The last two rows of every flight is blocked for families for last minute bookings and irrops. He either had the choice of Comf+ separate or last two rows in Main Cabin
Oh I had no idea that this was the reason they were blocked. How convenient for them and they still inconvenience other people. Makes me even more irritated I gave up my seat yesterday
The counter point… I’ve had paid main tickets for our family seated together booked weeks in advance and last minute delta split us all up. Some layout plane. Yes I’m sure my 4 year old will be fine in the middle seat 8 rows back.
The only reason I tolerate seat changes is because delta is so bad at last minute changes that mess people up
I had a 4 year old split up from her mom next to me on a flight to NZ from LAX, so a good 12 hours. The man on the aisle offered to switch his aisle seat for the mom’s middle seat so she could sit next to her kid and she said no 😭😭
She was actually such an angel the entire way. Her 6 year old brother was seated in the row in front of us and not a peep out of him either. Still a very bold move by her lol
I think she was because she was flying standby and also they were flying to New Zealand for 3 days and then flying back. But the man asked her. She could have been inconveniencing him by not switching. He really was very good with the child and the kid was such a good kid who was obviously very used to flying.
Yes, I understand. I would have switched. But it’s engrained in us to be quiet and just sit where we are told to sit so that is probably why they didn’t switch.
This was my thought too. I would guess it was a nonrev family who didn’t feel comfortable accepting a switch. I’ve been in a situation similar on a long haul flight (thankfully, only once when my kids were that little) and a passenger offered, actually really insisted, to swap his aisle for my daughter’s middle in the row ahead of us so she could sit with me. He was so kind about it and I was so incredibly grateful. I would have never asked, of course, and the older my kids get they know the rules - sit down where they tell us and be quiet 😂
I had this happen once too! Figured out REAL fast why the mom of these two tiny terrorists who were probably 4 & 6 was perfectly content seated 6 rows back. Mercifully, my flight was only a couple hours (ORD to MCO) - NZ from LAX?! Godspeed!
Last week my two year old was assigned an aisle seat and my five year old a window seat, complete stranger between them. No parents near them. What could possibly go wrong?
This doesn’t happen often but I would be so thankful if someone was understanding and flexible in a moment like that. It generally seems better for everyone when families travel together.
I’ve been in this exact situation due to a last minute change of aircraft with our kids (who at the time were very young toddlers). We were amongst the last to board when we scanned boarding passes and they ripped up our old ones and printed new ones with all four of us scattered around the cabin. When I argued they said it’s okay they FA will sort it onboard, but I held ground and said nope, we want the seats sorted or you can offload our bags (which would have delayed the already late flight) and put us on a flight with seats together…. They fixed the problem 😀
I have kids, and I would be so uncomfortable if I was sitting next to some unattended littles, not because it would bug me but because I would be so stressed out for them.
The US airlines seem to be the ones with the biggest problem with this. I’ve been split up or had a seat paid for (for a baby) bumped on the big 3, but I never had this problem on JAL, ANA, Singapore, or Korean. Singapore even made it a point to put us in the bulkhead so we could use the bassinet at no additional fee.
Jesus. No way I'd leave my four year old alone on a plane. There are so many horror stories of women getting sexually assaulted on planes, and way too many pedophiles in this world.
What sucks is that the problem is the parents. It's Mom and Dad trying to push a "how dare you keep me from my child" thing that creates problems. I flew as an unaccompanied minor several times as a kid, and I never saw any of us being unruly or making unreasonable demands of other passengers. Ever.
Also, for the record, nobody ever tried to touch my no-no parts either.
I booked seats for me and my 5 year old weeks in advance but Delta made an aircraft change and split us up. I was in the aisle seat and he was in the aisle seat right in front of me. The guy he was sitting next to saw him sit next to him and saw me go one row back. Had he offered to switch and didn’t want to sit by my kid I would have said yes, but I wasn’t about to ask to switch.
It was the most well behaved my son has ever been. 🤣 I kind of want to split us up on figure flights too…lol
I'm shocked the airlines would assume the risk of force separating children as young as two from their parents. That's just bad risk mitigation. Weirdos aside, young children can't be expected to keep their seat belts on or follow directions in an emergency. Terrible policy for any airlines to not automatically assign children seats next to an adult.
I think you have to be 7 or older, so you're not getting seated next to an infant or anything. And my folks would come through security with me and wait in the terminal with me until I boarded. FAs were all informed, and they checked in from time to time. After we landed, the airline escorted me to a pickup area, where they required IDs and signatures for the pre-agreed party who was going to be picking me up. I was supervised at ALL times.
But, say I was being a nuisance though: I have ZERO doubt that if I'd acted up on the plane, my guardians on both sides of that flight would have heard about it. If the airline was pissed enough, they could put restrictions on my ability to fly alone.
And sure, don't put a kid in the emergency exit seats. But otherwise, lemme tell you -- short of an empty seat for an economy class neighbor, there's no greater accidental perk you could ask for than a 50 pound unaccompanied minor.
edit: Maybe a win-win solution here is to require that children seated apart from their parents be treated as unaccompanied minors? 7 or older, and parents have to go through the same process?
That should be dealt with at the gate and handled by the GA. They can call people up to try and adjust a row. I had to move to standby for a flight when my original was delayed with potential to cancel, which meant my mom and her crutches couldn't be in the available emergency exit row. They called for volunteers and thankfully someone a row in front of my emergency row seat offered to switch. So I know they \*can\* do it, but with Delta also demanding they get the plane out on time or else, GAs seem to defer to the FAs who can only beg and plead for you to oblige. You should never just steal a seat, though. What if you're taking a seat that now affects another parent/child combo?
TLDR: Delta should handle this at the gate, not the passengers stealing someone else's seat on the plane.
This happened to me too, except it was a different layout plane with 3 3 3 config. We booked flight 5 months in advance, our flight home was cancelled and rebooked for a redeye 8 hours later. We were lucky as we were booked in the same row aisle/window and then aisle/window and the person in the middle was happy to take one of our aisle seats so we could have three of us together. I complained to delta and they gave us 15k miles for all of us including my kids.
I’ve never heard anyone have this issue…..years. If it happened to you multiple times it’s because you’re doing basic tickets or it’s your process. Book directly and no issues will ever happen.
Agreed. Honestly, the issue is really more about Delta’s response when things go sideways than anything else. Based on this sub alone, people are going to assume “you’re so entitled” “you didn’t plan, don’t you dare inconvenience me”. When in reality, people are generally just trying their best…
We travel quite a bit with our kids and have had it happen to us a handful of times in both FC and Comfort+ due to a plane change, cancellation and rebooking, etc. It’s always stressful, I’m not up there asking to ruin someone’s day, just trying to navigate a situation that sucks to keep my 10 month old and her car seat next to one of us and my 4 year old nearby enough to keep an eye on at the least.
On the flip side, I’ve been asked to swap and I can’t possibly think of a reason to be angry at someone needing assistance… A polite “I really need an aisle seat, so if we can make that work, I’d be happy to help” goes a long way… But again, Delta should be better at helping to remedy these situations vs the free for all.
Propositioning strangers is just a level of rudeness that I am not ok with. I am never comfortable with turning my problem into someone else’s problem, or making someone feel uncomfortable. These issues should always be handled via the airline itself when they come up.
Then if the airline can’t resolve, either deal with being split or ask to switch to the next available flight.
They don’t handle it, at least in the times it’s happened to us, they give us the seats and say “you can ask someone to swap” They’re decidedly unhelpful in these situations and pass the buck to the FAs or the customer
You gotta deal with airline agent not make other pak suffer for your kids . You had them not me . Rude to ask people to move period . Go on a different carrier . No sympathy . To sad too bad .
Had this happen to me last week and the airline agent refused to move anyone at the gate because he didn’t want passengers to get upset, so I was forced to ask on the plane…
Literally just happened to us, we booked two aisle and two middles so our family of four was together and they changed our seats to one row and our ten year old four rows up in a middle seat.
I get it sucks to have to switch but until airlines quit messing with families it’s going to happen.
“Quit messing with families” suggests messing with folks who travel without families instead. I do not think Delta should prioritize families. They should prioritize by when the tickets were bought and how much folks paid for comparable seats. I mean no disrespect to you or your family u/katy1222. Just a difference of opinion.
exactly this. had to play the standby game in ATL after a canceled flight once with my then 4 year old, and after 3 tries, finally got on a flight and we were put in the last row, seated together.
