Flight attendant says you should always ask crew before you swap plane seats
A flight attendant has lifted the lid on when they are most likely to let customers swap seats.
Nowadays you often have to pay extra if you want to select your plane seats - so for a lot of people, the alternative is simply to hope you get put together, or that a stranger is willing to kindly switch seats.
Unfortunately in the latter, it can be a controversial topic.
Anaïs Monique is a former veteran flight attendant who has dealt with many seat-swapping requests during her time in the skies.
She says she would regularly turn down "unnecessary" seat swapping requests from friends or family members who simply wanted to sit close to one another.
Abandoned UK airport plans relaunch with budget flights to Spain and Cyprus
Passengers should feel no pressure to swap seats (Getty Images/Caiaimage)"On full flights, there's no wiggle room to move about the cabin for unnecessary reasons," she told Insider.
Anaïs would also prioritise moving unaccompanied children as close as possible to where the flight attendants work, to be able to provide them with extra support.
She also made sure to try and accommodate swap requests from caregivers separated from their young children or infants.
The former flyer urged people to be empathetic when it comes to helping out with swaps for certain people.
"No one should feel obligated to swap seats with a parent, or any passenger, however, a child separated from their caregiver is more vulnerable when seated around strangers," Anaïs said.
"The only other non-emergency swap requests I'd prioritize are from passengers who have extremely tight flight connections and wish to be seated closer to the boarding door."
Anaïs is sympathetic towards people who find themselves in the wrong seat, as often it is not through a lack of planning.
Many airlines retain the right to change your seat position even if you've reserved it and without warning.
When it comes to managing seat swaps successfully, Anaïs recommends not feeling pressured to oblige a request if you don't want to, and to consult a flight attendant on any asks.
Such are the stakes and pressure involved in plane seat swapping, people regularly take to the internet to blow off some steam and share their stressful experiences.
Parents leave baby at airport check-in to avoid paying more for Ryanair flight
One man recently went on Reddit to recall how an elderly couple recently tried to take his seat on the plane.
The man explained: "Saw a few plane seat-related posts so I thought I would add my story.
"A few years ago my significant other and I planned a three-month trip around the world. Our first flight was from New Zealand-LA. 12-13 hours.
Seat swapping can be a high pressure event (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I'm 6'3 and wanted the extra legroom. Cost an extra $60 (£50).
"This flight was with Air New Zealand, the screen has your name on it when you get to your seat.
"We get on the plane. Find our seats and there is this older couple sitting there (mid 70s). I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers. They hadn't
"I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen. They then ask me just sit in their seats which were ten rows back. No leg room.
After the elderly couple refused to move from the seats, the man demanded that they return to their original seats as he 'paid extra'.
The man explained the conversation: "Me: You want me to sit in your seats?
"OP(old people): Yes, that would be nice thank you.
"Me: I paid extra for these seats and would like to sit in them. Please move to your seats.
"OP: Oh, it's not that bad there's plenty of legroom.
"Me: Yeah, there's plenty of legroom in my seats because I paid for it. I'll help move your bag if you need."
In the midst of their conversation, a flight attendant approached the passengers to question what was going on as a long line had formed in the middle of the plane.
The conversation continued: "OP: This man wants us to move seats!
"Flight attendant: Sir, please go to your allocated seats.
"Me: Here is my ticket, these people are sitting in my seats. I paid extra because I need the legroom.
"FA to old people: Excuse me, you will have to move to your own seats as you have not paid for these seats
"Old people: Well, can we please have an upgrade?
"FA: Sorry, this is a full flight so that's not possible."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
