In today’s environment, many airlines often attempt to inflate their prices. After all, who would drive across the ocean? They create unusual seating layouts, overbook flights, and impose fees for standard luggage.
The woman hesitated about keeping her first-class upgrade after spotting it online. Despite earning travel points, the airline granted her a complimentary upgrade to first class for a long-planned flight. Yet, shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant requested if she would be willing to switch seats.
First class travel comes with its own unique set of challenges.
Is it wrong that I didn’t switch my first class seat with a 10-year-old boy’s economy seat just so he could sit with his family? The woman questioned if she was being unreasonable for not giving up her seat.
I (23F) booked my tickets a year ago and have been planning my trip to San Francisco for more than a year now.
A month or two before the trip, the airline got in touch with me to inform that they were considering upgrading me to first class because of my points and membership.
I was beyond excited about my first-class flight.
Before leaving, I took advantage of the lounge as often as I could, and I was welcomed by a delightfully comfortable setting for the 13-hour trip.
About an hour into the flight, a flight attendant came up to me and requested if I would be willing to exchange seats with a 10-year-old child from economy to first class in order for him to sit with his family.
As per the information I received, the two parents were part of the membership and received upgrades without realizing that their son was not eligible for one. They were upgraded to first-class, while he had to settle for an economy seat.
The flight attendant presented me with options, suggesting that I might need to switch seats. She mentioned the possibility of getting a full refund for my ticket or receiving a different complimentary upgrade on another plane. As the only upgraded passengers on the flight, along with the boy’s parents, and with no other first-class seats available, I inquired if there was any way I could keep my seat because I felt like I was being displaced. She responded that if there was a chance for the boy to sit with his family, it would be more logical for him to take my seat.
Due to my frequent flying with the airline, I was given this upgrade. However, the situation would have been different if there was an overbooking in first class and a young passenger had purchased a ticket. If the parents had also bought tickets, I might have reconsidered, but they did not. I had great respect and appreciation for the flight attendant as she handled the entire incident gracefully. She was very kind and accepted my decision graciously, ensuring me that everything would be fine.
I had never met the parents before; they were seated far from us. An elderly woman sitting next to me made a joke about me making a child sit alone for thirteen hours. It’s nerve-wracking to take a child on a 13-hour flight alone, but he wasn’t truly alone as I saw him walking around the aisles to find his parents almost every hour.
Thus, AITA, since this is allegedly what a loser would do?
