Moral Seat Selection
 

A while back I booked a flight late, and got a middle seat. The window seat was occupied by a middle aged guy, and the aisle seat by his wife. And me was in the middle.

And that's the way they decided to travel. I don't remember why, but i understood that they chose these seats. (maybe I saw by online check in they already chose those seats)

I understand that the middle seat is the worst.

They wanted to sit together but neither he nor her wanted to be squashed between 2 people.

But - for me to sit between them, like, what?!

If i would be in their situation, I would offer the middle guy to switch.

And I would not choose seats like that in the first place.

Maybe they had some relationship issues? It didn't seem like it.

[ / END VENT]

Would you have felt the same way if they were total strangers? Why should two people who are traveling together not choose their preferred seats if they are available? How are you harmed more than if they were strangers? Why is this a moral issue? Maybe they weren't married. I often travel with a family member. He prefers window; I prefer aisle. If there is a window and an aisle in the same row, then we book them; if not we'll book windows and aisles in other rows.

Why should a couple who booked early be expected to choose a middle seat?

We both choose aisles, ideally across from each other.

A very good strategy. I know couples who wisely do this instead of booking aisle/middle, middle/window, or aisle/window.

They may have their reasons. Years ago I offered to switch seats for a couple where they both were in window seats but in separate rows. The woman was like "I get enough of this man at home I don't need to be with him anymore than that." That being said if they began to banter back and forth with me in the middle and they choose not to sit next to each other that would piss me off.

Neither of us are window-centric, so when we travel as a couple in a 3*3 cabin, we always book two aisle seats across from one another.
But I've read complaints about doing this too.

How about the idea that they booked there seats hoping to God no one would sit in between them.....I know lots of people that practice this strategy. So you basically foiled their plans.

Like...how is this different than sitting between any two other people.

Why would you "offer to switch" from a seat you wanted to a seat you intentionally avoided?

Do you always offer your aisle or window preferred seat for a lousy middle seat when someone is seated there? Or is limited to specific relationships of other travelers. Would you expect brother and sister to offer switch? Cousins? Engaged? Third cousin twice removed? What about business associates? Classmates? Friends? People who met in the gate area?

Why do you think you can decide how "moral:" someone else's seat selection is. Were you deputized you into the morality police?

What a bizarre vent.

My wife and I do this all the time. I like aisle. She likes window.

Book what you want. There’s no requirement to sit next to someone just because you’re married. And if you want window or aisle you can pay for it.

We're they talking over you throughout the flight? Or attempting to play footsie with each other over your feet? If not, I don't see what your problem is. There is nothing "immoral" about a married couple choosing not to sit next to each other on a flight, but rather in their preferred seating locations.

Thanks for all who participated.
Closing thread
Obscure2k
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