@LyndonWhite "Asking" implies that they are making a request of me - one that I am free to either accept or refuse. Some people realize the seat isnt for them after booking in advance and mostly walk to someone in the aisle seat requesting an exchange. For a family with a small child, I would seriously consider moving as a courtesy, however since the airlines are all charging you in some way if you want a good seat, they should compensate you for that. refusing to switch airplane seats travel.stackexchange.com/questions/48775/, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. In the end, she switched places to avoid any delay to the flight. And I, as well, really dont care how adorable your kids are. I do not give up my assigned seat. 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. I was placed across the aisle. In most cases folks are pretty understanding. ", 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. 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. The flight was roughly ten hours and around this time of year, it's extremely hectic. 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. When Ive seen elderly couples board late and be likely to be separated, Ive offered without being asked. Make it clear that you are not up for argument. 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. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Tone is important the aim is to sound firm, but not irritated by the request. Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences, The 7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane, According to a Flight Attendant. I do not know what exactly was going on, but I do not think it appropriate to ask a passenger to give up his/her seat and really not appropriate to get a pilot to ask. would be "I do not wish to change" or "I reserved this seat" or (again) "This seat is just fine". I traveled from Boston to Key West with three kids between 6 and 10, and we were not seated together. 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? WebIn the caption under a video posted Tuesday, Audrey Peters, a 25-year-old influencer from Miami with 653,000 TikTok followers, said she refused to give up her assigned seat on a flight for a middle seat when asked to by a group of passengers. Despite feeling inconvenienced, some people agree to switch places in exchange for another comfortable seat. So it is an aisle seat or business class or better. Several passengers made nasty comments. Melanie Wolfson paid for an aisle seat but was shocked to find two men in the window and middle seats. Some people will be bad tempered about having their request declined, however polite, however reasonable you are, and however good your reasons for declining. I suspect that the answer is "no". One guy downright refused to swap his seat with a mother who didnt stop condemning him. tactfully refuse to switch seats WebAnswer (1 of 4): You are under no obligation to switch seats if asked. Answer politely and succinctly, give reasons, but don't belabor them. Seats The turbulence was wicked on descent and she not only held my hand but she dug her nails into my arm. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Stock photo of passengers on a crowded airplane. Videos about seat switching continue to stir controversy and debate on TikTok. Unless they make a convincing appeal for why they really need my seat, I say something like "sorry, but I specifically reserved {an aisle seat, a window seat, a seat in the front of the plane, etc}". It was funny at first. For the world, for that matter. An influencer said she refused to swap seats on a plane so a family could sit together. 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. Any number of passengers could have done so to accommodate those families. I always pick a right-side aisle seat for the ease of mobilityso I wont have to inconvenience the other 2 passengers if and when Mother Nature calls. Tim Nickerson has learned just how aggressive the commandeering of seats can be. refuse to switch Id be like well, See ya in arrivals, one mum said. He ignored her and looked at the guy at the window in the same row. If I was younger and with no brace, I would consider swapping. Since it's somewhat unclear, I want to clarify the tone I aim to set: The intention is to show them I am assuming they have good intentions, not to be patronizing or sarcastic. OR your ESA (emotional support animal). Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? But does the person who first requested a seat swap approve? When Garg refused to switch seats, her seatmate began 'muttering profanities' about her for the duration of the flight. Credit: Audrey Peters. Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. They should have had the crew member move out of that premium seat and let either me or this guy sit there. refuses UPDATED: Heres some good insight from a reader, which will make you think twice about giving anyone attitude for saying no. I was very upset but it was too late to complain. My code is GPL licensed, can I issue a license to have my code be distributed in a specific MIT licensed project? While another reply said: "People need to learn to take the first no graciously. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Talk to the flight attendant if you don't like your seat. 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. Justin Kase zsixz / Alamy Stock Photo. To be fair, sometimes when you book with points for example, you cannot book the entire family together at the same time, one explained. Yes, its a tough situation with all the traveling Dynamics but I think youre within your rights to want to keep the seat that you have unless theres not an upgrade or a reasonable alternative or similar seat available. refuses to switch A man sparked a debate amongst passengers after refusing to move from his seat on a 10-hour flight for a mum and a baby - but he paid extra for his seat that had extra legroom Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. 