Swapping seats on a plane can be quite a conundrum for travellers.
It's not uncommon for fellow passengers to approach you with a request to swap seats. This typically happens when a duo or group hasn't managed to secure adjacent seating and would like an amiable traveller to help them sit together.
The question of whether it's reasonable to agree to seat swapping has been a topic of much discussion. While some are okay with moving, others are firm believers in keeping the seat you were initially assigned, regardless of your feelings about it.
One woman who used to be fine with switching has now gone viral after vowing never to do so again following an unpleasant experience where two passengers deceived her into relinquishing her aisle seat.
Jackie Camardo shared her story on TikTok about a New York to Lisbon flight on which a couple requested she swap seats so they could sit together. Generally open to such swaps, Jackie was hesitant this time as she had paid more for an aisle seat. Despite her reservations, when the couple assured her their seat was "right behind" hers, she consented, expecting to take up a similar position just one row back.
She said: "I paid extra to get an aisle seat. I get settled early, and a younger couple comes up to me and asks if I would mind changing my seat so they can sit together. Usually, I'm totally cool to do this.
"So I go, 'Where's your seat?' and she tells me it's right behind me. I'm like, 'Okay, no problem, of course' and I start packing up my stuff and start moving to get the aisle seat right behind mine. I'm about to sit down in my new seat and she goes, 'Oh, no, it's actually the middle seat'."
Jackie was fuming after realising the couple had deceived her about the location of their seat. But, feeling too awkward to retract her offer to switch seats, she ended up enduring a seven-hour flight in a less comfortable middle seat, having originally paid for an aisle seat.
She recounted: "[The woman] did offer to take her seat back, but at this point, the flight attendants are getting everybody seated, and I feel like everybody on the plane is looking at me and watching this all happen. It's just awkward. In my mind, it's too late, and I'm going to look like a total a**hole.
"Let's clarify. If you ask someone to change seats and they have an aisle or a window, you have to assume they probably paid extra for that seat - and you shouldn't even ask them to change to a middle seat. You shouldn't ask. It's rude to put someone in that situation.
"If they have a middle seat and you offer to switch to a window or an aisle, which people usually prefer, then sure. The only exception to this that I can think of is if its parents and kids. If you're travelling with a child and somehow get separated, I will gladly sit in the middle seat for you."
The video sparked a flurry of comments, with many agreeing with Jackie's stance. Many admitted they find it challenging to assert themselves or risk disappointing others by refusing a seat swap - so they wish passengers would refrain from asking.
One viewer commented: "Agreed. It's very RUDE! People need to stop asking for other people's seats unless there's a good and valid reason like the ones you mentioned."
Another added: "I would only consider to swap unless it's a better option. I would have said no. We need to be ok with saying no. This girl knew what she was doing. Sorry that happened to you."
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
