A viral social media post has sparked a heated debate over airplane etiquette and personal boundaries after a passenger admitted refusing to give up an aisle seat when another passenger asked for it.
Posted on the “r/ AITAH” forum on Reddit, the note was titled, “I won’t give up my aisle seat on a 15-hour flight for an elderly woman with mobility issues.”
The user said that he or she was “sitting in the aisle seat in the middle section. Next to me was an older lady, maybe in her 60s “- and the woman stood up.
“A few minutes later, she came back with a flight attendant and asked if I could switch seats with her because she had ‘mobility issues.’
The Reddit user said that in the seat next to the woman’s original seat was a heavy passenger who was spilling into the space.
Assuming the elderly woman would have a pre-assigned seat if she had mobility issues, the user refused to switch seats, as it appeared the woman simply wanted to switch so she wouldn’t have to sit next to a taller passenger. big.
Fox News Digital reached out to the original Reddit poster for comment.
The refusal to “swap seats” left people divided online, with some defending the passenger’s decision and others expressing concern for the elderly woman.
“She knew him [had] mobility issues and CHOOSE not to book a seat that was comfortable for her and thought she would just force someone else out of their assigned seats,” one user commented.
Another added, “She just didn’t want to sit next to her friend in the middle [seat]. Especially if she is offered another path and refuses.”
“I need to book two seats or fly first class because I have a big frame – the old lady can do the same, she was just free and trying to take your seat,” one user commented.
One person suggested: “Just look the flight attendant in the eye. Smile politely. And say, ‘I’ll switch seats if my option is business class or higher.’
“Former cabin crew here: People with reduced mobility are usually supposed to sit down [at] a window seat for safety reasons,” claimed one user.
The same user added: “In the event of an emergency, they are the last to exit the aircraft to ensure the vast majority of passengers are safely evacuated.”
Another person wrote, “Making her climb around you to get out — It might have looked [there was] a lot of room, but as we age our balance and reflexes diminish.”
“Airlines should have a policy where they don’t ask people to change seats for others,” said one user.
The flight passenger updated the post, indicating that the woman in question was given an alternative by the flight attendant.
“The flight attendant offered her an aisle seat after I refused to move, but she wanted the extra legroom in the bulkhead row and declined the alternative row seat offer,” the poster read.
California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital that “nobody has an obligation to change their seat.”
“The person making the request has no right to wait [this]or make a scene when they don’t make it,” Randall said.
Randall said making a polite request to switch seats is fine, although it can irritate other passengers.
She suggested some better ways to file the claim.
“Consider this: you might have better luck if a flight attendant makes the announcement or can offer to buy them a drink or two, pay for airline extras, pay them cash/transfer funds ,” Randall suggested.
Randall said there may be some circumstances in which it would be a minor inconvenience to switch.
“It’s a short flight, you can find a similar seat in another row, or someone would be an upgrade from the passenger. [you’re currently] sitting by,” said Randall.
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