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. Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. At the last second, two young women came on board and were frustrated that they had middle seats and not together, so the one next to me said Why dont you go back there and take her seat so she and I can sit together? as if it was expected that I would just jump up and do that. So, I politely refused. @LisaMM Here was a young woman asking a much older woman to take a much less desirable sear so that it would be easier for her (the younger woman) to work on her computer. Just let it be part of your calculation. Terms apply. Travellers response to easy request from Aussie airline passenger sparks raging debate, Passengers very weird act during three-hour flight leaves traveller shocked, Aussie traveller furious after passenger refuses to switch seats with him, Never felt uglier: Why experts fear new TikTok filter could spark mental health crisis, How a girls weekend saved Aussie lawyers life after strange feeling leads to shock diagnosis, Viewers done with living in Australia after battle with Huntsman spider caught on camera, Just 11 minutes of daily exercise could have a positive impact on your health, study shows, Mum makes horrifying discovery about super nice babysitter after hiding GoPro in house, This week in news: 27 February to 3 March, Behind the scenes at our Ute of the Year mega test, Podcast: Cayenne Turbo GT, Jolion S reviews. Instead simply express your unwillingness to move e.g. And generally a worse seat is not a gift I want. This is a powerful position to take. The same happened to the lady beside me. It doesn't work on everyone, but it's been surprisingly effective for me. I had settled into my aisle seat. WebAfter her video went viral, it reignited a plane etiquette debate that keeps blowing up on TikTok. Its an added advantage to passengers, especially if the flight is considerably long and tiring. I dislike the implication that taller travellers automatically deserve the more comfortable seats. Are you willing to pay me X dollars for me to give up a seat I paid extra for? (Added note: X dollars can be more than you paid, if you want to do so.). Usually I would switch, it depends on the situation. My moving would allow them to sit together. I book my travel well in advance and select my seat at the same time. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. 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 Read a book. Was boarding my flight when a teenage girl was siting in my aisle seat to sit next to her friend in the middle seat. If you disagree, downvote or write your own answer. A cabin crew member explained her thoughts on this, saying: Most airlines make people pay upwards of 50 extra bucks to sit in those seats and charge them when they book the ticket. Now I couldnt disclose that at the time of the request and had to decline. Passenger Praised (And I Praise Him Too) For Refusing To Change His Seat For Rude Family. The caption when a family asks me to switch seats on the plane so they can sit together, followed by a raised If you truly do not wish to, you can simply look at the person, smile, and say, Im sorry, but I specifically chose From what I've seen, last-minute requests to change seats are usually because of factors beyond the person's control, like a family got rebooked after their original flight was canceled. Influencer applauded for refusing to swap seats so family can sit The window seat was occupied, but the center seat was open. A stewardess with an elderly lady came to us and asked to check our boarding passes. seat switch Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. But I didnt want to move! However, Mr Kloss was still Other people can do so as well. 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 Can airtags be tracked from an iMac desktop, with no iPhone? Have you been in a similar situation where someone requested you to switch places on a flight? Many said they were fed up with passengers attempting to switch seats. These sorts of comments inevitably lead to arguments. They can even offer you a reason to switch. Its totally up to you to decide. rev2023.3.3.43278. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. A COUPLE have sparked debate after they asked to move seats during a flight - only for a passenger to refuse. I, too, book my flights way in advance and always get to the airport early. Thanks for reading! I cant stand people like this if it was their honeymoon, they likely booked way in advance and just didnt take the extra 60 seconds to find seats together. Sadly, it will not be the last compromise you two have to reach. 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. Unfortunately it was an uncomfortable flight since he could barely fit in his seat. You are allowed to be as old-fashioned as you and your fianc agree to be. Don't give them even an inch. Finally, the elderly lady said she would just sit elsewhere. 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. So I dont have any sympathy. WebNTA. No, thank you. 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. How can I politely refuse to help classmates with their work? 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). Also, it doesnt matter if you paid extra or chose the most appealing freebie seat, the seat allotment printed on your boarding pass belongs only to you. