The battle for airplane seats seems to be heating up, with a recent TikTok video showcasing a passenger's frustration with a photo-snapping neighbor sparking online discussions about the increasing prevalence of "seat squatters." One traveler even took to Reddit, recounting a Delta flight where they witnessed not one, not two, but *three* separate instances of passengers occupying seats they hadn't paid for.
The Reddit poster described a man moving 16 rows forward, arguing it was his assigned seat, a woman insisting she needed a window seat despite having a middle seat assignment, and a couple relocating from the back of the plane to more desirable seats upfront. This sparked a lively debate in the comments section, with many fellow flyers sharing similar experiences and expressing their opinions on whether seat squatting is becoming more common.
Some users attributed this behavior to increasing entitlement, while others advocated for the immediate removal of seat squatters from aircraft. One commenter offered practical advice: avoid engaging with the squatter directly and instead, alert a flight attendant to resolve the issue. Others suggested the possibility of simple misunderstandings.
Not all respondents agreed on the frequency of this issue. Some claimed to have rarely encountered seat squatting, citing only minor instances of passengers requesting swaps for reasons like sitting with their partners. A flight attendant who joined the conversation expressed their enthusiasm for returning squatters to their assigned seats, highlighting the prevalence of such attempts.
Brandon Blewett, author of "How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes," weighed in on the discussion, noting an increase in seat squatting incidents. He acknowledged that some situations, such as families separated after missed connections, warrant understanding. However, he also identified "indignant squatters" who refuse to show their boarding passes as a major red flag.
Blewett emphasized that these encounters often cause delays, potentially leading to missed connections and widespread passenger frustration. His advice? Let the flight attendants handle the situation to avoid escalating the conflict.
