#1 Entitled Mom With Lap Child Wants Free Extra Seat

As I was boarding, an Entitled Mother with her lap child came through to board, carrying a large car seat.
"Ma'am," I said, in my professional gate agent voice, "I'll need to check this car seat. I can check it through to your final destination, or have it tagged so that you can pick it up (city). Which one would you prefer?"
She gives me the standard blank passenger stare - the one many people get when they just can't believe they won't get their way.
"No. I'm taking it on with me." She says.
"I'm sorry," I explained, "it's too big to fit on the plane. You can't take it on."
This earns a full face twist and a snarl. "It'll fit. Because she (the baby) is going to sit in it."
"Oh, okay, do you have the baby's boarding pass?" (knowing full well she doesn't)
"She's a lap child, it's right there on my ticket."
Yes it is.
"Then you'll have to check the car seat. She can't sit in it, she has to sit on your lap."
At this point she's speaking low and measured and very angrily.
"Then put. me. in. a. row. by. myself. She. is. sitting. in. this. car. seat."
"I can't do that. You didn't pay for the seat. She has to sit in your lap. I'm going to go ahead and check this to your final destination." Meanwhile, I'm printing the tag, and attaching it to the car seat. I hand her the baggage claim piece, and she starts sputtering.
"You CAN'T do THAT! It will go on with me. I fly this way all the time. The flight attendants will let me put it in an empty seat beside me!"
At this point the car seat is tagged, so that's all I have to do. I simply tell her, "If they did that in the past, it was a one time courtesy. You cannot do that today."
Then she wanted to speak to a supervisor, who was collecting bags by the plane side, so I sent her down there. It was a real joy to see her pointing up at me clearly complaining, then showing her boarding pass to the sup, then him shaking his head and taking the car seat away. I specifically checked that thing to her final destination so she couldn't pull it at the next station. What a loon.
#2 Em Wants Me To Give Up Seat On A 10 Hour Flight, When I Refuse She Claims I Stole The Seat

This happened about a year ago, but I just booked tickets for another long flight and it made me think of this.
I was flying from Hawaii to NY and had a layover in Chicago. The flight from Hawaii to Chicago was about 10 hours long, and I had booked my flight well in advance so I could have my choice of seats. I chose the window seat on the exit row and as I was waiting in the airport I was excited knowing my seat was going to be perfect. We start boarding and I’m one of the first groups to board so I make sure I have everything I need from my bag, put my headphones on, and start my Netflix binge. About 10 minutes in the women next to me taps me on the shoulder
EG- Hi sweetie, I’m flying with my family and my granddaughter would like to be in the window seat
I should explain the layout of the plane. There’s three seats on the left and right side and four seats in the middle. EG and her husband were sitting in the seats next to me on my side and the rest of her family (EM and her 3 kids all between 2-8 years old) were sitting in the middle row.
Me: I’m sorry, I chose this seat because I know how long of a flight it’s going to be. I would offer to let her sit here during takeoff and then switch, but she looks really young and I don’t think they allow children to sit in the exit row.
EM overhearing our conversation: So you’re just going to be heartless and deny my daughter her window seat?
SB:Mom you told me I could have it!! Tell her it’s mine!!
She starts having a temper tantrum and screaming while sitting in the aisle, holding up the entire line of people tying to get to their seats
EG: Look what you did! You broke that little girls heart! I hope you know there’s a place in h**l for people like you
The flight attendant had heard the girls tantrum at this point and started coming over
FA: what seems to be the issue?
Me: These people asked me to switch..
EM- This girl stole my daughters seat!! She shoved her way in as I was helping my daughter with her bag and now she refuses to give us the seat back!
Me: I have my ticket that shows that this is my seat
EG- She stole the ticket from my grand baby! I saw her do it!
Me, extremely frustrated at this point: It has my name on it, and I have my license to prove it’s my name
FA looks over everything FA: This is her seat. Also, your daughter is way to young to be in an exit row. Please don’t disturb this young lady again
The rest of the flight I endured dirty looks from the family, and at one point EG tried to spill a drink on me as the flight attendant was handing it to me. Hopefully this next flight I can just sit in silence.
#3 EM Wants Me To Move (Away From My Mom) On Plane So She Can Have Extra Seat.

