As a person who usually travels with a companion, and who does ask to switch when we have not been able to select adjacent seats, we always wait at our assigned seat for the neighbor to arrive, and always ask to trade like-for-like - most of the time it's to request a switch across the isle, 4B for 4H, etc. sometimes it's the row forward or behind.
If the seats are really separated, either we don't even bother to ask, or only ask to trade the better one for the lesser one.

I have to agree with the opinion that taking possession of the seat instead of waiting until the rightful "owner" arrives and asking for the change, demands a refusal.

lol. I've done this 2x in the past year. Both times I have gotten up in an attempt to move to the *correct* seat. The displaced pax were more than kind and just sat in my original seat (first was 2F vs 1F where me the big dummy was sitting, second was the isle seat vs the window they should have been in -same row). I'm trying to be better about checking my ticket these days.

Would you prefer your FA, or your fellow PAX to ask for the seat switch?

I'd definitely prefer the other PAX. If the FA asks, then there is more pressure as the implication is that the FA actually can decide to switch you whether you want to or not and can affect your service etc. Unless it is a situation where the FA has to move someone out of an exit row that doesn't belong there, I would prefer that personal preferences by PAX be communicated by the PAX. If an FA is asked to be involved, the FA should make it clear that he or she is indifferent and does not personally prefer that I move.

That supports my viewpoint as I often feel like I'm intimidating someone into moving just by being in a position of perceived authority (by some). Not really fair to that person.

I get that while some may not even realize they can choose their own seats (no one on here I'm sure), others choose seats for certain reasons, well in advance.

I also had a man ask if i would move out of 12B to 12A on an ERJ flight from SJD-IAH just last week, with the purported reason being so he (in 12A) could sit next to his girlfriend (in 12C). While I think 12B is the best seat on this plane, I begrudgingly (in Christmas mood still) exchanged my 12B seat for the single 12A seat. The loving couple then proceeded to sleep the entire flight, with armrest down. Didn't talk with each other after the plane takeoff to landing...
I'll never understand the "need" to sit next to the GF, BF, spouse when they aren't even conscious during the flight.

I would prefer the FA to ask, as long as it's made clear it's a request for the convenience of the other passenger, and not necessary.

If someone were in my seat, that's a guarantee I won't switch. It's not likely I will switch anyway, since I have selected my seat for a pretty good reason.

I have offered to switch, and have been offered when my husband & I are separated. Most often, we separate for a reason, as in to get 2 aisles.

What I find funny is that I'm always the one asked to switch, and it's always to a worse seat. My husband never gets asked.

Okay, when we're talking a Y seat, my rule for switching seats is simple:

"No" . . . unless you're giving me an aisle seat closer to the front of the plane (or an exit row or bulkhead) or my new seat will put me next to a supermodel (stole that from another TravelBuzz thread on the subject).

That being said, I think F is different. Let's be fair--most of us get up into F on upgrades (granted some of you, even me at times pay for it, but overall, I think a lot of us are there on upgrades). So, with upgrades, whether it be colleagues that also have elite status or companion upgrades, occur you tend to be seated all over the place and don't have as much opportunity to pick your seats. My general rule of thumb is to stand in the seat that I am hoping to switch to (unless my seat is close enough (i.e. the row behind) and then to nicely ask. I purposely don't sit, because I know of all the stubborn people (self included!) that refuse to move if someone poaches. I think again the reason I am nicer in F is that generally its due to upgrades and others are in the same situation I am.

Granted, the only time I even try is if my wife is on the plane with me (I purposely don't sit near colleagues--the plane is my sanctuary from work), and even then, we'll split up if it means we both have decent seats (or one of us gets upgraded, the other doesn't--we see enough of each other lol). Otherwise, I just put up with the seat, even if its a bad one. Ever notice how the middle seat actually gets slightly more legroom than the window seat the way the seat posts are in front of you? The middle seat, unless between two POS, really isn't the end of the world.

Either ask nicely, or ask FA to ask.

Snuggle factor...

or, it's more pleasant to step over a loved one than a perfect stranger when making a trip to the bathroom...

or a wayward hand, or shoulder or thigh can stay put, instead of having to worry about same.

Rita

The 3x I was recently asked to switch that I posted about were not EUAs - they were Yups transcons that I purchased intentionally b/c of sold out flights during the holidays that I knew I would not get EUA'd on. So I paid for these and that's what angers me even more.


I would also prefer the FA did not ask as it seems more intimidating and would be hard to say no.

I hope for everyones sake that Im not the person they need to switch which. Cause 11 times out of 10 Im sitting in the seat I chose to and there isnt anything better to be had. No prob with say switching from an Exit Row reclining seat say 14C to 14D that is only if 14B was empty and 14E is also empty.

Its been very rare where the seat the person wants me to switch to is of at least equal value. I dont want Middle or Windows. 9 times out of 10 Im in the Exit or Bulkhead Row. In FC I want an aisle and not the last row, sometimes not even the 1st row. So theres very little that can be offered to get me to switch.

and the dumb lines like, you really dont want to have this couple seat apart from 1 another do you, I answer, Unless they stay together 24/7, they probably spend more time not together then together, whats the big deal. (if anything it will make for a quieter cabin).

I have noticed this that men often think they are more likely to pull a fast one on women than on other men, so usually target women in this regard. I remember once a man had the audacity to bully a woman into sitting in the middle seat in lieu od her aisle seat a seat forward (he succeeded)

Yeah that's what I thought would occur... except for him sleeping against the window/wall and she was leaning onto the tray table. And as I mentioned... seat arm down between them! Asleep from the moment the plane took off.

Recently on CO 1645 CLE-IAH two Russian speaking gentlemen one in 2A, another in 3A asked 2B to switch to 3A. 2B explained that he prefers the aisle and would not switch, I being in 1B overheard the whole interchange.

2A and 3A then spent the entire flight talking back and forth over the seat to each other. It was an evening flight so the FAs dimmed the cabin lights, yet they still kept yapping, then the in-flight movie started and they continued to talk. They spent the entire time talking, loudly and in Russian.

In hindsight I'm glad 2B did not switch because if they were next to each other I could only imagine how much more animated their conversation would have been. Upon landing 2A had one of the loudest mobile phone calls ever, putting the "Trigger Happy TV" annoying novelty phonecall comedy skit to shame...


So thanks 2B for not switching.