Airline passenger was praised for refusing to give up a “special seat” for a couple

A passenger received near-universal praise after deciding to turn down a request to swap with an elderly couple.

The flyer had paid extra money for legroom on the long-haul flight when asked to switch with the couple, which he declined.

The man took to Reddit, where he was applauded for his move during the 12-hour flight. The man admitted receiving glares from passengers after refusing to move from the seat he had paid for, reports the Mirror.

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The Reddit user wrote under the post, “Old couple trying to take our seats on a plane.”

The man explained: “I’ve seen a few posts about airplane seats so I thought I’d 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 Los Angeles. 12-13 hours.

“We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I’m 1.80m tall and wanted more legroom. Costs an additional $60 (£50).

“This flight was Air New Zealand, the screen will have your name on it when you get to your seat.

“We’re getting on the plane. Find our seats and there is this elderly couple (mid 70’s). I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers. They didn’t.

“I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen. Then they ask me to just sit in their seats, which are ten rows behind them. No leg room.”

After the elderly couple refused to move from their seats, the man told them to return to their original seats, saying he had “paid extra”.

The man explained the conversation: “Me: you want me to sit in your seats?

“OP(old folks): Yes, that would be nice, thanks.

“Me: I paid extra for these seats and would like to sit on them. Please go to your seats.

“OP: Oh, it’s not that bad, there’s plenty of leg room.

“Me: Yes, I have a lot of legroom in my seats because I paid for it.

In the middle of their conversation, a flight attendant approached the passengers to ask what was going on as a long line had formed in the middle of the plane.

The conversation continued: “OP: This man wants us to move the seats!

“Flight Attendant: Sir, please go to your assigned seats.

“Me: Here’s my ticket, these people are sitting in my seats. I paid extra because I need the legroom.

“FA to old folks: sorry, you have to move to your own seats as you didn’t pay for those seats.

“Old folks: Can we have an upgrade, please?”

“FA: Sorry, this is a full flight so that’s not possible.”

The man added: “I got a bunch of stinky eyes from other people on the flight. I paid for the extra legroom and I need it.”

Reddit users flocked to the comments section, sharing their take on the controversial ordeal.

One person wrote: “I have no idea why the other people who paid extra for legroom would be staring at this guy.”

Meanwhile, someone else said: “This isn’t a two-hour flight where you pull yourself together for the good of old people, which still isn’t right given the social experience of flying – I wouldn’t care if it was a two-hour flight though.” still the principle of the thing, but I can buckle at my whim.

“12-13 hours is no joke – there’s no giving up. You move these people or the plane won’t take off!” They added.

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