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Galley Gossip: 3 reasons flight attendants won't allow passengers to switch seats in flight
Dear Heather,What is the proper etiquette for switching to an open seat? Should I ask the flight attendant first? Is it okay to switch to another row if only one person is occupying the row?
Thanks,
Rich
Dear Rich,
Go for it! Switch seats. You don't have to ask. But you might want to wait until everyone is on board before making your move. Worst case scenario a flight attendant might ask you to return to your original seat. Big deal, so what if you have to move back? Most of the time the open seat is yours for the taking - as long as it's in the same cabin as your ticketed seat. Which brings me to the first class stowaway...
"Whenever I travel I always wear a nice suit and board last," said the passenger seated beside me on a flight years ago. I don't remember where we were going, but I wasn't working so he had no idea what I did for a living. "As I'm passing through the first class cabin I'll slide into an open seat. If the flight attendants say anything I'll quietly offer fifty bucks."
"And that works?" I asked, not sure what to make of the guy.
"Sometimes," he laughed.
I told him what I did for a living. Then I added, "the money wouldn't make a difference to me. I'd still send you back to coach."
He looked perplexed. "Seriously? What if I gave you two-hundred dollars?"
I just smiled.
"Three hundred?"
Hey, I don't blame the guy for trying. Just remember that if you do try to pull a fast one, we will find you, and we will send you back to wh
ere you belong.
Oh I know those first and business class seats are calling you. And yes, it is a shame when they go out unoccupied. But since flight attendants do not upgrade passengers once they're on board a flight, don't even bother asking. We'll just tell you to speak to an agent. It's the gate agent who has the upgrading power. This is because the agent is the one who has access to a computer in order to input frequent flier miles or credit card numbers that are needed to purchase a seat.
Every so often a passenger will actually score their own row. What that passenger may not realize is that they do not own the row. So if you would like to sit in an open seat beside one of these lucky passengers, be my guest. If the passenger complains or does not allow you to sit down, let the flight attendants know and we will inform the problem passenger that unless they purchased all three seats, the open seats are not theirs to keep.
Here are three reasons a flight attendant may ask you to return to your seat:
A PASSENGER PURCHASED TWO SEATS: While it doesn't happen often, it does happen. I've seen it. Once. A single passenger boarded my flight carrying two boarding passes. Both of them were in his name. I didn't even ask to see them, but he showed them to me anyway, in case any issues came up in flight. And he was a regular sized passenger.
A DISPLACED FAMILY IS ON BOARD: Flight attendants may need to use an open seat in order to move passengers around so that they can accommodate families who are not seated together. It's not fair for singles, I know, but do you really want a kid screaming for his mother the entire flight?
BLOCKED SEATS: A seat can be blocked for all kinds of reasons. Missing seat belts and oxygen masks are two of the most common reasons. It doesn't matter if the seat belt sign is off or how fast you think can run back to your seat in case of a decompression, the seat is blocked. Case closed. Go back to your seat!
Hope that helps, Rich. And here's wishing you lots of open seats on your next flight!
Heather
UPDATE: Is has been brought to my attention by several flight attendants that not all airlines are created equal. Regional carriers dealing weight and balance issues do not allow customers to switch seats so freely. Also, flight attendants working for airlines with economy plus sections offering more room in coach, do recommend checking with a flight attendant first before moving to another seat, since certain sections are off limits to passengers in coach who did not purchase the extra space. And now with airlines charging for exit rows, bulkheads and aisle seats, switching to just any seat in your ticketed cabin may not be possible.
(Got a question? Email Skydoll123@yahoo.com )
Photo courtesy of Kathy Stewart and Waketheman
"Sometimes," he laughed.
I told him what I did for a living. Then I added, "the money wouldn't make a difference to me. I'd still send you back to coach."
He looked perplexed. "Seriously? What if I gave you two-hundred dollars?"
I just smiled.
"Three hundred?"
