Modern airlines often push the envelope with their practices—who’s going to drive across the ocean instead? They overbook, charge for luggage that should be included, and come up with the most unusual seating arrangements.
One concerned woman turned to the internet for advice about a dilemma she faced on a recent long flight. After booking her tickets well in advance, the airline had offered her a free upgrade to first class due to her accumulated travel points. She was thrilled, having never flown first class before, and made the most of the experience in the lounge before her 13-hour flight.
However, about an hour into the journey, a flight attendant approached her with a request: would she be willing to switch her first-class seat with a 10-year-old boy who was sitting in economy? This situation sparked a debate online, with the woman pondering whether she would be the “bad guy” for not giving up her coveted first-class seat in order for the boy to be with his family.
The woman posted her story with the question: “AITA for not switching my first-class seat with a 10-year-old boy’s economy seat so he could sit with his family?” As she shared her experience, many others weighed in on the complexities of airline experiences and seating arrangements, considering both her right to enjoy her upgrade and the family’s situation.
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From what I understood, both parents were members and had also received upgrades without realizing that their son couldn’t be upgraded alongside them. So while they secured their first-class tickets, he was left in economy.
The flight attendant started presenting me with options as if I had no choice but to move. She mentioned that I could get another free upgrade on a future flight or receive a full refund for my ticket. Concerned I might be getting kicked out, I asked if there was any way I could remain in my seat. She explained that the two parents and I were the only upgraded passengers on the flight and that there were no other first-class seats available. Therefore, for the boy to sit with his family, it would only make sense for him to take my seat.
If the situation had been different—like if they had overbooked first class and the boy had purchased a ticket—it would have been another story. I received my upgrade based on my loyalty to the airline and how much I fly with them. I might have considered switching seats if the parents had bought their tickets, but they hadn’t either. I don’t hold any resentment toward the flight attendant; she was very polite and respectful throughout the entire situation. She accepted my decision graciously and reassured me that everything was okay and they would figure it out.
I never saw the parents, as they were seated far from me. However, an elderly woman sitting next to me shamed me, saying I made a child sit alone for 13 hours. I understand that a 13-hour flight can be daunting for a child, but I noticed him walking up and down the aisles every hour to visit his parents, so it wasn’t as if he was truly alone.
So, AITA for supposedly behaving like an a-hole in this situation?
Why didn’t one of the parents switch with their child? If her seat wasn’t near the parents he would still have been sitting alone.
It would make sense that the parents would give up their first class seats if it was truly that important for them to sit next to their kid, instead of expecting a total stranger to do so.
She paid for a first class seat which is quite a bit more expensive. So, I think that is a lot to ask a stranger to give up her seat to a 10 year old. Especially since a child is usually small enough that traveling in economy is easy compared to an adult. Maybe she would agree to give up her seat if the airlines would compensate her for the price of her ticket.
If the patents were really concerned, and ne of the could have gone back to economy. I bet they didn’t.
Why didn’t one of the parents switch their seat with their son?!!!
No!