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Dad Tries To Take Away Woman’s Second Seat, She Refuses To Sacrifice Her Comfort
Dad Tries To Take Away Woman’s Second Seat, She Refuses To Sacrifice Her Comfort
156

Dad Tries To Take Away Woman’s Second Seat, She Refuses To Sacrifice Her Comfort

Interview With Expert

49

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Traveling by plane is meant to be a hassle-free way to reach our destinations on time and in comfort. But let’s face it, that’s not always the reality. Even when you’re just trying to enjoy your trip, you can encounter fellow passengers who turn the experience into a frustrating ordeal.

For instance, during a recent flight, a woman who had booked an extra seat for her comfort found herself in a heated situation when a father requested to use that seat for his daughter. When she stood her ground, refusing to give it up, tensions rose, leading to accusations of selfishness. But was she really in the wrong?

RELATED:

    If you want a comfy seat on your flight, it’s crucial to book in advance, and sometimes, you may need to pay a little extra for the best options

    Image credits: DragonImages/Envato (not the actual photo)

    A woman faced backlash on a flight after refusing to give up an extra seat she had paid for, which was meant for her comfort

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    Image credits: gstockstudio/Envato (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: ReturnFlightFiasco

    There is no specific weight limit for passengers when it comes to flying

    Image credits: John McArthur/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    Flights are designed to be compact and efficient because space is at a premium in the air. When you’re soaring thousands of feet above the ground, the last thing airlines want is to waste precious cabin space. For passengers, this can translate to narrow aisles, limited seat width, and even smaller airplane bathrooms. 

    Here’s the thing: Navigating those tiny aisles while dragging a carry-on bag can feel like an Olympic sport. And let’s not forget the struggle to use the restrooms, which often feel more like phone booths than actual facilities! For larger passengers, the confined spaces can make flying uncomfortable.

    So, to shed light on this topic, we consulted with Anna Reynolds, a former flight service manager, who shared some valuable insights. Anna has spent years in the aviation industry, witnessing firsthand the diverse experiences passengers encounter while flying. 

    On the subject of weight limits, Anna explained, “There aren’t universal weight limits for passengers across airlines. The size of the seat and the length of the seat belts take precedence over the passenger’s weight.” This means that what might be acceptable for one airline may not hold true for another, leaving passengers with a lot of variables to consider before booking their flights.

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    With over a decade of experience in the industry, Anna elaborated, “Regulations regarding when a second seat is required can differ from airline to airline. It usually depends on various factors like body size and shape. However, there’s no specific weight threshold for needing an additional seat.”

    “If a passenger finds they can’t comfortably fit into a seat, it’s advisable to book that extra space for both comfort and safety.” It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about ensuring that everyone has a pleasant flying experience without feeling cramped or uncomfortable. 

    Communicating your needs to the airline well in advance is essential for ensuring a comfortable flying experience

    Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    You should check airline policies way in advance to understand their guidelines. This pre-flight preparation can save an individual a lot of stress at the airport. Some airlines have very specific requirements, while others may be more lenient. Knowing the rules in advance can help you make informed decisions and avoid any unpleasant surprises when boarding.

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    “If you find the seatbelt on the plane is too snug, you can always ask the flight crew for an extension. Don’t be afraid to express your needs to the crew. Most aircraft are equipped with these extensions to ensure all passengers can buckle up safely.” 

    Anna also warns, “Airlines reserve the right to refuse service to passengers who are overweight if it poses a safety or health risk. It’s an important consideration for both the airline and the passengers on board.” This aspect of airline policy can be daunting for many, but it’s essential for maintaining the safety and comfort of everyone on the flight.

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    She offers some practical tips: “Be upfront with the airline about your needs and steer clear of booking an emergency exit seat, as those come with additional restrictions.” Also, being proactive and asking questions not only helps you but also aids the airline in providing the best possible service to all passengers. 

    While in this particular case, the stewardess was simply fulfilling her duties, some passengers can sometimes come off as a bit entitled. What are your thoughts on the matter?

    Many online applauded the author’s decision to stay firm and not surrender her seat

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    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

    Read less »
    Nikita Manot

    Nikita Manot

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Nikita's knack for storytelling and creativity has led her into the world of writing. With a robust foundation in business studies, she crafts compelling narratives by seamlessly blending analytical insight with imaginative expression. At Bored Panda, she embarks on an exhilarating quest to explore diverse topics, fueled by curiosity and passion. During her leisure time, she savors life's simple pleasures, such as gardening, cooking homemade meals and hosting gatherings for loved ones.

