Quantcast

Passenger trapped by couple's travel hack raises concerns about airplane etiquette

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Passenger trapped by couple's travel hack raises concerns about airplane etiquette
Research
Webp txr36ytg6uuvd13i8xrjnuempd4m
Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

A woman recently found herself in an uncomfortable situation during a flight when she was assigned a middle seat between a couple who had booked the aisle and window seats in the same row. This common travel strategy aims to leave the middle seat vacant for extra space. If someone does occupy it, couples usually offer to trade seats so they can still sit together.

However, this particular couple did not offer to switch seats. Instead, they continued their conversation over the woman seated between them and passed food and drinks across her space, even using her laptop as a makeshift table.

The passenger described her experience on social media: "I’m on a flight sitting in an economy plus middle seat in between husband and wife who purchased the aisle and window seat." She further detailed, "They’re just passing chips and drinks over me having a full conversation, meanwhile the guy in front of me pushed his seat so far back I can’t open my laptop and the WiFi doesn’t work."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

User @maliamakaila shared her frustration online with humor: "I just googled ‘how to get my own private jet by 2025’," adding hashtags like #fyp#travel.

While it is within passengers' rights to use their assigned seats, many consider it inconsiderate to talk across another passenger or pass items back and forth without offering a trade.

Travel experts suggest that if couples wish to use this seating trick, they should follow through by trading one of their seats with the person in the middle. An alternative is booking two aisle seats across from each other for guaranteed extra space without inconveniencing others.

This incident highlights ongoing debates about etiquette and personal space on flights.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has announced that a union employee at its Schiller Park, Illinois facility has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a vote to remove Unite Here Local 1 as the union representative for the...

Jul 8, 2025

Air New Zealand has launched Dream Seats, a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting New Zealanders in pursuing their dreams.

Jul 8, 2025

dnata Catering & Retail has entered into a management contract with PT IAS Hospitality Indonesia (IASH) to enhance the inflight catering business at Denpasar International Airport.

Jul 8, 2025

Emirates is set to introduce its Premium Economy service on the Dubai-Kolkata route, starting July 18, 2025.

Jul 8, 2025

Flight searches for summer travel in 2025 have increased by 7% compared to the previous year, with France experiencing a significant 35% rise in outbound travel searches.

Jul 8, 2025

The Emirates A350 aircraft has made its debut in Dammam, operating on flight EK 827 from Dubai.

Jul 8, 2025