For many flying is already an action that causes anxiety.
It’s been especially prickly in times of COVID.
So the last thing anyone needs is to be given an issue over a seat they paid for.
An empty seat doesn’t always mean a free seat.
Case in point…
Redditor aitacoffeepurchase wanted to discuss her experience and get some feedback. So naturally, she came to visit the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit.
She asked:
“AITA for not giving up my second ‘free’ seat next to me in the plane?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“I am obese.”
“Like I am comfortable having two seats in the plane type of obese.”
“I am well aware of that and I really don’t like to bother people with my weight.”
“A week ago I was going to a conference by plane and because I was going alone (usually when I fly with my boyfriend I don’t buy two since he sits next to me) I bought two seats.”
“I fit in one but my side is usually touching the person next to me and I feel uncomfortable for them.”
“It happened to me and they gave me nasty looks and I felt extremely uncomfortable the whole flight.”
“So I sat down in the plane and put the armrest up so I would be really comfortable.”
“Some couple came and they both sat next to me because they got separate seats and they noticed the seat next to me was empty.”
“Exactly what I was afraid of happened.”
“My side kept touching the guy next to me and he even pushed me a bit when he moved in the seat.”
“I was feeling extremely uncomfortable and asked him if he could go to his seat because I bought this one for my comfort.”
“He told me no, since the seat is empty and he wants to be with his girlfriend.”
“Well, I told him I understand but I feel uncomfortable and I paid for the second seat so exactly this doesn’t happen.”
“He refused again and started to chat with his G[irl]F[riend].”
“I called the flight attendant and quietly told her what is happening.”
“She asked the guy to leave my second seat and he and his GF gave me a nasty look.”
“The GF mumbled something like ‘F**king fat *itch’ under her breath but nothing directly to me.”
“I must point out the flight attendant was absolute sweetheart!”
“Very kind and understanding.”
“She was also giving me the belt extension and when I apologized to her, she told me not to worry about it and it was overall very pleasant situation to talk to her.”
“So Am I the a**hole for insisting on him to leave?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared OP was NOT the A**hole.
“NTA- Former flight attendant. It’s your seat. You paid for it.”
“If that (classless) couple wanted to sit together that badly, they should have paid for seats together.” ~ MolassesFragrant342
“I’m confused on why the GF didn’t just move.”
“I’d imagine whoever was next to B[oy]F[riend] would have been interested in a seat with no one next to them.” ~ future_nurse19
“Because that would be an inconvenience to her.”
“Obviously they are the only people in the world that matter and she shouldn’t have to move from a seat she paid for.”
“The only obvious solution is to put the overweight person in the baggage section with the animals.”
“And the couple gets 2 free seats and a parade when they depart the plane for their courage through such a trying ordeal!” ~ future_nurse19
“Those passengers were being entitled when OP genuinely was entitled to that seat.”
“Likely they didn’t want to pay to sit together and saw this as their get out of jail free card.”
“You are entitled to the seat you are assigned (unless you’re flying Southwest, then you are entitled to the seat that you pick when it is your turn to board) and that is it.”
“All this being said, I am a nice flight attendant LOL.”
“I just don’t reward bad behavior.” ~ JulieSnaps
“You were polite and nice through the interaction according to what you’ve written.”
“Any service industry employee would much rather deal with you and the seats you paid for than with 90% of the other people they have to see every day.”
“NTA. You paid money for that seat, it’s your seat, that couple can get bent.” ~ Darphon
“I paid for seats together with my teenager when it was his first time flying.”
“He is autistic and anxious and when spoken to he often won’t reply, which comes across as him being an a**hole rather than he is really anxious.”
“When they sat us apart from each other I explained we were supposed to sit together and that I requested this etc.”
“I got a rolled eye response from the flight attendant and a bunch of attitude from people around me.”
“It was like I was being the awful one — like no go ahead guys and have a teenager stimming next to you unable to speak yet needing a drink but unable to say what it is.” ~ knotnotme83
“NTA. If it happens again, don’t let them sit down.”
“Block the extra seat and state immediately, ‘I paid for two seats.'”
“‘This one is not available.'” ~ NoxWild
“NTA. It doesn’t matter why you purchased that seat.”
“You could have bought it for the spirits of your ancestors so they could guide you safely to your destination and it would have been no one’s business but yours.”
“Sorry this happened.” ~ AlternativeFox4627
“NTA! You bought that seat.”
“The couple sitting apart has nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t care if you were thin and bought a 2nd seat for your emotional support ghost!”
“That’s your seat.” ~ flaky-burnt
“NTA. They tried to take something you paid for and then were rude to you.”
“It’s a bit shocking, really, considering the number of people who comment on social media that larger people should have to buy two seats.”
“Please don’t feel bad about yourself because they chose to be horrid and entitled.” ~ 31anon5
“NTA: you paid for that seat, it’s your seat and frankly airplane seats are too small.”
“I was on a flight last week.”
“I bought it last minute and ended up with a center seat in the ‘basic’ cabin.”
“The cheap seats on United flights (at least on this plane) don’t have movable arm rests.”
“My hips hit both armrests (read walls), it was very uncomfortable.”
“I wear a women’s 10/12, after that experience I will always buy 2 seats if I’m in the back or at least never settle for less than business class.” ~ DishsUp
“I so agree with you!”
“As a bigger person myself, I spent years trying to get thin at great cost to my mental and physical health.”
“It took years to accept myself and reach a place where I was happy with the body I am in.”
“I focus on staying active and enjoying life.”
“When I travel I do everything I can to not intrude on the people next to me or their space.”
“OP, you went above and beyond and bought a second seat to ensure you would be comfortable.”
“You are NTA!”
“The other two passengers, I hope karma will ensure they are eternally in coach in a non-reclining middle seat of three near the bathroom, with a malfunctioning entertainment system.” ~ Annette1975
“Totally agree!”
“OP you can absolutely recognize if you may not have had as healthy of a lifestyle as you’d have wanted, while also not shaming yourself for it!”
“We’re only human, life is hard enough without adding our own shame on top.” ~ justtoexpressmyanger
“NTA. You were the opposite of the AH.”
“You paid extra for the comfort of yourself and the person next to you.”
“They were both AH.”
“They could have accomplished the same goal by have her swap her seat with the person sitting next to him.”
“But they didn’t want to. Not your problem.”
“Give it no more thought.” ~ Aylauria
“NTA. You PAID for two seats.”
“They were being entitled AHs for not even asking permission.”
“For you for the future, there is NOTHING wrong with informing people who try to sit in your PAID FOR 2nd seat that it IS your seat even if it’s currently empty.”
“And they need to sit in their assigned seats or ask someone else to switch.”
“Or they could PAY for assigned seats next to each other in the future.”
“If you don’t pay for seat assignment, you don’t get to complain about not sitting next to each other or bully someone else for their seat.” ~ jaelythe4781
“NTA. You paid for that seat fair and square.”
“It doesn’t matter why – you have your reasons, but it’s none of his business.”
“You are entitled to what you paid for.”
“You respectfully told him that you purchased two seats and he chose to be a total a**hole.”
“I’m so sorry this happened to you – it’s totally unfair that people feel they can treat others like this.” ~ Candid-Square-8889
Well OP, Reddit understands your plight.
You paid for your seats fair and square.
Thankfully you had back up in your flight attendant.
Safe travels.