Perhaps the guy was a nonrev FA friend of the working crew and they let him move up?

OP noted that clearly DL likes whites over Indians. Duh. He saw something and he said something. I think that's his duty in a post 9/11 world.

I don't see where OP is disputing that. But the FA isn't DL. And DL might have an interest in what this particular flight attendant is doing if it's contrary to policy.

The thread on that topic was closed... and you still can't give this a rest?

:rolleyes:

Or, just perhaps, the OP observed an application of DL's new policy:

We've updated our policy so seat upgrades now clear earlier at the gate to give you more time to get the best available seat. If you've already boarded and an upgrade becomes available, our flight attendants and gate agents will help you get settled into that new seat before takeoff, when possible.

While this explanation is not as exciting as some would want, it is sufficient to address the details as we know them.

Sure doesn't sound like it.

I anticipated that response but, in the spirit of brevity, did not lengthen my post to proactively defend against it. ;)

I agree with your correct interpretation of the literal wording.

However, nothing in the policy description prohibits the FA from attending to matters "shortly after take-off" if, for example, there was not time to do so previously.

Personally, I would hope that a conscientious FA would try to apply the spirit of the policy and not feel inhibited by the literal wording.

My speculation (as, indeed it is) is reinforced by the belief that it would be a rarity that a flight would not have another Medallion eligible for the C+ seat.

I would certainly expect such a Medallion to make inquiries after take-off, especially if there was an aisle seat available (OP calls it an "outer seat"). Perhaps watching others try to appropriate the available seats, and seeing them sent packing, attracted a Medallion's attention to its availability.

My personal travel experience, and having seen many other posts about it here tells me that, FAs who get questioned from Medallions onboard about UGs are shot down, being told that they don't have the official UG list, and only the the GA can do UGs.

You might want to scratch a bit and talk about head lice or bed bugs, but only if this is your return flight. Or ask him if he wants to see your lesions.

There could be a whole bunch of reasons why someone moved after take off - COS next to them, problems with the seat they were in (malfunction), even re-seating to allow a family to sit together.

Thanks for the welcome! :)
By process I mean that I think non Medallion non paid upgrade passengers should be upgraded too. It's more efficient to leave less comfortable seats (E) empty and fill premium seats imho. I'm much more comfortable with disabled passengers, seniors, vets, etc. -- to be upgraded. Seniors in particular because old people can be frail and some economy seats are just horrible for their hips and blood circulation. Not as comfortable with people just walking up.

​​​​All the responses make sense to me. I didn't do anything beyond telling the FA because it doesn't affect me. The said FA did say the guy wasn't supposed to move up, but she probably didn't want to confront him.

Guy did look kind of gangster.

I don't know if it's race-related or conflict avoidance related or something. The response for the same seats and the same situation was different. On the same flight. And that's that.

I personally don't care about who occupies the seats beside me (unless if it's a crying small child -- then all bets are off 😂).