arranged for). It has been a But Im not going from an exit row or bulkhead seat I paid for just because someone wants to sit next to their special someone. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. Another said: People dont realise that airlines make changes to seats you paid and booked for, months in advance., While one added: The airline separates families all the time even though you book well in advance happened to me..