Cast: EM: Curley hair, fat but not obese, that special type of “I’m on a cheap flight but I’m better than all of you” bitchiness.
Mom: my mom
Me: I cringe so much when people go “ooo don’t know who that is” “haha you know who teehee” its me.
FA: the most useless tit I’ve ever met, flight attendant.
So, we were in the air, the seatbelt sign was off and we are free to roam about. The flight had a couple spare seats from what I could see, including the one next to me. My mom and I had booked the middle and window seat but I moved to sit in the aisle so we would have more space. The woman sat in front, EM, continuously whipped her head round to stare at me for a few seconds. I tried to ignore her but it was weird.
After twenty minutes of her turning round to stare at me every few seconds, she eventually tapped me ON THE HEAD. She TAPPED ME ON MY HEAD by reaching over the seat.
EM: Excuse me (her tone was very severe)
Me: Yes? Hi? (I was very tired and tried but tried to be polite)
EM: Swap seats with me.
She maintained eye contact the whole time. I took a few minutes to respond because I was just dumbfounded.
Me: I’m with my mom I’d rather not...
EM: you’ve got a spare seat, I want spread out and relax, swap with me.
Me: No, please leave me alone.
EM: That’s NOT how you speak to an adult!
She got a little loud, enough to turn heads and disturb my mom who asked if I was okay.
EM: Swap with me, I need to sit there and you can sit next to my child. You can play with him.
The child looked around five. I am 18.
Me: please leave-
EM: MOVE RIGHT NOW!
This turned EVERYONES head, made me so embarrassed and was loud enough to summon a flight attendant. (Mid thirties male).
FA: is everything alright here?
He spoke directly to EM, completely ignoring me.
EM: that boy won’t move! He’s got two seats to himself and he-
My mom interjected, loudly, at this point.
Mom: I, actually have two seats to myself. Both of which I paid for. (I was sitting in the aisle seat, which we had not booked).
The EM didn’t respond to my mom, I think she was intimidated.
FA: hmm well I’ll see what I can do.
He then turned to me. Me, who had been listening and present the whole time.
FA: this woman is asking if you’d be able to swap with her so she could have more space, would you mind?
WOULD I MIND?!
Me: Uh... No I don’t want to swap.
EM erupted. She started yelling at me, calling me a brat, calling me selfish. My mom was yelling at her back and I honestly was struggling not to laugh at EM because I noticed how her chins shook as she shouted.
The FA during this argument shrinked away, just backed off and left!
EM, realising she was making a fool of herself: Fine! Selfish brat!
She sat back down and swung her seat back as much as she could, which was fine because it was literally a couple inches and I had plenty of space. My mom asked if I was okay and if I wanted her to make the EM move. I said I was fine. EM started making huffing noises. I ignored her, put in my earphones and the rest of the flight was fine.
When we landed, EM made sure to get up like a rocket and block the walkway so I couldn’t get out the aisle. I however, was feeling petty. I stood up, shuffled over and said “you don’t mind do you?” Then barged into the walkway in a way that looked accidental. She stumbled into someone else who promptly launched her back into her seat. It was hilarious, like watching a ping pong ball. She didn’t move after that and we got of the plane and never saw her again.
Air travel is already stressful enough for most people. Many flyers book tickets months in advance, carefully choosing seats and paying extra for basic comforts — whether that means extra legroom, a specific row, or a guaranteed window view.
Yet, despite all that preparation, flying feels harder than ever. A survey from the travel website Expedia found that air travel is now more stressful for many Americans than filing taxes or going to the dentist. About 55% of respondents cited flying as a leading cause of stress.
#4 No, Karen, I Won't Move From An Aisle Seat In Main Cabin Extra To A Middle Seat In The Back Of The Plane!

I was on a four-hour flight within the U.S. in an aisle seat in main cabin extra (3-3 seating). Another 30-something guy (Guy) had the window seat and a kid who looked to be about 10 was in the middle. I was settled in and reading my magazine when I sensed someone standing over me.
Entitled Mom (EM): [In a somewhat arrogant tone] Can you switch seats with me?
Me: [Politely] Hmmm, potentially. Where's your seat? [Just in case it was first class, which I knew there was pretty much no chance of.]
EM: Just a few rows back.
Me: Which seat specifically?
EM: [Hesitates] 27E.
Me: [Mild WTF facial expression] No. That’s a middle seat in the back of the plane.
[One thing to know about me is that I’m an inveterate movie quoter. EM’s tone remained arrogant for the rest of the ordeal.]
EM: But I want to sit next to my son!
Me: That’s not a MP. That’s a YP; your problem. [This has now become fun for me.]
EM: I need to sit next to my son!
Me: Did you ask the people in 27D and 27F if they’d switch seats with your son?
EM: [Incredulous facial expression] No.
Me: Well you’ll almost certainly have more luck offering up a better seat than asking someone in main cabin extra--who paid extra money for their seat--to go to the back of the plane.
EM: My son needs to sit next to me! [The kid has been quietly fiddling with his iPhone the entire time, so he's clearly old enough to sit unaccompanied.]
Me: He looks alright to me.
EM: Are you gonna move or not?!
Me: Not.
EM: Come ON!!
Me: [reon24] is not coming on anything. [Yes, I referred to myself in the third person just this once. See update below.]
[Guy in the window seat starts chuckling under his breath. EM becomes even more incensed.]
EM: You’re a jerk!!
[Flight attendant approaches.]
FA: Is there a problem?
EM: This guy won’t get out of my seat!!
[I shake my head in disgust, pull out my phone and show the FA my boarding pass.]
FA: Ma’am, this is this man’s seat. You’ll have to go to your seat.
EM: But--
FA: Or you can get off the plane.
EM shot daggers at the FA and me and then slunk to the back muttering expletives. Guy in the window seat gave me an approving nod. The kid was polite to the FAs and stayed put the whole flight.
I couldn’t believe the gall of this woman. She probably booked at the last minute and planned this by putting her son in the seat up front.
This was definitely one of my most memorable flights. And I even got to throw in some Boogie Nights and Harold & Kumar references too.
#5 Entitled Mom Tries To Steal My Preselected Seat