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. But cant control cancellations and sh**** rebooking. Like S. Kincaid, I am an older woman as well. OK, this wasn't tactful, but this was a time not to be tactful. In this case, my response to "why?" What video game is Charlie playing in Poker Face S01E07? Its best to put others before yourself, despite what some others may think. How can I tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights? Ideally, the passenger with a pressing, real need (not just a want) for a seat 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. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek. Should you ask to switch seats? The great airplane debate. - The Terms apply. 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. We handed over our boarding passes, which she kept (!). His sister occasionally brings a male friend to family events, and they engage in public displays of affection that are awkward for everyone. I hope you are able to have this situation resolved.". For example I am generally happy to swap seats if it helps someone out, but also have no inhibition against asking someone for a swap if it means I can be closer to a friend of family member (sometimes booking seats together just doesn't quite work out for one reason or another). Requests to change seats should be made to the flight attendant not to the passenger. Except, of course, your actual reason for calling an attendant is because they are being insistent and you would need help to make them stop @a3nm "for you". 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. Audrey Peters has ignited a furious airline etiquette debate after she refused to swap seats for a family to sit together. The fares were $531.00 for a Basic Economy seat and $688.00 for a Main Cabin seat a price difference of $157.00. Her husband was seated some rows behind. If you are someone trying to get a fellow passenger to switch seats, then make sure you have something to bargain with and if you dont, cash helps. But for others, no. 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 Why say you're sorry? say instead "Thank you for. I had booked a flight and paid for my seat on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt for August 31, 2022. Or I would switch if I was offered a better seat biz or first, or more legroom. (Lets put aside rules about emergency exit rows and other No Im not switching for a middle seat. The 25-year-old said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. A passenger's story about refusing to switch plane seats with a For instance, another Redditor faced a similar scenario where a parent tried negotiating a seat trade so that her son got the window seat to look outside. ALWAYS ask for your money back if you dont get the seat you PAID for. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. AITA: Refusing to change seats with newly weds refusing to switch They asked the netizen if they could change seats with them, to which they politely refused, while also giving them a couple of reasons why. seat switch It's an unspoken rule when it comes to seat swaps | Photo: Unsplash/chrisbrignola. This is what the family of the elderly lady (see below) probably did. I am 80+ years old and have a brace on my left leg. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Travellers unfair seat swap request. It may seem impolite to downright refuse a parents request to sit next to their child, but others would consider it rude to even ask in the first place. A polite decline will leave you in the seat you reserved. I am not sure I understand: they want you to take their worse seat (dirty, middle or whatever), just like that? He asked if I would sit in the middle so he could have the aisle since he was anxious about flying. Ideally, the passenger with a pressing, real need (not just a want) for a seat change thinks ahead and discusses his problem with the agents at the desk in the boarding area, who can alert the cabin crew. In a similar incident in 2020, Wolfson faced the same dilemma during her flight to London. "[He] said that 'she hates traveling, but giving her the seat would've made things easier in the end,'" explained the poster. Commenters said under Peters' video that they would have done the same thing if they were in her position, adding that they didn't think passengers should ever feel pressured to move from the seat they booked, especially when they're not being offered better seat. Typically, people are even willing to pressurize co-passengers for swapping out their aisle seat for a window or vice versa. I like this seat just fine." 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. If you have a similar dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. Just let it be part of your calculation., RELATED: Worst Seatmate Ever: Frequent Flyers Reveal Their Worst Experiences. The New York Times recently featured a story titled: I Refused to Switch Seats on a Plane. Either give me the money or book earlier. 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, For instance, a woman was asked to switch seats owing to ultra-Orthodox beliefs. How Hard Is It to Get the American Express Platinum Card? She would be sitting next to my husband. Rudy Dong/Unsplash. Once someone puts their bag in the overhead space, wipes down their seat and puts their stuff in the seatback pocket (not that you want to do the latter since its filled with germs), its more of a hassle for them to switch. ), then I would almost always move, except to a location one poster mentioned abovenear the bathroom. My husband and I were seated in a 2X2 first class section, all settled in. Your frustration mid-flight wouldve hardly started until you hear a screaming kid near your seat. After reading these posts, maybe next time I wont move:). 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..