Flying is a magnificent experience, 10 out of 10, definitely recommended—at least, in theory. The reality is a bit different. Unless you’re flying first-class or have the pleasure of using the services of a high-end airline, you might feel more like a sardine in a tin or a bus passenger than a luxury traveler.
In short, you have to deal with a ton of small issues that quickly add up and can make your commute through the heavens as mundane and uncomfortable as using public transportation during rush hour. One issue that keeps popping up is the lack of legroom.
Redditor u/Itchy-Smell8152 turned to the AITA subreddit for their verdict on whether or not he was a jerk for calling out “a giant” for not upgrading his seat on the flight. Opinions were quite mixed after internet users read the OP’s story. Scroll down for his full post, and let us know what you think about the entire situation, dear Pandas.
Who do you think was in the wrong and why? What would you have done differently? What do you love and hate the most about flying? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
Flying can be a huge hassle if there’s barely any room to sit and reclining becomes impossible
Image credits: Berkalp Turper (not the actual photo)
A man shared a story about a recent flight and the argument he had with a very tall man, sitting in the row behind him, in the middle seat
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Itchy-Smell8152
According to the OP, the ‘giant’ passenger who sat in the middle seat in the row behind his was a whopping 6’8 tall (that’s just over 203 cm for those of you Pandas who don’t use the imperial system).
When you’re that big, traveling can be quite a hassle, no matter if you’re on a plane, a bus, the train, or absolutely anywhere else. The system is well-adapted for the ‘average’ person, so anyone who doesn’t fit the ‘mold’ is going to have a pretty uncomfortable time. As are those sitting next to them, most likely.
Some solutions to this problem include buying more legroom, flying first-class, or even buying out the seat(s) next to you. Of course, that’s not easy on the wallet if you have to fly regularly. Though, odds are that if you can pay for the ticket, you can pay a bit extra for the added comfort.
The AITA community was pretty divided about the situation, overall. Some redditors pointed out that the ‘giant’ passenger should have known better and adapted to the situation so as not to inconvenience himself and others. Meanwhile, some others thought that the author of the post was wrong to lecture his fellow passenger at all.
According to the AARP, everyone should try and be sensitive to their seatmates. Say ‘hello,’ but otherwise try not to bother them if they’re not in a chatty mood. If they want to talk to you but you’d rather not, politely excuse yourself and tell them that you’re going to read your book or the in-flight magazine.
Be diplomatic and friendly but firm. Try not to get into any arguments. And if a passenger is being unruly, it’s best to notify a flight attendant rather than escalate the situation yourself.
Meanwhile, when it comes to reclining your seat, think about how this might impact your fellow passengers. If it’s a small plane or a budget flight, odds are that everyone’s pretty much squeezed tightly together as it is. The need to have even a bit more space is understandable, but don’t do it at the expense of everyone else.
Opinions were divided. For instance, some internet users thought the author of the post was wrong to do what he did
However, others thought that he did nothing wrong and that the ‘giant’ passenger was to blame, instead
As a tall person, I have trouble fitting on plane seats, I do always try to get an isle seat or the one's by the doors, but sometimes it's not possible. I don't see why I should have to pay extra because of my genetics!
I'm a 6 footer, and whilst I don't generally have problems fitting in the seats, if the person in front reclines their seat it makes things much worse for me. TBH I don't think seats should be able to be reclined if the seat pitch is not sufficient that it doesn't impinge on the person behind, and particularly not on short-haul flights such at that described.
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Yta he might have to go to the expensive city because of family obligations or something else. I couldn't afford the extra 20 on a seat either. It isn't his fault for being tall.
He could have been going to a funeral or something at the least minute for all we know and there wasn't much options and really couldn't afford the extra 20.
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I am 6'4". I barely fit in seats. Trust us, we try to upgrade when we can. However, that's not always possible. That's because short people will then buy the seats before us. Sometimes, we have no option. Flying is miserable for us because Airlines squeeze the seat so much. There's nothing we can do about it. If that's the only flight that works what are we supposed to do? I'm going to Japan in March and had to pay an extra $800 for extra legroom seats for two people. I purchased the tickets in October , nearly 5 months beforehand and got the last extra legroom seats. That is price discrimination against the tall. Legal, yes because we're not a protected class, but it's complete BS. And don't get me started when I see a child in an exit row or extra legroom seats. And yes, anyone that reclines their seat is an a$$hole.
I'm married to a 6'5" guy, he's tall and slim. He can't help not fitting in the seats they provide
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It's a 1,5 hr flight. Who needs to recline their seats for that short a flight? (I know, that is not the issue here). The rest has been said. Nog every booking place offers the same type of tickets. Maybe he was on a tight budget despite flying to an expensive town - even expensive towns have minimum wage people living/working there or needing to go there. Leaning to ESH - the airline firstmost, the guy for lecturing, but the tall guy - I didn't choose to have my private space/bubble invaded by your body. But the window seat is not an option and aisle might not also be - he needs his legs tucked in or the carts can't pass. Glad I have not had to deal with this situation.
I need to recline my seat due to lower back problems. Fortunately, I don't have to recline it all the way, but if my seat is too straight my back will lock up even in just as little as half an hour. And I do try to be cognizant of the people behind me and not recline more than necessary, and I try not to prevent people in front of me from reclining (I'm 6'2")
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Him flying into an expensive city is irrelevant. It has no indication on his current income. Maybe he's going there for a job interview, and that's why his funds are limited. Tall people are very much aware of what is uncomfortable to them (they've been dealing with it every day for years), so I believe him when he says the options weren't available.
