Giving up Seat on a Flight

Rizzy on 23/04/2017 - 18:17

Ozbargainers,

I was flying to Melbourne for a little holiday today and there was a kid sitting in the window seat in one of the aisles. The bloke who bought/reserved that seat came and made the kid's mum move him so he could sit in his seat.

I used my VFF points once to fly business in the window seat (1A) and the guy next to me (1B) asked if I would swap with his partner in (1C). I like window seats and I always make an effort to reserve window seats. Anyways I told the guy, I'd swap after take off - which I did. No biggy. I let him hold his partners hand throughout the whole flight. Not all heroes wear capes :P

My question is, what would you do if someone asked you if you could change/swap seats and if anyone has a smart/not too rude reply to say no I like my seat - bugger off.

Travel

Comments

    • Rizzy on 23/04/2017 - 23:29
      +4

      Agree. I prefer the window seats for the view and personal space - I get to rest my head on the internal "wall" to sleep. No need to worry about smashed elbows and knees.

      • chartparker on 25/04/2017 - 10:15
        +12

        I used to love the window seat when I was younger. These days though I prefer to have ready access to being able to stand up and stretch my legs, easier access to the amenities and quicker exit from the plane :P Long live the aisle seat!

        • rodinthink on 26/04/2017 - 12:34

          But you have to move out if one of couple people inside your seat want to move out , so thats one of more inconveience

        • chartparker on 26/04/2017 - 18:46
          +1

          @rodinthink: I actually prefer that - it forces me to stand up and stretch my legs (sometimes it's actually a great excuse cos I feel a bit awkward being that guys that just randomly stands up to stretch all the time)

        • thefud on 27/04/2017 - 18:03

          With regard to your quick exit, Can anyone explain where the etiquette came from which lets all of those sitting in the rows in front get their handbag and exit, disregarding those who got up as soon as the belt light came off? There is an unwritten rule. I take advantage of it by just chilling till those two rows ahead have got out.

          We recently had coaches replace our train line for a couple of weeks and not once did anyone who jumped up early let anyone sitting waiting exit. They cleared the aisle first.

    • SirFlibbled on 24/04/2017 - 15:07
      +4

      People taking my seat happens a lot, particularly in Asia. I'm tall and big so always book the aisle side exit row so the person next to me isn't too close.

      At the end of a trip to Vietnam though, I was at the end of my rope where I had to kick people out of my seat 7 times out of 8 flights (one was in business class). I stopped being polite about it.

      • XCOM v2 on 26/04/2017 - 00:04
        +1

        7 flights out of 8 people sat in your seat? insane

        • jlogic on 28/04/2017 - 00:04

          Thats Asia for you… no manners most of the time. Once I held a door open for two ladies and I got a dirty look. Second I expected someone to hold the door open… nopes slam right back at me.

          Glad I live here sometimes… just the simple polite gesture can really go a long way.

          Also I couldn't get why people spit so much there!!!

      • payless69 on 26/04/2017 - 08:29
        +2

        been to Vietnam, being considerate is not something they ever learn over there

    • raging on 25/04/2017 - 10:46
      +2

      Infant? Sounds like you Dodged a bullet. I have 2 kids myself and pity any fool that has to sit next to us.

  • jace88 on 23/04/2017 - 20:41
    +7

    In all honesty, if I've had to pay to reserve a specific seat, I'm unlikely to give it up unless there's a REALLY good reason (eg parent to be with their child).

    • Kangal on 25/04/2017 - 11:44
      +10

      I once paid an extra $15 (domestic) to reseve a seat… front line, window side.
      I normally get to the flights early, but don't bother to line up as everyone is essentially hurrying to get to the same place.
      So I was one of the last to enter the cabin.

      When I boarded, my seat was taken by a row of religious people who hadn't reserved any arranged seating.
      And I was told by the hostess that I would have to find another seat because the hostess didn't want to "disturb" them.
      Was made to sit 2/3 at the back, in the middle of 2 chubby men.