Hey, I don't blame the guy for trying. Just remember that if you do try to pull a fast one, we will find you, and we will send you back to wh
ere you belong. Oh I know those first and business class seats are calling you. And yes, it is a shame when they go out unoccupied. But since flight attendants do not upgrade passengers once they're on board a flight, don't even bother asking. We'll just tell you to speak to an agent. It's the gate agent who has the upgrading power. This is because the agent is the one who has access to a computer in order to input frequent flier miles or credit card numbers that are needed to purchase a seat.
Every so often a passenger will actually score their own row. What that passenger may not realize is that they do not own the row. So if you would like to sit in an open seat beside one of these lucky passengers, be my guest. If the passenger complains or does not allow you to sit down, let the flight attendants know and we will inform the problem passenger that unless they purchased all three seats, the open seats are not theirs to keep.
Here are three reasons a flight attendant may ask you to return to your seat:
A PASSENGER PURCHASED TWO SEATS: While it doesn't happen often, it does happen. I've seen it. Once. A single passenger boarded my flight carrying two boarding passes. Both of them were in his name. I didn't even ask to see them, but he showed them to me anyway, in case any issues came up in flight. And he was a regular sized passenger.
A DISPLACED FAMILY IS ON BOARD: Flight attendants may need to use an open seat in order to move passengers around so that they can accommodate families who are not seated together. It's not fair for singles, I know, but do you really want a kid screaming for his mother the entire flight?
BLOCKED SEATS: A seat can be blocked for all kinds of reasons. Missing seat belts and oxygen masks are two of the most common reasons. It doesn't matter if the seat belt sign is off or how fast you think can run back to your seat in case of a decompression, the seat is blocked. Case closed. Go back to your seat!
Hope that helps, Rich. And here's wishing you lots of open seats on your next flight!
Heather
UPDATE: Is has been brought to my attention by several flight attendants that not all airlines are created equal. Regional carriers dealing weight and balance issues do not allow customers to switch seats so freely. Also, flight attendants working for airlines with economy plus sections offering more room in coach, do recommend checking with a flight attendant first before moving to another seat, since certain sections are off limits to passengers in coach who did not purchase the extra space. And now with airlines charging for exit rows, bulkheads and aisle seats, switching to just any seat in your ticketed cabin may not be possible.
(Got a question? Email Skydoll123@yahoo.com )
Photo courtesy of Kathy Stewart and Waketheman
Be sure to check out Episode 5 of Travel Talk TV, which features a Santa Cruz beach adventure; explains why Scottish money is no good; shows how to cook brats the German way; and offers international dating tips!
Filed under: Airlines, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 6)
Laina Mar 19th 2010 12:21PM
Sometimes I have been told by attendants they will either change me to a roomier spot (next to large people) or they see I have my little dog with me in a carrier under the seat and need more space.
Other times, I've asked.
Amazing traveling over the years with a small pet and the extremes of treatment/mistreatment one gets. From passengers AND attendants.
My joke to the ignorantly rude ones is as follows:
'I paid nearly as much or more for their ticket, than for mine.
..and they get to sit in the FLOOR/crunched under a plane seat...
No frequent flyer miles..
They're inside a bag and considered my ONLY carry-on luggage and weigh less than your lap top computer...
He won't be in my lap crying in your ear and/or hitting you with a baby bottle (yes, it's happened to me)...
And, though a paying passenger, they won't even be offered a beverage.'
I've always been extremely 'invisible' (I don't bother anyone or ask for anything) on a plane. My dog is the same.
Why can't attendants and passengers do as much as they can to be as well-behaved, quiet, friendly as my little pet?
Qtztutz Mar 19th 2010 11:10AM
Flight attendants can't upgrade you? Baloney!! I got on a flight where the first class flight attendant was a high school friend I hadn't seen in years. She quietly brought me to first class just before takeoff so we could reminisce about the good ol' days. They can let you stay if they want to. The trick is finding a way to make them want to.
Brad Mar 19th 2010 11:46AM
Yet another reason not to fly. Remember the days when flying was a pleasure and they treated you like something other than cattle?
