Passenger 'Disgusted' by Delta Flight Attendant's Request Backed

[ad_1] A Reddit consumer's account of being pressured by a Delta flight attendant to give up their paid window seat for a household touring with a child has sparked heated dialogue about passenger rights and airplane etiquette.

The passenger detailed the incident in a put up shared on April 2 within the r/delta subreddit beneath the username u/WBG_ProudParents, whose account has since been deleted. The put up has amassed greater than 7,400 upvotes and drawn over 1,000 feedback because it was first shared.

The consumer, who stated they had been on their technique to a ski journey, described the ordeal as a violation of their planning and private area.

"I used to be going a ski journey. Had every thing deliberate out. Checked in early, acquired my seat by the window. And I actually like seeing snow out from the window aircraft," the consumer wrote. "And within the final minute, I used to be pulled apart by the attendant and so they requested me if I can change my seat with a household touring with an toddler and so they requested [for] my window seat."

In line with the poster, the flight attendant instructed them the household had paid for the window seat, to which they responded: "I paid for mine too." The consumer stated there was one other household touring with a child, making it clear whom the flight attendant was referring to.

"And the perspective from the FA [flight attendant]! They made me really feel so unhealthy that I truly went again and stated 'positive,'" the consumer continued. "I simply felt so disgusted! Why can not folks simply [have] deliberate [things] out earlier! I deliberate my journey two months prematurely! I hate it when folks do stuff like this and count on everybody to accommodate them! Nonetheless they're mother and father too. Like, have some sense of duty!"

When contacted for touch upon the incident, a spokesperson for Delta Air Traces instructed Newsweek: "The shopper is welcome to contact Delta so we are able to hear extra."

A inventory picture of a flight attendant chatting with a passenger on a aircraft. A inventory picture of a flight attendant chatting with a passenger on a aircraft. iStock / Getty Photos Plus Lisa Mirza Grotts, an etiquette knowledgeable and writer of A Traveler's Passport to Etiquette in a Publish-Pandemic World, instructed Newsweek that vacationers who e-book their seats prematurely haven't any obligation to present them up. "Planning forward will not be impolite—it is accountable. When you booked your seat prematurely, you might have each proper to maintain it," Grotts stated. "An absence of preparation on another person's half—household or not—doesn't represent an obligation on yours."

"Even in the event you really feel 'heartless' for saying no, you are not," she continued. "You are merely upholding the construction that retains journey civilized. It is shameful for any flight attendant—or fellow passenger—to make you are feeling in any other case."

The Reddit put up comes as a June 2023 survey performed by Kayak discovered that passengers in america and Canada consider it is acceptable to ask for a seat change "in the event you ask politely," as a result of 54 % of vacationers "have a mushy spot for frequent courtesy."

These surveyed stated you are allowed to ask to take a seat subsequent to a member of the family, companion or good friend as a result of 58 % of vacationers "have a grain of empathy."

'Entitlement Is By no means Well mannered' In a follow-up remark, the Reddit consumer elaborated on their determination to in the end relinquish the seat, saying: "I initially refused, however then I walked previous a household with a child just a few months previous. And I simply thought, what if that household had an analogous state of affairs, perhaps the mother and father are obnoxious however the little one is harmless. I hate that silly mother and father for guilt tripping me however the child...urgh...FINE."

The poster added: "I'm extra offended at myself than another celebration. Like, I can say no initially however then when folks push again and began being imply I simply panicked and all I need is to remain on their good aspect."

Grotts emphasised that courtesy and planning go hand in hand. "Tensions typically rise at 35,000 ft, however courtesy begins on the bottom. When you took the time to e-book your seat, you should not be guilted into surrendering it to somebody who did not. This particularly applies to households touring with youngsters. Children do not excuse an absence of planning; if something, they require extra of it," she stated.

"Accountability is the actual luxurious in journey," Grotts added. "Good manners go each methods. Entitlement is rarely well mannered."

'The Airline's Fault' Many commenters on Reddit sided with the unique poster. "Simply because they ask doesn't suggest it's important to oblige. There's 2 window seats for each row!... subsequent!!!!" wrote u/Keepitontrack-2025.

Others instructed asking for compensation or upgrades if pressured to maneuver. "I might inform the FA I will transfer if the seat is comparable and I get my $ again for the seat I PAID for—in the event that they double booked that is on them not you," commented u/Airplane-Reason9254.

U/arcticskies echoed the sentiment: "Your response ought to have been 'I am joyful to maneuver when you've got a first-class seat out there in alternate for this seat'."

"Subsequent time that occurs ask for a voucher or some form of compensation. Then it is on Delta to make it proper," stated u/iambeerman2.

The consumer u/RattyRhino pointed to broader trade patterns: "Yeah, it is the airline's fault in all probability not the father or mother's fault. Even in the event you select your seat forward of time, they nonetheless transfer you..."