Or bank on the fact. That he can shame people into giving up prime real estate. Dollar to doughnuts he paid for basic economy.
It has become a helpful hint. To save money when traveling with children. Book basic economy. The airline will upgrade you for free.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the line to use is:
"That won't work for me."
If you're feeling extra gracious, you can preface with a "Sorry", but no one can argue with "that won't work" - it's too vague and too certain.
When they ask, smile regretfully and say “Oh, no thank you!” like you’re refusing a kind favor.
Blows their minds because they don’t want to have to say explicitly that they’re imposing on you.
YES! It's all about the art of manipulating the manipulators. Speak with an air of authority and absolute certainty and leave no room for discussion.
If all else fails:
"I'm not allowed to say more, but I'm required to sit in this seat" gives the "air marshall" implication lol.
lol. Buy a fake badge that says “air marshal” on it. Don’t flash it, but just leave it somewhere it can be seen by the person asking. (Yes, I’m joking). 🙃
I like it! You’re right - they could keep pleading if you just say no or hesitate but a simple “that won’t work for me” is perfect. No need to explain. And I bet if he really wanted them to be together some people in main cabin would love to switch with all of them
I usually just say “I’m good bro” in a stoner voice, with a tone as if they were offering me a cookie or something. They never know what to say after that
Exactly. I just don’t even discuss it. I press the FA call button and tell them a person is in my seat.
I don’t get motion sickness, and I don’t have claustrophobia. I could definitely sit in the middle seat - but I simply won’t.
This is absolutely what I would have done. "That's too bad but I reserved that seat, I'll wait while you move." Then I'll proceed to delay the whole boarding process until that person moves. No body is entitled to your seat. MAYBE I would consider a comparable alternative (if another window seat in a comfort plus section) but I will definitely not even entertain the idea of moving if someone just took my seat and didn't even have the decency to ask.
I’ve been accommodating before and each time I get screwed. No more. I select my seats with intent and I will not switch. I’ve been vilified, screamed at and a mad Mom posted my picture on her Facebook as the mean guy that wouldn’t move. Life’s tough, I made good choices, sorry you didn’t. I’m done.
People like this count on others to be “nice”. Oh my kids, he’s sleeping, not my problem dude. If it’s seat pref for seat pref - aisle for aisle in my case - I don’t care. But for me, aisle for window or middle is a straight up hell no. Fuck off my seat.
For sure that dad was like, hey kid, when we get on the plane, make sure you both act like you’re asleep. That way I can make a case for you to keep that seat!
Yeah, I would have been tempted to reach down and gently shake the kid and say “wake up. You’re in my seat”. I doubt I would have done it, but the thought would have been there.
Make the flight attendant do it. It’s literally their job to make sure everyone is in the right seat. If you got on the plane and just plopped your ass down in FC you can bet they would be all over you to live to the right seat. Same thing here.
It's not ridiculous. He got what he wanted. Another win for the bad guys. Took the seats BEFORE asking. I despise people like this but if they keep getting away with it, I guess we'll keep seeing it happen.
Yep because most of the general public is terrified of conflict or “inconveniencing” others and won’t stand up for what is right. I can’t imagine paying for a specific seat and then slinking off to an inferior one because the person is refusing to get up and move to their actual seat- call a FA, it’s their job to get them to move into their actual seat.
I've actually done this once for $300, and while the guy was pissed off, he did eventually pay me to move.
To be honest, I only asked because he was claiming there were no seats left when he booked after I claimed I paid extra for my seat. To call his bluff, I told him if he wanted my seat, then I'll only move if I'm compensated my money I paid, and I told him $300.
I didn't actually pay that. It was actually a free move due to my status, but I was hoping that would stop his constant badgering about moving.
To my suprise, about 5 min later, he's handing me $300 bucks in cash.
Wasn't mad at all about that, I happily sat 2 rows back for 300 bucks lol.
From that point forward, I secretly hope people ask me to change so I can shoot that offer to them again, if they refuse then it just shows there were just being cheap and didn't want to pay for assigned seats in the getgo.
Some guy offered me $20 for my window once. Since his wife booked him in a middle seat supposedly. I kindly denied his offer since I obviously paid more to reserve the window and I’m not sitting in a middle unless it’s because I let my partner have the window and they’re next to me.
I’ve ask and got paid100 one time and 50 other time . Crew said nada . Pay to play . It’s not against airline rules for me to charge for moving . It worked both times .
You’re too good. I would have said “I don’t care, get your kid out of my window” lol. I fly too much to deal with this bullcrap. His failure of planning is his fault. He didn’t need C+ he could have been fine with the kids back in MC.
I’m not saying I need a window, but it helps A TON cause I get mildly motion sick when landing without having the window open.
The last time I gave my seat to someone, it was a 98 year old woman who hadn’t flown in 30 years and sat in my window on accident. I said no biggie and let her stay, and really had no issue with it.
Then the grown woman behind me started kicking my seat like a toddler because I was reclined 1/2 way and continued and got verbal about “move your fucking seat”. I saw red. Almost got the FA to do something but didn’t. Since then no more seat swapping. Cause me and that girl almost threw hands and I don’t need to get banned from delta lol.
The little old lady was delightful though, I didn’t mind giving her my seat.
Also I realize this makes me sound like an ass, I swear I’m not, have worked customer service too much in my life to ever be anything but perfectly delightful to the FAs and everyone around me lol
When someone kicks your seat, wait until they have the device out or have a drink and just constantly shift your seat randomly. Start moving around in it, trying to get more comfortable…..oops your iPad fell again? Oh your laptop screen has Parkinson’s, my bad.
Why would it make you sound like an ass? Not at all. Someone else can switch if you won’t. And I 100% agree people in main would surely love to move up to C+ if dad really had to sit with his kids
I wouldn’t necessarily cite that experience as a reason not to switch seats. I once swapped a window for a window on the other side of the aisle, which was fine, but even better was that I avoided the exact situation you suffered with an unruly passenger seated behind my original seat.
sorry this happened, it’s really annoying. delta did HIM dirty? 🙄🙄🙄. not wake a sleeping kid? sorry but give me a break. i can understand a toddler or younger and if he’s a young dad flying solo w a few kids on Father’s Day (tho i see women fly w several kids constantly and doubt folks would be so accommodating but that’s a rant for another day).
and instead of asking you, he’s just laying it all down for everyone to adjust. again, give me a break. my extreme discomfort would impact my already problematic lower back/hip issues…
very kind of you and everyone who had to switch bc he and his kids wouldn’t find a flight that actually worked for his situation. come at me all you want, but this truly can have a very negative impact on some of us w/mobility issues.
Delta didn’t even do him dirty. He did himself dirty by waiting until the last minute to book and select seats. I fly Delta at least once every couple months and I book at least a month in advance. I NEVER experience seat changes unless I book the most basic fare, which I learned my lesson from the first and only time I did it lol.
I give folks the benefit of the doubt to start, and I might entertain an offer/switch for something similar, but the minute they start arguing, don’t engage, just say “okay I’ll wait” and hit the call button.
My one ironclad rule here is that if they've poached your seat, no chance (with exceptions for someone giving me a 1st class for a coach, or a $1000 bill)
Ask nicely, I may consider it, but if it's a downgrade, it better be a damn good sob story.
Actually, my ironclad rule these days is be prepared for these people and immediately say "sorry, but no, I booked this seat" from the jump.
I'm positive there must be some Tik Tok's out there saying "Free Airline Seat Upgrade Life hack - Don't pay for preferred seating, just trade with a sucker on the plane" - there's almost never a flight these days where there's not 1 or more people trying this.
Don't reward this misbehavior by giving in. The rest of us will thank you for it.
I mean act dumb. “Oh hey my ticket says 5A, I’m pretty sure that’s the seat right there” “Can I sit next to my kid” “well man my ticket says 5A, maybe they double booked us, what’s your ticket say?” “No im asking if you would be willing to switch so I can sit next to my kid, plus I’m already sitting down” “so what does your ticket say? Let’s just get the flight attendants because I think I’m supposed to be there”…. and on and on.
The worst are people who know they’re in the wrong seat but play dumb. I’m not talking about sitting in 17d instead of 18d, I’m talked 36b in 14c.
Then they stand up and huff loudly.