Stu Mar 19th 2010 12:09PM
A couple of years ago, my family bought an extra seat for a cross country flight. The plane was full and, it turns out, an attendant was flying stand-by. On this flight, it was nice to actually use the boarding pass. So anyways, I'm sitting in a row w/ my son when the attendant says "I think that's my seat." I looked up and said "I don't think so" and showed her my pass. "Oh... " she replied and left. Not a big deal, but it just shows assertive language used in negotiations exists in many areas. Later in the flight, I noticed she was sitting in the prep area.
Jamie Mar 19th 2010 1:20PM
Once I saw a man ask another passenger if he would switch seats with him because he wanted an isle seat. The passenger politely agreed and switched with him. Then after the plane was full, it turns out that the flight had been overbooked. Apparently the initial man's seat had been sold twice I guess? Anyway, the flight attendant asked the passengers on the flight if anyone would volunteer to move to the next flight, but no one volunteered. So she went first to the seat that had been double booked, as well as the ones next to it (it was a family or something that was getting on). She asked the passenger to leave the plane and wait for the next flight. When he told her that he had actually switched with this other man, the other man denied it, and the nice guy had to get off the plane! I don't know - there's probably more to it than I know, as I was just an observer feeling bad for the guy. Still, I board as soon as they let me - I'm always afraid they've overbooked the flight and the last people to get on will end up having to wait for the next flight.
JAMES Mar 19th 2010 8:30PM
Heather doesn't know what she is talking about. As a flight attendant for 34 years, I can tell you to always ask about switching seats as there is a weight & balance issue. People aren't placed in seats randomly. You want a tail strike on takeoff?
It's all about safety.
fin Mar 19th 2010 1:56PM
What sucks is that you now pay for certain seats on some airlines, like JetBlue.
I once flew in a row that cost $25 more per trip - so I paid $50 for more legroom roundtrip.
Once the doors closed people started moving around and the flight attendants just let people sit for FREE in these seats.
So WTF did I pay more for when I could just be a scavenger? In these instances the crew should let other passengers know that those seats are off limits unless they want to pay the additional fee - which they already know they need to from booking the flight! It's very clear in the seat selection option that a fee is involved.
I was pissed as were the other 4 people in the rows.
On the upside, I contacted JetBlue and told them what happened and even though they defended the crew - which was dumb - they did send me a voucher for my next flight to cover the fee if i wanted to sit in those same rows again.
Jim Mar 20th 2010 10:53AM
Face it - airlines suck ! (This is not directed at the employees of those airlines - so hold the nasty messages!) Just tell me the ticket costs $1.00, but there are $600.00 in fees and stop the nonsense !!! Airlines have joined the ranks of insurance companies, banks, and lawyers - just send money but do not expect anything (and especially do not expect "customer service") in return! -- Answer me this - I pay a nonsense premium for legroom in an emergency exit aisle (already a crazy concept), but now I do not want to perform the emergency exit aisle duties - do I get a refund for the "premium" I paid as quickly as the airline gets their baggage handling fee????? Hmmmmmmmmmm And why should I have to move at all if I have paid the "legroom premium"???????? By the way, USAir is on my company's and my own personal NO-FLY list. I can get ANYWHERE quicker by driving than I can by flying USAir. Hopefully bankrupcy will put that airline out of their misery !
Mindy Mar 19th 2010 2:19PM
I have no problem staying in my assigned seat I flew from peurto rico last year and people were swapping seats even while we were backing away from the terminal, I will never fly on US Airway again not only were the flight attendants rude the water in the main cabin lavitory didnt work and were told we couldnt use the first class so we were on a long flight with alot of people who couldnt wash there hands after using the bathroom! So for all the flight attendants I am sorry you have to deal with annoying demanding passengers dont treat the rest of us like we are like them
Anne Mar 19th 2010 11:59PM
I was in the military in the 1970's during which I flew over 30 times, including some international flights. If the plane had empty areas, I would wait until we were well in the air and settling in for the trip before asking if I could sit there. I was invariably and graciously allowed to do so on condition that I return to my original seat when we began landing procedures. I don't remember ever having a bad experience with a any flight attendant. This article, however, is the first one I've read which revealed the problems my requests may have caused. To all the flight attendants who have treated me with dignity and respect, and those who smilingly obliged my requests, I want to say thank you and I apologize for any of those requests which added to your already full duties.
