Have you ever tried this? We've been doing this since our first flight together in 2015 and we've probably had the row to ourselves 80-90% of the time🙌
Right? They might be too rigidly into the rules to change seats. Or maybe just a sadist. You never know who you might be sat next to. Plus all of the flights I’ve been on lately have been completely booked.
I was going to say, I don't remember the last time I wasn't on a full flight. These days routes have been reduced to make sure planes are Full. Airlines don't want empty planes
I went on a flight last summer, from the Netherlands to the UK, and had a free seat next to me. Well, technically the aisle seat was free, but the person in the middle seat moved over.
I work at the check-in counter at the airport and ye a lot of flights are overbooked but there are also TONS of half empty flights. The airplanes don't just carry people, airline planes are also booked as part-time cargo planes which means that some flights just have to happen, no matter how many people are actually gonna be on board.
As an ex flight attendant, please don't do this. It's all fun and games until the flight is full and the other person doesn't want to trade places. There's also nothing we can do in those cases since the person is in their assigned seat.
you're assuming the person in the middle wants to switch. just book next to each other. in either case someone is going to be sitting next to a stranger.
The thing is it's more likely if somebody is flying alone they will book an isle/Window seat not middle. And because of that you have a better chance of nobody getting that seat. If you do isle and middle there's a much higher chance someone booked that Window seat.
Virtually nobody would sit in the middle and be unwilling to switch. The window has the view, the aisle has easy bathroom access. The middle seat is strictly inferior.
I think that's a fair assumption. I have never met a single person who willingly chooses the middle seat unless they are sitting with someone they know. They are in the middle seat because they either booked the cheapest ticket and didn't pay to select a seat, booked last minute (including stand-by) and only middle seats are available, or got reassigned last minute for whatever reasons. Some people prefer window and some prefer aisle, but almost nobody prefer to be sandwiched between two strangers with no access to the window or aisle. That said, if you try this method, understand that nobody is obligated to switch with you even though they almost always will. You should ask politely and give them the option of window/aisle. If they refuse for whatever reasons, drop it and move on. Do this and everyone will be happy.
Firm reminder!: you are never obligated to give up your seat for anyone. You paid and picked your seat and if someone else has poor planning it dosen't make an emergency for you. Don't feel guilty.
@@Webbyhx true. I mean, who would rather sit in the middle of two strangers rather than being in the isle or window? There’s not any really benefit in the middle seat.😭 it’s just super petty and uncomfortable to be in that position.
99% of the time they will - I have never met somebody who chose a middle seat in 50+ years of frequent flying, but yes, there’s a theoretical chance you might get someone who wants to sit between you 😳
No one wants middle seats, especially if flanked by strangers, pretty much anyone is going to switch to get a better view or especially a better path if you ask kondly
@@SoupIsSouppy - Tell them that you sell insurance. Then, ask them if they have evaluated their life insurance needs lately. They will start avoiding talking to you.
Always book the seats you want. Never book separate seats unless you want to be sat separate. Actually had the Airline enforce seating assignments on a EasyJet flight. They made us move to assigned seats for "manifest safety reasons".
I pretty much never sit in my assigned seat on any flight ever. Waiting to board I pull up the seat upgrade map and pick an upgrade but I don’t pay for it I just keep refreshing the upgrade map When it comes time to board no one could have gotten the seat because it was mid transaction for the last 30 minutes. I then just sit in my totally not paid for upgrade and enjoy my flight.
I was seated in the middle of a couple who tried this and wanted to force me to sit by the window, which I hate because I sometimes need to use the restroom more than usual and a window seat means climbing over/inconveniencing two people instead of just 1 or 0 . I told them to either give me the aisle or let me sit in my assigned seat. They kept arguing with me and finally gave me the aisle.
The main tip was booking them apart in the hopes that the middle seat isn't booked, the second part was just backup advice but it's not like they were going into the plan to manipulate someone just for fun. I'm hypersensitive to red flags but this one is a reach imo.
@Bonner City Girl , I'm a Marine. Don't underestimate how much I can suffer just to be petty. I've spent 6 hours zipper legged, in full combat load on a C130. Bitch, the next 12 hours will be a cakewalk.