My family had an event that we had to go to that was across the country. A lot of my family (my mom, dad, sister, and several aunts/uncles/cousins) had already flown out the week before but I had work and my daughter had preschool, so we stayed behind and were going to fly separately on the weekend. My aunt had a little girl that she couldn’t bring when she went, so she asked that I bring her with me when I and my daughter flew. My aunt’s daughter Grace was almost 2, but she was nonverbal so far, and my daughter Elorie was a little over 3. I was 18 (Elorie was conceived out of a bad incident and yes I was crazy to fly with two toddlers alone).
Since I was flying with two toddlers I wanted to make sure that we had a row to ourselves. I was planning on having Elorie in the window, Grace in the middle, and me in the aisle. So I went for the slightly more expensive option of choosing preselected seats. We got to be in priority boarding so we boarded before a lot of the other passengers; we had checked our suitcases so I just had my backpack with all the things I would need (jackets, food, toys, my electronics) and a diaper bag.
So. I had Grace strapped to my front, my backpack on my back, the diaper bag in one hand and Elorie’s hand in my other. I was saddled up. I got on the plane with no fuss from the girls, but when I got to our designated seats, yep you guessed it: an entitled mom and her son (probably about 6 or 7) were sitting in our row. So our convo went a little like this:
Me: excuse me, these are our seats. We preselected them.
EM: Um, I’m sorry honey, but it’s open seating and I got here first. You can go find another seat.
Me: No, this is my row. I preselected it online and paid extra for it. (I showed her my ticket)
EM: Honey, that’s not how it works on this airline. And unaccompanied minors need to fly next to the flight attendants anyways.
Me, getting exasperated and exhausted still holding a baby and a backpack: I’m an adult, and this is my daughter. Please move, or I will need to get the flight attendant.
EM: Go ahead, she will tell you the same thing.
So of course I go get a flight attendant and explain the situation and show her my ticket. Enter flight attendant (FA).
FA: Ma’am, she did in fact preselect this row so I’m gonna need you to move to another seat.
EM: Excuse me? (She looks genuinely shocked)
FA: Please move to another seat, we have plenty. (Gestures to the back where there are literally still whole rows available)
EM: No, we got here first and my son needs to be over the wing.
(FA looks slightly annoyed at this but keeps her customer service voice) Why don’t I help you find another seat? I’m sure your son will be fine.
EM: No, I’m staying in this seat because I got here first.
At this point, Elorie was getting antsy standing in one place, and FA noticed.
FA: Sweetie, why don’t you take a seat right there while I sort this out. I’ll bring you an apple juice in a little bit.
Elorie sat down in a seat on the other side of the row (the one empty seat in the aisle of the plane that was filling up)
FA to EM: We are going to have to remove you from the aircraft if you don’t move to another seat.
EM finally gets up at this point and drags her child behind her pushing past us, saying angrily at me and the girls: You teenagers are so entitled!
FA apologizes to me and helps me settle the girls and my things into our row.
FA: Wonderful job dealing by the way, you seem like a very responsible big sister!
Me: Actually the older one is my daughter, younger is my cousin.
FA smiles: Then you are a very good mother. I’ll get you an apple juice for the kids, just make sure you stow it before we take off. Let me know if there Is anything else I can do to help you.
#6 EM Steals My Seat And Pretends Not To Understand Me/Ignores Me So That She Can Sit With Her Kid On A 20-Minute Flight

We’re boarding for a very short flight. I get to my row and see that EM is sitting in my assigned seat, next to her son, who is about ten years old and not saying a word. I told her “I think you’re in my seat”. She barely even looks at me. “Ma’am, I think you’re in my seat.” She pulls out a ticket- the son’s ticket- to show me that her son is sitting in his assigned seat. I told her that I can see that the kid is in his assigned seat but she is not, because she is in my seat. I asked her again which seat is hers- thinking, actually, that I would just go ahead and sit in her seat so that she can sit with her kid. Because even though she’s going about this entirely the wrong way, it’s a really short flight and not worth the effort.
Over the next minute or two, she refuses to tell me where her ticketed seat is. She keeps pointing over and over to her son’s ticket, showing that he’s sitting in his seat. I’m starting to lose my patience by now because there’s a long line of people backing up trying to board and we’re causing a problem for everyone. I finally said to her “I cannot let you sit there without you at least telling me where your seat is because if you don’t tell me, now you’re forcing me to steal somebody else’s seat. I’m willing to switch with you but you have to tell me where your actual seat is so that I know which seat I should sit in.” No response, just staring straight ahead.
Finally a flight attendant came over and asked to see her ticket- amazingly, now she responds and takes out her ticket and shows the FA. The FA looks at me somewhat inquiringly, as if to ask me if I’m willing to switch. I said, “Honestly, I had every intention of letting her switch so she could sit next to him, but I’m really not feeling like I want to do that after she ignored me and lied to me.” So she gets booted from her seat and I reclaimed it.
Lest I come off as completely unsympathetic here, I did help the kid buckle his seatbelt after I noticed that he didn’t know how and the FA didn’t catch it (I’m not sure what was going on with this flight but a lot of things seemed to be going unnoticed). I felt bad for him because he seemed very unnerved by the whole thing and the confrontation but he’s probably going to get used to that pretty quickly having such an entitled mom.
For some, the anxiety is enough to keep them grounded entirely. Data published by Coventry Direct reveals that 14% of frequent US travelers have canceled their plans altogether due to growing concerns about air travel.
A big reason for this overwhelming dread comes down to psychology. Maryland-based psychologist Dr. Mary Alvord explained that flying triggers h**h stress because it blends several anxiety-inducing factors at once — starting with the feeling of losing total control.
“Airline travel is filled with unpredictable aspects, from getting to the airport on time and through security lines, to worries about flights delayed or canceled, many of which are out of our control,” Dr. Alvord said.
#7 Entitled Airline Mom