Having said that.......doesn't mean I won't ever again ask to sit in an empty area if given the chance.........:)
Jack Mar 20th 2010 1:54PM
I booked two seats that were against the wall and had extra room. My flight buddy going to Europe is large and has health problems. I booked these for his comfort. When we got in the air, the flight attendant informed me we had to move because a family with a baby needed to be seated together. I nicely told her why I got these seats and refused and the entire flight the attendants ignored us when we needed something and the family kept calling us a-holes. WTF
Ron Mar 21st 2010 3:54PM
I was recently on a flight, where a passenger did not get upgraded, but his wife and child did, the flight had 3 open seats in first. The man approached the F/A and she said, I'm not allowed to upgrade you, only the gate agent is, so after she closes the door, just come up and sit in one of the open seats. I was kind of surprised.
sbm54pswf Mar 21st 2010 2:40PM
Fill those empty seats already! Whether it's an early round in the NCAA tournament, a NASCAR stadium, a baseball park or an airline, sales managers and the public at large should be in concert to fill those empty seat. It's a win win for business and a win win for the public.
Allanfz Mar 21st 2010 2:55PM
I guess I have led a charmed life when it comes to flying....and I've done a lot.
I can't remember a time that I haven't been treated with the utmost courtesy by the flight crews of American, Alaska, Southwest, and Delta. They have ALWAYS asked me.....when the plane was less than half full, if I would prefer a better seat, like some extra munchies or soft drinks, and generally make the flight more enjoyable.
Treat people the way you would like to be treated. It seems to have worked well for me. The flight attendants have a tough enough job as it is, but they do their jobs with a smile...at least everyone that I have been around.
For the loudmouths and the ones eat up with their own self importance...well, I tend to get rather p.o.'d at those types but they are gutless jerks that eventually get what they deserve.
this is just a belated "Thank You " to all of those who have served me in the past and I hope I don't break my string of good flights with this.
Rhonda Mar 21st 2010 3:14PM
I think it is absolutely ridiculous the fees that airlines have started charging. Charge for exit row, charge for window seat, charge to check luggage, charge for aisle seat, charge for pillow/blanket. I am surprised they have not put in pay toilets!!!! I fly Southwest only!!! No luggage fees, no seat fees, no pillow/blanket fees. I don't care if it costs me an extra $100 for my flight I will always take Southwest. Once you add in the baggage fee and seat fee of other airlines it really cuts into the extra $100 my flight on Southwest was. My husband is in the Navy and stationed in Virginia, son and I live in FL (can't sell our house in this crappy economy) so we fly back and forth just about every month. Southwest has a direct flight to Norfolk and back. Over the last 3.5 years that he has been in VA we have earned at least 5 free flights. The flight attendants have always been top notch!! The service has been A++++ and only twice has our flight ever been delayed. Most other airlines can't say that!!!!!!!!! We even drive to Orlando to take Southwest to Denver as they have a direct flight from there. Well worth our time and effort!! I have never had them tell me I can't change seats. But I wait until the plane is in the air and the seatbelt sign has been turned off if I want to move. Usually I only move if it is a longer flight and there is an empty row. Either I will move to the empty row and take a nap or my son will move to the empty row and take a nap. But we always return to our seats before landing. Airlines need to go back to checking the size of carry on luggage. I am tired of boarding the plane only to have to stand in the aisle waiting for someone to shove their overstuffed suitcase in the overhead. And limit carry ons, this is mainly for women, a purse, laptop case and a carry on and you are over your limit!!!! The limit on most airlines is 2 carry ons. I have my purse and a very small train case with my prescription meds and my ipod in it. My son has his backpack. All fit under the seat in front of us. Come on people...use your brains...this is all common sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
carolina Mar 21st 2010 7:44PM
I had never have that problem, when my flight it's not full, and there is a seat I can use it so I can get a good picture, I just move around, well but first I always tell the flight attendant, like: I'm gonna move right there. And they are like: Ok.
