Flight attendant reveals the secret trick used to 'punish' passengers who refuse to swap seats
Mitra Amirzadeh, an Orlando-based flight attendant, revealed she has her own secret method of dealing with difficult passengers.
The cabin crew member claimed she doesn't always get involved in seat swapping dilemmas, but if it involves a child needing to sit with a parent she will step in.
Mitra revealed that asking the passenger who is refusing to move seats, to look after the child, is a very quick way to get them to move seats fast.
She told the The Wall Street Journal: 'I have said before, "OK, so you're going to watch the toddler?
'"You'll want their snacks and their colouring books then, because they're going to need that".'
She claimed this quickly motivates the passenger to allow the child to be seated with their parent.
However Mitra, who is also a union rep for an airline that charges passengers for advance seat selection, said she doesn't want passengers to be 'forced' to swap seats if they have paid for it.
She continued: 'The next time you feel yourself getting angry or getting frustrated that you're not getting the seat you want, you need to remind yourself that you didn't pay to pick your seat. Otherwise, you'd be in it.'
Mitra revealed that the frustrating seat-swapping drama occurs on roughly 80 per cent of her monthly flights.
It comes after travel expert Jamie Fraser, of Wild Packs American summer camp, offered his top tips on how to respond to a seat swapping request with proper etiquette.
His advice comes in the wake of a viral incident involving a woman who was filmed by a passenger and berated online after refusing to give up her seat to a crying child - resulting in her losing her job.
Jennifer Castro, a 29-year-old bank employee from Brazil, became the centre of an internet firestorm after a row on a GOL Airlines domestic flight in December 2024, and has since filed charges against the airline and the passenger who filmed her.
According to YouGov, a mere six per cent of Brits would not switch seats under any circumstances, even though this could cause a disturbance.
To ensure a hassle-free flight, Jamie Fraser recommends following his advice next time you're asked to move on a plane.
Fraser stresses that passengers are not obligated to switch seats with a fellow flyer.
Your seat number is printed on your boarding pass, and if you have pre-booked a window or aisle seat, for example, you are entitled to choose to remain in that designated spot.
If you are asked to switch to a middle seat, Fraser advises to simply tell the passenger you prefer to keep the seat you're in.
If the request persists, Fraser recommends calmly repeating your refusal without further explanation.
After all, your fellow passenger had just as much opportunity as you to book their preferred seat in advance.
If the passenger doesn't take no for an answer, Fraser recommends staying firm but polite.
The expert explains: 'If the passenger continues to press you to swap seats, it is important to stay firm but polite in your response.
'Remember that it isn't rude to decline. Calmly reiterate that you won't swap seats.
'If necessary, involve a flight attendant as they are trained to handle these types of situations.'
When should you consider swapping seats?
Fraser notes that there are a few situations where it may be appropriate to consider a seat swap.
He advises: 'You should only seriously consider swapping your seat when a young child has been separated from their family.
'However, the family should first consult the airline for help before asking a passenger to swap seats. Even then, you are not obligated to switch seats.
'You can, of course, consider swapping seats if you are unhappy with your current one, and a passenger offers you a better seat. Outside of this situation, however, asking to swap seats is considered poor travel etiquette.'
Fraser adds that wanting to sit next to a friend, disliking a middle seat, or failing to book seats together in advance are not justifiable reasons to expect someone to move.
Another major mistake to avoid is assuming that it's okay to take another passenger's seat without their input.
An important rule when travelling is to never sit in someone's seat before they board, as this can cause unnecessary delays.
It can also potentially lead to tension or, worse, a confrontation between you and the rightful ticket holder.
Fraser warns: 'A member of staff may ask you to leave the plane or you could find yourself going viral online.'
Offering a 'fair' swap
If you're the one requesting to swap seats, it's important to make sure you are offering a fair trade.
This could be the same type of seat elsewhere in the cabin, or a seat upgrade with more space.
Fraser stresses that expecting someone to swap their window or aisle seat for a middle seat is not good travel etiquette.
It comes after influencer Maddie Borge, 24, revealed she'd managed to bag a whole row of seats to herself on an Etihad Airways flight, thanks to the carrier's neighbour-free scheme.
The scheme asks passengers to put in how much money they'd be willing to spend to get the row to themselves and if the plane is not busy, they are then awarded the extra seats.
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