As a tall person flying airplanes is just horrid. We didnt chose to be this tall, nor did we chose to sit in these cramped seats with next to no leg space. And yes we can ask or pay for an inch and a half of more space but that usually doesnt make it any better, nor do we get paid more because of our physique (well unless you're in the NBA) so its quite unfair also. Surely we do not want to harrass others with our height but I can tell you that when your knees are basically buried in the seat in front of you due to the simple fact that it doesn't fit, it does hurt quite q bit when the seat or the usual metal armrest is being slowly being jammed into your knee even further. You should try it, the average femur is around 18 inches long, try jamming that into a 17 inch space and then have someone make that even smaller with a metal object hinging into your flesh. It sucks. But yes, we are the asses to being tall, and you're not the a*s but being considerate goes a long way!
I agree here with the being considerate goes a long way! The dude in the back seat explained enough as far as I'm concerned, im huge so you recline and i die (figuratively of course, from the slow crushing torture of nit having enough room). All i would have needed to realize thats horrid for you so naturally wont think to recline. A thousand reasons could have put you in that seat behind me, instead of in whatever "upgrade". Being cognizant of the fact that others might have increased difficulty in limited space should be an easy accommodation for those able and willing to show compassion to another person
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I'm on the "everyone sucks here" bandwagon. The airlines all suck, and I don't think that one needs an explanation; the long leg guy sucks because he expects everyone else around him to be uncomfortable in order to maintain his comfort; the OP sucks for going off on him and condescendingly lecturing the guy.
Almost agree. As a fellow long leg guy, I don't think he was expecting everyone to sacrifice their comfort for his. It sounded like he politely asked everyone to sacrifice a bit of their comfort so that he could still rather uncomfortably squeeze into the space provided. I'm 6'3 and I barely fit into a regular seat. If someone reclines it crushes my knees. He wasn't trying to get comfortable, he was literally just trying to fit.
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When it comes to air travel the AH here are the airlines who shouldn't be cramming in as many people as possible with seats being narrow too. Car companies are as bad when they create small city cars then cram rear doors that feel like cat flaps to climb in the back and claim it is practicality.
Once on a flight from Newark to Las Vegas I had window seat and in the middle was a guy easily 6'6" and 400 pounds. He oozed into the seats on either side. I had to lean forward the whole flight so I could breath without his arm in my ribs.
Once was on a 3 hour flight from Chicago to NOLA. I literally had to lean into the window because there was no space. Oh, and the guy fell asleep almost immediately, so I couldn't get out of my seat for the whole three hours. I asked for assistance from the flight crew because I really needed to pee. They could wake the guy. They tried. I never ever pick anything other than the aisle seat after that particular nightmare flight.
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I'm 6'9"... Whoever is in front of me physically cannot recline their seats because they will hit my knees..it drives them nuts, but nothing I can do about it. I feel bad, but I'm also frustrated that the airlines won't do anything about it. 10 years ago, they'd give me the exit row..now days it's "unfair" to give me the exit seat so it's "more fair" to put me in a regular seat so the person in front can't recline and I'm miserable. I guess that's life though, which is why I generally avoid flying unless I have to for work!
Someone said something about this "giant" making those 5 people give up some of their comfort for his own. Firstly, what? Do you really think this man was comfortable? Do you think he was happy knowing that no one had enough space because of him?
I'm relatively short, "manlette" (like mamlet, but slightly more feminine/non binary) height really. But yeah even my legs are pretty uncomfortable in airline seats. Those who are larger than me (either length or width wise really) must have it pretty hard when trying to travel anywhere or do much of anything in spaces that are ACTUALLY "optimized for the average person", let alone an airline that likes to smoosh people as tightly and uncomfortably as possible to maximize profits (let alone how they like to overbook flights in the hopes that some will cancel, really really limiting what people's choices actually can be. Especially lower income or with more space related needs in general. Including disabled people who use service animals, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids).
I’ve been in this situation before where I couldn’t recline because the person behind me was too tall and another occasion where they were using their tray the whole time. I hated it. I paid for my seat just like they did now I have to accommodate them for not thinking ahead. Ultimately yes it is the airlines fault for being greedy pieces of s**t and packing everyone like a sardine and expect everyone to be comfortable. I also hate the concept of first class/coach. It’s like a reminder the whole flight that there are people up there better than you and get to have a better experience because you’re poor and have to sit in the back.
The hypocrisy in your post is hilarious. You pay foe your seat so you should be able to use it, but people paying for extras is wrong?
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The reclining range of airline seats is designed with the plane manufacturer's default seat spacing in mind. When airlines buy planes, they rip all the seats out, then cram them back in with tighter spacing so they can fit even more seats. This means that it's not actually possible to recline without invading someone else's (already cramped) space. The resulting squabbles just work even more in the airlines' favor; Despots love nothing more than when the lower class people they preside over blame each other for the problems created by the ruling class.
How overly entitled of the guy. I must recline even if it causes you, another person physical pain and discomfort.
As a person who has had many surgeries I must get up and move during flights. It doesn’t matter the length. If I do not I’m in danger of getting blood clots, especially since I’ve had them before. I request an aisle seat, now sometimes I cannot get one here is where it gets iffy. I will explain to seat mates my situation and that I’ll have to get out of my seat at least once during a flight to move around. I always get a response of oh it’s no problem. Inevitably my seat mates fall asleep then become irritated when I say Im sorry, excuse me please I need to get out. Earning slight glares because I’ve woken them up. No matter what travel by plane anymore is unpleasant and a really difficult situation. I don’t travel that way if at all possible. BTW I am not large nor tall and these seats are not comfortable for me. I cannot imagine being oversized in any manner, it would be incredibly miserable.
1.5 hr flight? YTA. And giving him a lecture is just the icing on the A cake.
As a short and slim person my personal space is always invaded by tall or fat people. They just think they can do anything because it's not their fault...
I haven't been on a plane for awhile, but do remember how uncomfortable they can be. I'm not large, 5'6" and 120, but when the passenger in front of me reclines their seat it makes my space very small. And the tray table near impossible. I don't think the problem is with size, but with the airlines treating passengers like cargo.