So I pick up the call: Thanks for calling American airlines how can I help you?
Ep: yes I'd like to get seats for my flight
Me: do you have your record locator/confirmation number?
EP: no but I've been on hold for an hour
Me: 😐 ok ma'am do you have anything I can use to help you look up the flight info:
10 minutes later
Me: ok I see this is a COSTCO TRAVEL AGENCY THIRD PARTY BOOKING with British Airlines but as a whole domestic flight. (What this means is for some reason Costco booked this passenger on flights within the US but technically BA controlled the flights 😐) This means there will be an external reservation fee of $50 person per person.
EP: ok I just need flights so my family can sit together
Me: pulls up the seat map ok ma'am I see we have paid seats available to sit your family together as THEY ARE THE ONLY SEATS LEFT OPEN ON THE PLANE.
EP: what? I'm not going to pay for those seats! You all need to accommodate me as I have a 15 year old that isn't sitting near me!
Me: well ma'am I am just telling you what I have available as Costco booked the seats how they did when you were booking with them.
EP: my 15 year old will have an anxiety attack if you don't sit us together
Me: ma'am while I understand what you are saying 15 is old enough under our rules to be a young adult traveling alone.
EP: well you are going to have a YATA that has a panic attack if you don't give me those seats you jerk
Me: ma'am do not curse at me again or I will end the call and make sure the next agent that gets a call from you understands how you treat us.
EP: ok I'm sorry.please don't hang up on me. So what can you do to sit us together?
Me: again ma'am we only have the Main cabin extra seats available. I cannot un-assign other passengers from their seats.
EP: you know I don't like your tone you have a bad attitude
Me: ma'am I am just working within the rules corporate has given me.
EP: listen here you jerk
Me: and I'll be disconnecting due you your bad attitude.
#8 Entitled Parents Try To Get A Free Business Seat

I was flying Business (by sheer luck, definitely don’t belong there lol), and since the plane was half empty, there was only one woman sitting in the row in front of me with a baby in her arms who couldn’t be older than 6 months.
As soon as we take off, a man comes from Economy through the closed courtain and starts talking with the woman and fussing over the baby; it becomes apparent that he’s the dad. They both talked really loud, they definitely wanted our attention.
The man returns to his seat and I see that it’s directly behind the curtain, the first row in Economy. And he has plenty of space around; WTH?
Through the next hour, I s**t you not, the man keeps coming to see the baby and talk with his wife every TEN MINUTES. He interrupts the meal service because he’s right in the middle and the steward just can’t get through.
After too much of these shenanigans the cabin manager had had enough and told the couple they simply could not do that anymore. And then the charade began! They had it so prepared it was comical. They had booked one seat in each class because they were sure they would let them be together in Business Class because they have a bAaBbYyyyy. After all, there are vacant seats left!
The steward almost laughed in their faces and told them they could both go to Economy and be together for the rest of the flight. The woman LOST IT. “I have paid a lot of money for this ticket to fly Business Class, I’m not going to Economy! Let my husband come be here with his bbbAAAbbyyyyY”.
She sulked for a while, talking loudly about how evil the airline was to her and her baby and how she was going to make a complaint; this was entertaining as h**l, I wish I flew Business more often.
In the end she made a huge fuss about it but retreated to Economy and the last hour of the flight was uneventful.
The best part? The baby was a SAINT through all this; I could take a 12h flight with that little dude as long as his parents stayed home.
#9 Entitled Karen Makes A Fuss Over My Plane Seat Then Insists That I Pay For Her To Move

