OK to ask potential seat mate whether s/he's vaxed?
Apr 27, 2021, 6:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
OK to ask potential seat mate whether s/he's vaxed?
We will be flying Southwest in two weeks and are fully vaccinated. My husband likes the window seat so I end up in the middle. Wondering if there is any protocol about asking whoever takes the aisle seat if they've been vaccinated?
Apr 27, 2021, 6:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: OSH
Programs: SWRR, HH, SM, TSA Pre
Posts: 757
No and if you ask me I'm not giving you that information. If it is that concerning to you, go all the way to back of the plane, and take a window and an aisle. The odds of a single wanting to sit between two strangers is slim, especially at the very back of the plane.
Apr 27, 2021, 7:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,227
If you are vaccinated, why would you care if anyone else was? You are all going to wearing masks the entire trip.
What if they say no? What difference would it make, its not like you get to interview suitable candidates to sit next to you.
What if they say no? What difference would it make, its not like you get to interview suitable candidates to sit next to you.
Apr 27, 2021, 9:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: TOL
Posts: 744
If you really just want to know, strike up a conversation and ask naturally and in a friendly way. If you want to start something or make a statement (instead of just knowing the answer), it seems best to me to not saw anything. It is not clear what benefit knowing this information would have for you.
Apr 27, 2021, 10:13 pm
#7
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
Best approach is to smile and say that you're both vaccinated. Maybe the person will reply and give you the information, maybe not. Either way you are safe.
Apr 27, 2021, 11:39 pm
#8
Formerly doc4science
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: CMH/DSM
Programs: United Airlines Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 562
I would have no problem with someone asking me that, but I could see a certain group of people getting very upset with that question...
Apr 28, 2021, 2:09 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: FAI/ANC
Programs: AS MVPG (R.I.P 75K), DL, HH Gold
Posts: 187
And would you want to be sitting next to said person in an inflamed state for hours? If you keep the focus on yourself and not on others, your trip will be much more enjoyable for everyone involved 😎
Apr 28, 2021, 4:50 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,704
Apr 28, 2021, 6:14 am
#13
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Right. If you're not comfortable sitting next to someone who is not vaccinated, I don't think flying Southwest is right for you.
Apr 28, 2021, 7:07 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Why would you think that some random stranger will answer the question truthfully? I wouldn't believe the answer, whether it's yes or no.
Apr 28, 2021, 10:42 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MDW
Programs: WN A+,CP (ex-DL Platinum)
Posts: 14
if you mention that you've both been vaccinated and they reply like some of the previous posters or don't mention their status, then you'll have the answer to your question. I don't see harm in doing that much.