Nahh. If there’s 2 of you, book early and grab 2 aisle seats across from each other. That way you’re close enough to chat, share snacks etc but also have more space and it’s easier to get up and about if needed ✌🏼 ✈️
Lies. Parents…… One sit by the window and the other in the isle with a lap baby. Nobody wants to sit next to a baby that may or may not be fussy. Lol Booom! You won’t have to pay for a seat in order to sit the baby down between both parents.
@@joefunk76 life hack 3: buy every ticket on the plane and then take your private jet so that when you get to your destination there are less poor people clogging up the airport.
YES!!! Karma came. It went viral on Twitter, too. They claimed this wasn’t what they did & they “randomly” got the window & aisle. Right. If you want more space, pay more for business class.
@@AlisonWarren I've never done this. Just want more space. But can't afford business class. So I have to suffer In small spaces. But once I was booking my seat the way home from Argentina as a solo flyer as my fiance was staying longer with his family. I saw a 4 seat row. 2 people already had 2 seats. I hoped that keeping thr one seat in middle would work out. Thr woman 2 seats away said hey if no one sits here let's share rhe seat! No one sat there. We both had 1.5 seats that long 11 hr flight. And I had my aisle seat so I could use the bathroom without climbing over strangers.
@@matteosusani4072first of all why are you taking the risk you can just book seats next to each other and if no comes in your aisle you can just leave the middle seat empty then
If you intentionally book a window and aisle seat for this purpose and I’m plopped between the two of you, be assured that I am making that flight as uncomfortable as can be without breaking any rules
Be assured my and my companion would be involving you in the most horrific conversations to make you feel uncomfortable, a race to the bottom would be on
DO NOT DO THIS! Reliance on strangers both being kind for no benefit and being made to sit in a worse seat is exceedingly rare. Its much better to employ the same tactic but keep your seets together
Nothing is worse than the middle seat. 😄 And you can give the stranger the choice of aisle or window. Whereas if you booked your seats together, aisle or window would be chosen for the stranger already depending on which seats you chose.
On some airlines (especially low cost) you have to pay extra to select a seat. If you don't want to pay the additional charge you get assigned a seat "randomly" - which usually "totally randomly" turns out to be the middle seat, which is to be expected because it's the least desirable...
I fly every week. Multiple times a week. "If the plane isn't full" is a pretty high risk to be taking, especially for domestic flights. The plane is almost always full. That's why the flight times are intervalled when they are. That's why they're still profitable
We do this but don't ask the person in the middle to switch if the seat is filled. We just ignore each other for the duration of the flight so the person in the middle doesn't feel awkward. You don't often get uninterrupted time alone to just do what you want and not have to speak to anyone so it's a treat 😅
I’ve seen some people on the internet do this and then get mad when the stranger doesn’t want to switch. Remember that plenty of people are superstitious/nervous flyers and might feel attached to their seats. Obv you can try this but don’t get mad at the stranger for just wanting to sit in their own seat
Once that lady asked me if she could have my aisle seat, because of her legs. Myself having problems with oedema in the legs told her so and even showed her I was wearing compression stockings. So I refused to switch. She was bitchy about it. She started some BS talk about the stockings won't help anyway. I calmly asked: "look, can you tell me what an angiologist is?" "Huh? No..? 👁👄👁" "So I guessed. To say it easy, a doctor specialized in blood vessels. For my part, I was a combat medic and now work as a nurse. And if you aren't a scientist in the medical field that published a paper proving that compression stockings won't help, be my guest. If not, stop spreading your nonesense." I turned my face away from her and closed my eyes. 💁🏻♂️ Those were long 12 hours in silence... XD
I HIGHLY suggest that you book your seats together. A lot of people will NOT accommodate your request to switch seats so you can sit next to your travel partner. I'm DEFINITELY one of those who will NOT accommodate you.
@annaseppala8001 Because I don't want to. I chose and paid for a SPECIFIC seat when I booked my flight. Someone else's LACK of planning and preparedness ISN'T an emergency for ME.