      What a neat JetStar service!

      (PS midflight I asked if I can get $20 worth of drinks, but was told no. Said I was entitled to a $15 coupon, that expires in 30 days, for my next trip if I was patient and waited 20 minutes for a manager at the check-in section for them to organise)

      • branners on 25/04/2017 - 17:48
        +23

        A similar thing happened to me on a flight.
        I had paid a premium for an exit row and I was in no rush to board, and my seat was taken when I got there. When the hostess told me I would have to get another seat, I asked to see the Cabin Services Manager — and when he arrived, I showed him my reservation printout. He was reluctant to move the wrongly seated person (and I have no idea why) but I made sure that I made my case (politely) at a volume level at which the other passenger would hear me, and be embarrassed in front of the other passengers.
        In the end, I asked the other guy which seat he was supposed to be in, and he reluctantly moved.
        It's not great that you have to pay more for an exit row seat — but if I do, I damn well want to sit there.

        • xoom on 25/04/2017 - 18:58
          +4

          well thats just it. you paid extra therefore its your seat. there is a reason for allocated seating. is it seriously that hard for people to comprehend this?

          now i do understand for families travelling together to be seated close to or together and im understanding of that. however they still have to be polite and civil when asking to be moved closer to each other.

          if its first come first serve. you come early you get to choose your seat then i can understand.

          however when seats are allocated seat in your allocated seat. if the plane is not full then ask if you could move later when the plane is airbourne.

        • BanannaMan on 26/04/2017 - 10:50
          +1

          I totally would have made a scene and have gladly told the person to move in a firm manner
          It's the principle

      • ChickenTalon on 26/04/2017 - 11:26
        +1

        huh? why didn't you disturb them yourself? I would have done that before I even thought about moving down the back of the plane. Happened to me a few times. I just say, "can I please see your boarding pass, this is seat XX"

        One time it caused a chain reaction and 4 people ended up moving to their correct seats.

      • itbargainhunter on 26/04/2017 - 12:34
        +3

        "Religous people"…

        God please forgive them for being selfish and ignore other people's felling.
        God please forgive them for stealing other people's seat that soemone already paid for.
        God please forgive them for being unwise and did not reserve their prefered seats in advance.

        Amen

      • abb on 26/04/2017 - 15:42

        Did you ask the religious group to move?

        I agree that the staff should have done it for you, but nothing's stopping you from asking…

        • Kangal on 26/04/2017 - 16:38
          +2

          I tried to ask, but they were some Orthodox Christians and didn't speak English at all/very well.
          If it was only one of them, would've been okay… but they seemed to "gang up" on me.

          (and I was more shy back then)

          So I figured, I'd just ask the hostess. It is her job afterall.
          Nope, didn't want anything to do with it.
          So when I told her that I paid extra for that seat (I never paid for this service before)…
          …she couldn't care less and told me that she will find another seat for me.
          And the only seat left was between these two big guys (bikies?)…

          So it was obvious these men of religion didn't only take my seat, but took 5 other seats, and no-one would say/do anything.
          I actually remember them cutting in towards the front of the line too! Just a bit of Passive-Aggressive mentality going on.

          I was mostly appalled that the hostesses bad customer service.
          And that Religious Men are supposed to be of a higher-standard than your regular joes.
          But no, facts say otherwise. I think, since this was the first time I actually paid for a seat and chose "the best seat" I was excited more than usual…. and that just added to the let-down.

          Also a $15 VERY LIMITED voucher does not equal AUS $15 currency.
          Just another thing airlines do to skim more money out of us peasants.

        • abb on 27/04/2017 - 08:28
          +1

          @Kangal: Yeah that's a shitty situation all round. You could have caused a huge fuss on the plane, might have worked, but you don't want to be that annoying prick that's delaying take-off. (and possibly getting dragged out with a bloody face)

          Obviously those religious dudes are used to everyone giving them whatever they want!

