Originally Posted by ScienceTeacher

I certainly don’t think staying silent when you want to swap to be with someone is the answer; and that comes from someone with anxiety who will certainly spend the flight mulling over the fact “have I pissed you off” or “have I been in the wrong”.

The last time I swapped was eventful. It was August of 2024 when I was flying back from Nairobi. Economy, 777-200 and an almost full flight.

I was in 31K. Exit row, loads of room, economy and a mother with her teenager beside me. The purser came, introduced themselves (I was Gold at the time) and gave me some water. Quick as a cat both mother and son wanted the water too. Sure enough, water provided -crisis averted.

Boarding complete was promptly announced when a gentleman came up asking to move. He was in 15J he said, WTP, but wanted to be with his family. I explained the higher cabin he was in perhaps was not a like for like swap; but his family was more important he said.

No issue at all in my mind, so the chap at the door took me to 15J when boarding had completed.

I walked with him, excited, a business class meal and blanket home in a WTP seat? Yes!

Except someone was already there. Their boarding pass clearly said 15J and they had absolutely no idea what we were talking about when I said an ‘African man offered me this seat’. Awkwardly I came back with the cabin crew member.

He was very settled in by now; Breaking Bad on his phone without headphones in English, mum fast asleep and the child now unable to understand anything except his iPhone showing TikTok dances. The purser came back, shocked to see me again here simply wanting my seat back.

A few glasses of wine in I knew it best to retreat and let them resolve it.

I waited patiently as the father exclaimed the mum couldn’t move as her ankle was broken, and the child had a ‘special need’ (singular) and couldn’t follow an instruction.

Quick as a feather the purser explained that as it was an exit row they’d all have to move. No English was understood from here on in until the last ground staff member leaving overheard and told them the long story in a short way. It was here I learned French have had, and still does a presence somewhat in Nairobi in that both spoke it fluently and ‘Billet’ (ticket to you and my mum) was the most used word.

Relegated to a middle four I think three from the back the flight took off. I had my seat and they had one too.

To this day I’ve always wondered where he got 15J from and how - after speaking fluent English to me - could claim minutes later to not understand a word.

I did indeed feel awkward and anxious for the entire flight thereafter, not because I asked to move seats, but because I did, and the faff caused thereafter!