You’re comfortably settled in your seat, drink in hand, and ready to take off to your dream destination.
But just as you’re about to relax, a fellow passenger approaches with a request to swap seats. How would you handle it?
As the Easter travel season looms, travel expert Jamie Fraser, of Wild Packs American summer camp, has offered his top tips on how to respond to such requests 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, 29, 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 6 per cent of Brits would not switch seats under any circumstances, but doing so can have disastrous consequences.
To ensure a hassle-free flight, Fraser recommends following the below advice next time you’re asked to move on a plane:
Are you required to swap seats?
Travel expert Jamie Fraser, of Wild Packs American summer camp, has offered his top tips on how to respond to a passenger’s request to swap seats with proper etiquette (stock image)
The short answer? No.
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.
How to deal with a persistent passenger
If the passenger doesn’t take no for an answer, Fraser recommends staying firm but polite.
If the passenger doesn’t take no for an answer, Fraser recommended staying firm but polite (stock image)
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 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 advises: ‘You should only seriously consider swapping your seat when a young child has been separated from their family’ (stock image)
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.
Why you shouldn’t take someone’s seat without permission
Another major mistake to avoid is assuming that it’s okay to take another passenger’s without their input.
An important rule when travelling is that you should 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 occurring 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.
Fraser stresses that expecting someone to swap their window or aisle seat for a middle seat is not good travel etiquette (stock image)
This could be the same type of seat elsewhere in the cabin, or offer them a seat upgrade with more space.
But Fraser finishes by stressing 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.