        • Love a bargain on 27/04/2017 - 08:52

          Just curious, where were you flying to & from? I don't see a lot of outwardly orthodox Christians here in Australia (ie those men dressed in black suit, wear black hat & grew their sideburns).

          @Kangal: Just realised I replied to the wrong message. This question is for you

        • Kangal on 27/04/2017 - 11:06

          @Love a bargain:
          From Sydney to Brisbane.

          Yeah, I don't see these guys often.
          But it was close date to the Orthodox Christmas, so maybe they had a function?

          I just know that Black dress won't hold up well with the QLDer sun!

        • syousef on 27/04/2017 - 12:18
          +3

          @Kangal:

          I would have written to the airline, stating that I had no intention of traveling and that the voucher was not acceptable compensation. And I've taken it to the ACCC as a complaint if I didn't get a refund. It's not the $15. it's the principle. Airlines build their processes on people's apathy.

  • ronnknee on 23/04/2017 - 23:18
    +1

    I think everyone is within their right to do what they like with their allocated seat; in another words, if they decline to give up their seat, then one should not inflict any judgement on them.

    Having said that, I don't think there's been any occasion when I or someone else had requested to swap seats and the other person or I declined.

  • Seraphin7 on 24/04/2017 - 08:55
    +2

    Depends so much on the circumstances. The one I remember was I comfortably in my aisle seat towards the front of the plane on long haul international. The bloke next to me wanted me to swap with his girlfriend who was somewhere down the back in a middle seat. That was definitely a "thanks, but no thanks" moment.

  • Geoff-bargain on 24/04/2017 - 08:56
    +4

    Doesn't just apply to plane seats. People love to nick your seats at the movies too. Generally I'm organised and try and get a good seat for the plane or for the movies and will politely ask anyone taking it to move. If they then make a face as they begrudgingly move I'll quietly say something like I never realised it was so hard to read a ticket and match it with a seat.

    • xoom on 25/04/2017 - 09:56

      was watching logan and cinema was pretty close to packed. lo and behold some where not seated where they should be and had to be told to move.

    • R-Man on 25/04/2017 - 14:15
      +3

      Yeah always happens in cinemas. 90% of the time the person knows they're doing the wrong thing and will happily move out of the seat, but it's so weird when they try to justify or argue back

      e.g.: "well, our seats were taken" - as if with that comment, I'll happily go sit on the steps or on the carpet underneath the screen.

    • t_c on 25/04/2017 - 21:41
      +2

      Since when did the movies have allocated seating?

      • airzone on 26/04/2017 - 00:38
        +2

        Only some cinemas do.

      • xoom on 26/04/2017 - 06:51
        +3

        the ones i been to in sydney seem to all do. better this way so its not a free for all rush job to get the best seats.

  • wildbill on 24/04/2017 - 09:06
    +49

    Had someone sitting in my (window) seat one time.
    I politely pointed this out to him and he smugly replied without moving "well you were too late boarding".
    To which I replied "well I wasn't late when I booked that seat".
    He grudgingly moved and we didn't speak for the remainder of the flight.

    • John Kimble on 24/04/2017 - 10:00
      +10

      What an idiot!

    • tsunamisurfer on 24/04/2017 - 11:22
      +26

      Hopefully one day that gentleman will fly United.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2017 - 12:47

      Kubotan

    • Archi on 24/04/2017 - 13:14
      +15

      except in this situation the 2 people were married…

      • Kangal on 25/04/2017 - 11:46

        Lol !!!

    • xoom on 25/04/2017 - 10:01

      whenever i fly i always book a window seat. i have have to point this out to other people on a couple of occasions whenever they take my seat. luckily non tried a smart arse comment or remark yet after being told to move.

    • dbun1 on 25/04/2017 - 14:26
      +3

      What an idiot. It's not first come first serve, geez

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2017 - 12:45
    +20

    I always sit as close as I can to the Black Box, because that seems to survive most crashes.