Ngl, I'm going with OP as the AH. They expected to recline their seat and sleep for a 1.5 hour trip. What, was this a red-eye flight or something? Cool that they didn't make a scene about that, but not cool to assume that the tall dude hadn't considered/tried the options mentioned. And to think that he had the money pay for upgrades or whatever just because they were flying to an expensive city. Wow. Just... wow. On the whole, though, the airlines are the biggest AHs for treating people like dollar signs and nothing more.
I hate it when people make assumptions about what a complete stranger can and can't afford. And 20 euros might be nothing for some, but for other people it's a considerable amount.
Japanese people on average are not as tall as Americans but all Japan airlines planes have sufficient legroom for very tall people even in economy. If all airlines went by this standard instead of being greedy there would be no worries. Asking someone to spend extra money just because of their height is a form of discrimination. The airlines should either provide reasonable legroom for all, or keep some rows with the same distance as Japan does on all their planes. Lecturing someone about being in the wrong Seat who can't afford an upgrade is like telling someone they're the wrong race to be hanging out in your neighborhood. If uou always want to recline maybe it is you who should upgrade, but really this is not the fault of any passenger when Japan can get it right and PAL and Cebu Pacific are able to offer $5 legroom upgrades while everyone else is charging $100-$
I have a very good (bad) feeling that a lot of these opinions would've been different had the man been fat and not tall. It would be nice if specifically catered seating were a thing, but it's not. The real AH here is the greedy airlines. Let's all keep that in mind.
I think everyone needs to turn their anger towards the airlines in general! No reclining if the seat is going to go into the person behind them! Less profits isn't a bad thing considering what the airlines are charging!
I just got back from traveling. Big dude sitting in my window seat has to move to the middle, but no complaints. I settled in, told him it was okay if he whacked me with his elbow a few times, and we got along just fine.
Lolol, this guy isn't even that bad of an a hole. I think it was unfortunate that the giant guy has to deal with all that but he has been giant his entire life. How is he gonna act like this is new for him? "I'm 40 years old and this is the first time this has ever happened". Looks, I believe people should stand up for what they believe in. He decided to confront the guy and they had their conversation. At least he tried. Imagine sitting on a flight and you have a guy in front of you, laying in your lap in HIS declined seat but you have to just sit there and stare at it. I can see how both parties could have handled themselves better but I don't really see an a hole in this situation.
Damn. Im suprised how many people bitched at him. Def NOT TA. Im tall. If I think I need the space Im gonna upgrade because im not a f**k face.... Im actually pissed off that many people call him TA when it was f****n giraffe legs over here
I think everyone is inconvenienced by the lack of space on airplanes. I don't really care who is the a*****e in this situation. I would personally choose to just deal with it since the flight was so short. If it was hours long, maybe I'd feel differently but there's few things I can't handle for an hour and half.
I'm really tall & before I ended up in a wheelchair I had to spread my legs to fit in a bus seat. The amount of people who'd complain I was taking two seats up! What was I going to do?
NTA at all! You were such a gentleman by not recline your seat. It is this guy’s problem if he feels upset when you express your opinion, and state the fact that it should be his responsibility to make sure he gets some extra space (paid or not) and not to bother other passengers. Good for you!!!!
Absolutely NTA. It is not discrimination for the airline to request he fly business, first class or at least a seat in the front row. If they can make a wide person buy 2 seats they can ask an excessively vertical person to be accommodated the same way
It's the airlines fault. The ADA should have something to say about it. Accomodations should be made. At the very least he should have been sat in the exit row if not first/business class.
I love how so many people are pissed off that he rudely spoke his mind, and then rudely speak their mind to this guy. The OP graciously accepted the criticism. Y'all are really the AH's. Lol
These comments are something else. I'm well passed the 6 foot mark with partial spinal cord damage, and have had plenty of painful flights. But, you know what? That's not the fault of everyone else around you. You bare your own burden, not put it on anyone else. The fact that the guy announced that the airlines usually upgrade or move him tells a lot. First, the guy flies often enough to know what he should expect and what to do to prevent this situation. But, secondly, he expects that free upgrade because he'd rather be cheap. (Yes, cheap, because this is a regular thing for him). He thinks himself more important than others around him. For everyone too afraid, you really need to stand up for yourselves. (Regardless of height). You're the reason why do many others feel like they can just walk all over everyone else. TLDR: NTA. You stood up for others around you without it escalating. Good for you! I have a feeling people rarely puts that other guy in his place.
What irritates me is people who think they are entitled to recline their seat. When you recline your seat, you infringe upon someone else's space. You could also cause drinks and food end up in someone's lap which is especially dangerous if they have a hot beverage. I have also heard of people getting their laptops destroyed by a sudden recline. The polite and unentitled course of action is to ask the person behind you if they are ok with you reclining. If they say no, respect that, and realize A. The world doesn't revolve around you. B. The person behind you is entitled to the space they have. C. The world won't end if you can't recline.
How is it entitled to use the space you paid for? And, I don't know when the last time you flew, but those seats don't recline very far. You'd be hard pressed to barely shake their drink, and down right impossible to destroy a laptop. You've been listening to far too many myths. Lol
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Jesus Christ. He's 6'8". It's not like he ate himself to that height. Stfu and deal with it. It's an hour's flight FFS you goddamn whiner. A-holes like you are what is making this planet a really crappy place to be.
YTA. Just for the lecture and attitude. He's ta for not being responsible for his size and getting the appropriate seat. I as an overweight person am required to purchase two seats so as not to inconvenience others. So your not wrong in how you feel. Just wrong for engaging the man in the manner you did.
