Beginners Guide to Credit Card Points & Miles, Booking Tool for Flights, Hotels, Cruises and Cars. Ive changed with families but it was always to another aisle and it kept me from sitting next to some small children! Thanks for reading! 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. Many passengers are downright with their refusal | Photo: Pexels/athena, SEAT SWAPS BEFORE TAKEOFF CAN BE RISKY, CLAIMS PILOT. Unless theres a very good reason I will not switch and even then only to an aisle seat. 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. I would say "Sorry, but I specifically booked this seat because { characteristics which made you pick that seat}". Its best to put others before yourself, despite what some others may think. Her video has been viewed more than 840,000 times - with a majority of people applauding her for refusing to switch seats. I trust that most fellow-flyers will then be sympathetic enough to withdraw from the confrontation. If they persist, maintaining that they are graciously offering to trade but you must decline as you're fine where you are. Of course, I agreed. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. I suspect that the answer is "no". It's the same as leading with "thank you for your patience" tends to make people more patient, or telling a child you've just met about how well-behaved you've heard they are. And upon refusal, theyre mostly treated differently and are often lashed at for no reason. 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! Avoid continuing the argument unless you are willing to be persuaded/come to a compromise. I was very upset but it was too late to complain. 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. A passenger on Virgin Australia airlines started a debate over airplane etiquette after a man said no to swapping seats so he could sit next to his wife. 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 But after some firm words, she gave in and sat down, with the husband apologizing. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. A handful of people who commented on the post said they were parents themselves. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. Im happy to be cordial when I see her, but she isnt taking the hint when I respond to her invitations by saying Im busy. They keep coming. They asked. But when this passenger refused to move, the family was not pleased: "The woman said that I was being an a**hole and should just give up my seat so she could sit with her husband and kids. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. Its totally up to you to decide. 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 Needless to say, she walked away defeated and I kept my seat. These sorts of comments inevitably lead to arguments. The passenger said the woman continued to "make a scene" and call him out in front of other passengers. In a similar incident in 2020, Wolfson faced the same dilemma during her flight to London. However, in one case the couple wanted to keep their seats (their choice) and I spent the entire flight between them. If someone wants to take a chunk of their life to be mad at a perfect stranger who is being polite, that's their problem, not yours. I would simply never ask. (Maybe its all three!) I am sorry but I am just as important as you are. Don't take it personally, just feel slightly sorry for them ( their attitude is only hurting themselves) as you pick up your book, put on your headphones or do whatever it is you like to do to get ready for a long journey. 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. ALWAYS ask for your money back if you dont get the seat you PAID for. Terms apply. Even on Southwest, this has happened when I had early boarding because I paid extra or checked in literally at 24 hours before and the C boarding category folks get pushy demanding that I move 15 rows to the back of the plane kind of thing. Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin? Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. 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. Im so sick of people thinking its ok to disrupt someone for their lack of planning, one said. The U.S. Transportation Department issued a notice to airlines in July urging them to do everything in their power to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger (I consider this a harmless lie. Our wedding is approaching. Book your flights earlier babes. Audrey Peters has ignited a furious airline etiquette debate after she refused to swap seats for a family to sit together. Make it clear that you are not up for argument. lve resigned myself to expect it for its predictability, and I do feel a little miffed when Im picked again because of my advanced planning, but I just move. Man refuses to swap plane seats for a mother and her baby because he paid extra to sit there 2 Passenger with no experience lands private plane after pilot incapacitated Palm Beach International Airport/Live ATC Recordings There have been times when our flight was cancelled or missed a connection and there werent seats together. Because I am handicapped, I paid the difference and chose the Main Cabin rate to be a little more comfortable. Book your flights earlier babes.. On planes, the best seat is in the eye of the beholder. Otherwise no dice., While one recalled: So funny people are like this. Am I being old-fashioned? ", Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture Credit Card Review 2023, The Best Travel Credit Cards For February 2023, Chase Sapphire Preferred Review 2023 60,000 Bonus Points, Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits and Perks 5 Reasons I Love Mine, 9 Best Credit Cards For Excellent Credit in 2023, The Best Chase Credit Cards For Rewards In February 2023. Seating arrangements in planes are first-come, first-served, and in some cases, youd get some added perks like extra legroom. ??? I was also asked by a mother to switch seats. 