A plane passenger has been left feeling ‘stupid’ after allowing a child to sit in their pre-book plane seat just to stop the youngster and their ‘entitled’ mum from moaning throughout the journey
They feel ‘stupid’ for swapping seats (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
Most people would probably agree that children can be difficult to deal with on a long flight, particularly when they’re tired, hungry or simply not getting their own way.
But one passenger has been left frustrated after a parent expected them to give up their paid-for window seat so their child could sit in it instead. Taking to Reddit, the traveller admitted they understood why the youngster wanted the window seat, but felt it shouldn’t automatically become their responsibility to move.
They said: “Please stop expecting random adults to give up the window seat they paid for just so your child can look out the window.”
The passenger explained that they had specifically chosen and paid for the window seat, but were made to feel guilty after arriving at their row to find a child already sitting in it.
They added: “A child was already sitting in my window seat when I got to my seat. His mother saw me, and when I told her it was my seat, she said, ‘Oh please let him sit, he’ll fall asleep in 10 mins, and then you can take your seat.'”
Although they didn’t really want to give up their place, the traveller said they felt pressured with everyone around them watching, so eventually agreed.
Unfortunately, the child didn’t fall asleep after 10 minutes – or even during the flight.
The passenger said they waited around half an hour before asking the mother again if they could have their seat back, but were met with another plea.
She replied with four words that made the passenger livid, which were: “He’s getting cranky, please.”
Once again, the passenger didn’t feel able to argue and ended up spending the entire flight sitting in an aisle seat instead of the window seat they had paid for.
They said: “So I spent the whole flight in someone else’s seat, it was an aisle seat, eyeing her, and feeling stupid for not just saying no. It honestly ruined my mood.”
The experience prompted them to share a wider message to parents, arguing that a child’s disappointment shouldn’t mean a stranger has to give up the seat they’ve specifically chosen.
They added: “I understand your child is cranky. I understand they really, really want the window seat. But, that’s a you problem, book it and pay for it in advance.”
The traveller insisted they had nothing against children wanting window seats, but felt parents shouldn’t simply assume another passenger will give theirs up.
“I paid for my seat. I chose my seat. I would like to sit in my seat,” they wrote.
Reaction
The post sparked plenty of debate, with many users sympathising with the passenger and agreeing that parents should book the seats their children want rather than relying on other passengers to move.
One user said: “I’m also cranky, bored, and wanting to look out of the window.” Another user added: “If it goes down in a fiery mess, I want them to know which body is mine.”
A third user said: “I hate when people think they should get a free pass to everything just because they have a kid. Your kid is not anyone else’s responsibility.”