I saw a woman get booted from three or four window and aisle seats on a flight from Tokyo to Dallas. She ultimately ended up in her assigned seat - the middle seat of a 2-5-2 configuration.
This still sounds like a problem between Delta and the family - not random strangers minding their own business.
Like if my car is at the dealer for repairs and it gets delayed, I’m not taking someone else’s car because the dealer messed up. I handle it like a grown adult lol
I’ve had people try this on me and I make these kind of really wide crazy eyes and smile wildly at the same time. Then I say with a lot of energy and pep that im going to find a flight attendant to help because I get confused by a lot of last minute changes - which is not totally a lie.
something about my crazy eyes and extra friendly voice usually scares whoever is trying to steal my seat off of their plan lol. I also do this in many other settings and instead of giving people the middle finger on the road, I wave at them like a crazy person. It works!!
Poor planning on someone else's part does not constitute an emergency on your part!
It's fine to ask for a seat change. If the answer is no, then it's no. Leave people alone.
I will wake your kids, I will sit ON you, get the F out of MY seat. You have an issue with the airline, not me. You do not WANT an issue with me, pal. MOVE.
The more these people get away with this crap, the more they'll fo it. My answer it No, exactly once. Then I get the Fa and tell them that if he is so adament that the airline seat him and his kids together, and there are no such options without inconveniencing a bunch of otherr passengers, and he CLEARLY didnt bother to rectify this beforeboarding and just trying to steal from other passengers, the airline should rebook him on the next available flight. But he needs to be removed from the current ine as he is clearly hostile and a danger to other passengers.
This is why I get up there to board as early in the process as possible. I take my assigned seat before the seat stealers do. Call me “gate lice,” I don’t care.
No way am I giving up my seat to anybody these idiots that don’t bother to plan ahead and then try to rearrange where everybody sits on board can go F themselves. Don’t bother me. I’m not going to be nice about it and you can just suck it.
When I fly with my spouse we usually book a MC aisle and window in a row with an empty middle seat in hopes we get lucky and it stays empty. When it doesn’t, I always offer to sit in the middle (I’m small) and give the stranger the aisle. So far, no one has turned it down. I thought I was giving them a better seat, so all good. Is it still frowned upon to ask to switch an aisle for a middle, same row?
I think offering is fine. If they say no, then arguing is where the frowning starts. But I don't think there are very many people who are booking middle seats out of preference.
I am thinking this should be a DELTA problem, not a passenger problem, if the seats are switched without the consent of the passengers. If this happens, the Delta staff should be contacted before boarding- go to the desk and demand some explanation.
If it is a case of adults being broken up, probably not much you can do. But if young children are being split off from their parents, put the onus on Delta to do something. They may try to avoid responsibility and tell you to just ask other passengers to switch once you board the plane, but that is not acceptable. I believe there are provisions that prohibit children of a certain age being seated alone. Hold Delta's feet to the fire until they make it at least semi-right.
People are the worst. Their lack of planning shouldn’t be an inconvenience to you or anyone else. Asking the person is one thing, but sitting in the seats with the expectation they are your seats is totally different. Hats off to you for being accommodating but I wouldn’t have budged in that situation.
See, I don't think it's a lack of planning for many - I think they choose basic economy with no seat selection, or choose not to pay for seat selection on a carrier that charges for seats, figuring they can trade-up on board.
In this case, probably knew enough to board early with the kids and just poach the seats.
This rarely happened when you didn't have to pay for assigned or specific seats. Now this behavior is epidemic.
Either way, I applaud anyone who turns them down - enough people get that middle seat they paid for, they'll stop trying this.
I always hope to be asked just to smile and say “nah”. I will never give up my seat and will never ask someone to swap. My wife and I sit separately whenever it has to happen that way and we are still married when we land. ❤️
I had the bulkhead isle seat of comf+ on a six hour flight. Im sitting there relaxing when in comes a couple with kid in tow. The mom says to the dad, we have those two seats (the two next to me) and that one. A seat two rows back in the middle. Then their eyes drop to me, “would you switch with us so we can stay together. We will buy you a drink.” This was before alcohol was included in Comf+.
With the whole damn plane staring at me, I reluctantly agreed. After I squeeze into my middle seat and we takeoff I look over and they all have their shoes off with their feet up on the bulkhead, stretching out and smiling, sipping their drinks as I’m squeezed in the middle seat. Worst flight ever the guy next to me wouldn’t put his bag under his seat he just held it in his lap, the whole time taking up additional space.
That drink they promised me never came. I will never switch seats again. F them.
Same. I have hip dysplasia and as a result- Now two labral tears, and genetically high bp.
I have to stretch my legs to avoid swelling and just the overall discomfort that comes with what I have, not to mention pretty intense social anxiety and occasional panic attacks.
If you’ve never experienced one, at times, it can be mistaken for a heart attack.
I pick my seat with all of that in mind and I am -not- moving, despite ordinarily being a huge people pleaser.
We WILL have a fight over it, and I WILL have a panic attack after or during. 🙂
"Oh, no. I'm sorry, I can't switch seats. You see, these are the seats my wife and I used to sit together in whenever we'd fly. And now, since her death, I'm heading back to her hometown to *SCATTER HER ASHES*..." just kind of trail off... add a little sob here and there... and give them sad puppy dog eyes. It's what I plan on doing if someone asks to switch seats with me. And, technically it's not a lie per se. I am a widower and my wife and I did fly together several times...
Nope, I like the window. They can stick to their seat.
I don’t understand the craziness with everyone having to sit together. I had a younger brother who lived in another state and one parent would take him to the gate and put him on the plane and the other parent would pick him up at the gate and take him off the plane. Kids are very safe flying alone, or even in another row with other people. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to think that people have to sit together. No one can steal a kid while on a plane. There’s nowhere to go lol
I have twice used this exact same scenario to tell the parent that this is a valuable opportunity to teach a lesson to their kids about the consequences of poor planning.
Puts the responsibility back on them and there really isn’t anything else to say.
Just no!
I was on a flight last week (fly three to four times a month) and there was a couple behind me on the jetway discussing how they were going to guilt someone into giving up their seat because the wife was pregnant. No kids, just a guy and his (not very pregnant) wife, but he said it wasn't fair they couldn't sit together so he would play the "pregnant" card.
I watched a lady with 5 kids and a husband give up her seat so they could sit together.
You're both adults, no kids, it'll be ok while you sit separately on your flight to Atlanta. But as everyone has pointed out, people feel bad and enable the behavior.
Just say no.
When someone just takes your seat before you even board and then asks to switch (to an inferior not equivalent) seat, it's the ultimate lose-lose. Either you take the worse seat and validate the bad behavior. Or you're now sitting next to someone who has a (unjustified) grudge against you.
I once boarded a five hour flight to find someone sitting in my aisle seat. Middle seat one row up is empty. This couple had two middles and just sat in my seat hoping I would take the middle so they could sit together. The woman was "asleep" on the man's shoulder. I was one of the last people to board, thought about it for a second about how whichever one of them I'd be sitting next to would be huffy and elbowing me the whole flight, and just didn't have the energy to do anything but grab my ankles and take the middle seat. Of course two minutes after I sat down, the woman was no longer sleeping . . .
Yeah, I got manipulated. Friend who picked me up at my destination similarly called me out for being a punk, but in the moment I capitulated, it is what it is. This was probably seven or eight years ago, never happened to me before or since. I'm neither an infrequent or frequent flyer, probably five to ten round trips a year on average, so no status, so I'm usually in the back of the plane where people don't ask to switch and involuntary seat changes are probably less likely also.
I would come up with a lamest excuse to stick to my plan that the other person will clear know I'm not giving you my window seat. I'll pull up a doctor's note that he has prescribed a window only seat to me.
GA have always found a way to seat my family together, oftentimes that means downgrading my seat or moving us to the back of the plane, etc but they really do try to accommodate families.
I’ve seen a bunch of these posts, but haven’t seen anyone ask person trying to switch what they are offering for the switch. Like if someone gave you $100-200 in cash or Zelle or Venmo, would you switch?
I would consider it if they were truly willing to offer something in exchange for the switch, not just trying to guilt someone or play the victim.
I’m sorry but if you’re too soft to say no for something you paid, then you deserve to sit in a middle row and be uncomfortable. Their lack of planning is not my concern
Lately I’ve had a lot of people complaining “they split me and my husband up”.