    What do you think ?
    Broccoli
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These stories are a stark contrast from the other stories on bored panda where overweight people feel entitled to a free extra seat. OP was definitely NTA.

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is 2 years old - perhaps people have become more entitled since then.

    Load More Replies...
    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is such a damned if you do, damned if you don't problems for people who's bodies don't fit the standard of social norms. You really can't please everyone. That lady should have gotten trouble for harassing OP like that. No one should have to be treated like trash.

    Blah Blah Blah
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Def NTA and both the airline and the other people need to apologize to the OP. People are berated so often for not buying an extra seat and the fact that anyone even thought it was ever ok to ask you to give it up... F**k society and their fat phobic b******t! Thank you OP for doing you.

    Patrick H
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would the airline apologize? The only people in the wrong are the rude passengers.

    Load More Replies...
    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP sounds like a champ and hell, she paid for the second seat, so why should she need to give it up? Father is trash. Stewardess needs to stay in her lane. ETA: I’d say that someone else can sit there if they pay me for the seat (plus interest) and can deal with my love handles dribbling over their side of the chair. Bet that’d make ‘em reconsider.

    Mark Childers
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The whole thing was completely out of her control. She was using both seats. There was no way the flight attendants would have given the okay that the cabin was ready for takeoff if a pre-teen was sharing a seat with someone else. It's a safety thing, and I'm sure they prefer people sit in the seats they're assigned.

    Jaymi
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She’s absolutely NTA, she’s the opposite for courteously booking two seats so she doesn’t infringe on others personal space.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's exactly how it's supposed to be done.

    Amanduh
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Boy, a person can’t win can they! Had she not bought the seat someone would have bitched at her, she buys the extra seat someone bitches at her…

    Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His lack of planning like she said. Stop enabling such entitled behavior from people.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is what happens when overweight people are being made the scapegoat everyone is allowed to unload their personal inferiority complexes on.

    Trillian
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love her for refusing the way she did. Some people need to hear plain words especially since they didn't listen to the polite ones.

    JP
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Them: If you're overweight, book two seats! Also Them: You're so rude to book two seats and not give up one!

    Paul Rabit
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People complain when a plus-size person only books one seat they can't fit into, and they complain when a plus-size person books two seats that they can fit into. What a world we live in. :(

    Scusa
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let’s get this correct - This Woman pays for Two seats (regardless of her size and the massive double standards of shaming on airlines) And Then - she is Harassed, with no airline support? Did I get this Right? This is what is wrong with - Wake up Woke

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP - well done on everything but especially that sick burn when someone tried to shame you.

    KrazyChiMama
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not even overweight and I don’t like to fly or travel by bus because of how tightly packed you are inside. Covid did not help my anxiety with this at all it’s worse now than ever too!

    Annabelle
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omgaw, f*ck no, OP is not the AH, they're amazing! Good on them for giving it right back to that sanctimonious c*nt. If OP had bought the one seat, this same b*tch would've been making a show about OP should pay for two seats.😒

    David
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As someone who has sat on flights where the person next to me took up more of my seat than I did and made my flights miserable for the duration, I applaud this person for purchasing the second seat. And remember, you buy the ticket, it is your seat, end of story

    Ashley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This lady planned ahead. Paid extra. All so she can be comfortable and respect other’s space and the fact that no one wants to be squished. & she is the problem!??! Dad is lazy for not planning appropriately. Could have gone with a different airline if seats together was such a big deal.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was bound to come up since so many replies are "well, buy the next seat as well if you need more room". This woman was totally in the right for this, no question.

    Mi So
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How on earth do 8% (currently) of people think “it’s complicated with no clear answer” on the survey question?? People complain if fat people only buy one seat & overflow into someone else’s (fair enough; I’m fat too & understand this) BUT they also complain when fat people do the right (& expensive) thing & but 2 seats so they don’t crowd someone else. Clearly, if you buy two seats, you should get two seats. Hell, even if a skinny person buys a second seat because they just want to be comfy, they paid for the seat, it’s theirs. Flight Attendants need to stop asking people to give up seats they paid for (whether paying extra for seat selection or for a second seat) simply because someone else didn’t adequately plan for their own needs.

    William Teach
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If, IF, this is actually true, this actually happened, NTA. Good on her for losing 4 pounds now that she knows what the problem is.

    Verena
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this a serious question?

    Spittnimage
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody please explain why a commenter was calling OP an agency.

    Natalie Zayas Bazan
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If titanic happened in 2025, even women would deny children seats. What have we come to?

    Jo Firth
    Community Member
    11 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Repeat after me : It's flight attendant, not stewardess.