I once flew in the middle seat with and the people next to me knew each other and were married. They had booked the seats in hopes of getting the whole row to themselves (and I heard them say that lol). They were talking with each other and someone else behind us, and I asked if they'd want to change seats to sit next to each other but they were just like "no this is fine" so I sat there between them while they talked over me like okeyhh
Lol that is weird they didn't want to trade. Maybe they thought they were being nice by not making u give up your seat. But that doesn't really make sense to me
You're supposed to stay in your assigned seats because the flight manifest is important. Even when attendants asked some men to switch to the emergency exits, they'd change the manifest appropriately. You are also compelled to put on your seatbelt whenever seated. These things have a reason. Because in the event the plane crashes, that manifest will be used to quickly identify your body. Wouldn't want your mangled carcass sent to the wrong address, would you?
As a reservations agent for a big airline, we’re not allowed to book seats this way so you’re better off booking two ailes or doing it on your own on the app
I work in an airline as well, and when I see a reservation like this, I notify the passengers that they have to pick 2 adjacent seats and move them, no negotiation allowed. Hate scumbags like this guy.
“…if your flight isn’t full…” Every single flight I’ve been on in recent years has been completely full, and even overbooked to the point of asking people to come up to the front and volunteer to take another flight
@@adam_94 and SK Ontheroad ... it's NOT ''nonsense" ! I have tried but that plan was blocked immediately. Maybe in American domestic flights it is allowed ..or even on US International, I cannot say ..but certainly not allowed on other International flights .
Don't bother people by asking them to switch and putting them in an awkward situation, some people pay extra because they want the window or aisle seat. Idk, I just wouldn't do that and inconvenience anyone.
whst? nobody pays extra for the middle seat, it’s literally the cheapest seat because it’s shit. and wdym people pay extra for the aisle seat? that literally weakens your argument since the stranger would be given the aisle OR window seat for the price of the cheapest and worst seat, the middle one.
I wouldn't leave my seat to someone TBH. I don't want to sit next to a couple kissing and doing PDA or friends screaming and messing around, so I would probably book a middle seat to make sure I'm seating next to other strangers. And now you want my seat? Bro.
that’s where i come in: the standby passenger! i fly nonrev, so i’m usually stuck between two people, sometimes the aisle, and never the window since that’s taken a lot of the time
When I'm traveling alone and I get to pick my seat, I always choose a middle seat in an empty row if possible. On less busy flights, I will sometimes end up getting the entire row to myself. And if I get stuck between two people, then... I'm stuck. Oh well lol.
Don't do that. If there is an open seat on an aisle or window by the time everyone's boarded then the flight attendants don't truly care if you scooch over a seat.
That's not the point. You book the window and aisle seat, and people are less likely to book the middle seats, so there might be a chance nobody books a seat in your row. Worst case, someone does book the middle seat and doesn't want to swap to a different seat, but they're saying that's unlikely.
@@loamy3197 many seats are automatically chosen by the agents not the guests, and if you are on a busy flight (which you won't know if it busy or not) then there will almost always fly separate. What you should do is book the seats together one being the middle seat, and the day of ask the agent if there are any available open rows. See if you can move or ask if there is anyone booked in that extra seat. If you want to request that seat to stay open you have to possibility to request it, but it is never a guarantee, and if that seat is needed it will be taken.
"If the flight isn't full" my guy, the way it works right now is that they'll just cancel the flight that isn't full and stuff you in a different one 6 hours later, overdo it and leave a poor handful of people in the airport because of the overbooking. They don't care about their customers.
Uhhhhhh, I've bought that middle seat many times...cus I've always thought the 2 people on either side of me must be strangers, so we'll just be 3 strangers in a row. Not a problem...
@@ErulianADRaghath well yes. If I have the option, I always go aisle. it’s just easier to get up/go to the washroom etc. or second option window, cuz if I can’t get aisle why would I choose sitting between 2 strangers rather than having somewhat of a view? Unless it’s last resort on an overbooked plane, I’ve never heard any one ever prefer a middle seat.
This does not always work! I had a Georgian couple do this when I was assigned the middle seat by the airline on a full flight. (The guy physically assaulted me when I actually tried to sit there and had to be restrained by cabin crew - but if he’d just asked me if I’d consider moving I would have happily!)
