Flight etiquette can be a tricky business, with everything from reclining your seat to moving to allow family members to sit together causing tension.
But one grey area is when an elderly person asks to sit in your space. While on other modes of transport, such as trains or buses, you might jump up to allow them comfort, long-haul planes are another affair.
Sitting in the same place for hours on end can be uncomfortable, which is why some pay for extra legroom. And in that instant giving up your seat does not feel as imperative.
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One man suffered exactly from that problem after forking out additional cash for extra legroom on a 12-hour flight. Taking to the popular forum Reddit, the man admitted to receiving evil glares from passengers after refusing to move for an elderly couple, reports the Mirror.
Captioning the post, the Reddit user wrote: "Old couple try to take our seats on a plane." He explained: "Saw a few plane seat-related posts so I thought I would add my story.
"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 said: "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."
A flight attendant then stepped in and asked the elderly couple to move. They then asked for an upgrade but were told the plane was 'full'.
The man added: "I got some stink eyes from other people on the flight. I paid for the extra legroom and I need it."
Dozens of 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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