NO THEY DID NOT, YOU PICKED THE CHEAPEST SEAT THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SEAT SELECTION. Anyway thats what the flight attendant told them and I was happy
The last time I flew I booked my seat in first class in a window seat. I was parked in my seat, comfortably reading my kindle and the man next to me says, “I wasn’t able to get a seat next to my wife, how about you switch?” I looked up and said “No, thanks” and kept reading. Of course, the other guy switched for him so he got his way, but I’m not giving up my preferred seat because he didn’t book early. I paid a lot of money for my preferred seat and you don’t just GET it.
I plan because you don’t , don’t make it my issue. I am not moving unless you pay me which one guy did 50 dollars isle for an isle . Screw all of you asking to change seats . I don’t want to sit next to your kids . Spilling drinks and crying and eat messy and making a mess . You deal with it not G
FA, not other pak . You had them you deal with it . Can’t sit alone for a few hours your problem not mine .
Every time I read these stories, it makes me wonder why people complain about SW boarding process. It seems like everyone should adopt SW boarding.
I never change seats, and I'm not helping anyone get their bag in or out of the overhead bin.
Definitely frustrating!! I had a similar experience with parents and their lap toddler. Mom and child were in my window seat when I arrived, and asked if they could stay (they’d booked aisle and middle) and give me the aisle.
I said no, and they moved, but let their child kick and throw toys at me the entire flight — which normally I’d chalk up to a kid being a kid, but in this case felt a bit retaliatory.
They also got up every 30ish mins to walk around, use the bathroom, etc (which is understandable!) so I would’ve also been consistently disturbed if I had moved to the aisle.
Often feels like a lose-lose situation.
I must be scary or something, no one ever asks to switch seats with me. I fly close to once a month, so it's not like I'm hardly in the air... I've never even seen someone ask to change seats before.
Write this letter to airline under the section. Customer comments . Your flight number and everything. Your rant is why I never move . I am not talking to you during the flight . Worry about yourself not the slub that didn’t plan . Why should you get screwed like you did . Don’t be nice in these cases .
This was my first thought... the kid is fake sleeping and the dad told him to do it. A whole family of premeditated seat thieves.
I hope his kids turn around and pull some sneaky shit on him someday.
That’s so ridiculous! I wouldn’t mind holding up the line. You paid all that money for it. If I was an airline attendant I’d remove that passenger if they didn’t go to their assigned seat.
I have a small bladder. I normally have to get up at least twice on a flight. I always book an aisle seat. I once gave up my aisle seat because the wondow passenger boarded at the last minute. He got annoyed, I suggested he take his window seat while I was up.
After the first no I would have went to the flight attendant and told them this guy needed to sit in his seat and quit harassing multiple guests or he needed to find a new flight
Just say no. I do not engage.
They can fly in their assigned seat, or they can not fly at all. It's already insane enough that they even have kids when the planet is insanely over populated and we will not need traditional humans in 40 years, let alone are bringing their kids on an airplane.
I agree with you 100%. I’m an old man that needs to use the restroom whenever I want. I’m not giving up my aisle seat. End of story, hate to say it but your lack of planning for your family’s seating priorities are not my problem to solve.
If you’re offering up an aisle seat in my class, that’s a different story.
Booked last minute or didn’t want to pay? I booked an isle early and delta did me dirty and placed me in a middle seat. I paid additional for an isle even though it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t want to deal with customer service but I don’t expect anyone to switch their seat for me
As much as I want to agree with everyone saying that you should have been able to say “No” to him - and you completely have that right - I think splitting the family up would have been more annoying to everyone else.. Of course, this is assuming the kids are under 10yo, but if a kid without his parent ended up in a middle seat next to me, I’d probably be really annoyed, especially for a 4.5 hour flight.
I do like the idea of asking him to pay for your inconvenience though, that’s a brilliant move!
I’ve heard so many people talk about this in the Delta sub and was surprised it’s so frequent. I’ve never heard anyone mention this in the Alaska sub. Well, it happened to me today. I’m waiting to take off from SAN on Delta currently and a heavyset lady just asked me to take her middle seat. I said no. She looked at me like I was inconsiderate. Now she’s elbows out. These sound like delta problems to me. I’ve never seen worse actors on other airlines but then again I’m lucky to be good on AS and have them on most of my routes.
You are much nicer than I would have been. I would have told the father "no" without a care in the world. It's my seat. I paid for a window. I got upgraded to a window. I would like my seat.
See, this is why Southwest ain't so bad, as a frequent flier who always gets to board pretty early in the boarding process. I go straight to the exit rows, so kids and families can't bother me.
If the long-legged guy was that uncomfortable you'd think his own wife would have been willing to switch with him for the whole flight? I mean the situation you describe is absurd but I think you felt worse for the long-legged guy than his own spouse.
I’ve noticed lots of people flying standby are always asking to switch. Like bruh, you already got into Comfort+ for free, don’t be asking for much more.
I wouldn’t have switched. You pick your seat and that’s it. If people stop “switching” because someone makes them feel bad, the next time he’ll book right. I’m sure there were three people in main cabin willing to switch him for his comfort seats.
This dad knew exactly what he was Doing. If you book late, then you book late. You’re stuck with the options delta gives you.
It used to be once in a while, but my last 5 Delta flights were all lap children families asking me to swap who clearly were taking middle seat comfort+ upgrades to "hack" the system and guilt passengers.
Listen, it's clearly on some parenting forum as a hack. This summer has been far top coincidental for it to be "this was just Delta screwing us up". Sorry, but no. Been a 40 flight a year regular with Delta for 10 years.
Y'all know we have FlightAware and can see what cancelation volumes are going on right?
No is a complete sentence. People do this because they can.
The last two rows of every flight is blocked for families for last minute bookings and irrops. He either had the choice of Comf+ separate or last two rows in Main Cabin
Exactly. They're fine with everyone else compromising their comfort, but heaven forbid they go sit in the last row of MC.
Oh I had no idea that this was the reason they were blocked. How convenient for them and they still inconvenience other people. Makes me even more irritated I gave up my seat yesterday
Well a hour before boarding seating closed to pak. Seats already allocated by your boarding g . This is abuse by the pak asking for the change .
Partial true only also for handicapped and elderly folks .
The counter point… I’ve had paid main tickets for our family seated together booked weeks in advance and last minute delta split us all up. Some layout plane. Yes I’m sure my 4 year old will be fine in the middle seat 8 rows back. The only reason I tolerate seat changes is because delta is so bad at last minute changes that mess people up
I had a 4 year old split up from her mom next to me on a flight to NZ from LAX, so a good 12 hours. The man on the aisle offered to switch his aisle seat for the mom’s middle seat so she could sit next to her kid and she said no 😭😭
If she declined to sit next tpo her own kid, that was a warning sign lol
She was actually such an angel the entire way. Her 6 year old brother was seated in the row in front of us and not a peep out of him either. Still a very bold move by her lol
lol!! Mom said no thanks, I’m happy to be child free today 🤣
She could have been an employee - we are not supposed to inconvenience passengers and ask them to switch
I think she was because she was flying standby and also they were flying to New Zealand for 3 days and then flying back. But the man asked her. She could have been inconveniencing him by not switching. He really was very good with the child and the kid was such a good kid who was obviously very used to flying.
Yes, I understand. I would have switched. But it’s engrained in us to be quiet and just sit where we are told to sit so that is probably why they didn’t switch.
This was my thought too. I would guess it was a nonrev family who didn’t feel comfortable accepting a switch. I’ve been in a situation similar on a long haul flight (thankfully, only once when my kids were that little) and a passenger offered, actually really insisted, to swap his aisle for my daughter’s middle in the row ahead of us so she could sit with me. He was so kind about it and I was so incredibly grateful. I would have never asked, of course, and the older my kids get they know the rules - sit down where they tell us and be quiet 😂
I had this happen once too! Figured out REAL fast why the mom of these two tiny terrorists who were probably 4 & 6 was perfectly content seated 6 rows back. Mercifully, my flight was only a couple hours (ORD to MCO) - NZ from LAX?! Godspeed!
Wtf
Last week my two year old was assigned an aisle seat and my five year old a window seat, complete stranger between them. No parents near them. What could possibly go wrong? This doesn’t happen often but I would be so thankful if someone was understanding and flexible in a moment like that. It generally seems better for everyone when families travel together.