    • Kangal on 25/04/2017 - 11:47
      +5

      Where is this Orange Box ?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 26/04/2017 - 00:57

      I always sit as close as I can to the Black Box, because that seems to survive most crashes.

      They should make the plane outta black boxes!!

  • slewis69au on 24/04/2017 - 12:46
    +6

    I often say "Sorry i am a big guy and i need the space" to keep my exit row or aisle seat. I would always be polite no matter what the request, more than once such politeness has been noticed by the crew and worked to my advantage.

    When travelling as a couple i always book the window and aisle of a 3 across row, middle seats are usually the last to go and so often you will get the free space, and if you don't i have never had someone in the middle seat insist that they want it :)

    I have moved on short flights plenty of times for people who want to be together as a group, and everyone who says it depends on attitude of the requester is so right!

    Where i won't move is on a long haul into a middle seat, ever, sorry if that sound selfish but Nooooo, nope, no.

    Does it drive anyone else crazy when a very short 50kg person is placed in the exit row and reclines their seat to it's full extension the SECOND they can and never takes it back up unless instructed by the crew, and SPENDS THE WHOLE FLIGHT LEANING FORWARD! Or is that just me :)

    • zambuck on 24/04/2017 - 13:35
      +1

      I once had a tiny man sitting in front of me on a morning commute flight, who reclined the moment he could, and then complained to cabin crew that my knees were in his back. (I'm also a big guy) Cabin crew directed me to recline too, despite my saying I've always found reclining to be a weird thing to do on an hour-long flight.

      • John Kimble on 24/04/2017 - 13:47
        +1

        I wouldn't think that the act of you reclining would change the position of lower part of your body enough to impact the tiny man less? But I'm just trying to picture it in my head.

        • slewis69au on 24/04/2017 - 14:30
          +1

          See the rookie mistake you're making is that the crew cared about the little guy having knees in his back :) They wanted to be able to say "we've done something" or am i too cynical?

          Don't get me wrong, i totally understand reclining to sleep. I HATE reclining "because it's my right" the second the seatbelt sign is off and then never actually leaning back into the space you've created or sleeping.

      • j05h on 26/04/2017 - 08:54

        My knees touch/brush the back of the seat in front, my upper legs are strangely long. Good luck reclining if you sit in front of me! Not gonna happen, even if I recline mine!

        I must say though, although I am still squished, it has been very beneficial on numerous occasions.

      • jorf on 27/04/2017 - 08:10

        Domestic flights should have the seat recline disabled. There's no reason why you need that for a 1-2 hour flight.

    • belongsinforums on 25/04/2017 - 23:36

      4 u

  • Love a bargain on 24/04/2017 - 13:23

    It all depends if it's a fair trade, isn't it?

    I was once asked to swap my aisle seat for the middle seat by the young chap sitting next to me (solo traveller) on a long haul flight. Are you kidding me? That's obviously a flat out no.

    But if he was to ask me to swap my aisle for his girlfriend's aisle seat so that they can seat together. I'd probably have said yes.

  • whooah1979 on 25/04/2017 - 09:50
    +4

    The bloke who bought/reserved that seat came and made the kid's mum move him so he could sit in his seat.

    why can't passengers use the seats they're allocated? other passengers shouldn't have to ask. good manners is gone nowadays.

  • ProjectZero on 25/04/2017 - 11:38
    +6

    Personally I like aisle seats so I'd say No unless the following is true…

    A) The seat offered to be swapped is also an aisle seat
    B) There is a legitimate reason for the swap
    C) It was for an emergency
    D) I was flying united and was asked to give up my seat for their employees… I don't wanna get my ass beat =P

    I can't stand the non aisle seats as it feels really cramp… plus I know most other passengers take up all the elbow room so whenever I'm stuck in the middle or the window seat I don't get an armrest… at least with the aisle seat I get one…

  • Bren20 on 25/04/2017 - 12:30
    +5

    My partner and I were on a 6 hr southwest airlines flight a few years ago. I had no idea that they didn't have assigned seating so wasn't rushing to check in, and we ended up being one of the last to board.

