A woman’s decision not to give up her airplane seat for a child wanting a window view has sparked a discussion online.
Air travel etiquette often stirs debate on social platforms, with differing opinions on whether travelers should relinquish their seats for families wanting to sit together or be considerate about reclining their seats.
The woman involved in this recent debate has expressed her viewpoint on an incident where a fellow passenger asked her to change seats mid-flight.
At 27 years old, she suffers from lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissues. To ensure a more comfortable journey, she always opts for a window seat.
She recounted on Reddit, “I always pay extra for a window seat upfront so I don’t bother anyone and can sleep the whole time,” due to her chronic pain and sleepiness from medication.
During a six-hour journey, the man beside her asked if she would be willing to trade seats so his seven-year-old son could enjoy the window view on his first flight.
She declined, stating, “I told him no and that I paid extra to have this specific seat. He said that it’s his son’s first airplane ride and that he would really like to look out the window.”
Offering a compromise, she suggested, “I’ll keep the window open for him then as I have an eye mask I can wear,” but the father insisted she was being difficult. He refused to compensate her for the seat, which she found unreasonable, leading her to put on headphones and ignore the request.
Throughout the flight, the child complained about not being able to exchange seats. Despite repeated requests, she stood her ground, even when a flight attendant intervened and suggested a seat swap for peace.
She later shared, “I told a couple of my friends with kids this story and they said I was unreasonable.”
Responses on Reddit varied. One user advised, “Anytime somebody starts badgering you about seat switching, immediately hit your flight attendant call button,” emphasizing the importance of asserting one’s right to the booked seat and asking for assistance from airline staff.
A parent on Reddit supported her, stating, “If he promised his kid a window seat, then he should have booked one.”
Another commenter criticized the father’s entitlement, saying, “You also don’t need to qualify why you wanted that seat. You chose it and you paid for it – and the reason is nobody’s business but yours.”