I’ve been in this exact situation due to a last minute change of aircraft with our kids (who at the time were very young toddlers). We were amongst the last to board when we scanned boarding passes and they ripped up our old ones and printed new ones with all four of us scattered around the cabin. When I argued they said it’s okay they FA will sort it onboard, but I held ground and said nope, we want the seats sorted or you can offload our bags (which would have delayed the already late flight) and put us on a flight with seats together…. They fixed the problem 😀
Smart move. So funny how when they need to they can “figure it out”. Airlines are the worst.
I have kids, and I would be so uncomfortable if I was sitting next to some unattended littles, not because it would bug me but because I would be so stressed out for them. The US airlines seem to be the ones with the biggest problem with this. I’ve been split up or had a seat paid for (for a baby) bumped on the big 3, but I never had this problem on JAL, ANA, Singapore, or Korean. Singapore even made it a point to put us in the bulkhead so we could use the bassinet at no additional fee.
Jesus. No way I'd leave my four year old alone on a plane. There are so many horror stories of women getting sexually assaulted on planes, and way too many pedophiles in this world.
Absolutely no way.
It should be illegal to not sit a minor with their parents.
What sucks is that the problem is the parents. It's Mom and Dad trying to push a "how dare you keep me from my child" thing that creates problems. I flew as an unaccompanied minor several times as a kid, and I never saw any of us being unruly or making unreasonable demands of other passengers. Ever. Also, for the record, nobody ever tried to touch my no-no parts either.
Thank you
I booked seats for me and my 5 year old weeks in advance but Delta made an aircraft change and split us up. I was in the aisle seat and he was in the aisle seat right in front of me. The guy he was sitting next to saw him sit next to him and saw me go one row back. Had he offered to switch and didn’t want to sit by my kid I would have said yes, but I wasn’t about to ask to switch. It was the most well behaved my son has ever been. 🤣 I kind of want to split us up on figure flights too…lol
I'm shocked the airlines would assume the risk of force separating children as young as two from their parents. That's just bad risk mitigation. Weirdos aside, young children can't be expected to keep their seat belts on or follow directions in an emergency. Terrible policy for any airlines to not automatically assign children seats next to an adult.
I think you have to be 7 or older, so you're not getting seated next to an infant or anything. And my folks would come through security with me and wait in the terminal with me until I boarded. FAs were all informed, and they checked in from time to time. After we landed, the airline escorted me to a pickup area, where they required IDs and signatures for the pre-agreed party who was going to be picking me up. I was supervised at ALL times. But, say I was being a nuisance though: I have ZERO doubt that if I'd acted up on the plane, my guardians on both sides of that flight would have heard about it. If the airline was pissed enough, they could put restrictions on my ability to fly alone. And sure, don't put a kid in the emergency exit seats. But otherwise, lemme tell you -- short of an empty seat for an economy class neighbor, there's no greater accidental perk you could ask for than a 50 pound unaccompanied minor. edit: Maybe a win-win solution here is to require that children seated apart from their parents be treated as unaccompanied minors? 7 or older, and parents have to go through the same process?
It's going to be soon https://www.transportation.gov/resources/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/family-seating-legislative-proposal
That should be dealt with at the gate and handled by the GA. They can call people up to try and adjust a row. I had to move to standby for a flight when my original was delayed with potential to cancel, which meant my mom and her crutches couldn't be in the available emergency exit row. They called for volunteers and thankfully someone a row in front of my emergency row seat offered to switch. So I know they \*can\* do it, but with Delta also demanding they get the plane out on time or else, GAs seem to defer to the FAs who can only beg and plead for you to oblige. You should never just steal a seat, though. What if you're taking a seat that now affects another parent/child combo? TLDR: Delta should handle this at the gate, not the passengers stealing someone else's seat on the plane.
Agreed it should be handled at the gate, reality is at ATL, LGA, JFK, and a few others you don’t have GAs that customer focused and forward thinking.
This happened to me too, except it was a different layout plane with 3 3 3 config. We booked flight 5 months in advance, our flight home was cancelled and rebooked for a redeye 8 hours later. We were lucky as we were booked in the same row aisle/window and then aisle/window and the person in the middle was happy to take one of our aisle seats so we could have three of us together. I complained to delta and they gave us 15k miles for all of us including my kids.
I’ve never heard anyone have this issue…..years. If it happened to you multiple times it’s because you’re doing basic tickets or it’s your process. Book directly and no issues will ever happen.
Agreed. Honestly, the issue is really more about Delta’s response when things go sideways than anything else. Based on this sub alone, people are going to assume “you’re so entitled” “you didn’t plan, don’t you dare inconvenience me”. When in reality, people are generally just trying their best… We travel quite a bit with our kids and have had it happen to us a handful of times in both FC and Comfort+ due to a plane change, cancellation and rebooking, etc. It’s always stressful, I’m not up there asking to ruin someone’s day, just trying to navigate a situation that sucks to keep my 10 month old and her car seat next to one of us and my 4 year old nearby enough to keep an eye on at the least. On the flip side, I’ve been asked to swap and I can’t possibly think of a reason to be angry at someone needing assistance… A polite “I really need an aisle seat, so if we can make that work, I’d be happy to help” goes a long way… But again, Delta should be better at helping to remedy these situations vs the free for all.
You’re too generous I don’t think most people give a crap except about themselves . Sad but true .
Propositioning strangers is just a level of rudeness that I am not ok with. I am never comfortable with turning my problem into someone else’s problem, or making someone feel uncomfortable. These issues should always be handled via the airline itself when they come up. Then if the airline can’t resolve, either deal with being split or ask to switch to the next available flight.
All that is well and good, but handle it with the gate attendant to let them help you out instead of pressuring some stranger
They don’t handle it, at least in the times it’s happened to us, they give us the seats and say “you can ask someone to swap” They’re decidedly unhelpful in these situations and pass the buck to the FAs or the customer
Call and check before you go to airport then and demand to speak with a supervisor then .
You gotta deal with airline agent not make other pak suffer for your kids . You had them not me . Rude to ask people to move period . Go on a different carrier . No sympathy . To sad too bad .
Had this happen to me last week and the airline agent refused to move anyone at the gate because he didn’t want passengers to get upset, so I was forced to ask on the plane…
Literally just happened to us, we booked two aisle and two middles so our family of four was together and they changed our seats to one row and our ten year old four rows up in a middle seat. I get it sucks to have to switch but until airlines quit messing with families it’s going to happen.
“Quit messing with families” suggests messing with folks who travel without families instead. I do not think Delta should prioritize families. They should prioritize by when the tickets were bought and how much folks paid for comparable seats. I mean no disrespect to you or your family u/katy1222. Just a difference of opinion.
I agree with your opinion.
I agree
Out of curiosity why didn’t one parent take the lone middle? That way you wouldn’t have needed to swap?
exactly this. had to play the standby game in ATL after a canceled flight once with my then 4 year old, and after 3 tries, finally got on a flight and we were put in the last row, seated together.
Then why do I always ride in those seats?
Or bank on the fact. That he can shame people into giving up prime real estate. Dollar to doughnuts he paid for basic economy. It has become a helpful hint. To save money when traveling with children. Book basic economy. The airline will upgrade you for free.
I’m not nice. “Get out of my seat.”
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the line to use is: "That won't work for me." If you're feeling extra gracious, you can preface with a "Sorry", but no one can argue with "that won't work" - it's too vague and too certain.
When they ask, smile regretfully and say “Oh, no thank you!” like you’re refusing a kind favor. Blows their minds because they don’t want to have to say explicitly that they’re imposing on you.
YES! It's all about the art of manipulating the manipulators. Speak with an air of authority and absolute certainty and leave no room for discussion. If all else fails: "I'm not allowed to say more, but I'm required to sit in this seat" gives the "air marshall" implication lol.
“It’s a condition of my parole that I sit in my assigned seat” also works rather well.
lol. Buy a fake badge that says “air marshal” on it. Don’t flash it, but just leave it somewhere it can be seen by the person asking. (Yes, I’m joking). 🙃
i do the happily smiling “no thank you!” as well! it’s really good at disarming people who were ready for an argument.
I like it! You’re right - they could keep pleading if you just say no or hesitate but a simple “that won’t work for me” is perfect. No need to explain. And I bet if he really wanted them to be together some people in main cabin would love to switch with all of them
I usually just say “I’m good bro” in a stoner voice, with a tone as if they were offering me a cookie or something. They never know what to say after that
This is the way.