    I ended up being two rows behind my partner, I was in the middle and she was in the aisle. I'm asked the bloke in the aisle seat next to me if he'd mind switching so I could sit with my partner, and he refused as he'd 'already put his bags in the overhead'. He then bought a bunch of shandys on the flight and did gross beer burps for ages.

    Moral of the story: Some people are dicks, but if it doesn't hurt you, give up your seat otherwise someone will slander you years later on ozbargain.

    • KaTst3R on 25/04/2017 - 15:45
      +9

      Actually as a frequent flyer I can understand why he refused due to the bags.

      If he change seats with your partner, he will be two rows upfront and which means when the plane lands, he will need to go back two rows to get his bags. From my experience, that sometimes it is a difficulty because when the seat belt sign is off, people usually stand up immediately to grab the backs above them and the aisle will be completely filled with people which makes moving a couple of rows back a bit more challenging without getting help from some of the passengers in the row. If it is flipped the other way round where his bags is in front, then that will not be an issue as he will be moving forward to get off the plane anyway.

      It is not mandatory to change seats when asked, so if he agrees then he is a top bloke. But he if he refuses, that doesnt automatically make him an arsehole.

      • nikey2k27 on 25/04/2017 - 17:11
        -1

        i not problem going back most people understand

      • jason andrade on 26/04/2017 - 21:48

        Had this part of the experience on a Virgin Australia flight late last year. I was in 4A and had a broken head rest. Let the stew know as it was a safety issue (they are not very soft at all when the padded part keeps falling off and they have lots of pointy bits!).

        Interestingly, the passengers around me assumed (and told me..) that I should be upgraded into business as there was a couple of spare seats. What actually happened was I was put into something like 12C instead.

        Not really a problem on a 1.5 hour flight but at the end my carry bag was up front and I was at the back and by the time I was able to get to them and then actually pull it out and get off - I ended up being almost the last person off the plane.

        Missed my train connection as a result which meant it took me an hour longer to get home.

        VA weren't interested.. and was a lesson for me in what you need to do if you have to move seats.. try to move your gear as well..

      • THICKnSLOW on 27/04/2017 - 11:19
        +1

        "It is not mandatory to change seats when asked, so if he agrees then he is a top bloke. But he if he refuses, that doesnt automatically make him an arsehole."

        True.

        There should be an unspoken rule, an understanding, that if you are the couple who requests to sit together, and you request a fellow passenger to change seats, and they agree, they should be compensated during the flight and after the flight.

        During the flight the couple should buy that passenger a gift.
        After the flight the couple should ask that passenger if their flight was comfortable and good, and thank them again.
        If that passenger had a terrible flight, the couple should purchase a gift for that passenger for their troubles.

        Being an arsehole flows two ways if you think about it dinna89.

  • captobvious on 25/04/2017 - 13:03
    +12

    "sorry no engrish"

  • bobbified on 25/04/2017 - 13:03
    +2

    I've heard flight attendants on many flights tell that people that they need to stay in their allocated seats during the take off and landing phases. In between, feel free to swap, etc.

    I assumed it was to ensure even weight distribution during take off and landing (and the possibility of identification in the event of an accident).

    I'm happy to swap with anyone esp if it means that a couple can sit together or if I can see a kid wanting the window seat (then I'd ask their parent/guardian if the kid wants the window seat).. EXCEPT in the cases where I'm going to end up in the middle seat!

    I gave up my business class seat once on the way to Hong Kong to a really old guy with a walking stick - he stacked it going towards the air bridge.

    • John Kimble on 26/04/2017 - 17:23

      I assumed it was to ensure even weight distribution

      Surely not for large planes… And they don't even know everyone's weight.

