On social media, a passenger sparked debate after refusing to give up her first-class seat so a kid could sit with his mom, gaining attention.
The incident sparked discussion about travel etiquette on Reddit platform
A recent incident aboard a long-haul flight has reignited discussions on social media about travel etiquette. The incident occoured when 21-year-old woman declined to swap her first-class seat for a young boy’s economy seat so he could sit with his mother.
On Reddit, the unnamed woman took to Reddit’s ‘Am I The A**hole’ thread to recount the situation that unfolded during her journey from North America to Central Asia.
The post has the caption: ‘Am I The A**hole for not giving up my first class ticket for a kid?'”
The woman was asked to switch her first-class seat with a child so he could sit with his mom.
In the post, he explained that her boyfriend had surprised her with a first-class ticket, her first time to experience premium cabin travel.
However, shortly before takeoff, a flight attendant approached her with a request from a woman and her young son, who was about six years old.
Due to a booking error, the boy’s seat was in economy class, and they asked the woman if they could switch seats so that her son could experience first class.
She wrote: ‘The woman explained that she had booked a first-class ticket for herself and her son, but due to a booking error, he ended up in economy. She asked if I would be willing to switch seats with her son so he could experience first class as well.’
The plane passenger refused to give up her first-class seat for a six-year-old child
Torn between sympathy and her desire to enjoy her gift, the woman politely declined the request.
She stressed that it was her first time flying first class and she wanted to enjoy the experience.
Despite her explanation, the mother insisted that her son would enjoy the upgrade more than she did.
The situation briefly escalated until the woman’s boyfriend intervened. He also asserted his authority as a Platinum member and threatening to take his business elsewhere if you have to move.
She explained: ‘When I told my boyfriend about it, he said I did nothing wrong and that it was my ticket to use and that he stood up for me because I had the seat on my ticket and it was disrespectful for her to even ask for my seat in the first place.
The plane passenger also admitted she faced a struggle to give up her choice.
She said: ‘I felt really awkward.’
She even faced to suffered from upset of flight attendant.
She added: ” ‘The flight attendant seemed to be on the woman’s side, subtly implying that I should consider being more understanding. After about a minute, my boyfriend stood up and looked at the flight attendant.”
After the incident, the woman remained repentant about her decision to refuse giving up her first-class seat so a six-year-old boy could sit with his mom.
She wondered: ” ‘But some of my friends think I should have given up my seat to the kid, saying that it would have been the kind thing to do, especially since I didn’t pay for the ticket myself. Am I the a**hole?'”
The post quickly went viral and sparked debate on social media.
The Reddit post garnered widespread support for the woman.
In the comment selection, many users defended her decision not to give up her seat.
They criticized the airline’s handling of the situation and questioned the legitimacy of the alleged booking error.
While somother suggested that it might have been an attempt to secure a free upgrade.
One person said: Anyone who is in the side of the mother hasn’t flown overseas before. If someone walked up to you on the street and asked for 3700 would you give it to them? That’s about the difference in ticket costs.
A second wrote: I don’t get these swaps between classes. The flight attendants should have immediately helped by asking customers seated next to the child if they’d would like to move up to first class and offering…
While a third commented: Yes. I would refuse. The mother or company made a booking error, so that is on them. I understand switching a seat on a cheaper flight service where everyone gets the same thing,
Another added: No! As a young mother I often flew alone with three little children and I carefully picked safe seat assignments or did not fly that flight. I don’t give up my seat then or now.
What did you think about the incident?