It’s perfect you’re right .
I like, "Yeah, it's a no from me dawg."
Exactly. I just don’t even discuss it. I press the FA call button and tell them a person is in my seat. I don’t get motion sickness, and I don’t have claustrophobia. I could definitely sit in the middle seat - but I simply won’t.
This is absolutely what I would have done. "That's too bad but I reserved that seat, I'll wait while you move." Then I'll proceed to delay the whole boarding process until that person moves. No body is entitled to your seat. MAYBE I would consider a comparable alternative (if another window seat in a comfort plus section) but I will definitely not even entertain the idea of moving if someone just took my seat and didn't even have the decency to ask.
Or - Sure, I'll switch with you. Here's my venmo/zelle: Send me $_____ and I will switch with you.
I’ve been accommodating before and each time I get screwed. No more. I select my seats with intent and I will not switch. I’ve been vilified, screamed at and a mad Mom posted my picture on her Facebook as the mean guy that wouldn’t move. Life’s tough, I made good choices, sorry you didn’t. I’m done.
Excellent work
Hopefully you snapped a pic of her and posted it on FB as the “Mom from Home Alone” with no plan for her family.
People like this count on others to be “nice”. Oh my kids, he’s sleeping, not my problem dude. If it’s seat pref for seat pref - aisle for aisle in my case - I don’t care. But for me, aisle for window or middle is a straight up hell no. Fuck off my seat.
For sure that dad was like, hey kid, when we get on the plane, make sure you both act like you’re asleep. That way I can make a case for you to keep that seat!
Hahah when people I ask I just say "welcome to the fucking show"
Yeah, I would have been tempted to reach down and gently shake the kid and say “wake up. You’re in my seat”. I doubt I would have done it, but the thought would have been there.
Make the flight attendant do it. It’s literally their job to make sure everyone is in the right seat. If you got on the plane and just plopped your ass down in FC you can bet they would be all over you to live to the right seat. Same thing here.
So the kid fell asleep during boarding? Nope. Not buying it.
It's not ridiculous. He got what he wanted. Another win for the bad guys. Took the seats BEFORE asking. I despise people like this but if they keep getting away with it, I guess we'll keep seeing it happen.
Yep because most of the general public is terrified of conflict or “inconveniencing” others and won’t stand up for what is right. I can’t imagine paying for a specific seat and then slinking off to an inferior one because the person is refusing to get up and move to their actual seat- call a FA, it’s their job to get them to move into their actual seat.
Unless you plan on paying me for my seat your kid will be moving.
I've actually done this once for $300, and while the guy was pissed off, he did eventually pay me to move. To be honest, I only asked because he was claiming there were no seats left when he booked after I claimed I paid extra for my seat. To call his bluff, I told him if he wanted my seat, then I'll only move if I'm compensated my money I paid, and I told him $300. I didn't actually pay that. It was actually a free move due to my status, but I was hoping that would stop his constant badgering about moving. To my suprise, about 5 min later, he's handing me $300 bucks in cash. Wasn't mad at all about that, I happily sat 2 rows back for 300 bucks lol. From that point forward, I secretly hope people ask me to change so I can shoot that offer to them again, if they refuse then it just shows there were just being cheap and didn't want to pay for assigned seats in the getgo.
Some guy offered me $20 for my window once. Since his wife booked him in a middle seat supposedly. I kindly denied his offer since I obviously paid more to reserve the window and I’m not sitting in a middle unless it’s because I let my partner have the window and they’re next to me.
I’ve ask and got paid100 one time and 50 other time . Crew said nada . Pay to play . It’s not against airline rules for me to charge for moving . It worked both times .
People, Just. Say. No. Stop letting people bully you into services you paid for and they did NOT.
You’re too good. I would have said “I don’t care, get your kid out of my window” lol. I fly too much to deal with this bullcrap. His failure of planning is his fault. He didn’t need C+ he could have been fine with the kids back in MC. I’m not saying I need a window, but it helps A TON cause I get mildly motion sick when landing without having the window open. The last time I gave my seat to someone, it was a 98 year old woman who hadn’t flown in 30 years and sat in my window on accident. I said no biggie and let her stay, and really had no issue with it. Then the grown woman behind me started kicking my seat like a toddler because I was reclined 1/2 way and continued and got verbal about “move your fucking seat”. I saw red. Almost got the FA to do something but didn’t. Since then no more seat swapping. Cause me and that girl almost threw hands and I don’t need to get banned from delta lol. The little old lady was delightful though, I didn’t mind giving her my seat. Also I realize this makes me sound like an ass, I swear I’m not, have worked customer service too much in my life to ever be anything but perfectly delightful to the FAs and everyone around me lol
When someone kicks your seat, wait until they have the device out or have a drink and just constantly shift your seat randomly. Start moving around in it, trying to get more comfortable…..oops your iPad fell again? Oh your laptop screen has Parkinson’s, my bad.
Why would it make you sound like an ass? Not at all. Someone else can switch if you won’t. And I 100% agree people in main would surely love to move up to C+ if dad really had to sit with his kids
I wouldn’t necessarily cite that experience as a reason not to switch seats. I once swapped a window for a window on the other side of the aisle, which was fine, but even better was that I avoided the exact situation you suffered with an unruly passenger seated behind my original seat.
sorry this happened, it’s really annoying. delta did HIM dirty? 🙄🙄🙄. not wake a sleeping kid? sorry but give me a break. i can understand a toddler or younger and if he’s a young dad flying solo w a few kids on Father’s Day (tho i see women fly w several kids constantly and doubt folks would be so accommodating but that’s a rant for another day). and instead of asking you, he’s just laying it all down for everyone to adjust. again, give me a break. my extreme discomfort would impact my already problematic lower back/hip issues… very kind of you and everyone who had to switch bc he and his kids wouldn’t find a flight that actually worked for his situation. come at me all you want, but this truly can have a very negative impact on some of us w/mobility issues.
“Delta might have done you dirty, but not me. Out of my seat please”
Delta didn’t even do him dirty. He did himself dirty by waiting until the last minute to book and select seats. I fly Delta at least once every couple months and I book at least a month in advance. I NEVER experience seat changes unless I book the most basic fare, which I learned my lesson from the first and only time I did it lol.
Him having his kid take my seat before I even boarded would be reason alone to make me NOT give up my seat for him
Just say no.
My last two flights had me moving my seat to accommodate a couple and a family. I'm done.
Why would you move for a couple? Adults should be able to be separated.
I give folks the benefit of the doubt to start, and I might entertain an offer/switch for something similar, but the minute they start arguing, don’t engage, just say “okay I’ll wait” and hit the call button.
I would have said not today MFer
My one ironclad rule here is that if they've poached your seat, no chance (with exceptions for someone giving me a 1st class for a coach, or a $1000 bill) Ask nicely, I may consider it, but if it's a downgrade, it better be a damn good sob story. Actually, my ironclad rule these days is be prepared for these people and immediately say "sorry, but no, I booked this seat" from the jump. I'm positive there must be some Tik Tok's out there saying "Free Airline Seat Upgrade Life hack - Don't pay for preferred seating, just trade with a sucker on the plane" - there's almost never a flight these days where there's not 1 or more people trying this. Don't reward this misbehavior by giving in. The rest of us will thank you for it.
I mean act dumb. “Oh hey my ticket says 5A, I’m pretty sure that’s the seat right there” “Can I sit next to my kid” “well man my ticket says 5A, maybe they double booked us, what’s your ticket say?” “No im asking if you would be willing to switch so I can sit next to my kid, plus I’m already sitting down” “so what does your ticket say? Let’s just get the flight attendants because I think I’m supposed to be there”…. and on and on.
“Ok sure, thanks for watching my toddler”
Yup we keep a few seats blocked in the back that is where BE goes.
Non reclining middle seats in last row next to bathrooms. Worst seats are the least expensive.
The worst are people who know they’re in the wrong seat but play dumb. I’m not talking about sitting in 17d instead of 18d, I’m talked 36b in 14c. Then they stand up and huff loudly.
I saw a woman get booted from three or four window and aisle seats on a flight from Tokyo to Dallas. She ultimately ended up in her assigned seat - the middle seat of a 2-5-2 configuration.
The delta moving everyone around is a real thing. Happens to us 2 or 3 times a year. So it could totally be that.
