I was downgraded on a flight so a mum could sit with her kid

"The woman didn’t book two seats together with a child that age? Sounds like her problem, not yours."

It seems like EVERYONE has an opinion about plane etiquette. 

Whether discussing the appropriateness of walking barefoot in the aisles or the optimal time to recline your seat (if ever), everyone has something to say.

And this latest story on Reddit about plane seats is no exception. 

Every passenger has their preference: window seats for those who want to look out, aisle seats for easy access to the toilets, or front or back rows to make a quick escape after landing.

For many, opting for extra legroom is their go-to and worth every expense. But one man made that choice on a recent flight, and he now regrets it massively. 

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Image: iStock

RELATED: I had to swap from my booked plane seat for a baby

"I know I’m being a giant baby"

Taking to the advice forum, the man shared his frustration after being forced to give up his preferred seat to accommodate a mum and her child.

"I had to give up a preferred seat with extra legroom for a seat 15+ rows back so that a woman could sit with her approximately 10-year-old child," he explained before asking whether the airline company should offer a refund or award miles for the inconvenience.

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He continued: "I know I’m being a giant baby, but I put a lot of thought into choosing a seat. I especially picked the opposite side the sun will be on because I get motion sickness and hate being hot on a plane.

"Like, I get it she needed to sit with her kid, but I'm still annoyed that this happens.

"It seems like gate agents should solve instead of putting passengers in uncomfortable positions."

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"It's on you"

The Reddit community quickly chimed in, with many empathising with the man's situation.

Someone straight away pointed out the obvious and asked why the mum hadn't booked seats in advance next to each other.

"The woman didn’t book two seats together with her ten-year-old?" one asked, adding: "Sounds like her problem, not yours."

Others proposed alternative solutions, such as, "They should have moved them both to the sets 15 rows back and upgraded the person in the back of the plane. Asking somebody to downgrade to benefit somebody else is not cool."

Then some provided different perspectives, like this mum who replied: "As a parent, I’ve often been told by the gate agent I have to ask someone on the plane. I try to plan ahead, but if there’s an equipment change or a system glitch, it sometimes shuffles us around."

Then someone else concluded: "It sounds like you have regret for not standing up for yourself. If you’re platinum, not paying extra and didn’t have a flight attendant say, 'Switch or we aren’t leaving', it’s on you. If everyone took a hard line, said 'no' and made them deal with it, maybe it wouldn’t happen so often."

Originally published as I was downgraded on a flight so a mum could sit with her kid