I also think that anyone should realize that switching seats may be against the contract of carriage, airline rules, or country-specific regulations. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. A man asked if he was in the wrong to ask a fellow airline passenger to switch seats with him so he could sit by his wife. Attempting to interfere with the duties of a flight crew member. Dont forget to do the same if youre found in this situation! 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. Many said they were fed up with passengers attempting to switch seats. A handful of people who commented on the post said they were parents themselves. I like this seat just fine." There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. First, when I was traveling in my USAF uniform, they asked if I would be interested in moving to first class and travel with an unaccompanied minor. It really edges on entitlement in my book for families coming onboard and somehow feeling theyve earn the right to seat privileges, disturbing other passengers and peer pressuring them into giving up their seat. Finally, the elderly lady said she would just sit elsewhere. Keep in mind, though, that his sister may be very important to him. Four passengers seated themselves forward from their assigned seats before takeoff. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 60,000 points bonus, 3x points on dining, $50 annual hotel credit. The 25-year-old said a stranger had asked her to move to a middle seat - leaving her laughing over the unfair request. So far so good. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. However, in one case the couple wanted to keep their seats (their choice) and I spent the entire flight between them. "You don't ask someone to downgrade for your convenience," said one top comment with 46,000 likes. Because I am handicapped, I paid the difference and chose the Main Cabin rate to be a little more comfortable. It was funny at first. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. I suspect that the answer is "no". With a packed flight you get what you get. for long transcontinental or international flights. However, Mr Kloss was still Don't give them any information they don't need to know - and the only thing they need to know is that you cannot help them resolve their problem. 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. OK, this wasn't tactful, but this was a time not to be tactful. But after some firm words, she gave in and sat down, with the husband apologizing. I certainly wasnt happy with that situation, particularly because I had paid extra for my original seat. All others should just settle in and endure. Hundreds of commenters said they agreed with her decision and would have done the same. 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 personally hate travelings so I spent a bit more money to be closer.". So it is an aisle seat or business class or better. Book the right seat first.' I was very upset but it was too late to complain. Other people can do so as well. The pilot and flight crew needed to know where I was in the event of an emergency. I am not giving up my seat I paid $82.00 for. Shall I press the call button so they can help you?". I indicated if I switched seats with the elderly lady she would not be sitting next to her husband. The lady in that seat was moved one row back. In a TikTok post which has now garnered more than 900,000 views, Audrey Peters toasts the camera with a glass of fizz.. Its happened far too many times for it to be a coincidence. The business practice of bumping is not illegal. In this case, my response to "why?" Now, none of this obliges you to change seats. say instead "Thank you for. Some readers will correctly object that flight attendants are too harried on today's crowded flights to do much seat-rearranging. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. I really enjoy the views. Sometimes, aircraft swaps are beyond your control | Photo: Pixabay/tstrong20. 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. 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. What video game is Charlie playing in Poker Face S01E07? 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. "Can I call the flight attendant? Another revealed: My parents purposely booked my whole family apart so we couldnt fight., One suggested: As a mum, I fully agree. I politely declined. I cannot help you, but perhaps one of the attendants can. Use this approach only if you're willing to move to a different aisle/window/front/whatever seat if they find you one. They'd still all be together," said one commenter. This puts the interaction on a positive footing. How can I refuse tactfully, without causing this bitterness? You werent wrong to politely refuse a request to move. Can you explain this part? Shockingly, the crew never intervened in Wolfsons matter both the times until she sued them. As we finalized our guest list, it was obvious to me that his single sister would not get a plus one for the wedding. I will only change from one aisle to another aisle in Economy Plus. While the base action is the same as other suggestions - saying no and calling the attendant if pressured - the wording is designed to give them no way to argue with you, and immediately tells them what will happen if they continue to pressure you. I am not moving. Another commented: 'Bro I'm sick of people asking to switch seats. I think it's safer to phrase this as "Have you tried asking a flight attendant whether they can accommodate your needs?" Re: Seat Switch Refusal-Part 2 (or 3) u got to hold your ground, rise above the nastiness and get into your zen zone. If they do, book early and pick your seats like I do. For more engaging lifestyle content, visit 7Life on Facebook. 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. Ideally, the passenger with a pressing, real need (not just a want) for a seat If I was asked to switch, I would do it if it was an equal seat, ie, aisle, not right by the bathroom. (I consider this a harmless lie. But I digress. And if there were none left, they could have called the airline and figured it out ahead of time. Several passengers made nasty comments. Some people realize the seat isnt for them after booking in advance and mostly walk to someone in the aisle seat requesting an exchange. News.com.au ran a poll asking whether the passenger whom Aussie man Jay Kloss asked to switch seats with should have given it up and a massive 83 percent of We asked why and were told we were in the wrong seats. The worst part was that her boyfriend, who could have doubled for The Rock, was waiting for her at the gate when we arrived. 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. One positive story and one crazy one. 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. "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.". "I'm sorry you were not assigned the seat you needed. My husband and I were seated in a 2X2 first class section, all settled in. You could claim that you chose your seat due to it being your favourite/lucky number. But would you trade your comfort for someone who wants to sit with their kid? Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? But for others, no. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! I made friends with a woman whom I see at my kids play dates and in the park. Its an added advantage to passengers, especially if the flight is considerably long and tiring. as well as other partner offers and accept our. One time we were traveling internationally and a woman wanted my window seat. She would be sitting next to my husband. 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. There have been times when our flight was cancelled or missed a connection and there werent seats together. The man asked another male passenger to swap seats with Wolfson. I wouldnt be doing my job, though, if I didnt encourage you to empathize with the parents. Basic economy states exactly that issue if you want to save a few bucks and not pay for the seats. Generally, you are entitled to sit in the seat that you paid for the one that is printed on your boarding pass. 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. How can I tactfully refuse to switch seats on flights? 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!). I had settled into my aisle seat. Perhaps they might be able to accommodate your needs.". Unless theres a very good reason I will not switch and even then only to an aisle seat. Like S. Kincaid, I am an older woman as well. Never again. Shortly before take off three flight attendants showed up, called my name and when I identified myself I was LITERALLY pulled off my seat by my arm and given a new boarding pass. But you reserved THAT seat, in advance, and may have paid more for it. To be fair, sometimes when you book with points for example, you cannot book the entire family together at the same time, one explained. It doesn't work on everyone, but it's been surprisingly effective for me. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom not that I have to justify myself. The second step is to listen to their reason for wanting to move (usually this will be given when someone makes such a request). | Photo: Amomama, I PAID FOR THAT EXTRA LEGROOM & IM NOT MOVING. I would say "Sorry, but I specifically booked this seat because { characteristics which made you pick that seat}". 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. If you disagree, downvote or write your own answer. There were, however, a few people who sided with Mr Kloss. How can I find out which sectors are used by files on NTFS? Paying extra didnt count for Jack!!! I have read similar columns like this one. ", With more than 9,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, the passenger explained: "I traveled home today from Greece. I wouldnt be doing my job, though, if I didnt encourage you to empathize with the parents. 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. 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 You have to sit next to someone? We will not stop that. An influencer has been applauded for refusing to swap seats on a flight so a family could sit together.. 80,000 points bonus, 5x points on select travel. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? Plus, 3x points on gas and $100 annual hotel savings. 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 Twice. My moving would allow them to sit together. 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.