It seems like the topic of seat allocation on airplanes is always going to be controversial on social media. One more TikTok video on the topic became viral. This time, the creator admitted to denying to change seats to let a family’s child sit together. However, in her defense, it was an A1 seat.
The seat numbered A1 is the first row’s first seat in a plane. Also, it is usually a first-class seat. As such, frequent travelers usually want this seat on the airplane the most, among any others. So, in a sense, it is understandable why Sabra Zaara, the TikToker, was reluctant to give up her seat.
It Takes More To Give Up The Best Airplane Seat
Zaara posted her short clip through her handle @lifewithdrsabra. In the caption, she explained: “POV: Flight agent asks me if I want to give up my 1A seat so child sits with their family.” In the background, she used a popular audio clip from TikTok, that says: “Girl, f**k them kids and f**k you too.” Needless to say, the audio is pretty relevant for this clip.
In the caption below the post, Zaara gave a further explanation for her decision: “That’s a no from me, dawg. Would you have given up your seat? Also they ended up finding a solution so no, I am not a terrible human being. Also the child was like 13.”
The clip has been viewed more than 4 Million times since it was uploaded, and opinions were as divided as ever. Supporters explained that the seat was not free and that the family should have planned ahead. One said that it depended on the situation, but the answer would still usually be a no: “If they want to switch seats in economy, I would consider it. But if I paid extra for comfort, hell no! Attendant should be ashamed to even try.”
On the other hand, a commenter who had a different opinion said: “I gave up that seat so [a] newlywed couple could sit together. Kindness is free.” A reply, however, did point out that Sabra or anyone else never brought up the question of kindness since it was not her responsibility that the parents failed to plan ahead.
Not The First Time On Airplanes
As a matter of fact, social media has been teeming with viral stories regarding airplane seat allotments. A recent Reddit post brought up the perspective of physically larger people traveling by airplanes. The passenger in question knew she would require more space, so had reserved her seats accordingly. Unfortunately, a couple took the empty seat as an invitation to sit together, inviting trouble.
The Today Show took to Instagram to ask the question directly about whether solo passengers should have seats to accommodate families. Needless to say, there was a storm in the comments. In another recent incident, a passenger who paid extra refused to give up his seat even if the people asking was an elderly couple. A bit further back in April, Jaci Stephen, a frequent flyer, even wrote an article in Daily Mail about her experiences as a solo traveler, and how asking for seat swaps just infuriates her.
So what do you think you will do if a family asks you to swap airplane seats? Let us know!
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