It's the airlines fault only. They cram people in ridiculously small seats for the most amount of money. Do they not realise that the human race, on average, are getting taller and bigger as we evolve from quality of food and health care? It's like they still have the mindset of planes in the 70's style. The amount of 6ft + + men I see walking around today is definitely more than it was 20 years ago. Sort it out airlines!
Nta, if it's the seat directly behind his then yeah, but this was diagonally behind and the guy was already crowding the seats by his. Also OP had the person in front reclining into their space.
This is not the problem to be put on a tall passenger. This is the fault of the airline that has been consistently putting in another row of seats to sell. The width of each seat and leg room has been getting narrower and shorter all in the name of installing another row of seats for sale. Why blame a person for something that they don't have any control over, such as their height and width? Put the blame back to the airlines who are squeezing out a profit out of every inch of the plane. Shrinkflation by any other name. Sitting in an aisle seat doesn't allow the person with long legs to stretch their legs into the aisle. The airline company should have the seats screwed to the floor in a minute increasing legroom per row, starting at the back with very narrow rows for people with short legs and ever increasing in width for people with longer and longer legs. This way the short person will see how uncomfortable it is for for the tall person to be cramped.
This is not the problem to be put on a tall passenger. This is the fault of the airline that has been consistently putting in another row of seats to sell. The width of each seat and leg room has been getting narrower and shorter all in the name of installing another row of seats for sale. Why blame a person for something that they don't have any control over, such as their height and width? Put the blame back to the airlines who are squeezing out a profit out of every inch of the plane. Shrinkflation by any other name. Sitting in an aisle seat doesn't allow the person with long legs to stretch their legs into the aisle. The airline company should have the seats screwed to the floor in a minute increasing legroom per row, starting at the back with very narrow rows for people with short legs and ever increasing in width for people with longer and longer legs. This way the short people will understand how uncomfortable and unfair it is for tall people to be cramped.
I'm a wide person not fat just wide My hips measure 23 inches, my sholder with is 19 inches. The average American air carrier seat is about 17 inches. I had someone complain he was in the middle seat on a 3x3 that I was too big for my seat and that I should have had to buy two. The airline host responded with, "She doesn't need a seatbelt extender. The fact that you're uncomfortable has a man sitting next to a woman who is not the world's tiniest and most petite thing isn't my problem; nor is it hers," I ended up not having to sit next to him because a elderly gentleman, (who was very round)who didn't want to sit next to an infant ask the airline host If he could find someone to switch seats. I was more than happy sitting next to a baby, I still had my window.
The answer is… everyone PAY for a seat that fits you and don’t inconvenience anyone else! What would have happened if the guy said no? Pay for an aisle or upgrade and stop asking others to not do what they pay for!!
Ur the a hole...I accepted s****y seats when my kids were young as they were not allowed in the more spacious exit rows....it's just a d move to taller people...get over it and be better
You just know if it's am overweight person it will now be conflated with fat shaming if you have the nerve to.....think that you should be able to use the seat you payed for the way it was f*****g meant to be used. 🤡🌎🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️. I'm so tired of this planer.
If I were to fly, I wouldn't even know if I needed a seat with extra room until I was on the plane. I would have just assumed that I paid for a seat that accomidates my needs and would be shocked that i couldn't fit in my own space. From what I read, I will never fly.
That is why I only flew on a commercial flight once in my life. I am 6'1" and 260 pounds so is cramped for me to do this
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The a******s are the airlines. Undisputable. However I'm gonna say the OP is the AH for the interaction between himself and the giant. Being tall, overweight, poor, disabled, etc is not always something accomodatable (sp?). But that doesn't stop the ppl with those issues from existing. The world doesn't stop spinning. Ppl still have to go places, afford things, etc. We all do the best we can with what is available to us. So shut up and let ppl be. Trust me, it was way more awkward and humiliating for the giant than anyone else in that situation. The giant tried to be respectful and explain things, apologize. Sorry OP, you were antagonistic and entitled under the guise of worrying for others.
Honestly, the airlines should make extra space on planes instead of trying to squeeze everyone in so tight and/or have seats reserved for tall people. OP sucks for an unwarranted lecture. As for the tall guy, he may have tried getting one, but couldn't, especially if they're all booked. He may legitimately can't afford the extra 20. He may have had to attend a funeral or had someone in the hospital. Just because someone is going to an "expensive city" doesn't mean they're necessarily going there for a fun filled vacation. He shouldn't have to give you a reason for why he sat there. There's plenty of legitimate reasons why he couldn't get a seat with extra leg room. OP was TAH for opening his mouth and just made a bunch of assumptions.
I am 6'4", 300 plus former bodybuilder. My shoulders take up a seat and a half. I always get the aisle seat when possible, and ask the middle seat person if we can leave the armrest up. So far, so good. I agree, the airlines are the AH, for many reasons, and I have had to endure torturous flying conditions over the years, but 6 hour flight vs 3 days driving?? I'll take it...just keep thinking, "This will be over soon..."
YTA I am 6'2" and have bad knees so it really sucks when someone leans back into my lap. I get the whole "I paid for my seat I'm gonna use it" attitude but sometimes it's just like why be a jerk when you really don't have to. The seats honestly shouldn't recline. I always try to buy an exit row on the right side of the plane. I will switch dates and plan trips around flights to do so. Two out of the last three times I have had my plane switched by the airlines and my seats changed, when I have had the seats booked for months. I do everything I can to make it so I'm not the inconvenience but there is only so much a person can do. If first class wasn't literally triple the price I would go that route but at the price its really not feasible.
So.. this guy is berating the tall man for being large, for not having more money, for existing really and for making it so everybody around him have inconveniences they may or may not care about because they're so unimportant and small. And he's asking if he's the a*****e. ...Talk about no self awareness...
