If you buy a seat you are entitled to keep it, even if the seat is theoretically an extra one or not necessary. A family was not in the wrong for refusing to give up their toddler’s seat to...
If you buy a seat you are entitled to keep it, even if the seat is theoretically an extra one or not necessary. A family was not in the wrong for refusing to give up their toddler’s seat to a disabled man and the flight attendant should have backed off immediately.
Family Was Correct To Insist That Toddler Keeps Seat On Longhaul Flight
As told on Reddit, a family of three boarded a 10-hour intercontinental flight. The parents decided to purchase an extra seat for their toddler, still under two, n order to have extra room, even though it was not necessary.
As the last people were boarding another flight attendant (FA) came toward us with a tall guy using a cane. She pointed at the empty seat between me and husband and asked the dude if that would be okay.
Husband said “excuse me what do you mean?”
FA: “this gentleman is in some pain and needs space to stretch his legs, the only bulkhead seat we have open is between the two of you. If you’d like to move next to each other I’m sure the gentleman wouldn’t mind sitting in the aisle or window.”
Me: “that’s not an open seat, that’s baby’s seat.”
FA: “madam children under 2 aren’t allocated seats. Please let the gentleman sit down.” (We had blankets and a couple of kiddos toys on the middle seat.)
Husband: (taking out passports and boarding cards to show her.) “yes we know you don’t give infants seats which is why I paid for it my son is sitting here, I’m not holding him for a 10 hour flight at night. We planned ahead and I’m sorry but this man can’t sit here!”
The flight attendant summoned the purser who agreed with the family, thus resolving the matter. It isn’t clear where the man with the cane sat.
Like View From The Wing, I fall firmly on the side of the family here. They chose to buy a seat for their toddler even though it was not necessary and making them give it up was totally out of line. In fact, even asking was inappropriate.
I’m not going to scold the disabled man for not planning ahead. That criticism may be appropriate, but maybe the pain came up suddenly or all the aisle seats were taken when he bought his ticket. Without making any assumptions, if that was the case and I required an aisle seat or extra legroom seat, I would take another flight…we do need to be proactive in tending to our needs.
CONCLUSION
I am firmly on the side of the family, who had every right to reasonably object to the request that their child relinquish an assigned seat.
Even without knowing the full specifics of the tall guy’s planning (or lack thereof), it is a dangerous game to hope that everything works out at the airport. If you have a specific need, book with a carrier that allows you to reserve a specific seat and reserve that seat. Otherwise you may find yourself in a very unpleasant situation.
image: Emirates