A man who paid for extra legroom with his seat on a long-haul plane flight has told of his annoyance when he boarded the flight to realise an elderly couple had decided to sit in his and his partner’s seats. The baffled passenger explained his frustration on chat forum Reddit, telling of how his drawn-out argument with the couple who’d tried to take his seats hadn’t gone down well with fellow passengers and made for an awkward 13-hour journey.
The man wrote: “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 to LA, 12 to 13 hours. We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I’m 6’3 and wanted extra legroom. It 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 asked me to just sit in their seats which were ten rows back. No legroom.”
The argument went on as a lengthening queue built in the aisle behind them. It got so heated that a flight attendant had to approach the elderly couple to tell them to move.
The man explained the conversation: “Me: ‘You want me to sit in your seats?’ 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.’ Old people: ‘Oh, it’s not that bad, there’s plenty of legroom.’ Me: 'Yeah, there is plenty of legroom in my seats because I paid for it. I’ll move your bags if you need.' 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 went on to explain that he endured the rest of the flight “getting some stink eyes from other people”. His story has sparked a significant reaction with many sharing their views on the situation.
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!"
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