I agree with the NTA group. Yes each passenger could have been a little less sarcastic, but here's the issue: 20 euros for extra legroom would have solved everything. We must assume this wasn't a business trip, so if the 6ft 8in passenger knew about his trip in advance, it is HIS responsibility to pay for the extra leg room. He should do what most of us must do: save for it. No, it isn't his fault he grew to be 6ft 8in tall but other passengers around him should not be guilted into accommodating him when 20 euros more would have made this entire feed a moot point. I'm all for helping out in an emergency or when the situation can't be helped. That wasn't the case here. The ultimate AHs are the airlines. These tighta$$es are posting record profits, all at the expense and comfort of their passengers! Shame on them.
I'm 5'11, been almost the same height since I was 12. I'm at that height where my knees always touch the seat infront of me a little bit. I took the plane to my home country to visit my family multiple times a year when I was about 12-15 years old. My favorite thing to do when someone in front of me reclined their seat, was to just push my knees up against their seat, and move my legs as much as I could without it being too obvious, and without disturbing the people next to me too much. It's fun to see how long it takes before the person takes the hint, or gets annoyed enough to move their seat back up. Some people would give me angry looks instead of just giving me my space back, but I did not give up😂 anyways, what were they going to do? Fight with a big little 12 year old girl on a plane?
Or the a*****e who needs to lean back on an hour and a half flight can.
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And bei g an a*****e like you and the op is your problem to deal with. So dont leave your house so you dont inconvenience anyone else ever again.
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hey, 6'8 is definitely above average, making him tall. In the US the average male height is 5'9 and in Europe it's 5'11
Load More Replies... As a tall person, I have trouble fitting on plane seats, I do always try to get an isle seat or the one's by the doors, but sometimes it's not possible. I don't see why I should have to pay extra because of my genetics!
I'm a 6 footer, and whilst I don't generally have problems fitting in the seats, if the person in front reclines their seat it makes things much worse for me. TBH I don't think seats should be able to be reclined if the seat pitch is not sufficient that it doesn't impinge on the person behind, and particularly not on short-haul flights such at that described.
Load More Replies... Yta he might have to go to the expensive city because of family obligations or something else. I couldn't afford the extra 20 on a seat either. It isn't his fault for being tall.
He could have been going to a funeral or something at the least minute for all we know and there wasn't much options and really couldn't afford the extra 20.
Load More Replies... I am 6'4". I barely fit in seats. Trust us, we try to upgrade when we can. However, that's not always possible. That's because short people will then buy the seats before us. Sometimes, we have no option. Flying is miserable for us because Airlines squeeze the seat so much. There's nothing we can do about it. If that's the only flight that works what are we supposed to do? I'm going to Japan in March and had to pay an extra $800 for extra legroom seats for two people. I purchased the tickets in October , nearly 5 months beforehand and got the last extra legroom seats. That is price discrimination against the tall. Legal, yes because we're not a protected class, but it's complete BS. And don't get me started when I see a child in an exit row or extra legroom seats. And yes, anyone that reclines their seat is an a$$hole.
I'm married to a 6'5" guy, he's tall and slim. He can't help not fitting in the seats they provide
Load More Replies... It's a 1,5 hr flight. Who needs to recline their seats for that short a flight? (I know, that is not the issue here). The rest has been said. Nog every booking place offers the same type of tickets. Maybe he was on a tight budget despite flying to an expensive town - even expensive towns have minimum wage people living/working there or needing to go there. Leaning to ESH - the airline firstmost, the guy for lecturing, but the tall guy - I didn't choose to have my private space/bubble invaded by your body. But the window seat is not an option and aisle might not also be - he needs his legs tucked in or the carts can't pass. Glad I have not had to deal with this situation.
I need to recline my seat due to lower back problems. Fortunately, I don't have to recline it all the way, but if my seat is too straight my back will lock up even in just as little as half an hour. And I do try to be cognizant of the people behind me and not recline more than necessary, and I try not to prevent people in front of me from reclining (I'm 6'2")
Load More Replies... Him flying into an expensive city is irrelevant. It has no indication on his current income. Maybe he's going there for a job interview, and that's why his funds are limited. Tall people are very much aware of what is uncomfortable to them (they've been dealing with it every day for years), so I believe him when he says the options weren't available.
As a tall person flying airplanes is just horrid. We didnt chose to be this tall, nor did we chose to sit in these cramped seats with next to no leg space. And yes we can ask or pay for an inch and a half of more space but that usually doesnt make it any better, nor do we get paid more because of our physique (well unless you're in the NBA) so its quite unfair also. Surely we do not want to harrass others with our height but I can tell you that when your knees are basically buried in the seat in front of you due to the simple fact that it doesn't fit, it does hurt quite q bit when the seat or the usual metal armrest is being slowly being jammed into your knee even further. You should try it, the average femur is around 18 inches long, try jamming that into a 17 inch space and then have someone make that even smaller with a metal object hinging into your flesh. It sucks. But yes, we are the asses to being tall, and you're not the a*s but being considerate goes a long way!
I agree here with the being considerate goes a long way! The dude in the back seat explained enough as far as I'm concerned, im huge so you recline and i die (figuratively of course, from the slow crushing torture of nit having enough room). All i would have needed to realize thats horrid for you so naturally wont think to recline. A thousand reasons could have put you in that seat behind me, instead of in whatever "upgrade". Being cognizant of the fact that others might have increased difficulty in limited space should be an easy accommodation for those able and willing to show compassion to another person
Load More Replies... I'm on the "everyone sucks here" bandwagon. The airlines all suck, and I don't think that one needs an explanation; the long leg guy sucks because he expects everyone else around him to be uncomfortable in order to maintain his comfort; the OP sucks for going off on him and condescendingly lecturing the guy.
Almost agree. As a fellow long leg guy, I don't think he was expecting everyone to sacrifice their comfort for his. It sounded like he politely asked everyone to sacrifice a bit of their comfort so that he could still rather uncomfortably squeeze into the space provided. I'm 6'3 and I barely fit into a regular seat. If someone reclines it crushes my knees. He wasn't trying to get comfortable, he was literally just trying to fit.