      I'm guessing they just don't want people milling around playing musical chairs at these crucial moments.

      • bobbified on 26/04/2017 - 19:08
        +1

        The larger aircraft need to have proper weight distribution too. Especially if the aircraft is half empty.
        I've noticed on all the half empty flights that I've been on, they start at the middle section where the wings are, then it's spreads front and back from there.

        They don't need to know exact weights of each person to do it - if there's 50 people on one side and 50 people on the other, then that should be close enough to "even".

        Here's an example of when weight distribution is screwed up:
        http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-334585…

        • Love a bargain on 26/04/2017 - 19:12

          This is not an issue when you're swapping with someone else - both seats remain occupied. It's only an issue if you move to an empty seat.

          & if the plane was so empty, then there really is no need for anyone to ask you to swap seat with them

        • John Kimble on 26/04/2017 - 19:25

          Fair enough! But I would think those cases would be rare.

  • decr on 25/04/2017 - 14:55
    +7

    I don't get this whole swapping to sit next to the partner business. Be prepared and book your seats. End of story. With kids though it gets more difficult, especially if travelling with a single carer, so yeah I would swap regardless of the seat I'd get if it made their life easier. Not because they deserve special treatment but in the end why not.

    • Archi on 26/04/2017 - 16:44
      -1

      we've had instances when you go and book a flight and come to seat allocations there were only single seats left and no 2 seats were next to each other because it was a full flight. this happens a lot on domestic flights on weekdays.

      so it has nothing to do with "being prepared and book your seats. end of story" that's just being presumptuous.

      I know where a couple will book a window and an isle seat in a row of 3, hoping no-one will take the middle seat so eventually they get a whole row to them selves.

      • decr on 26/04/2017 - 17:49
        +1

        I've been around the world a couple of times and this has never happened to me, maybe I've been lucky.

  • xuqi on 25/04/2017 - 15:21
    +1

    If asked I normally swap seats as I don't care where I sit on a plane.

    On Three occasions in the past (London to NY, Tel Aviv to London, and Singapore to Melbourne) after agreeing to the requests from the CC, I was moved to business class.

    • KozieSeller on 25/04/2017 - 23:35

      Unless they give you a seat right next to the smelly lavatory :\ lol

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 26/04/2017 - 13:57

      I'm normally the same. Except I don't do bad smells (one lavatory at the back of a flight from Phuket was reaalllly bad). And I've turned down a request on Cebu Pacific to sit in the exit since I already had a whole row to myself for my sleep-deprived state and I guess I'm no hero.

      Ah, CC means cabin crew, right?! :)

      • xuqi on 26/04/2017 - 15:35
        +1

        Yep, Cabin Crew.

  • Sally Cinnamon on 25/04/2017 - 16:27
    +1

    On longer flights I now choose aisle seats when I book, even if I have to pay extra. On my last flight, a family arrived (all adults or teens) and asked me to swap with one of the sons so they could be together. I was willing to as it was an exit row, albeit the middle seat. But when I saw it was between two big beefy guys, I turned back.

    I'm sure the son enjoyed some time away from his mum…

    On a shorter flight, someone took my window seat. I don't think he understood the alphabetised seating system and was not too bothered by the mistake. It was just as well he did as I started puking as soon as we taxied and was able to jump up and down to the toilets more easily.

    • mmd on 26/04/2017 - 02:41

      Was that because of the seat change?
      I feel nauseous sitting in the middle of the plane and would always pay for a window seat.

      • Sally Cinnamon on 26/04/2017 - 18:05

        No, I think it was the dodgy cafe and the long bus ride beforehand!

  • nikey2k27 on 25/04/2017 - 17:04
    -1

    I have many time yes i world i have boy ask for windows London to Dubai he was nice pie about it. not say no mum gave me her seat.

    • bobbified on 26/04/2017 - 18:32
      +2

      I didnt down-vote you… because I don't even know what you're trying to say!