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! 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. One of the male passengers climbed over the seats to avoid any physical contact with her. 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. Anyone can read what you share. If the request does not come from a flight attendant, just say. The worst part was that her boyfriend, who could have doubled for The Rock, was waiting for her at the gate when we arrived. How can I refuse to kiss my mother while minimizing the hurt feelings? Tone is important the aim is to sound firm, but not irritated by the request. 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. However if their request is reasonable (i.e. So Ill reemphasize not to get made at the person who refuses. I really enjoy the views. Why say you're sorry? My moving would allow them to sit together. There were several conversations between the young woman, the lady next to her trying her best to sit in the seat she was assigned and the stewards, including the head steward from first class and the co-pilot. He asked if I would sit in the middle so he could have the aisle since he was anxious about flying. Nap. Her seat was an aisle seat two rows behind my husband. Peters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. That doesn't obligate me to sit in a less-comfortable seat by other criteria. A couple embarking on their honeymoon failed to book seats together on the plane ride. Bumping, also known as denied boarding, happens when there are more passengers scheduled to fly on an airplane than available seats. "Sorry, but I just didn't like moving from my chosen seat once I am settled". Though some people can vaguely guess their request for a seat exchange would be turned down, they keep trying. (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other special circumstances.) Probably because I was by myself at the window she asked the steward if I would move so she and her BF could sit together. Its not fair for flight attendants to move or let people move to these seats when one or more paid extra to sit there.. Friedman later said another reason she did not want to move seats was that she had a disability, which led more commenters to take her side in the debate on flight etiquette that her video created. 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. 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. Obviously if the other person is way taller than you, give her the seat ;). The New York Times recently featured a story titled: I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. Others shared complaints about negative experiences they'd had on flights when parents asked them to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of a child's. Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. 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? A COUPLE have sparked debate after they asked to move seats during a flight - only for a passenger to refuse. But you reserved THAT seat, in advance, and may have paid more for it. Twice. Was I Wrong? Or I would switch if I was offered a better seat biz or first, or more legroom. It's been my experience that when people want a reason, it's to argue. Now, its getting annoying. If they do, book early and pick your seats like I do. You're probably not, as if you were. Book the right seat first.' 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.. It was usually an individual request. My mum literally ditched us when her seat got upgraded to first class.. I am 75 and mildly handicapped (cerebral palsy mild) and mildly arthritic. Personally, Im a softy for switching where children are involved, and less so for adults (if I have a great seat). You will never be T A for refusing to switch seats. Don't suggest you have a preference or specific need. It turned out that the gentlemen beside me now was her husband. The fares were $531.00 for a Basic Economy seat and $688.00 for a Main Cabin seat a price difference of $157.00. Have you been in a similar situation where someone requested you to switch places on a flight? I acknowledge that this avoidance tactic is perhaps the bottom of the barrel with regard to interpersonal skills! The second step is to listen to their reason for wanting to move (usually this will be given when someone makes such a request). 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. Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Johnny Jet receives compensation. I will never take a window seat in an exchange unless its in first class. 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. 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? Twice. Obviously, there are a lot of variables involved. I politely said no, that I was comfortable where I was, but she became disrespectful and wouldnt let up even after the plane had taken off and the pilot had turned off the seatbelt sign. @LyndonWhite "Asking" implies that they are making a request of me - one that I am free to either accept or refuse. This approach communicates that I have a specific preference (that I arranged for). 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. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 However, Mr Kloss was still Read a book. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider