Originally Posted by
DJ_Iceman
First of all, I'm sorry for the extra hassle when traveling during what is already a stressful time. But I have to ask--wouldn't the simplest trade have been for your wife to give her business class seat to the passenger who ended up in the D seat? Unless that's what you mean by saying they didn't want to give up the seat on a trade (but that would be a very unusual refusal indeed)?
Not true. I once had to ask three different people on a flight so that I could sit with my family. I still remember that flight to this day bc I was shocked I was refused twice. I also remember bc the woman who eventually said yes was sitting in a middle E+ seat and she too was reticent. Of course,now, these are different times...