We asked an expert what the correct seat-switching etiquette on an airplane is.Etiquette expert Myka Meierkindly agreed to lendBored Pandaher expertise. Meier is the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and co-founder of the Plaza Hotel’s Finishing Program, and she told us the polite way to approach others when switching airplane seats.

More info:Beaumont Etiquette|Instagram

RELATED:

Many people would avoid sitting in the middle seat of an airplane if they could

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:Athena Sandrini / pexels (not the actual photo)

So did this man, but his rude attitude in wanting to change seats paid off for another passenger more than him

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:Tim Gouw / pexels (not the actual photo)

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:Natã Romualdo / pexels (not the actual photo)

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:kitteh_pants

When asking to switch seats with someone, be polite, explain your reason, and offer a comparable seat option

“Switching seats on a plane can be a delicate matter, and there are certain etiquette guidelines I recommend following if you wish to ask someone toswitch seatswith you,” distinguished etiquette expert Myka Meier says.

The first thing to keep in mind is not to cause a scene. “Be polite and respectful when you both approach and speak to the person you are asking,” Meier explains. “Approach with a friendly demeanor and use polite language. A smile and a ‘Please’ go a long way.”

Communicating your reason why you wish to switch seats is important, too. “In order to have the best chance of the person saying ‘Yes’ to a seat switch, it’s important to explain your reason,” Meier adds. “Briefly state why you’d like to switch seats, and if it’s to sit with a family member or because of a special need, people are often more understanding.”

Third, Meier says, try offering something in return — a comparable or better seat option. “Try to offer a seat that is similar or better than the one you are asking the person to give up. Sometimes, asking a flight attendant ahead [of time] to help you locate any open seats gives you choices to offer.”

If none of the above works, there’s nothing else you can really do. “It’s good manners to accept ‘No’ graciously,” Meier believes. “You can’t force someone to give up their seat, so respecting the other passenger’s decision if they decline is good manners.”

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:Sergey Zhumaev / pexels (not the actual photo)

Airline staff are there to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience, but that doesn’t mean passengers can be rude to them

Flight attendantsand airline staff, in general, play a major role in keeping things in check before, during, and after a flight. Some airlines now train their employees in conflict resolution. Like American Airlines, which started training their 65,000 employees in 2018 after a particularlyunfortunate incidentwas posted on the Internet.

Meier says that the biggest job of flight attendants and other airline employees is to ensure the safety of the passengers on board. “They also are key in providing assistance for everything from meals to issues onboard and keeping passengers comfortable. They help with seating, answer questions, and assist with special needs.”

“Flight attendants are also typically the best person to speak to when passengers have conflicts. They are supposed to resolvedisputes between passengersdiplomatically and as fast as possible,” Meier explains.

However, that doesn’t mean that passengers can be rude to flight attendants or gate agents. The same rule that applies to approaching other passengers is applicable here: a smile and a “Please” go a long way.

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

There are other common rules of airplane seat etiquette that passengers ought to follow

We asked the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and etiquette expert Myka Meier what other rulespassengersshould follow so that the experience is pleasant for all. She has five recommendations for every person on board a flight to follow:

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Image credits:Ricardo Oliveira / pexels (not the actual photo)

The author agreed with other people that their mother dealt with the situation in a classy and composed manner

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Others couldn’t believe the level of entitlement the man showed

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

As stories like these happen often, other netizens had their own tales to share

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Rude Flight Passenger Is Put In His Place After Gate Attendant Maliciously Complies Perfectly

Thanks! Check out the results:You May LikeFlight Passenger Snaps At Mom Over “Obnoxious” Toddler, Ends Up Humiliated By Other TravelersRūta ZumbrickaitėKaren Explodes Over Family Seating At Cafe, Leaves In A Furious OutburstMantas KačerauskasMan Goes Full Broadway Trying To Snatch A Window Seat, Ends Up With Nothing But EmbarrassmentRūta Zumbrickaitė

Rūta Zumbrickaitė

Mantas Kačerauskas

Social Issues