It’s pretty much a given that airline customer service isn’t what it used to be and the whole flying experience has become increasingly arduous and unpleasant.
On the other hand, some issues just really aren’t the airlines’ fault. One of the biggest is seat assignments.
In a perfect world, there would be comfortable aisle or window seats for everyone. But realistically in economy class that’s not going to happen, except on regional jets, which most passengers agree are a step down from the “regular” planes.
Even the 767, perhaps the most economy-class friendly aircraft of all, usually with 2-3-2 seating has some middle seats. And most planes have a lot more. Which with full flights means SOMEONE has to sit there.
Many fliers accept this fact realistically, if grudgingly. Others, however, are a different story, even when they book at the last minute.
Of course, travel agents and airline employees have heard it all.
Here’s a sampling of what travel agents, some airline employees and I have heard recently.
“I have to have an aisle because I need to work on the plane.”
“I am tall, I cannot possibly deal with anything but an aisle.”
“I need to sleep on the plane so they need to give me a window to lean against.”
“I don’t like flying, and it makes me claustrophobic so they have to give me an aisle”
“I can’t see the movie well from a middle seat.”
This doesn’t even count all the people who want exit rows and bulkheads either, although most airlines will either save them for frequent fliers or sell them for an extra fee.
One airline employee tells of people who get their doctors to write notes saying they need aisle seats. Although that’s better than the people who say things like they need an exit row because they have their foot in a cast. (Uh, that would be reason enough to disqualify you at the airport even if you got the seat pre-assigned.)
United Airlines employees have an added issue too with people asking, and sometimes demanding, economy plus seats for no extra charge. One woman wanted such a seat because it was “that time of month.”
Passengers themselves sometimes have to deal with entitled fellow travelers trying to avoid middle seats. I’ve heard several times this year about someone sitting in an aisle or window and being approached by another passenger saying something along the lines of that they had been separated from their spouse, and they would like to switch seats.
Now, most travelers will be helpful in that situation, unless the separated parties are BOTH in a middle seat. Yet some people act incredibly annoyed if the passenger in the good seat won’t swap.
One traveler even told me the story of being in Economy Plus on a 777 heading to Europe when a woman with two older children showed up just before the doors closed. She had booked late apparently, had no seat assignments, and at the last minute United upgraded her to the three middle seats together with no charge.
But her mother was still in the very back of the plane, in the most middle seat of five, and she wanted this traveler with the aisle seat to change so they could all sit together. He declined the request, as it would have been a sleepless night.
Apparently the woman kept complaining until the flight attendant actually overheard and told him not to feel pressured and to stay put.
Now, indeed, there are some people who really do have medical issues that make it difficult for them to be in middle seats, travelers with casts for example, and pregnant women who may need to be running to the lavatory regularly. For that matter, anyone with an infant may need to get up with the baby.
But with most travelers, it’s a question of preference. Much of the time a persistent travel agent or a nice gate agent may be able to accommodate a request by checking back or watching for cancellations at the gate; especially for travelers who are nice about it.
If a seat assignment really does matter, booking early is the best way to get an aisle or window seat. When that’s not possible, asking a travel agent (or looking online) for a flight that has windows or aisles left is another option. Or, heavens forbid, pay the difference for a premium seat.
Believe me, I understand how where you sit can make a huge difference. I’m 5’3″ and I don’t like to sit in a middle seat. Like most travelers, I don’t like the back row of the plane either. But I’ve sat in both, and survived.
(Photo: JohnnyJet.com)
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
i absolutely hate it when people ask me to switch seats with them so they can sit next to their friend/partner/lover/etc. I am not afraid to say no to anyone because I took my time to book early and select my seat. it is not my fault that they messed up and I have to pay for it.
This happened to me on a Delta flight in September. I was going from SLC to JFK and I was sitting in the aisle seat. I boarded late and when I reached my row, I noticed someone was in MY assigned seat. The girl in the middle asked me if I should switch seats with her boyfriend (who was in my seat) because they wanted to sit together. I said, “where is his seat?” and she pointed to one row back, in the middle. Then I said, No, this is my assigned seat.
He didn’t argue with me, as he really had no right to do so, and the girl gave me a dirty look. I didn’t care because it’s not my problem that they didnt plan ahead.
Too funny. When I used to fly more often, AA was my preference because I could always request an exit aisle, and get it, at least before they started making them premium seats. I avoided SW as much as possible because I hated the cattle-car lining up, and as soon as someone stood up to get the front section of A, the rush started. One lady was sitting in the front seat along the window and when I went to stand in the A section, she immediately piped up and said that was her spot. I said, as gentlemanly as I could, that if she wanted this spot she needed to stand here to claim it. What nerve!
I booked a flight with United in December 2009 for 5 people, for October 2010. There were many flight changes. The original plane had 2 seats on each side of the plane. so I booked two rows 3 in one and 2 in the other. After all the flight changes, at the gate we had 4 in 1 row and 1 in the next row. I complained to no avail
Joe – I totally agree – it sucks when you do book early and the change the plane with a different seating arrangement – than all the planning is down the toilet. My son is 6ft 2 – talk about getting it on the knees – this holiday season I will forkup the money to move him to the exit row if offered (he is 18). He is pretty good about flying but when people decided to throw their seats back – he usually has a zinger to let them know that they bruised his knees and they usually adjust their seats.
I was seated in my aisle seat (coach) on American Airlines when a family of 4 (mother, 2 kids and an infant in her arms) were seated in the middle and window seat of my row, with her oldest child in the middle seat of a row in the back of the plane. The flight was nearly full, so I offered to switch with her child so the family could sit together. When I asked the flight attendant if that would be OK, she was so surprised, she took me by the hand and put me in First Class. And, gave me a bottle of wine when I left the plane. What goes around, comes around.