As I was approaching my seat (an Isle seat in business class because I knew it would be smarter than asking people to stand up so I can get to the bathroom) when I get to my seat I see 1 mother and two kids one in my seat I tell the mother that's my seat she is visibly pissed at that statement and snaps back no it's not a jerk. Me not wanting to have a fight on a plane grabs the attention of a flight attendant and I show her my boarding pass so the flight attendant asks her to move from my seat politely. And as if being asked to move set of the Karen in a raised voice not shouting says this is my seat I paid for it so sorry.
The flight attendant still being polite asks to see the boarding passes to check the seats. The entitled mother pulls two out for the seats next to mine. The flight attendant slightly less kind says ma'am these are only two boarding passes where is the third one. The mother thinking she's smart says I must have dropped the third one so I can't give it to you.
So this causes me to but into the conversation and say that I have the boarding pass for that seat because it's my seat. The look on her face you would have thought I slapped her kid and offended her because she then shouts give me my boarding pass you jerk. I'm confused why she's so delusional at this point because it's obviously my ticket since I bought it.
The next part was back and forth arguing which I can barely remember but from what I do remember it was the flight attendant saying that I clearly paid for this seat as it had my name on the boarding pass and her arguing for a few more minutes before stopping grinning and she said well if you want me to move so bad how about you pay to upgrade me and my children to first class.
I responded by saying, miss I only have a business class seat because I do a trip like this once a year so I tend to be comfortable during my flight and I don't have the funds for 3 first class tickets. The flight attendant then says to the Karen either you or one of your children will have to move or else we will have to remove you from the flight.
Then without holding back she screeches IF I LEAVE HES GOING TO TOUCH MY BABIES. Me and the flight attendant are physically taken aback after hearing this. After that I stopped trying to be nice and responded GET THE H**L OUT OF MY SEAT AND NEVER MAKE THOSE CLAIMS AGAIN YOU SELF CENTERED JERK. The flight attendant tries to calm me down and calls for security. In the end the Karen and her children were escorted off the flight and I got a row to myself.
I forgot about it until the other day so I decided to post it here after getting into listening to these stories on youtube anyways thanks for reading my story.
Long before you board, you wade through a barrage of obstacles: endless passport queues, security checks, crowded duty-free shops, and the marathon walk to a distant gate.
The environment itself only adds to the tension. Bright lights, blaring announcements, and wall-to-wall crowds push your nervous system to its limits. Environmental psychologists note that human brains are sensitive to their surroundings, and sensory overload quickly triggers real anxiety.
Each stage brings its own brand of frustration. A survey of over 1,700 British travelers found that 49% rank waiting at baggage claim as the single most stressful part of the journey. Passing through security and waiting for flight transfers tied for a close second at 47%.
#10 Mombie Entitled To A Seat On The Plane That She Didn't Purchase, Because "I Have A Baby!"

"Uh, excuse me ma'am," said the steward, "But I need to ask you to take your seat."
"I'm sitting here," said entitled mombie. "I have a baby. I can't sit in the middle."
"This is someone else's seat, ma'am," said the polite steward.
"I have a baby," mombie repeated.
"I see that," said the steward. "But someone else is sitting in your seat and we can't switch seats now as we're about to take off. After we're up and the seatbelts signs are off, you can ask him to switch seats."
"No!" screeched the mombie. "I have a baby! I can't sit in the middle seat."
"Sorry, ma'am," said the steward, infinitely patient. "But you need to be in your assigned seat. I don't make the rules. Please help me out here."
"Please help ME out here," said mombie. "I have a baby."
"Sorry, ma'am, but the passenger whose seat you're in can't sit in the middle. He's riding with his large dog."
"A---a---DOG??" screeched mombie. "I HAVE A BABY! I CANNOT SIT NEXT TO A DOG!!!!"
OMG, y'all. Steward finally decided that he was just going to do whatever he needed to get rid of his problem: the mombie. So he arranged for her to switch seats in a complicate musical-chairs move, so the lady with HER BABY!! ended up near her husband up several rows, the old man by the window got upgraded to first class for free (good for you, old dude! No more screechy lady and her fussy baby for you!), and dude with dog got the ENTIRE ROW to himself. Which he needed, because he had literally the largest dog I've ever seen. Looked like a great dane. Doggo laid on the floor and his body stretched across all three seats.
I'm sad mombie basically got what she wanted, but I'm glad guy-with-dog and old man didn't have to put up with her. Awful mombies. And by the way, the people she ended up next to were miserable because, as you'd expect, the baby fussed and was allowed to touch people and be obnoxious the entire flight.
#11 EP Tries To Force Me Out Of The Window Seat

Cast
•Me - Me
•EP - Entitled Parent
•CK - Careless kid (looks to be 6)
•FA - Flight Attendant
•NM - Nice Man
And the story begins:
I was getting my stuff set for the 7 hour plane ride that is about to ensue and when I take a seat, another woman(EP) sits down next to me and puts her kid on the aisle seat. I said hello and did the basic "Im a nice kid stuff."
EP: "So where are your parents? Are they here or not?"
Me: "Nope they didnt fly with me! Im just visiting my grandparents for a week!"
EP: "Oh ok."
5 minutes pass
EP: "Hi we should switch seats, and you can in sit the middle!" She starts to get her bag
Me: "No thank you! I actually prefer the window seat!"
EP: "I dont think you should be sitting there because youre to young."
Me: "Im sorry but I will stay here and im not moving."
EP: "My son wants to sit there so just move already." fake smiles
Me: "YOU obviously want my seat not your son..."
EP: "WHAT A BRAT. KIDS THESE DAYS ARE SO RUDE. YOU SHOULDNT EVEN BE FLYING ALONE"
Me: "Mmm alright mam. I will be ignoring you for the rest of the flight now."
EP: "WHAT YOU CANT DO THAT CAUSE I SAID SO."
FA walks over
FA: "Is everything alright mam?"
EP: "Yes, my son isnt moving from the window seat and he is being very rude"
Me: "Umm no. Mam lets get 2 things straight. First, I am not your son and secondly, she is trying to get me to move."
EP: "Oh be quiet Dave stop playing around" she literally gave me a fake name
Me: "My name isnt Dave..." hands flight attendant my boarding pass so she can confirm.
FA: "Would you like to move your seat?"
Me: " Yes please!"
Me: "I guess you can have your seat now mam!" I ACCIDENTALLY spill water on the seat as I get up to leave.
FA: tries not to laugh
EP: "He can stay here and Ill move."
Me: "Nope I already got up and left. Good day. Oh and sorry for spilling water on the seat I know you really wanted it"
I thought it was over but OH MY GOD no.
EP: "MY SON IS GOING TO GET SICK NOW"
FA: "What are you even saying?"
Me: " You lost it."
NM: "Im tryna have a nice flight and not hear you voice the kid is nice but you seem to have a problem. Youre a grown woman and your son hasnt even said a word he has just been playing around with the seat. How about you accept the fact that you cant sit down and enjoy a flight."
Me: "Thank you!"
FA: ushers me to the front
In the end, I got upgraded to BUISNESS CLASS!!!! It was so nice I felt like a king up there. Not to mention the food was hella good. I dont know what happened to the lady she just gave me glares at the airport. But im like whatever.
#12 Ep Wants To Switch Seats With Me On A Flight

