A controversy has arisen regarding passenger rights and etiquette following a recent incident on a cross-country flight. In this case, a woman of plus-size was criticized for not giving up her second airplane seat to a toddler.
While some express sympathy for her decision to retain the extra seat she had paid for, others argue that it was a matter of inconvenience.
The 34-year-old woman had initially reserved two seats for her trip, explaining past discomfort when trying to fit into a single seat due to her weight. However, her plans took an unexpected turn when a young mother asked her to “squeeze into one seat” so that her son could occupy the other.
In a Reddit post, the woman openly acknowledged her weight, stating, “I am obese. I’m actively working toward losing weight, and I’ve made progress – but I booked an extra seat because I’m fat.”
She went on to explain how the situation escalated: “[The mother] created a commotion and informed the flight attendant that I was taking the seat from her son. I then presented my boarding passes as evidence that I had paid for the additional seat. Although the flight attendant suggested I try to squeeze into one seat, I declined, insisting on having the extra seat I had paid for.”
The woman argues that the toddler, being only 18 months old, was not required to have his own seat and could have sat on his mother’s lap for the duration of the flight. She expressed, “The mom was hoping for some respite from a squirmy toddler.”
The woman’s post divided social media users. Credit: Stefan Tomic / Getty
Passengers on the flight observed the tension, noting that the woman seemed to attract “dirty looks” and had to endure “passive-aggressive remarks” throughout the journey.
She then turned to the Reddit community, asking, “I do feel a little bad because the boy looked hard to control – but am I in the wrong?”
Responses to the incident have been varied. Some passengers criticized the mother and the flight attendant for their behavior, pointing out a lack of planning and a sense of entitlement. On the other hand, others blamed the obese passenger for causing discomfort to fellow travelers.
A critic contended, “If you are so overweight that you require more than one seat on an airplane, then you are selfish,” and went on to say, “Flights are frequently overbooked, especially during the holidays – how can you justify having two seats to yourself?”
Credit: Karl Tapales / Getty
On the contrary, supporters of the woman’s decision questioned the rationale behind booking an extra seat if passengers are expected to give it up. They argued that passengers should not be compelled to surrender seats they have paid for.
“One individual expressed disapproval, stating that the mother behaved inconsiderately by not purchasing a seat for her son and presuming that another passenger would willingly give up a seat they had paid for. The comment suggested the possibility that the mother may have been banking on the hope of finding available extra seats on the flight to avoid paying, using the lap option as a potential loophole.”
Another advocate added, “Individuals invest in complete seats for valuable musical equipment, not to mention not just for people. The absence of adequate planning on their part does not transform it into an emergency on your behalf.”
A perplexed social media user expressed, “I don’t understand the purpose of securing an extra seat if flight attendants are going to permit entitled individuals to pressure others into relinquishing it.”
The incident prompts inquiries about striking a balance between accommodating passengers with additional needs and ensuring a comfortable and equitable experience for all travelers. However, the question remains: who, in your opinion, is at fault? Share your thoughts in the comments.