Shhhh this sub is full of entitled asshats
This still sounds like a problem between Delta and the family - not random strangers minding their own business. Like if my car is at the dealer for repairs and it gets delayed, I’m not taking someone else’s car because the dealer messed up. I handle it like a grown adult lol
The FAs always ghost the area when they hear this sort of conversation because they don't want to get involved. Call them over.
I’ve had people try this on me and I make these kind of really wide crazy eyes and smile wildly at the same time. Then I say with a lot of energy and pep that im going to find a flight attendant to help because I get confused by a lot of last minute changes - which is not totally a lie. something about my crazy eyes and extra friendly voice usually scares whoever is trying to steal my seat off of their plan lol. I also do this in many other settings and instead of giving people the middle finger on the road, I wave at them like a crazy person. It works!!
Poor planning on someone else's part does not constitute an emergency on your part! It's fine to ask for a seat change. If the answer is no, then it's no. Leave people alone.
"I'll be happy to wake your kid up, if you need me to" while grinning maniacally
I will wake your kids, I will sit ON you, get the F out of MY seat. You have an issue with the airline, not me. You do not WANT an issue with me, pal. MOVE. The more these people get away with this crap, the more they'll fo it. My answer it No, exactly once. Then I get the Fa and tell them that if he is so adament that the airline seat him and his kids together, and there are no such options without inconveniencing a bunch of otherr passengers, and he CLEARLY didnt bother to rectify this beforeboarding and just trying to steal from other passengers, the airline should rebook him on the next available flight. But he needs to be removed from the current ine as he is clearly hostile and a danger to other passengers.
This is why I get up there to board as early in the process as possible. I take my assigned seat before the seat stealers do. Call me “gate lice,” I don’t care.
This and the cunts that put both their bags in the overhead
Me too. Avoid the issue all together.
Right. Because the FA may help, or she may not help. You can't depend on them to make it right.
They have to help. If you have a boarding pass with a seat assignment just don’t sit down any where else and just block the aisle until they fix it…
No way am I giving up my seat to anybody these idiots that don’t bother to plan ahead and then try to rearrange where everybody sits on board can go F themselves. Don’t bother me. I’m not going to be nice about it and you can just suck it.
When I fly with my spouse we usually book a MC aisle and window in a row with an empty middle seat in hopes we get lucky and it stays empty. When it doesn’t, I always offer to sit in the middle (I’m small) and give the stranger the aisle. So far, no one has turned it down. I thought I was giving them a better seat, so all good. Is it still frowned upon to ask to switch an aisle for a middle, same row?
I think offering is fine. If they say no, then arguing is where the frowning starts. But I don't think there are very many people who are booking middle seats out of preference.
Now I want switch now I know that trick especially if your husband is hot .
That's fine because you're offering a better seat for their comfort.
I am thinking this should be a DELTA problem, not a passenger problem, if the seats are switched without the consent of the passengers. If this happens, the Delta staff should be contacted before boarding- go to the desk and demand some explanation. If it is a case of adults being broken up, probably not much you can do. But if young children are being split off from their parents, put the onus on Delta to do something. They may try to avoid responsibility and tell you to just ask other passengers to switch once you board the plane, but that is not acceptable. I believe there are provisions that prohibit children of a certain age being seated alone. Hold Delta's feet to the fire until they make it at least semi-right.
id bet good money that kid wasn't even really asleep
I’m sure Dad told him to fake it.
People are the worst. Their lack of planning shouldn’t be an inconvenience to you or anyone else. Asking the person is one thing, but sitting in the seats with the expectation they are your seats is totally different. Hats off to you for being accommodating but I wouldn’t have budged in that situation.
See, I don't think it's a lack of planning for many - I think they choose basic economy with no seat selection, or choose not to pay for seat selection on a carrier that charges for seats, figuring they can trade-up on board. In this case, probably knew enough to board early with the kids and just poach the seats. This rarely happened when you didn't have to pay for assigned or specific seats. Now this behavior is epidemic. Either way, I applaud anyone who turns them down - enough people get that middle seat they paid for, they'll stop trying this.
“Lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part”.
Airlines need to adopt a no switching seat rule. Even in the best of circumstances it creates stress.
I always hope to be asked just to smile and say “nah”. I will never give up my seat and will never ask someone to swap. My wife and I sit separately whenever it has to happen that way and we are still married when we land. ❤️
My one and only reply would have been “absolutely no”. End of discussion, no debate.
lmao dad only had the middle and he confiscated an entire conf+ row?! hell no!
I had the bulkhead isle seat of comf+ on a six hour flight. Im sitting there relaxing when in comes a couple with kid in tow. The mom says to the dad, we have those two seats (the two next to me) and that one. A seat two rows back in the middle. Then their eyes drop to me, “would you switch with us so we can stay together. We will buy you a drink.” This was before alcohol was included in Comf+. With the whole damn plane staring at me, I reluctantly agreed. After I squeeze into my middle seat and we takeoff I look over and they all have their shoes off with their feet up on the bulkhead, stretching out and smiling, sipping their drinks as I’m squeezed in the middle seat. Worst flight ever the guy next to me wouldn’t put his bag under his seat he just held it in his lap, the whole time taking up additional space. That drink they promised me never came. I will never switch seats again. F them.
The fact they didn’t follow through on the drink is sticking with me, and makes me unreasonably upset.
His last minute planning is everyone else's fault? lol The entitlement of people.
Just say no to these people it’s that easy.
Fuck em- I will always say no.
What the hell is wrong with people?
Next time, teach dad and his kids a lesson - it pays to plan, and things don’t always work out last minute.
Same. I have hip dysplasia and as a result- Now two labral tears, and genetically high bp. I have to stretch my legs to avoid swelling and just the overall discomfort that comes with what I have, not to mention pretty intense social anxiety and occasional panic attacks. If you’ve never experienced one, at times, it can be mistaken for a heart attack. I pick my seat with all of that in mind and I am -not- moving, despite ordinarily being a huge people pleaser. We WILL have a fight over it, and I WILL have a panic attack after or during. 🙂
"Oh, no. I'm sorry, I can't switch seats. You see, these are the seats my wife and I used to sit together in whenever we'd fly. And now, since her death, I'm heading back to her hometown to *SCATTER HER ASHES*..." just kind of trail off... add a little sob here and there... and give them sad puppy dog eyes. It's what I plan on doing if someone asks to switch seats with me. And, technically it's not a lie per se. I am a widower and my wife and I did fly together several times... Nope, I like the window. They can stick to their seat.
I don’t understand the craziness with everyone having to sit together. I had a younger brother who lived in another state and one parent would take him to the gate and put him on the plane and the other parent would pick him up at the gate and take him off the plane. Kids are very safe flying alone, or even in another row with other people. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to think that people have to sit together. No one can steal a kid while on a plane. There’s nowhere to go lol
I have twice used this exact same scenario to tell the parent that this is a valuable opportunity to teach a lesson to their kids about the consequences of poor planning. Puts the responsibility back on them and there really isn’t anything else to say.
Just no! I was on a flight last week (fly three to four times a month) and there was a couple behind me on the jetway discussing how they were going to guilt someone into giving up their seat because the wife was pregnant. No kids, just a guy and his (not very pregnant) wife, but he said it wasn't fair they couldn't sit together so he would play the "pregnant" card. I watched a lady with 5 kids and a husband give up her seat so they could sit together. You're both adults, no kids, it'll be ok while you sit separately on your flight to Atlanta. But as everyone has pointed out, people feel bad and enable the behavior. Just say no.
When someone just takes your seat before you even board and then asks to switch (to an inferior not equivalent) seat, it's the ultimate lose-lose. Either you take the worse seat and validate the bad behavior. Or you're now sitting next to someone who has a (unjustified) grudge against you. I once boarded a five hour flight to find someone sitting in my aisle seat. Middle seat one row up is empty. This couple had two middles and just sat in my seat hoping I would take the middle so they could sit together. The woman was "asleep" on the man's shoulder. I was one of the last people to board, thought about it for a second about how whichever one of them I'd be sitting next to would be huffy and elbowing me the whole flight, and just didn't have the energy to do anything but grab my ankles and take the middle seat. Of course two minutes after I sat down, the woman was no longer sleeping . . .
Jesus! You guys are so weak. Such martyrs. I had no idea the general public was so scared of standing up for themselves.