If you happen to work in an airline you will be able to access services like my ID travel , if you aren’t there is a service called expert flyer to see how many seats are booked so you can plan things like having a whole row to yourself. Useful tool for frequent travelers like you two
There's always a risk with that. Some strangers may not want to give up their seat, for whatever reason...some people are like that. And you can't then cry about it when they refuse to give up the seat they have paid for.
if i happen to have to sit between a couple who does this, i will not only refuse to switch seats, i will complain very loudly if you have conversations over the top of my head while i try to sleep. i will literally go out of my way to make that flight as inconvenient and uncomfortable for you, just to remind you that shitty people get treated like shit. and there is nothing you can do about it.
@@thatguy4305 the expense of someone else? who exactly? if somebody was trying to get on the flight, they would simply get the middle seat. otherwise it’s not a full flight and nobody lost their spot. if somebody did get the middle seat, they would most likely be happy to switch and if they aren’t, cool. nobody is getting hurt, chill. i still wouldn’t recommend this as it’s almost never going to work as almost all flights are not only full but also overbooked so you’re bothering people for no reason, but no real harm is being done lol
@@changedmynamebcyallwouldnt.. not to forget that it's just rude and selfish to wanna have 3 seats to yourself as a couple. others don't get that kind of comfort either.
Another huge trick for Delta is if the flight isn’t full then not every seat will be available for selection. I would go up the attendant and say I wanted to choose this seat but it came up as not available for selection and every time they have gladly switched my seat. On a round trip I did once I even had a whole row to myself for both flights
I have terrible flight anxiety and I pick middle seats intentionally bc they’re statistically safest sooo y’all would be screwed with this obnoxious behavior. Pay for the seats you want.
Once I was sat between a couple. When I saw both of them I moved to the window assuming they'd want to sit together. The woman flipped out on me and told me to get back in the middle seat. Was a very awkward 4 hour flight.
I got on a SW recently. No seat assignments So I grabbed the very back window seat. As we filled up the seat next to me was empty I saw a couple get close and then a look of sadness. I said to them do u need 2 seats ? They said yes. I got up and went and found the only open seat. They were so happy.
Just book the seats next to each other so you don’t inconvenience someone, not everyone wants the window seat and would like easier access to the isle/restroom rather than climbing over 2 passengers rather than just 1
That's the point if they would like the window they can but if they don't like to climb over people then swap them the isle seat. So almost no matter what the stranger can get a better more expensive seat for a cheaper pric
Don't do that unless you're willing to trade your window or aisle for their middle seat. Flights are often full lately. The random stranger might also not want to trade their seat. This is how you end up not sitting together. Just book the seats together.
“If the flight isn’t full”… I have yet to be on a flight that isn’t full. This advice has the potential to be good or leave all parties quite disappointed. Don’t be surprised when the middle seat gets also booked and the passenger does not want to move.
So many of you are being contrary just to disagree. You’ll never convince me that the majority of people will want the middle seat between 2 strangers. Survey says…Yeah right. Hypothetically, you have a middle seat and someone offers to switch with you but you insist on taking the middle seat? If the answer is ‘Yes,’ you win 😂 You won.
Can confirm that I, as a stranger, am *_not_* happy to switch seats. I'd be more than happy to, cuz chances are I didn't book the middle seat by choice.
Should always book the two seats together, if the seat isn’t booker then you can move over for the extra room and if it is don’t gotta risk the seat swap being rejected
If the flight really isn’t full you can go to the very back of the plane where there will be free rows and also minimal light bc less people= less screens on and staff don’t mind
I'm not sure where you're flying to, but my experience over that past 25 years flying overseas, flights are usually full, and even as a single person sometimes window seats are not always a guaranteed.
Or just book two seats together and if the plane isn't full, chances are the 3rd seat will still be free........ and you don't risk not sitting with your friend.
I'm flying with my teen who has anxiety and there's no way I'd put a seat between us just hoping that it all works out. Nope. We boarded a flight in 2021 that had switched all the assigned seating and I told the flight attendants that I knew exactly which seats we had purchased and that there was no way I was ok with now being separated from my teen. They very kindly worked something out so that we were back on an aisle and together. Plus, being closer to a window actually makes the pressure in my ears much worse for some reason and I get much more discomfort/pain, so also a no.
