Man Holds Onto Premium Plane Seat Despite Friend's Plea To Sit With Girlfriend, Wonders If That Makes Him A-Hole

"I find myself questioning whether it's fair for me to surrender my premium seat, considering my back condition."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• February 10, 2024

Group travel can often lead to unforeseen dilemmas, especially when it comes to balancing personal comfort against the collective happiness of the group. Such was the case for a party of five friends embarking on an exciting vacation that required a lengthy 9-hour flight.

Among them, the OP is facing a particularly challenging situation due to a recent back injury, which made the prospect of a long-haul flight daunting. Fortunately, a silver lining appeared in the form of an airline membership, offering a much-needed reprieve with access to premium economy seating.

However, this perk was not available to all members of the group, leading to an uncomfortable predicament. The heart of the issue lay in a seat-swapping proposition aimed at allowing a couple within the group, lacking the same membership benefits, to sit together for at least one leg of the journey.

While initially seeming like a minor adjustment, the request put OP in a difficult position. Surrendering a premium seat, with its promise of additional comfort and support, was no small ask for someone grappling with back pain.

The dilemma intensified as he weighed his physical well-being against the desire not to upset the group's dynamic or seem unsympathetic to the couple's wish to remain united.

Despite a recent back injury, OP is taking a 9-hour flight for vacation, but access to a premium economy seat through an airline membership offers him some relief.

Three friends have a membership perk, but one couple doesn't share the same level, causing them to sit apart, so the boyfriend proposes swapping seats to sit together on either flight.

OP is wondering if it's fair for him not to give up his premium seat due to his back condition.

In the end, all upgraded, including OP to business class, and the couple was seated together.

OP should stick to his premium seat, others can swap if they want.

If they really want to sit together in premium seats, they'll pay for them.

If the boyfriend wanted one, he should have joined the airline's membership.

People's entitlement these days is mind-blowing.

OP doesn't have to give up his seat if the others agree.

It's fair for OP not to want to give up his seat.

OP shouldn't sacrifice his comfort for others.

They should pay for premium economy instead of expecting OP to give up his seat.

OP is with the back issue and should keep their comfy seat on the plane. If others want to sit together in those fancy seats, they should cough up the extra cash for them.

It's not fair to expect someone to give up their comfort just because others didn't plan or join the airline's club. People need to realize that everyone's comfort matters and it's not okay to pressure someone into giving up what's rightfully theirs.

So, in this case, OP with the back problem shouldn't have to give up their good seat, and others should find their solution.

Damjan