Quantcast

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

Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
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