Man who refused to swap seats with pregnant woman on plane praised
An airline passenger has been praised after refusing to swap their seat with a pregnant woman.
The airplane seat etiquette debate continues to rages on.
Taking to the Reddit forum 'Am I the A**hole', the passenger explained that they had been travelling on a five-hour flight to visit family.
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They wrote: “I specifically booked and paid extra for an aisle seat in the second-to-last row because I have medical issues that sometimes require quick access to the bathroom.”
After taking their seat, they said they were approached by a pregnant woman, who, according to them, 'did not seem distressed', and asked if they would mind swapping.
However, they explained that they would not swap as they had reserved the seat and needed the quick access to the bathroom.
They continued: “While I felt for her situation, as someone with a medical condition, I did not feel it was fair to demand I move from the seat I planned for and paid for, especially since she apparently had not booked an aisle seat herself in advance.”
But why not just ask someone else on the flight to swap? Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy.
The man explained: “There were also no other aisle or close seats available on the full flight that I or flight crew could facilitate swapping.”
He said that the flight attendant had 'refused to help meditate when she insisted I should have to move'.
The man then suggested that the woman 'speak to her doctor' about needing accommodation if she could not sit far away from the bathroom during flights.
His family didn't think he went about the situation correctly.
He added: “I disagree though. I think [the pregnant woman] and the flight crew were unfairly targeting me instead of handling it through proper channels.”
However, people were largely on his side as one user wrote: "As a frequent flier I see this a lot. Entitled people thinking they can have whatever seat they want.
"Nope. If you paid to select your seat. That’s your seat. End of story. Your lack of planning or decision to be cheap is not my fault nor my obligation to remedy."
A second replied: "I wouldn’t have traded for a non aisle and I don’t have a medical issue.
"I picked and paid for an aisle seat so that is what I am getting."
A third posted: "You shouldn’t have to disclose your medical condition to anyone but are fully entitled to the seat you paid for.
"Your family owes you an apology if they are aware of your condition and insist you should have given up your seat."
Kit Roberts