  • ariann on 25/04/2017 - 18:38
    +1

    If i have paid for a seat selection then …… no way

  • Mysterious Laptop on 25/04/2017 - 18:46
    +1

    If I specifically reserved a seat (which I always do) no one else is getting it.. don't care if your mum, nan, kid, grandkid wants it

  • Bnjam3 on 25/04/2017 - 21:10
    +1

    I dont really care about the seat that much, but i will be angry if i paid money to reserve the seat like how many airlines today is charging us.

    • xoom on 25/04/2017 - 21:39

      thats just it. otherwise why even charge allocated seating if its just going to be a free for all at boarding.

      • Bnjam3 on 25/04/2017 - 23:44

        Thats why i try to be the last one to board the airplane so i can keep walking until the end and get my free 3 seats raw :).(If available :P).

  • t_c on 25/04/2017 - 21:55
    +1

    If airlines charge for allocated seating, its only fair to charge for sweat swaps, I think $10 per hour of flight time would be fair compensation for the inconvenience. Has anyone tried?

  • KozieSeller on 25/04/2017 - 23:48

    Have never really ask to swap seats, but I'm curious of the etiquette. Like when is the appropriate time to ask someone? is before they sit down or what if they already put their bags in the overhead compartment?
    And what if the seat is 10 rows away but u want seat next to your family?

    • Archi on 26/04/2017 - 16:47

      best time to ask is after take off when seat belt signs are off… as Cabin crew will require you to sit in your allocated seats during landing and take off. this is to do with a seating manifest that the cabin crew knows exactly where you sit. in case of an accident.

  • Mike33 on 26/04/2017 - 00:38

    I love aisle seats because I wont need to bother anyone if I need to leave my seat.

    • AustriaBargain on 26/04/2017 - 16:08

      You just need to be bothered by everyone else climbing over you to leave their seats. And it won't always be cute models that will be climbing over you either.

  • smit0847 on 26/04/2017 - 01:26

    If their seat they are asking me to swap with is the same or better than mine I will agree. If not I will refuse. On long-haul flights I usually allocate very specific seats for very specific reasons and will not give it up for an inferior seat just because someone else didn't allocate. If pushed I usually politely tell them of us.

    'A lack of organisation on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine'

  • payless69 on 26/04/2017 - 08:45
    +1

    After dozens of flights and mostly on window seats I would always be kind to someone of need like a kid on its first flight or to make somebody more comfortable eg elderly, disabled etc.

    Having nobody kicking me randomly in my back is perhaps more of a priority to me.
    Once we had to swap a Qantas A380 flight for a BA 747 due to an engine failure. I ended up on the extreme right, my missus on the extreme left and the plane was full. Flight attendants kept on apologising promising to ask everybody just to have us together. I insisted to leave as it was, after all getting there safe in peace was all that I wanted. Must highly praise British Airways staff, they even apologise that their tea is darker than their coffee!

  • gromit on 26/04/2017 - 10:17
    +1

    would swap if and only if the seat I am moving to is equivalent or better, otherwise it is "Sorry, but no thankyou". I spend a great deal of time ensuring I don't get a middle seat and too ensure I get maximum leg room (exit row where possible as I am 6 foot 4 and my shoulders tend to be slightly wider than most economy seats). I travel a lot and the only times I have been asked to swap it was to move into a middle seat and no way in hell was I willing to even consider that.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2017 - 11:22

    I prefer the window as I normally don't get up much during a flight and helps with my anxiety as I can zone out more easily. The only place I would move to is business class

  • moonphase on 26/04/2017 - 12:06

    Just say "Sorry but I'm comfortable with the current sit".

    I have friend who always need to have wall on right side to have a sleep on the plane and for her, she has been to many situation like that but seems saying "sorry" politely is enough without any further explanation.

