A passenger on a flight to San Juan is fuming after being asked to switch seats three separate times, despite having paid for a specific first-class window seat.

The situation, aired on Reddit this week, raised familiar frustrations about seat-swapping etiquette and the expectations placed on solo travelers.

‘Super-p*****’

According to the passenger, aka original poster (OP) makeurownsandwich, they had carefully selected a window seat on the left side of the plane for a clear view of their grandmother’s home upon arrival.

However, when they reached their assigned seat, they found an elderly woman apparently with dementia, seated next to them. The woman’s daughter, seated across the aisle, asked if they would switch seats so she could care for her mother during the flight.

“Like, what was I supposed to say,” the OP wrote in capital letters, “Of course I switched, but I was super-p*****.”

Shortly after moving to an aisle seat, two more passengers approached with a similar request. They explained they had been unable to book seats together and asked the passenger to move again.

Feeling pressured but unwilling to argue, they switched seats once more.

When yet another traveler attempted a similar request, the passenger refused, stating they had already switched twice. The repeated requests left them irritated, especially since none of the passengers who benefited from the swaps offered any form of thanks or compensation.

‘Sit in your assigned seat’

The post prompted discussions, amid more than 200 comments, about whether travelers should feel obligated to accommodate others at their own expense.

Some Reddit users were determined that people should sit where they were supposed to sit. One supporter stated, “Don’t let other people’s problems become your problems.

“Sit in your assigned seat. If people need accommodations, they can take it up with the [flight attendants].”

Others were more sympathetic, with one user pointing out that helping at least made other passengers’ trips easier. “I mean, if you don’t want to do it, don’t do it.

“Those first two seem like pretty reasonable requests and I’m sure you made a few people’s day!”

Seat-Swapping Disputes

Seat-swapping disputes are a common source of frustration among travelers. A similar case covered by Newsweek involved a passenger who refused to switch seats for a family and faced backlash from both fellow travelers and a flight attendant.

Another Newsweek report detailed a situation where a traveler who agreed to swap was relocated to a far worse seat.

For many, the issue boils down to planning. Some travelers argue that families should book seats together in advance instead of expecting others to rearrange their travel experience.

Others believe there are certain cases—such as a young child being separated from a parent—where a seat swap is reasonable.

‘It’s just all a mess’

The passenger who shared their experience on Reddit, said in reply to a user that when faced with their options of being, “You move and don’t have to help a stranger constantly during your flight, or you possibly have to stay and help”, I chose to move.

“It’s just all a mess. I think people should ask less and I think we should say no more.”

Newsweek has contacted makeurownsandwich for comment via Reddit.

Newsweek‘s “What Should I Do?” offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.