EP: Excuse me sir, would you mind switching seats with me so I can sit next to my son?
Me: Possibly. Where is your seat?
EP: Towards the back of the plane.
Me: Eh, I don't know. I paid for the extra legroom. Is it an aisle seat?
EP: No, it's a middle seat.
Me: I'm sorry, but that's not even close to a fair trade. Why don't you see if someone in your row is willing to switch with your son.
EP: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! WHAT KIND OF A JERK WON'T LET A MOTHER SIT WITH HER SON?!?!?!?!
Me: What kind of person expects to trade a middle seat for an aisle seat with 3x the legroom?
EP: YOU ARE TRULY HEARTLESS! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WON'T SWITCH WITH ME! YOU ARE A TERRIBLE HUMAN BEING!!
At this point I just turned away and took my seat. She proceeded to march down the aisle complaining to anyone who would listen about the "jerk" in the first row. I then turned to the guy sitting at the window (the kid had headphones in the whole time and was paying no attention to what was happening).
Me: Wow, can you believe that?
Guy: I can, actually. She's my wife! Sorry your had to deal with that.
So, it turned out, the kid was sitting with a parent anyway!!!
Side note: I have no problem switching seats so family or friends can sit together. I'm just not trading a bulkhead aisle seat for a middle seat in regular coach on a 5 hour flight!
Once you finally make it onto the plane, seat assignments become sacred ground. People get deeply attached to the spots they reserved, and for good reason. A 2026 study by PhotoAiD revealed that nearly 90% of travelers believe passengers should strictly stick to the seats they booked.
Personal seating preferences run strong, too. The survey found that 58% of travelers favor a window seat, while 12% hunt down the aisle, and 28% — surprisingly enough — actually prefer the middle. Only a tiny 2% genuinely don’t care where they sit.
#13 Airplane Story! Family Tries To Trick Me Into Switching To The Middle Middle

#14 Ep Thinks They Deserve My Plane Seat

I see then talking to a crew member for a while but go back to listening to my music when I feel a tap on my shoulder so I remove my headphones.
S: "Hey I'm flying with my mom and was wondering if you could swap seats with her so we could sit together?"
I look over to where his mom is sitting and it's a standard seat.
Me: "No I'm sorry. "
Kid looks a bit defeated but walks away. I put my headphones in and start to relax when I hear a loud voice.
EM: "Excuse me?!"
Me: "Yes?"
EM: "Me and my son need your seat as he is scared of flying so we need to sit together. "
Me: "I'm sorry to hear that but i paid extra for a seat with extra legroom so i won't be switching to a standard seat. "
EP: "You're sitting next to the only open seat, you have to swap with me."
Me, starting to get annoyed she won't take no for an answer "No I don't, and if you needed to sit together you should've paid extra to choose your seats not bet that you can switch seats later."
EP, clearly starting to get agitated: "I can't afford to pay extra for that, just because you're rich doesn't mean everyone is I'm a parent so I have to save money. Now swap seats. "
Not sure how rich I have to be to afford the 5-15€ if costs to select a seat but alright. I'm really starting to get annoyed she won't leave me alone.
Me: "I'm not going to swap with you now please leave me alone. "
EP, raising her voice even more: "The stewardess said you have to swap so we can sit together now do what she said and move. "
I've had enough so I hit the flight crew button and the same woman they were talking to earlier comes over.
FC: "How can I help you?"
ME: "This lady wants to swap seats with me and she says you told-"
I get interrupted by EM now yelling: "He won't move you told us he had to swap seats with us now make him move!"
FC, giving me a supportive look and mouths I'm sorry. She turns to EM: "I told you this is the only open seat so if you want to sit together you could ask him if he is okay with swapping, not that you could force him to move. If he doesn't want to swap with you you will have to go take your assigned seat."
EM: "I have to sit next to my son you have to get this jerk to move or sit us somewhere else or I'm going to sue you and delay this plane. "
FC: "If you had to sit next to each other you should have paid to select seats, now I've had enough of your tone and you will either stop bothering this man and go back to your seat or I will have the captain deplane you."
EM looks like she's going to explode, she stands there for a moment before turning around and heading back to her seat mumbling something. The captain calls out the cabin crew prepare for takeoff message and I start to let go of the tension that built up.
FC, smiling: "Is this seat taken?"
I can't help but laugh as she sits down.
FC: "I'm so sorry about that, when I told them to ask you I didn't think this is what would happen. "
I told her if was fine and we had a pretty nice chat during takeoff until she went back to do her job. She also gave me a free drink once service started so despite the annoying start it turned into a pretty nice flight.
#15 EM Wants Me Off The Plane Because I Wouldn’t Give Her Kid My Switch