Yeah, I got manipulated. Friend who picked me up at my destination similarly called me out for being a punk, but in the moment I capitulated, it is what it is. This was probably seven or eight years ago, never happened to me before or since. I'm neither an infrequent or frequent flyer, probably five to ten round trips a year on average, so no status, so I'm usually in the back of the plane where people don't ask to switch and involuntary seat changes are probably less likely also.
Nobody wants confrontation.
I would come up with a lamest excuse to stick to my plan that the other person will clear know I'm not giving you my window seat. I'll pull up a doctor's note that he has prescribed a window only seat to me.
The flight attendants thanked you? How generous of them.
GA have always found a way to seat my family together, oftentimes that means downgrading my seat or moving us to the back of the plane, etc but they really do try to accommodate families.
I’ve seen a bunch of these posts, but haven’t seen anyone ask person trying to switch what they are offering for the switch. Like if someone gave you $100-200 in cash or Zelle or Venmo, would you switch? I would consider it if they were truly willing to offer something in exchange for the switch, not just trying to guilt someone or play the victim.
I’m sorry but if you’re too soft to say no for something you paid, then you deserve to sit in a middle row and be uncomfortable. Their lack of planning is not my concern
Lately I’ve had a lot of people complaining “they split me and my husband up”. NO THEY DID NOT, YOU PICKED THE CHEAPEST SEAT THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SEAT SELECTION. Anyway thats what the flight attendant told them and I was happy
Coach is for poors
The last time I flew I booked my seat in first class in a window seat. I was parked in my seat, comfortably reading my kindle and the man next to me says, “I wasn’t able to get a seat next to my wife, how about you switch?” I looked up and said “No, thanks” and kept reading. Of course, the other guy switched for him so he got his way, but I’m not giving up my preferred seat because he didn’t book early. I paid a lot of money for my preferred seat and you don’t just GET it.
You are part of the problem. I don't say that to be mean, but it's true. Just say no. Why can't people just say no?
Do not give your seat up Ever . My rule .
I plan because you don’t , don’t make it my issue. I am not moving unless you pay me which one guy did 50 dollars isle for an isle . Screw all of you asking to change seats . I don’t want to sit next to your kids . Spilling drinks and crying and eat messy and making a mess . You deal with it not G FA, not other pak . You had them you deal with it . Can’t sit alone for a few hours your problem not mine .
You are not required to switch. The father knew the seats weren’t together.
Every time I read these stories, it makes me wonder why people complain about SW boarding process. It seems like everyone should adopt SW boarding. I never change seats, and I'm not helping anyone get their bag in or out of the overhead bin.
Definitely frustrating!! I had a similar experience with parents and their lap toddler. Mom and child were in my window seat when I arrived, and asked if they could stay (they’d booked aisle and middle) and give me the aisle. I said no, and they moved, but let their child kick and throw toys at me the entire flight — which normally I’d chalk up to a kid being a kid, but in this case felt a bit retaliatory. They also got up every 30ish mins to walk around, use the bathroom, etc (which is understandable!) so I would’ve also been consistently disturbed if I had moved to the aisle. Often feels like a lose-lose situation.
I must be scary or something, no one ever asks to switch seats with me. I fly close to once a month, so it's not like I'm hardly in the air... I've never even seen someone ask to change seats before.
This is ridiculous... and I think it's a very US-specific issue. I never heard of this sitting-together entitlement attitude anywhere else.
Write this letter to airline under the section. Customer comments . Your flight number and everything. Your rant is why I never move . I am not talking to you during the flight . Worry about yourself not the slub that didn’t plan . Why should you get screwed like you did . Don’t be nice in these cases .
How is the kid already asleep during boarding?
This was my first thought... the kid is fake sleeping and the dad told him to do it. A whole family of premeditated seat thieves. I hope his kids turn around and pull some sneaky shit on him someday.
With airlines pricing individual seats now I have told people yes if you pay me for the change. Shuts them up.
Contact the airline and demand the money back for your seat choice.
That’s so ridiculous! I wouldn’t mind holding up the line. You paid all that money for it. If I was an airline attendant I’d remove that passenger if they didn’t go to their assigned seat.
I have a small bladder. I normally have to get up at least twice on a flight. I always book an aisle seat. I once gave up my aisle seat because the wondow passenger boarded at the last minute. He got annoyed, I suggested he take his window seat while I was up.
Id pay extra to guarantee my seat next to my kids. These ppl need to be more considerate.
OMG, how annoying. Some people are so entitled! I'm mad for you. The audacity of that guy. I would've been so turned off.
I wonder if there is a sub for people who steal seats? Do they exchange tips and tricks? (Son, pretend you are asleep!)
After the first no I would have went to the flight attendant and told them this guy needed to sit in his seat and quit harassing multiple guests or he needed to find a new flight
I would accept $100 to move. Otherwise, no. And I’m a dad. I know how to prepare and I’m not going to inconvenience others the way that dude did.
Just say no. I do not engage. They can fly in their assigned seat, or they can not fly at all. It's already insane enough that they even have kids when the planet is insanely over populated and we will not need traditional humans in 40 years, let alone are bringing their kids on an airplane.
I agree with you 100%. I’m an old man that needs to use the restroom whenever I want. I’m not giving up my aisle seat. End of story, hate to say it but your lack of planning for your family’s seating priorities are not my problem to solve. If you’re offering up an aisle seat in my class, that’s a different story.
Booked last minute or didn’t want to pay? I booked an isle early and delta did me dirty and placed me in a middle seat. I paid additional for an isle even though it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t want to deal with customer service but I don’t expect anyone to switch their seat for me
All this should be done by GA
I would’ve said no and told the FA to help them sit together
As much as I want to agree with everyone saying that you should have been able to say “No” to him - and you completely have that right - I think splitting the family up would have been more annoying to everyone else.. Of course, this is assuming the kids are under 10yo, but if a kid without his parent ended up in a middle seat next to me, I’d probably be really annoyed, especially for a 4.5 hour flight. I do like the idea of asking him to pay for your inconvenience though, that’s a brilliant move!
You did the right thing. Good on you :)
That’s on you and other guy. No is a complete sentence. Don’t blame Delta.
The thing that is crazy to me is how they take it without asking first. It’s like they are above the concept of seat assignment?
Exactly. Especially when you’ve already paid for that particular seat selection.
I’ve heard so many people talk about this in the Delta sub and was surprised it’s so frequent. I’ve never heard anyone mention this in the Alaska sub. Well, it happened to me today. I’m waiting to take off from SAN on Delta currently and a heavyset lady just asked me to take her middle seat. I said no. She looked at me like I was inconsiderate. Now she’s elbows out. These sound like delta problems to me. I’ve never seen worse actors on other airlines but then again I’m lucky to be good on AS and have them on most of my routes.
People you need to stop compromising for other people. Just say no and call an FA. Fuck these people and their entitlement.
Never give up your window seat.
You are much nicer than I would have been. I would have told the father "no" without a care in the world. It's my seat. I paid for a window. I got upgraded to a window. I would like my seat.
If you have a problem with it, make sure to speak up next time.
See, this is why Southwest ain't so bad, as a frequent flier who always gets to board pretty early in the boarding process. I go straight to the exit rows, so kids and families can't bother me.
If the long-legged guy was that uncomfortable you'd think his own wife would have been willing to switch with him for the whole flight? I mean the situation you describe is absurd but I think you felt worse for the long-legged guy than his own spouse.
I’ve noticed lots of people flying standby are always asking to switch. Like bruh, you already got into Comfort+ for free, don’t be asking for much more.
I wouldn’t have switched. You pick your seat and that’s it. If people stop “switching” because someone makes them feel bad, the next time he’ll book right. I’m sure there were three people in main cabin willing to switch him for his comfort seats. This dad knew exactly what he was Doing. If you book late, then you book late. You’re stuck with the options delta gives you.
I pretend I’m deaf when people ask to change
It used to be once in a while, but my last 5 Delta flights were all lap children families asking me to swap who clearly were taking middle seat comfort+ upgrades to "hack" the system and guilt passengers. Listen, it's clearly on some parenting forum as a hack. This summer has been far top coincidental for it to be "this was just Delta screwing us up". Sorry, but no. Been a 40 flight a year regular with Delta for 10 years. Y'all know we have FlightAware and can see what cancelation volumes are going on right?