seats

A man has been slammed for “bullying” a solo female traveller into swapping seats on a plane believing she’d be an “easy target”, and people have been left floored by the incident

When it comes to travelling on a long-haul flight, most people make sure to prebook their preferred seat for extra comfort on the journey. However, others risk it and board without paying extra to secure one of the best seats.

That’s exactly what one man decided to do when flying 40,000 ft above, but now he has been slammed for his “entitled” actions. Taking to Reddit, a dad explained: “My daughter recently took her first solo overnight international flight on a Delta A350 in a 2-4-2 Premium Select cabin. I used miles to book her an aisle seat in the two-seat section. The man in the window seat next to her asked if she would switch seats with his wife, who was seated in the middle four.

“After some persistence, she eventually agreed just to get him to stop asking. After swapping, she discovered the other person in the middle four was also a solo traveller.”

The solo traveller shared her experience with others, and every person she spoke to agreed she should have stayed put and refused the swap.

Disappointed she gave in to the “entitled” man, but pleased she travelled to her destination safely, the dad added: “Everyone she’s told this story to has pointed out – correctly – that if sitting next to his wife was that important, he should have swapped seats with the solo traveller in the middle four, not asked her to give up her seat.

“She said it ended up being fine because the people seated next to her were nice and entertaining. I told her the etiquette advice she received is absolutely right, and it was her seat to do with as she pleased but, if I’m paying for her ticket, she better not swap into a lower cabin.”

Commenting on her post, one user said: “Ugh, the entitlement these days is infuriating! Glad her neighbours ended up being nice but hate to hear that she felt she had to eventually agree because he kept asking!

“Make sure she knows for next time that it’s also polite to say ‘no and please don’t ask me again’ or just let the flight attendant know and deal with him.”

Another user added: “Yeah, young females… Oh, wait, females in general get treated like we are pushovers or disposable. Please… please… PLEASE… encourage her with love that she doesn’t have to bow down to this kind of c***.”

A third user said: “F*** the wife for letting her a******e husband bully a little girl into giving up her seat.

“She knows what it’s like to be a woman in this situation and she let it happen. Seriously who is this lady, straight to jail.”

In agreement, one more user added: “Exactly this! I would never allow my husband to do such an inappropriate thing. Of course she is going to say yes. She probably feels like she has to.”

Someone else also added: “I’ve raised my daughters to know that they aren’t obligated to accommodate anyone’s feelings at the expense of their own and/or their no. Your ‘no thank you’ does not need a justification. Period.”

One more said: “Those people irritate me! If you want to sit together, book your seats together. People who book separate seats, especially married couples expecting a solo traveller to move, are so rude and inconsiderate.”

PLUS-SIZED passengers will have to pay for two seats when flying with a one of the world’s largest low-cost airlines, from January.

A new rule will come into play in next month requiring customers who cannot fit within the armrests of their seat to buy an extra ticket in advance.

Southwest Airlines flies across the US to 100 destinations in 42 states.

And from January 27, 2026, travellers will need to be aware of its seat changes.

It will require larger passengers who ‘encroach upon the neighbouring seat’ to buy an additional ticket for their journey.

Currently, Southwest Airlines offers plus-size passengers the chance to pay for an extra seat up front and then request a refund on the ticket later, or they can request a free extra seat at the airport.

STREET SMARTS

I visit New York 6 times a year – my expert budget guide including £1 pizzas

SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

But that policy is now changing, with passengers who need two seats required to pay for both of them when booking, with less chance of a refund.

The only situation when the second seat might be approved for a refund is if the flight departs with at least one seat still available, and if both seats have been purchased in the same fare class.

If a passenger in need of an extra seat does not buy one before the flight, they will be required to do so at the airport.

If their flight is already full when they are at the airport, the airline will book them onto a new flight.

Southwest Airlines: “To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking.”

“Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional, adjacent seat is available.

“The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; you may review information about the width of Passenger seats.”

These aren’t the only changes coming on January 27 as on this date, the airline will begin its policy of assigning seats.

Previously, the open seating meant passengers could pick any available seat after boarding.

It worked on a first-come, first-served basis to speed up turnarounds, lower costs, and simplify travel with one cabin class.

Southwest Airlines also recently revealed its new cabin interior with seats that have been made extra comfy.

The airline showed images of its new design in October stating it has listened to travellers and improved facilities like adding USB chargers and entertainment holders.

Now, it has revealed the new design onboard its Boeing 737 MAX 8 – the airline even took passenger feedback into account when creating the new cabin.

It has covered “employee perceptions of color, comfort, and aspirations for the overall onboard experience, and it’s meant to create a cabin environment that feels modern, welcoming, and uniquely Southwest.”

The airline added that its seats “are intuitively designed for ultimate comfort, while maximizing seat width and overall support”.

For more on airlines, Jet2 has made a major change on flights and it’s great news for families.

And new EU rules that could soon make your long-haul flight more expensive.