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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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Grace Hoffman

Airline passenger praised for refusing to give up 'special' seat to couple

An airline passenger has been met with near universal praise after opting to turn down a request to swap with an elderly couple.

The flyer had paid extra money for leg room on the long-haul flight when he was asked to switch with the pair, to which he said no.

The man took to Reddit where he was applauded for his move during the 12-hour flight. The man admitted to receiving evil glares from passengers after refusing to move from the seat he paid for, reports the Mirror.

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Captioning the post, the Reddit user wrote: "Old couple try to take our seats on a plane."

The man explained: "Saw a few plane seat-related posts so I thought I would add my story.

"A few years ago my significant other and I planned a three-month trip around the world. Our first flight was from New Zealand-LA. 12-13 hours.

"We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I'm 6'3 and wanted the extra legroom. Cost an extra $60 (£50).

"This flight was with Air New Zealand, the screen has your name on it when you get to your seat.

"We get on the plane. Find our seats and there is this older couple sitting there (mid 70s). I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers. They hadn't.

"I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen. They then ask me just sit in their seats which were ten rows back. No leg room."

After the elderly couple refused to move from the seats, the man demanded that they return to their original seats as he 'paid extra'.

The man explained the conversation: "Me: You want me to sit in your seats?

"OP(old people): Yes, that would be nice thank you.

"Me: I paid extra for these seats and would like to sit in them. Please move to your seats.

"OP: Oh, it's not that bad there's plenty of legroom.

"Me: Yeah, there's plenty of legroom in my seats because I paid for it. I'll help move your bag if you need."

In the midst of their conversation, a flight attendant approached the passengers to question what was going on as a long line had formed in the middle of the plane.

The conversation continued: "OP: This man wants us to move seats!

"Flight attendant: Sir, please go to your allocated seats.

"Me: Here is my ticket, these people are sitting in my seats. I paid extra because I need the legroom.

"FA to old people: Excuse me, you will have to move to your own seats as you have not paid for these seats.

"Old people: Well, can we please have an upgrade?

"FA: Sorry, this is a full flight so that's not possible."

The man added: "I got some stink eyes from other people on the flight. I paid for the extra legroom and I need it."

Flocking to the comment section, Reddit users shared their opinion about the controversial ordeal.

One person wrote: "I have no idea why the other people who paid extra for legroom would glare at this guy."

Meanwhile, someone else said: "This isn't a two hour flight where you buck up for the good of old people, which is still not right given the social experience that is flying - I wouldn't care if it was a two hour flight there is still the principle of the matter, but I may cave depending on my mood.

"12-13 hours is no joke though - there is no giving in. You move those people or the plane doesn't take off!" They added.

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