  • sergun on 26/04/2017 - 12:42

    I once flew to Tokyo from Sydney on business (the only time I travelled business class, paid by employer) and a man asked the stuard to ask me to swap a place so he could sit next to his teenage daughter. So the stuard asked me and I said fine and moved over. After taking off, the stuard brought me a bottle of champagne, packed into a nice bag, saying something along 'this is to express gratitude from our airline'. Not a big deal, but still felt good. Don't know why - I swapped easily as I really didn't care.

    • Love a bargain on 26/04/2017 - 12:52

      The main difference is you're travelling in business class.

      There is usually no middle seat (or if there are, they're not as closed in & difficult to get out of) in business class.

      & the entire business class cabin is in the front of the plane anyway.

      Hence the seat that you move to is normally not significant inferior (if at all) to your original seat & you don't end up being the last one off the plane.

    • chrislaya on 27/04/2017 - 21:51

      stuard steward

  • snivy on 26/04/2017 - 14:08
    -1

    I'm guilty for asking people to swap their seats with me, usually happens when I travel with family members and have different bookings and for some reason we can't select seats that are next to each other (I'm guessing different fare classes causing this). As we do a lot of last minute impromptu travels, this always happens.

    I figured out people are fine with swapping seats if they get a better one, or if it doesn't cause them much difference (i.e. window to window, aisle to aisle). Normally, middle seat people are always happy with the exchange.

    I did turn down a request one, just because they got the help of the flight attendant and he was so RUDE about it. I probably would've said yes had they asked themselves or be a little bit nicer about it, politeness helps.

  • kasp on 26/04/2017 - 14:19
    +1

    I got into an argument with someone over this because I wouldn't let his son have my seat. Firstly my work paid for that spot on the plane and secondly me changing would have put me next to the guys massive wife which was spilling over the seats. Have no idea why he thought it was cool.

    • John Kimble on 26/04/2017 - 15:09

      Maybe they were swingers trying to get you to experience the merchandise ;)

      • kasp on 26/04/2017 - 15:11

        Ha, hope not I would get crushed.

        Serious all of them were spilling over the seats and wanted to be more comfortable than be squished with each other.

        • John Kimble on 26/04/2017 - 15:18

          I experienced this in the USA. Wife and I were window and middle seats, when a ginormous lady sat next to me and literally took up half my seat, so me and my wife were squished into 1 1/2 seats. Lucky it was only a 3 hour flight, but just the pressure of her overhanging "side fat" on my body for that relatively small period of time, made the whole right side of me numb/get pins and needles.

          She was very apologetic and I know it is a touchy subject, but in those cases she should have had to buy two seats or something I reckon.

          Funny travel story now, but was death at the time…

        • Love a bargain on 26/04/2017 - 15:49

          @John Kimble:

          I can totally sympathise with that.

          I once lost half of my economy seat for a large part of a red eye long haul flight because the kid sitting next to me (by herself) decided to rest her head on the armrest between us, with most of her head hanging over onto my side.

          That was torturous. (& it's a full flight so I didn't even bother asking to switch to another seat)

  • AustriaBargain on 26/04/2017 - 16:05
    +1

    I caught a tiny Swiss Air leer jet thing and it was two seats on one side and one seat on the other. I had my own single seat next to the window. This obese Arab guy asked me to swap so foolishly I said sure, and then had the window seat on the other side with the two seats next to each other. Of course I was wedged against the window by another obese Arab guy whose body fat oozed over the tiny arm rest.

    If someone asks you to switch seats on a flight then don't immediately say yes. Think about why they want to change, if it's because your seat is more comfortable than theirs then just say NO. If their seat is just as comfortable and they just want to sit next to their kid or partner and they were foolish enough to not think about it when booking, then say yes to the switch because what difference does it make. But if you specifically wanted to sit next to a window or on the aisle then you shouldn't have to give up your seat just because you knew how to plan your own needs ahead and the person asking to switch didn't do any planning ahead. You didn't do all that careful planning just to give it up to others who don't book the seat they want. You have to draw the line somewhere if the switch could ruin your experience in any way.

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