Who would you give up your seat for?

[Anonymous]

You have a coveted seat on a plane — business or first class, maybe. Or a row with extra leg room. Maybe you paid for it, maybe you didn’t. Who would you agree/volunteer to switch with:

1) Parent with toddler who aren’t seated together?
2) Newlyweds
3) Parent with teens not seated together
4) Two young teen siblings traveling together without parents but seated separately
5) Service member in uniform
6) Elderly couple not seated together
7) Obvious combat veteran/young (like a War on Terror vet). Wearing of a hat advertising their service makes it obvious.
8) Obvious combat veteran/elderly (like a Korean War vet).

[Anonymous]

none

[Anonymous]

I'd only agree to change for an equivalent seat. Otherwise none. None of these people are more special than me.

[Anonymous]

The only way I'm switching is if you offer something much better than what I have (you want my economy seat and are offering a first class seat.) Otherwise, no. As the PP said, no one on that list is anymore special than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have a coveted seat on a plane — business or first class, maybe. Or a row with extra leg room. Maybe you paid for it, maybe you didn’t. Who would you agree/volunteer to switch with:

1) Parent with toddler who aren’t seated together?
2) Newlyweds
3) Parent with teens not seated together
4) Two young teen siblings traveling together without parents but seated separately
5) Service member in uniform
6) Elderly couple not seated together
7) Obvious combat veteran/young (like a War on Terror vet). Wearing of a hat advertising their service makes it obvious.
8) Obvious combat veteran/elderly (like a Korean War vet).

Maybe 1 & 4 depending on the circumstances. (Have in the past, but not going from Business to Economy to do it.) Definitely not any of the vets; I'm a vet, and I think all of this bizarre pseudo military worship is unhealthy and odd.

[Anonymous]

None of those. They all had an opportunity to get a better/convenient seat. They didn’t take it? Not my problem.

[Anonymous]

I'll switch with anyone if it is like for like (ex: switching aisle seat in row 14 for aisle seat in row 15).

But I wouldn't switch from aisle to middle or window for any of those except MAYBE #1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of those. They all had an opportunity to get a better/convenient seat. They didn’t take it? Not my problem.

Exactly. Pay in advance if you must. Don't penalize other people because you were cheap.

I'm a bit intrigued by the OP coming up with this list. Real world isn't like that.

[Anonymous]

I’d switch if I get something similar. I don’t care much about which specific seat so I’d happily swap to keep kids/parents together but not from business to economy. I’d move to a different seat in economy if it’s not much worse (like if I had a window seat in the second row I don’t really want to go to a middle seat in the back row.) But I can’t imagine ever being asked to do any of those things.

[Anonymous]

None of the above unless they were offering an equivalent or better seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of the above unless they were offering an equivalent or better seat.

Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of those. They all had an opportunity to get a better/convenient seat. They didn’t take it? Not my problem.

Mostly, but not always. Ever had a flight delayed so you miss a connection and then put on another flight? Or a flight cancelled and you’re put on another flight? Those are situations we had last year and although we paid to have seats together on our original flights, we ended up with 4 random (middle) seats on the new flights. However, the airlines managed to put us together in pairs before we boarded on both occasions so we didn’t need to ask anyone.

[Anonymous]

If a short flight/2-2 seating throughout economy or I’d be switching to a comparable seat: 1, 4, maybe 3 if the family seemed totally confused/not used to flying/terrified, maybe any of the others (or literally anyone with any kind of sob story) if I was in a generous mood

If the offered seat was better than mine (eg I paid for choosing a window but someone’s offering me first class): any rando can have my seat for the taking.

If a long flight and I would be switching to a middle seat: maaaaaaybe 1. Or if someone offered me money.

All of the above is assuming I’m travelling alone or with teen/adult family members or friends. If I had my own toddler with me, I wouldn’t switch with anyone unless they were offering us two better seats together.

[Anonymous]

I would switch for the same level seat or higher in a similar position (aisle). I would not sit in the middle or window seat. I’m claustrophobic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of those. They all had an opportunity to get a better/convenient seat. They didn’t take it? Not my problem.

Mostly, but not always. Ever had a flight delayed so you miss a connection and then put on another flight? Or a flight cancelled and you’re put on another flight? Those are situations we had last year and although we paid to have seats together on our original flights, we ended up with 4 random (middle) seats on the new flights. However, the airlines managed to put us together in pairs before we boarded on both occasions so we didn’t need to ask anyone.

Then tough luck. Sheesh, people learn to be more resilient.

I will say, however, there is one *one* situation where I would change seats and that would be if one of a pair of travelers was clearly the nurse/caretaker for the other. I'm talking about someone with Parkinsons, for example. But a typical family? Nope, sorry, nada, zip, unless airline compensates me generously. Your family isn't special.