Load More Replies... When it comes to air travel the AH here are the airlines who shouldn't be cramming in as many people as possible with seats being narrow too. Car companies are as bad when they create small city cars then cram rear doors that feel like cat flaps to climb in the back and claim it is practicality.
Once on a flight from Newark to Las Vegas I had window seat and in the middle was a guy easily 6'6" and 400 pounds. He oozed into the seats on either side. I had to lean forward the whole flight so I could breath without his arm in my ribs.
Once was on a 3 hour flight from Chicago to NOLA. I literally had to lean into the window because there was no space. Oh, and the guy fell asleep almost immediately, so I couldn't get out of my seat for the whole three hours. I asked for assistance from the flight crew because I really needed to pee. They could wake the guy. They tried. I never ever pick anything other than the aisle seat after that particular nightmare flight.
Load More Replies... I'm 6'9"... Whoever is in front of me physically cannot recline their seats because they will hit my knees..it drives them nuts, but nothing I can do about it. I feel bad, but I'm also frustrated that the airlines won't do anything about it. 10 years ago, they'd give me the exit row..now days it's "unfair" to give me the exit seat so it's "more fair" to put me in a regular seat so the person in front can't recline and I'm miserable. I guess that's life though, which is why I generally avoid flying unless I have to for work!
Someone said something about this "giant" making those 5 people give up some of their comfort for his own. Firstly, what? Do you really think this man was comfortable? Do you think he was happy knowing that no one had enough space because of him?
I'm relatively short, "manlette" (like mamlet, but slightly more feminine/non binary) height really. But yeah even my legs are pretty uncomfortable in airline seats. Those who are larger than me (either length or width wise really) must have it pretty hard when trying to travel anywhere or do much of anything in spaces that are ACTUALLY "optimized for the average person", let alone an airline that likes to smoosh people as tightly and uncomfortably as possible to maximize profits (let alone how they like to overbook flights in the hopes that some will cancel, really really limiting what people's choices actually can be. Especially lower income or with more space related needs in general. Including disabled people who use service animals, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids).
I’ve been in this situation before where I couldn’t recline because the person behind me was too tall and another occasion where they were using their tray the whole time. I hated it. I paid for my seat just like they did now I have to accommodate them for not thinking ahead. Ultimately yes it is the airlines fault for being greedy pieces of s**t and packing everyone like a sardine and expect everyone to be comfortable. I also hate the concept of first class/coach. It’s like a reminder the whole flight that there are people up there better than you and get to have a better experience because you’re poor and have to sit in the back.
The hypocrisy in your post is hilarious. You pay foe your seat so you should be able to use it, but people paying for extras is wrong?
Load More Replies... The reclining range of airline seats is designed with the plane manufacturer's default seat spacing in mind. When airlines buy planes, they rip all the seats out, then cram them back in with tighter spacing so they can fit even more seats. This means that it's not actually possible to recline without invading someone else's (already cramped) space. The resulting squabbles just work even more in the airlines' favor; Despots love nothing more than when the lower class people they preside over blame each other for the problems created by the ruling class.
How overly entitled of the guy. I must recline even if it causes you, another person physical pain and discomfort.
As a person who has had many surgeries I must get up and move during flights. It doesn’t matter the length. If I do not I’m in danger of getting blood clots, especially since I’ve had them before. I request an aisle seat, now sometimes I cannot get one here is where it gets iffy. I will explain to seat mates my situation and that I’ll have to get out of my seat at least once during a flight to move around. I always get a response of oh it’s no problem. Inevitably my seat mates fall asleep then become irritated when I say Im sorry, excuse me please I need to get out. Earning slight glares because I’ve woken them up. No matter what travel by plane anymore is unpleasant and a really difficult situation. I don’t travel that way if at all possible. BTW I am not large nor tall and these seats are not comfortable for me. I cannot imagine being oversized in any manner, it would be incredibly miserable.
1.5 hr flight? YTA. And giving him a lecture is just the icing on the A cake.
As a short and slim person my personal space is always invaded by tall or fat people. They just think they can do anything because it's not their fault...
I haven't been on a plane for awhile, but do remember how uncomfortable they can be. I'm not large, 5'6" and 120, but when the passenger in front of me reclines their seat it makes my space very small. And the tray table near impossible. I don't think the problem is with size, but with the airlines treating passengers like cargo.
Ngl, I'm going with OP as the AH. They expected to recline their seat and sleep for a 1.5 hour trip. What, was this a red-eye flight or something? Cool that they didn't make a scene about that, but not cool to assume that the tall dude hadn't considered/tried the options mentioned. And to think that he had the money pay for upgrades or whatever just because they were flying to an expensive city. Wow. Just... wow. On the whole, though, the airlines are the biggest AHs for treating people like dollar signs and nothing more.
I hate it when people make assumptions about what a complete stranger can and can't afford. And 20 euros might be nothing for some, but for other people it's a considerable amount.
Japanese people on average are not as tall as Americans but all Japan airlines planes have sufficient legroom for very tall people even in economy. If all airlines went by this standard instead of being greedy there would be no worries. Asking someone to spend extra money just because of their height is a form of discrimination. The airlines should either provide reasonable legroom for all, or keep some rows with the same distance as Japan does on all their planes. Lecturing someone about being in the wrong Seat who can't afford an upgrade is like telling someone they're the wrong race to be hanging out in your neighborhood. If uou always want to recline maybe it is you who should upgrade, but really this is not the fault of any passenger when Japan can get it right and PAL and Cebu Pacific are able to offer $5 legroom upgrades while everyone else is charging $100-$
I have a very good (bad) feeling that a lot of these opinions would've been different had the man been fat and not tall. It would be nice if specifically catered seating were a thing, but it's not. The real AH here is the greedy airlines. Let's all keep that in mind.