So I was on a plane with my mom and sister to go to Chicago to see family for a week, I brought my switch to play and decided to play some games,(if you want to know which games, Mario maker 2 and Yoshis crafted world) (my mom and sister were fast asleep through all of this)
A kid was sitting behind me watching me through the gap between my seat. About an hour into the flight he started to cry, I thought it was because his ears needed to be popped from all the pressure so I continued to play my game.About ten or so minutes later I feel someone tapping my shoulder, I turn around and the EM is staring at me. Me: trying to be nice yes? Em: You have something that my son wants.
I thought she meant my drink, me: no sorry that’s mine, my mom got it for me to drink. *pointing at the Gatorade. Em: no are you stupid?! My son wants your game. Me: no sorry it’s mine I bought it. Em: I don’t care if you bought it my son wants it so give it to him or I’ll have you kicked off this flight! Her yelling attracted the flight attendant. FA: what’s going on here? Em: this kid stole my child’s game! FA: give her back her kids game.
Me: I didn’t steal anything, she walked up to me and told me to give my switch to her son. FA: ma’am is this true? Em: No he stole his game! Me: I can prove it’s mine, I know the systems nickname and the accounts I have on it. I tell her what the nickname and accounts are in her ear so I can prove I’m right. FA: ok ma’am if it’s your sons what is the name of the accounts on the system? Em says the name of what I’m guessing is her sons and her name, FA knows she’s wrong so she tells her to sit down and to stop bothering me.
Despite clear preferences, seat swapping has become an almost unavoidable part of modern flying. In a 2026 survey, nearly 92% of travelers reported being asked to swap seats on a flight within the last two years.
Saying yes, however, rarely ends well. About 84% of passengers who agreed to trade spots later regretted their decision. To make matters worse, roughly 26% of those who moved admitted they gave up their seat only because they felt cornered or pressured.
#16 EP Tries To Steal My Plane Seat Because She Needs It!

So a bit of background, my relatives live in a city that's about an hour and twenty minute flight from where I live. My parents and I used to go there every three months or so. However sometimes my parents had work and I had to fly alone. On the airline we took, if you flew alone and was under the age of fourteen you had to be a UM (unaccompanied minor) which would mean a flight attendant would help you get to your gate and you would board first. But the best part of being a UM is how you will usually get upgraded to first class (if it's available) so you can be close to the flight attendant.
It is important to know that on flights that are shorter than three hours, the seats are in 2 by 2 formation. So I get in the seat my parents paid for in economy, a window seat. Next to me was the EM with a toddler on her lap, on the other aisle seat in our row sat her husband with another toddler. After everyone boarded the plane the FA(flight attendant) comes up to me and says:
FA: You're the UM right?
Me: Yeah.
FA: You've been upgraded to first class.
Me: Cool.
The FA didn't see EM's husband and thought she was a single mother.
FA: Mam, there are two seats available would you like the other one?
It was common for FA's to ask the people next to someone with a priority if they wanted to get a first class seat too, if one was available.
EM: Sure! Can my husband come too?
FA turns around and sees husband.
FA: Oh sorry Mam, there's not enough room for the both of you.
EM: But WHY? You said there was two seats available.
FA: Yes but one of them has to be taken by the UM.
EM turns around and looks at me.
EM: He's big enough, he doesn't need those seats!
FA: And you need them?
EM: YES I DO! Do you not know hard it is to raise not one but two children??
FA: Mam, I do know how hard it is, I have kids of my own.
EM: So then you'll know why I need those seats more than him!
FA: Mam, we will departing very soon and I need to bring this boy to the front of the plane. Now I need you to cooperate and let me bring this kid to his seat.
EM: LISTEN HERE YOU JERK! MY LIFE IS HARD ENOUGH AS IT IS NOW AND I DON'T NEED YOUR INSULTS ON TOP OF THAT! WE DESERVE THOSE SEATS! GIVE THEM TO US NOW!!!
FA: Alright look kid, just come with me and we'll deal with her later.
As I'm getting up the EM pushes me back down on my seat.
EM: HEY!!! You do not just ignore me like that! You are going to give me those seats, RIGHT NOW YOU JERK!!
At this point everyone on the plane is looking at her. Even though I wasn't saying anything(I was kinda scared), my mind was set on being anywhere but in a seat next to this woman, so that's when I practically jumped out of my seat to the FA. As I get in the aisle, the EM starts pulling on my shirt to bring me back, that's when I grabbed her arm and threw off of me.
EM: HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME YOU LITTLE JERK! NOW YOU HAVE TO GIVE YOUR SEATS!!
Instead of listening to her I just went up to my seat in first class. I could still hear her screaming.
Eventually they deplaned her and her husband, which delayed the flight by ten minutes.
On the way out the EM gave me the stink eye and said:
You're so selfish!!
I just grinned at her.
After I told the story to my family we laughed a lot about it.
#17 Entitled Parent Thinks I Owe Her My Seat Because Didn’t Book A Ticket For Her Child