Fourth Class Citizen Mar 21st 2010 3:23PM
The terrorists ALREADY won. Look what you have to go through to get on an airplane. I was put through a security screeing getting OFF an airplane once. I also saw security detain a 4 year old girl who was afraid to go near the puffer machine. An extenive search was done of my luggage because they found two jars of jelly in the bags. I was also physically restrained by three security officers one day when my badge (new at the time) set off the metal detector...
jamesnpost Mar 21st 2010 3:28PM
Company I'm associated with has a Citation X (that's a ten, not an ex), the fastest civilian airplane (.92 mach). We can fly from New Orleans to Panama in about four hours at an economical cruise speed. We burn about $6000 worth of fuel. With the chief pilot and me in the cockpit, we can take six people in luxury and comfort. If the same six people used the airlines, their seats would average about $1200 each, and the trip would take on the average, about eight hours jammed belly-button to bunghole with 200 other schlemiels, with a stop in Cancun and/or some other place. Do the math. We do not use the bizjet (which holds great resale value, and is a ligitimate write-off) to be wealth-sucking fatcats, but because IT IS CHEAPER THAN THE AIRLINES.
Jack Mar 21st 2010 3:41PM
I had a couple of experiences with seat switching. All of this was years ago when flying was enjoyable, we were served meals and so on. I do go way back. The first one was I was flying from Minneapolis to Seattle, the flight stopped at Salt Lake City. when I check in at Minneapolis the people there said pick any seat. So I pick one if first class, I did not have a first class ticket. Fine flew Salt Lake city but there the plane became full and they check ticket, I was moved to the last seat left in the Coach section.
Then the other was it was a Red Eye flight from Portland,Or to Chicago, where I and some others were going on to Washington. The reason we were flying from Portland was that Seattle where we were suppose to leave was closed by fog. So when the plane took off, no one in the first class section. But we did have a women with a little one in the coach section, who was crying and up set. Several of us suggested that they move this lady to the first class section so the rest of us could get some rest. They would not do it.
W Webster Mar 21st 2010 3:42PM
I used to fly from Florida to Illinois. Now, I drive. Why? I'm 6ft tall for one reason, and I'm a student that is by no means rich. Charging me for extra baggage, is frustrating when flying from a warmer climate to a colder one, being that I'm a girl, there is a good chance I have a few more things that travel with me than a guy might. Charging me for an exit row is ridiculous. Being so tall, I'm safer with that few extra inches if there is an emergency. Technically, that offers me the same surrounding space as is does for shorter passengers. It used to be that I just had to be fit, healthy, between the appropriate age and willing to help in an emergency if that row was necessary for evacuation. I could agree to that, now, you can be damn sure if there's an emergency and I've had to pay extra for that seat, I'm NOT looking out for anyone else's interest, the airline sure isn't looking out for mine. It's now become a huge pain to go through the airport. Security is one thing, but the nasty attitudes from 95% of the employees is unnecessary. If you are that unhappy with your job, quit. Someone who wants/needs the job, and can perform "customer service" appropriately should replace them. Shame on the hiring process. Provide some daycare, some real training, and offer those positions to someone on welfare, if your attitude causes job loss, no welfare benefits... Hmm, I'll bet the level of customer service would increase. Finally, the price of the airline ticket roughly runs about the same as a round trip in gas in my SUV. I don’t pay to park my car, I don't pay to take extra baggage, I don't pay extra for necessary leg room, I don't pay to board pets, I don't pay for pets to travel, I don't need to rent a car, and I don't have to deal with the airport. Yes, it may take a little longer to get somewhere, but I can arrive and depart at my leisure. By the time I get to my destination, I have more money in my pocket for entertainment or to save for a rainy day. Bonus, I can stop and see something along the way that I've never seen before and be reminded of how interesting this country really is. If people today really gave a damn about their money and where it was going, we would demand the level of service that it's worth, and not just whine about the poor shape of the economy. The result of the economy cannot be blamed on a single source, every single person has had a hand in this country getting to the condition that it is in. Get off you rear end and do something about it. (The little bit of effort that would take for everyone to get involved, and not be so accepting of being taken advantage of, might just burn enough calories for you not to need that seat-belt extender, 2nd boarding pass, or government-assisted diet, otherwise known as the consideration of additional tax on soda and pizza.)