Follow These Six Rules to Negotiate a Seat Swap on a Plane
About 863 million people flew on US airlines in 2023, and if you were one of them, you know that it feels like the experience is becoming less and less enjoyable. From ever-shrinking personal space to ever-increasing fees, flying has become an ordeal for anyone who can’t afford (or negotiate) an upgrade to first class. But the worst thing about flying these days is our fellow passengers – our angry and sometimes rude fellow passengers who sometimes break all the existing rules of flight etiquette .
One easy way to provoke a Yellowjacket- style descent into savagery? Seat replacement. Booking airline tickets can be a dystopian nightmare, so it’s not uncommon for people to find themselves in distant seats and want to sit together. We’ve all asked someone to switch seats so we can be near a partner, friend, child or anyone who may need extra help during a flight. But like everything else in this life, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. If you need to negotiate a seat swap on your next flight, follow these rules to avoid being the bad guy.
Rule 1: Don’t squat
The most important rule when trying to change seats on a plane: never, ever squat in the seat you like.
” Squatting ” means jumping onto a spot you’d like to occupy in hopes that you can simply bluff your way into it. When the rightful owner of the site appears, squatters try to ignore, intimidate, or convince him to just let it happen as a fait accompli .
Not only is this rude, but it also irritates the flight crew, who would prefer that everyone remain seated until landing (see Rule 2) to reduce chaos. And finally, the same flight crew will probably force you to move anyway, and then all your chances of negotiating a trade will be lost.
Rule 2: Wait until boarding finishes
If you’re worried about arranging your seats in order, you’ll naturally want to start this process as soon as you step on the plane. On crowded flights, boarding can become absolute chaos – overhead compartments begin to fill up, people block the aisle trying to herd their luggage, last-minute ticket issues get sorted out – and try to move up and down the plane just to change seats. makes everything worse. Plus, the flight crew may be doing some kind of seat replacement magic of their own, which you’re now making even more difficult, to their likely irritation.
The best way to make a seat change is to wait until the planting is complete (or at least most of it). The aisle will be clear and you will have enough time to politely ask someone to change seats.
Rule 3: Be polite
No one is obligated to change seats with you and it is not their fault if your booking does not go as planned. Demanding that they comply with your wishes or answering reasonable questions (such as “is your seat next to the restroom?” or “do you really have an aisle seat?”) with sarcastic or rude remarks will not serve you well. anything.
Rule 4: Equivalent Value
Changing places should be parallel in the sense that the person changing with you should not be deceived in the process. If they have an extra legroom seat, a first or business class seat, an aisle seat or a window seat, they should receive a seat of equivalent quality. Asking someone to move from a spacious aisle seat to a soft seat in the middle is simply unfair. You can still ask , of course, but be mindful of what you’re asking: airplane seats are definitely not all the same . Take a moment to think about the location and class of your current place so you know what you’re asking a complete stranger to sacrifice for you.
If you really have to ask for an unbalanced exchange, offer something to another passenger. Yes, the long tradition of bribery is your best friend in such situations. If they paid for an upgraded seat or simply got a better seat than you, offering to buy them a few cocktails or appetizers or simply compensating them for the difference in the price of the seat can be the difference between sealing the deal or not.
Rule 5: Be honest
Speaking of situational awareness about the advantages and disadvantages of your location: don’t lie about them. If you have a middle seat, don’t tell a potential aisle seat trader that you also have an aisle seat just to move him up—it’s what scientists call the asshole move. In most cases, the exchanger will simply return and demand your seat back, and your fellow travelers will realize that you are a bad person. And if your little scheme causes a lot of confusion and noise, you will earn the enmity of the flight crew, who have every chance of throwing you out of the plane.
Rule 6: If you get rejected, don’t argue.
Finally, if your seat replacement request is denied, accept it. “No” is a complete sentence, and you have no idea why the person is not interested in your help – they may have very good reasons for staying where they are. In any case, they are not obligated to resolve your booking issues. It’s completely normal to politely ask to change seats. It is unacceptable to argue with a person if he says no.