By the time I got onto the plane I had spent 24 hours in the airport. Luckily for this flight I had booked first class. So I get on the plane and get comfy and I’m just so happy that I’ll be home soon after the last couple days I had. When a really nice flight attendant comes over and point at the empty seat next to me and mine. And tells me a mother forgot to book her toddler ticket and she was wondering if they could take my seat. And the empty seat next to me. I told that I’m sorry but I’ve had a really long day and I payed extra for this I would like to stay. The flight attendant was very nice and said no problem. But she let the woman come sit in the empty seat next to me with her toddler on her lap.
She immediately looks at me with a scowl and says “I can’t believe you wouldn’t trade your seat for a kid” and simply tell her “mam I paid extra for this seat you should’ve booked him a ticket this isn’t my fault” then she keeps going off saying things under breath and to her toddler like I can’t hear her. And then she tells her kid to “make the most noise he can, he can do whatever he wants” and she keeps saying things to me and I can’t believe this entitled woman. I finally lash out and said “will you shut up” I’m not proud of myself my for this but with the last couple days I had I didn’t care anymore. but my common sense came back and I apologized for swearing in front of her kid. Even though I heard her call me a jerk and many other words.
Again the women wouldn’t shut up. And finally my savor came that really nice flight attendant came over and bent down to the woman’s level and said “mam you were lucky to be able to switch seats and all I’ve heard from you since you switched is you threatening this woman and telling your child to be noisy. This plane hasn’t left yet and we have no problem kicking you off this flight and if continue to do this well we’re in the air you will be banned” I couldn’t help but smile she finally shut up and I was so glad that I had downloaded a show on Netflix so I could finish my steamy show right in front of her.
#18 Parent Sits In My Seat Because She Had A Kid…

If it was so important for her to sit beside her child, why did she not check in when it opened? When I checked in, there were multiple sets of 2 seats together that she could have selected. If it was me, I’d probably pre-pay for selected seats just to make sure. On top of that, she didn’t even ask me if we could switch, she just assumed I would be okay with it. A part of me wishes I demanded my seat back.
Part of the problem stems from how overwhelming family travel planning can be. When flights are expensive, or seat selection carries extra fees for every family member, some parents skip pre-booking.
Some also believe society has a collective responsibility to prioritize children. They expect strangers to show automatic empathy, assuming no one will risk saying no to a child.
At the same time, you are surrounded by strangers you will likely never see again. This anonymity removes normal social guardrails, making people far more comfortable throwing tantrums or making unreasonable demands on a plane than they would in everyday life.
#19 An Entitled Father Asked Me To Give Up My Window Seat For His Child

I was expecting him to be understanding and mind his own business but instead he just glared at me. In my head I said, “okay never mind!” And went back listening to my music while looking out the window. Not even five minutes later a flight attendant taps me on the shoulder asking me if I could give up my seat for his kid. I pulled out my ticket and the receipt I got when I paid extra for the window seat and told her “no, I paid extra for window seat.” She said, “Okay, sorry to bother you sir.” I saw her walk back to him and say, “no” for me. He glared at me one last time and that was that. I think he really thought he could get the flight attendant to take his side and force me out of my seat.
#20 Entitled Mother Demanded My Plane Seat On My Redeployment From Iraq

We had a layover in Rammstein, Germany and civilians began boarding. These were mostly wives, children, and other dependents of those deployed to Europe. It had to be obvious those of us already on the plane were coming back from deployment. We were in desert patterned camo, glassy-eyed from mental and physical fatigue, and generally stunk of burn pit.
Well, this woman with a baby comes right up to my seat and announces that we are in her seats. The other guy needs to move too because she wants to put her kid there. We were both kind of bleary and just stared at her in surprise. I didnt care where I sat, but the stewardess hurries over and says the flight is full and they cant reseat us.
This woman shoves her ticket in the stewardesses face and says it clearly shows my seat number on her ticket. She wants to kick me and my seatmate off the flight. Clearly, she was more entitled to it than us. She flips out right in the middle of the plane and goes off on the stewardess.
I stayed seated more out of shock than stubbornness. I'd been awake for longer than I cared to think about by that point, and I was not reacting quickly to anything. I guess my seatmate was in the same boat, because neither of us said a single word to her or moved a muscle at all. We just watched her make a laughingstock of herself in front of all these gawking passengers. She ended up getting herself kicked off the flight.
In all, it happened rather quickly, but it still stunned me. The trip from Iraq to my home station was already going to be several days long, and she thought nothing of forcing me and that other guy off just for her convenience.
I dont know why she popped in my head today, but I can't imagine being married to that.

