Jun 15, 2018, 3:18 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
There have been sufficient posts over the years on this topic so as to extend the scope of this thread from one instance to multiple instances of passengers asking to exchange seats with you.
The prevailing ideas of seat exchange etiquette seem to include:
Ask, don’t assume or surprise another passenger by poaching another passenger’s seat first, then asking when confronted. At that point, even for those willing, you’ll probably get a curt “no” reply - at best.
Ask nicely.
Try to have a reasonable purpose - you’re a companion to a person with a disability or condition requiring your assistance and the airline had no adjacent seats to sell.
Don’t expect a better seat to be granted for your worse seat. Ever.
Thank the other person. Shouting them a drink, etc. is even better.
Accept “no” gracefully; it wasn’t ever your seat.
The prevailing ideas of seat exchange etiquette seem to include:
Ask, don’t assume or surprise another passenger by poaching another passenger’s seat first, then asking when confronted. At that point, even for those willing, you’ll probably get a curt “no” reply - at best.
Ask nicely.
Try to have a reasonable purpose - you’re a companion to a person with a disability or condition requiring your assistance and the airline had no adjacent seats to sell.
Don’t expect a better seat to be granted for your worse seat. Ever.
Thank the other person. Shouting them a drink, etc. is even better.
Accept “no” gracefully; it wasn’t ever your seat.
The “would you change seats with me?” Master thread
Jun 16, 2018, 3:40 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
If a fourth were required: Yammering away on her cell phone.
Jun 16, 2018, 3:45 am
#32
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
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So, if DYKWIA lady (and her Faux "service animal"), Mr. or Ms. DYKWIA business person wants to sit next to his/her "associate, or some parent will suffer separation anxiety if not able to sit next to their ... over 5 year old offspring, the answer still will be (initially politely) always be: " No thank you. I have, for reasons of my own, chosen this seat, and for those reasons, choose NOT to change. Thank you for respecting my choice".
My .02 cents, or .017 euros.
Jun 16, 2018, 6:23 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 464
Once I was simply moved without consent. I was paged at the gate and handed a new BP by a gate agent when I approached the counter.
This was several years ago in an old config 777, and I wasn’t exactly fond of my bulkhead middle seat of 5 that I had to pick due to a last minute change.
I was given an aisle seat on the same row to accommodate a family sitting together so no complaints there for what clearly was a better seat. The bulkhead did not extend all the way in front of the seat, so unlimited legroom
This was several years ago in an old config 777, and I wasn’t exactly fond of my bulkhead middle seat of 5 that I had to pick due to a last minute change.
I was given an aisle seat on the same row to accommodate a family sitting together so no complaints there for what clearly was a better seat. The bulkhead did not extend all the way in front of the seat, so unlimited legroom
Jun 16, 2018, 9:34 am
#34
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When I was standing next to the offending pooch holding faux medical claim lady at the gate desk I noticed there was no ESA notification anywhere on that scruffy little mongrel. She was holding it in her arms at the gate, it wasn't on the floor. I do recall the shocked look when I nixed her request up front and center. I think the gate agent was a little taken too by my immediate, yet polite, denial of requested seat change.
So it makes you wonder how this lady got in this position in the first place. Was she online selecting a seat and choose the exit row, but didn't read the disclaimer that follows hoping to not "get caught". How about the "ESA"? Is that addressed in the exit row disclaimer?
Yes the body language of the poor eff in 8E says "I hate rat dogs" and "I can't stand this faux ESA shiite" and "lady, I have the middle so it is assumed I get claim to each arm rest".
So it makes you wonder how this lady got in this position in the first place. Was she online selecting a seat and choose the exit row, but didn't read the disclaimer that follows hoping to not "get caught". How about the "ESA"? Is that addressed in the exit row disclaimer?
Yes the body language of the poor eff in 8E says "I hate rat dogs" and "I can't stand this faux ESA shiite" and "lady, I have the middle so it is assumed I get claim to each arm rest".
Jun 16, 2018, 9:57 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 129
I love reading these experiences on flying. The behaviors of passengers, and the Hokey Pokey of Airline staff trying to accommodate the "needs" of passengers amuse me. The DYKWIA and the seat dilemma's are the best reading fodder in the morning. I am always amazed at what the frequent flyers deal with on what seems to be a regular basis. Keep the stories coming.
Jun 16, 2018, 12:48 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, 20 years
Posts: 464
This brings up should the gullible do gooder consulted the 2 other seat mates before surrendering the seat and allowing a lap animal into the row. I know if I was Mr 8E I would be quite disturbed by the change, bad enough getting the middle seat!
Jun 16, 2018, 1:05 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Jun 16, 2018, 1:48 pm
#38
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Jun 16, 2018, 7:34 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
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Posts: 6,416
Jun 16, 2018, 7:50 pm
#40
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The absence of a pet carrier should imply service dog or ESA, which BTW is not required to have a vest or other indication that it's an ESA. If so, the GA would be "entitled" to move someone to give the dog space in the bulkhead row as the animal would give passenger a special need, without even mentioning the cardiac condition.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Jun 16, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Jun 16, 2018, 9:25 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Row 11 is the 4th row of economy and also has extra legroom - really - I can't see that many people would have a huge concern
If asking someone to move from a seat with extra legroom to a normal one, I can see that it might not be appealing , but cannot imagine that there are really that many people obsessed about being in the front row and the extra 60 seconds it might take to get off of the aeroplane
You were asked, you declined - the agent assumedly asked another person and that person agreed - seems like no issue at all
If asking someone to move from a seat with extra legroom to a normal one, I can see that it might not be appealing , but cannot imagine that there are really that many people obsessed about being in the front row and the extra 60 seconds it might take to get off of the aeroplane
You were asked, you declined - the agent assumedly asked another person and that person agreed - seems like no issue at all
I'm a window person. If I had 8A, there's absolutely no way I would switch to an aisle non-reclining row (11C, in this case).
AA had to get the dog out of the exit row and they put the OP on the spot to solve it. I'm glad he denied them, it's pretty rude of AA to do this in front of the other pax they're trying to reaccomodate.
Jun 16, 2018, 9:39 pm
#45
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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I think you're missing an important detail, at least to me.
I'm a window person. If I had 8A, there's absolutely no way I would switch to an aisle non-reclining row (11C, in this case).
AA had to get the dog out of the exit row and they put the OP on the spot to solve it. I'm glad he denied them, it's pretty rude of AA to do this in front of the other pax they're trying to reaccomodate.
I'm a window person. If I had 8A, there's absolutely no way I would switch to an aisle non-reclining row (11C, in this case).
AA had to get the dog out of the exit row and they put the OP on the spot to solve it. I'm glad he denied them, it's pretty rude of AA to do this in front of the other pax they're trying to reaccomodate.
If the person had just been moved without asking, can see how that would be annoying , but this isn't close to being the case
I still believe that there are plenty of people who would not care about switching and would agree