Why you should never try to switch seats on the plane – even if you have an excuse
ARGUMENTS over plane seats are becoming a much more common occurrence – with videos of heated interactions often going viral online.
Every day, people on flights are asking their fellow passengers if they wouldn’t mind switching seats for any number of reasons.
If you’ve been allotted a cramped middle seat, or been separated from your other half, you might be thinking about asking to swap seats with a fellow passenger, but you might want to re-think that idea.
Two etiquette experts have recently revealed why you should never attempt to switch seats on a plane.
Etiquette expert Rosalinda Oropeza Randall explained that most forms of seat-switching are just rude.
She told the Seattle Times: “If someone asks you to switch seats, you are not obligated to do so or even consider it.”
Rosalinda reminded passengers that they have the right to politely decline the proposed swap.
If the other passenger asks for a reason behind your refusal, Rosalinda suggests the following response: “You may say something like, ‘I prefer to stay where I am’.”
Meanwhile, Diane Gottsman, from The Protocol School of Texas, has explained that seat switching should not be an issue.
She added: “It’s always best to plan ahead, [especially] if you know you’re going to need extra legroom, or want to be seated next to your best friend.”
Flight attendants have weighed in on this issue with similar points.
One told Sun Online Travel that people are well within their rights not to move if they don’t want to.
They said: “If that’s your seat, you have absolutely no obligation to move whatsoever.
“If you want to be friendly and let the separated friends, partners, parents, whoever sit next to one another, you’re welcome to, but don’t feel bad about saying no either.”
If you still want to try and swap your seat with a fellow passenger, then there are some unwritten rules you should try to follow.
Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of The Protocol School of Etiquette in Florida, has explained how you should think about what you can offer in return.
She told Fox News: “If you have to swap seats with someone, make sure the new seat is comparable with the one you’ve been assigned.
“Don’t assume you’re entitled to an upgrade just because you paid for a cheap seat and you want to sit with a family member in a more expensive seat.”
There are several other things you should never do as a passenger on a plane, including blocking the aisle as soon as you board the aircraft.
Flight attendant Deanna Castro recently explained: “When boarding, it’s polite to step into your row and allow other passengers to pass behind you.
“It’s okay to take a few extra minutes to get ready, but please step into the aisle and wait for a lull in traffic.”
Passengers should also refrain from smoking or vaping on the plane, not only is it illegal, but passengers could also face a hefty fine.
Meanwhile, flight attendant Arina Bloom explained that passengers should avoid taking sleeping medication too.
This is because it might not be clear to the cabin crew that you are sleeping.
Passengers should also avoid standing up as soon as the plane has landed too because it’s considered unsafe.
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