I think everyone needs to turn their anger towards the airlines in general! No reclining if the seat is going to go into the person behind them! Less profits isn't a bad thing considering what the airlines are charging!
I just got back from traveling. Big dude sitting in my window seat has to move to the middle, but no complaints. I settled in, told him it was okay if he whacked me with his elbow a few times, and we got along just fine.
Lolol, this guy isn't even that bad of an a hole. I think it was unfortunate that the giant guy has to deal with all that but he has been giant his entire life. How is he gonna act like this is new for him? "I'm 40 years old and this is the first time this has ever happened". Looks, I believe people should stand up for what they believe in. He decided to confront the guy and they had their conversation. At least he tried. Imagine sitting on a flight and you have a guy in front of you, laying in your lap in HIS declined seat but you have to just sit there and stare at it. I can see how both parties could have handled themselves better but I don't really see an a hole in this situation.
Damn. Im suprised how many people bitched at him. Def NOT TA. Im tall. If I think I need the space Im gonna upgrade because im not a f**k face.... Im actually pissed off that many people call him TA when it was f****n giraffe legs over here
I think everyone is inconvenienced by the lack of space on airplanes. I don't really care who is the a*****e in this situation. I would personally choose to just deal with it since the flight was so short. If it was hours long, maybe I'd feel differently but there's few things I can't handle for an hour and half.
I'm really tall & before I ended up in a wheelchair I had to spread my legs to fit in a bus seat. The amount of people who'd complain I was taking two seats up! What was I going to do?
NTA at all! You were such a gentleman by not recline your seat. It is this guy’s problem if he feels upset when you express your opinion, and state the fact that it should be his responsibility to make sure he gets some extra space (paid or not) and not to bother other passengers. Good for you!!!!
Absolutely NTA. It is not discrimination for the airline to request he fly business, first class or at least a seat in the front row. If they can make a wide person buy 2 seats they can ask an excessively vertical person to be accommodated the same way
It's the airlines fault. The ADA should have something to say about it. Accomodations should be made. At the very least he should have been sat in the exit row if not first/business class.
I love how so many people are pissed off that he rudely spoke his mind, and then rudely speak their mind to this guy. The OP graciously accepted the criticism. Y'all are really the AH's. Lol
These comments are something else. I'm well passed the 6 foot mark with partial spinal cord damage, and have had plenty of painful flights. But, you know what? That's not the fault of everyone else around you. You bare your own burden, not put it on anyone else. The fact that the guy announced that the airlines usually upgrade or move him tells a lot. First, the guy flies often enough to know what he should expect and what to do to prevent this situation. But, secondly, he expects that free upgrade because he'd rather be cheap. (Yes, cheap, because this is a regular thing for him). He thinks himself more important than others around him. For everyone too afraid, you really need to stand up for yourselves. (Regardless of height). You're the reason why do many others feel like they can just walk all over everyone else. TLDR: NTA. You stood up for others around you without it escalating. Good for you! I have a feeling people rarely puts that other guy in his place.
What irritates me is people who think they are entitled to recline their seat. When you recline your seat, you infringe upon someone else's space. You could also cause drinks and food end up in someone's lap which is especially dangerous if they have a hot beverage. I have also heard of people getting their laptops destroyed by a sudden recline. The polite and unentitled course of action is to ask the person behind you if they are ok with you reclining. If they say no, respect that, and realize A. The world doesn't revolve around you. B. The person behind you is entitled to the space they have. C. The world won't end if you can't recline.
How is it entitled to use the space you paid for? And, I don't know when the last time you flew, but those seats don't recline very far. You'd be hard pressed to barely shake their drink, and down right impossible to destroy a laptop. You've been listening to far too many myths. Lol
Load More Replies... Jesus Christ. He's 6'8". It's not like he ate himself to that height. Stfu and deal with it. It's an hour's flight FFS you goddamn whiner. A-holes like you are what is making this planet a really crappy place to be.
YTA. Just for the lecture and attitude. He's ta for not being responsible for his size and getting the appropriate seat. I as an overweight person am required to purchase two seats so as not to inconvenience others. So your not wrong in how you feel. Just wrong for engaging the man in the manner you did.
It's the airlines fault only. They cram people in ridiculously small seats for the most amount of money. Do they not realise that the human race, on average, are getting taller and bigger as we evolve from quality of food and health care? It's like they still have the mindset of planes in the 70's style. The amount of 6ft + + men I see walking around today is definitely more than it was 20 years ago. Sort it out airlines!
Nta, if it's the seat directly behind his then yeah, but this was diagonally behind and the guy was already crowding the seats by his. Also OP had the person in front reclining into their space.
This is not the problem to be put on a tall passenger. This is the fault of the airline that has been consistently putting in another row of seats to sell. The width of each seat and leg room has been getting narrower and shorter all in the name of installing another row of seats for sale. Why blame a person for something that they don't have any control over, such as their height and width? Put the blame back to the airlines who are squeezing out a profit out of every inch of the plane. Shrinkflation by any other name. Sitting in an aisle seat doesn't allow the person with long legs to stretch their legs into the aisle. The airline company should have the seats screwed to the floor in a minute increasing legroom per row, starting at the back with very narrow rows for people with short legs and ever increasing in width for people with longer and longer legs. This way the short person will see how uncomfortable it is for for the tall person to be cramped.
This is not the problem to be put on a tall passenger. This is the fault of the airline that has been consistently putting in another row of seats to sell. The width of each seat and leg room has been getting narrower and shorter all in the name of installing another row of seats for sale. Why blame a person for something that they don't have any control over, such as their height and width? Put the blame back to the airlines who are squeezing out a profit out of every inch of the plane. Shrinkflation by any other name. Sitting in an aisle seat doesn't allow the person with long legs to stretch their legs into the aisle. The airline company should have the seats screwed to the floor in a minute increasing legroom per row, starting at the back with very narrow rows for people with short legs and ever increasing in width for people with longer and longer legs. This way the short people will understand how uncomfortable and unfair it is for tall people to be cramped.
