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A man received commendation when he recorded himself addressing a train rider who was occupying the seat he had reserved in advance.
The man’s demand to sit in his reserved seat, captured in a viral video, received a lot of support. This came shortly after an influencer gained praise for declining to switch seats on a flight, despite a request from a family to sit together.
In March, influencer Audrey Peters shared a viral video with the caption, “I refuse to switch to a middle seat. Book your flights earlier, babes.”
Many others have shared similar experiences, as social media platforms have been filled with accounts from travelers who have been requested to change seats with other passengers in order to accommodate a friend or relative, or due to a desire for a more desirable seat.
Yet, based on the reactions to the popular videos, it seems that the majority of travelers are not receptive to switching seats. Furthermore, according to the guidelines of travel etiquette, they are not obligated to do so.
I sought the guidance of Diane Gottsman, a leading expert in etiquette and the creator of The Protocol School of Texas, to determine if there are any situations where it is appropriate or acceptable to request a seat swap with another passenger on a plane, train, or other form of transportation where seats are assigned in advance.
Gottsman explained to The Independent that there is only one appropriate situation in which a traveler can request a seat change from another passenger. However, this request can only be justified if the traveler has exhausted all other options for resolving the issue.
Per Gottsman, the appropriate situation involves a parent or guardian who has discovered that there are no available seats next to their young child despite pre-planning. In this case, it is reasonable to ask another passenger to switch seats.
Gottsman emphasized the importance of seeking help from a ticket agent or travel company when attempting to change or switch seats before boarding a plane or train, even in the case of a young child. Asking a fellow passenger can be uncomfortable for both parties and relies on their willingness to assist.
It is generally not recommended to ask a fellow passenger to switch seats for any reason. Despite seeing many videos on social media of travelers doing so, it is not advisable.
According to etiquette expert Gottsman, having a desire to sit next to a friend or choosing a window seat over an aisle is not a valid excuse to request a change of seats. Gottsman also stated that if you and your spouse are seated apart, it likely means that you waited too long to book or didn’t plan ahead to reserve seats together.
According to etiquette expert Gottsman, it is considered impolite to ask someone to switch from a preferred seat to a less desirable one, such as from an aisle or window seat to a middle seat while traveling. This goes against proper travel manners.
According to travel website The Points Guy, seat swaps should only be made if they result in a better or equal exchange. For example, giving up an aisle seat for more leg room in a bulkhead seat, or switching from a window seat near the restroom to a middle seat at the front of the main cabin.
According to travel experts, it is generally acceptable to propose a seat trade with a fellow passenger if the seat being offered is comparable. This is especially true if the reason for the trade is to be near a spouse or friends, or due to a tight layover schedule.
According to the website, it is always worthwhile to inquire.
According to The Points Guy, it is important to follow proper travel etiquette and not take someone else’s seat without their permission, even if there are occasions where seat swaps are allowed. The blog emphasizes that it is a cardinal rule to always ask for permission before taking another passenger’s seat, particularly before they have boarded the flight.
According to both Gottsman and The Points Guy, travelers should be at ease with declining requests for seat swaps if they do not wish to give up their seat.
According to Gottsman, it is acceptable to refuse the request without providing any excuses. She then gave a brief example of a response: “I apologize, but I prefer to remain in my current seat.”
According to The Points Guy, passengers have the right to refuse any offers to trade seats unless instructed by a flight attendant.
This article was originally published in April 2023.
Source: independent.co.uk