    Broccoli
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These stories are a stark contrast from the other stories on bored panda where overweight people feel entitled to a free extra seat. OP was definitely NTA.

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is 2 years old - perhaps people have become more entitled since then.

    Load More Replies...
    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is such a damned if you do, damned if you don't problems for people who's bodies don't fit the standard of social norms. You really can't please everyone. That lady should have gotten trouble for harassing OP like that. No one should have to be treated like trash.

    Blah Blah Blah
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Def NTA and both the airline and the other people need to apologize to the OP. People are berated so often for not buying an extra seat and the fact that anyone even thought it was ever ok to ask you to give it up... F**k society and their fat phobic b******t! Thank you OP for doing you.

    Patrick H
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would the airline apologize? The only people in the wrong are the rude passengers.

    Load More Replies...
    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP sounds like a champ and hell, she paid for the second seat, so why should she need to give it up? Father is trash. Stewardess needs to stay in her lane. ETA: I’d say that someone else can sit there if they pay me for the seat (plus interest) and can deal with my love handles dribbling over their side of the chair. Bet that’d make ‘em reconsider.

    Mark Childers
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The whole thing was completely out of her control. She was using both seats. There was no way the flight attendants would have given the okay that the cabin was ready for takeoff if a pre-teen was sharing a seat with someone else. It's a safety thing, and I'm sure they prefer people sit in the seats they're assigned.

    Jaymi
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She’s absolutely NTA, she’s the opposite for courteously booking two seats so she doesn’t infringe on others personal space.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's exactly how it's supposed to be done.

    Amanduh
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Boy, a person can’t win can they! Had she not bought the seat someone would have bitched at her, she buys the extra seat someone bitches at her…

    Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His lack of planning like she said. Stop enabling such entitled behavior from people.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is what happens when overweight people are being made the scapegoat everyone is allowed to unload their personal inferiority complexes on.

    Trillian
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love her for refusing the way she did. Some people need to hear plain words especially since they didn't listen to the polite ones.

    JP
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Them: If you're overweight, book two seats! Also Them: You're so rude to book two seats and not give up one!

    Paul Rabit
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People complain when a plus-size person only books one seat they can't fit into, and they complain when a plus-size person books two seats that they can fit into. What a world we live in. :(

    Scusa
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let’s get this correct - This Woman pays for Two seats (regardless of her size and the massive double standards of shaming on airlines) And Then - she is Harassed, with no airline support? Did I get this Right? This is what is wrong with - Wake up Woke

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP - well done on everything but especially that sick burn when someone tried to shame you.

    KrazyChiMama
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not even overweight and I don’t like to fly or travel by bus because of how tightly packed you are inside. Covid did not help my anxiety with this at all it’s worse now than ever too!

    Annabelle
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omgaw, f*ck no, OP is not the AH, they're amazing! Good on them for giving it right back to that sanctimonious c*nt. If OP had bought the one seat, this same b*tch would've been making a show about OP should pay for two seats.😒

    David
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As someone who has sat on flights where the person next to me took up more of my seat than I did and made my flights miserable for the duration, I applaud this person for purchasing the second seat. And remember, you buy the ticket, it is your seat, end of story

    Ashley
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This lady planned ahead. Paid extra. All so she can be comfortable and respect other’s space and the fact that no one wants to be squished. & she is the problem!??! Dad is lazy for not planning appropriately. Could have gone with a different airline if seats together was such a big deal.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was bound to come up since so many replies are "well, buy the next seat as well if you need more room". This woman was totally in the right for this, no question.

    Mi So
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How on earth do 8% (currently) of people think “it’s complicated with no clear answer” on the survey question?? People complain if fat people only buy one seat & overflow into someone else’s (fair enough; I’m fat too & understand this) BUT they also complain when fat people do the right (& expensive) thing & but 2 seats so they don’t crowd someone else. Clearly, if you buy two seats, you should get two seats. Hell, even if a skinny person buys a second seat because they just want to be comfy, they paid for the seat, it’s theirs. Flight Attendants need to stop asking people to give up seats they paid for (whether paying extra for seat selection or for a second seat) simply because someone else didn’t adequately plan for their own needs.

    William Teach
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If, IF, this is actually true, this actually happened, NTA. Good on her for losing 4 pounds now that she knows what the problem is.

    Verena
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this a serious question?

    Spittnimage
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody please explain why a commenter was calling OP an agency.

    Natalie Zayas Bazan
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If titanic happened in 2025, even women would deny children seats. What have we come to?

    Jo Firth
    Community Member
    11 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Repeat after me : It's flight attendant, not stewardess.

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