I'm a wide person not fat just wide My hips measure 23 inches, my sholder with is 19 inches. The average American air carrier seat is about 17 inches. I had someone complain he was in the middle seat on a 3x3 that I was too big for my seat and that I should have had to buy two. The airline host responded with, "She doesn't need a seatbelt extender. The fact that you're uncomfortable has a man sitting next to a woman who is not the world's tiniest and most petite thing isn't my problem; nor is it hers," I ended up not having to sit next to him because a elderly gentleman, (who was very round)who didn't want to sit next to an infant ask the airline host If he could find someone to switch seats. I was more than happy sitting next to a baby, I still had my window.
The answer is… everyone PAY for a seat that fits you and don’t inconvenience anyone else! What would have happened if the guy said no? Pay for an aisle or upgrade and stop asking others to not do what they pay for!!
Ur the a hole...I accepted s****y seats when my kids were young as they were not allowed in the more spacious exit rows....it's just a d move to taller people...get over it and be better
You just know if it's am overweight person it will now be conflated with fat shaming if you have the nerve to.....think that you should be able to use the seat you payed for the way it was f*****g meant to be used. 🤡🌎🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️. I'm so tired of this planer.
If I were to fly, I wouldn't even know if I needed a seat with extra room until I was on the plane. I would have just assumed that I paid for a seat that accomidates my needs and would be shocked that i couldn't fit in my own space. From what I read, I will never fly.
That is why I only flew on a commercial flight once in my life. I am 6'1" and 260 pounds so is cramped for me to do this
Load More Replies... The a******s are the airlines. Undisputable. However I'm gonna say the OP is the AH for the interaction between himself and the giant. Being tall, overweight, poor, disabled, etc is not always something accomodatable (sp?). But that doesn't stop the ppl with those issues from existing. The world doesn't stop spinning. Ppl still have to go places, afford things, etc. We all do the best we can with what is available to us. So shut up and let ppl be. Trust me, it was way more awkward and humiliating for the giant than anyone else in that situation. The giant tried to be respectful and explain things, apologize. Sorry OP, you were antagonistic and entitled under the guise of worrying for others.
Honestly, the airlines should make extra space on planes instead of trying to squeeze everyone in so tight and/or have seats reserved for tall people. OP sucks for an unwarranted lecture. As for the tall guy, he may have tried getting one, but couldn't, especially if they're all booked. He may legitimately can't afford the extra 20. He may have had to attend a funeral or had someone in the hospital. Just because someone is going to an "expensive city" doesn't mean they're necessarily going there for a fun filled vacation. He shouldn't have to give you a reason for why he sat there. There's plenty of legitimate reasons why he couldn't get a seat with extra leg room. OP was TAH for opening his mouth and just made a bunch of assumptions.
I am 6'4", 300 plus former bodybuilder. My shoulders take up a seat and a half. I always get the aisle seat when possible, and ask the middle seat person if we can leave the armrest up. So far, so good. I agree, the airlines are the AH, for many reasons, and I have had to endure torturous flying conditions over the years, but 6 hour flight vs 3 days driving?? I'll take it...just keep thinking, "This will be over soon..."
YTA I am 6'2" and have bad knees so it really sucks when someone leans back into my lap. I get the whole "I paid for my seat I'm gonna use it" attitude but sometimes it's just like why be a jerk when you really don't have to. The seats honestly shouldn't recline. I always try to buy an exit row on the right side of the plane. I will switch dates and plan trips around flights to do so. Two out of the last three times I have had my plane switched by the airlines and my seats changed, when I have had the seats booked for months. I do everything I can to make it so I'm not the inconvenience but there is only so much a person can do. If first class wasn't literally triple the price I would go that route but at the price its really not feasible.
So.. this guy is berating the tall man for being large, for not having more money, for existing really and for making it so everybody around him have inconveniences they may or may not care about because they're so unimportant and small. And he's asking if he's the a*****e. ...Talk about no self awareness...
I agree with the NTA group. Yes each passenger could have been a little less sarcastic, but here's the issue: 20 euros for extra legroom would have solved everything. We must assume this wasn't a business trip, so if the 6ft 8in passenger knew about his trip in advance, it is HIS responsibility to pay for the extra leg room. He should do what most of us must do: save for it. No, it isn't his fault he grew to be 6ft 8in tall but other passengers around him should not be guilted into accommodating him when 20 euros more would have made this entire feed a moot point. I'm all for helping out in an emergency or when the situation can't be helped. That wasn't the case here. The ultimate AHs are the airlines. These tighta$$es are posting record profits, all at the expense and comfort of their passengers! Shame on them.
I'm 5'11, been almost the same height since I was 12. I'm at that height where my knees always touch the seat infront of me a little bit. I took the plane to my home country to visit my family multiple times a year when I was about 12-15 years old. My favorite thing to do when someone in front of me reclined their seat, was to just push my knees up against their seat, and move my legs as much as I could without it being too obvious, and without disturbing the people next to me too much. It's fun to see how long it takes before the person takes the hint, or gets annoyed enough to move their seat back up. Some people would give me angry looks instead of just giving me my space back, but I did not give up😂 anyways, what were they going to do? Fight with a big little 12 year old girl on a plane?
Or the a*****e who needs to lean back on an hour and a half flight can.
Load More Replies... And bei g an a*****e like you and the op is your problem to deal with. So dont leave your house so you dont inconvenience anyone else ever again.
Load More Replies... hey, 6'8 is definitely above average, making him tall. In the US the average male height is 5'9 and in Europe it's 5'11
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