About my flight neighbour?

[ReasonablyIntelligent]

Just boarded an 8 hour, overnight flight.
I'm flying solo and on the aisle seat.

I get to my row and find a strange man in my seat, the seat next to him (middle seat) is empty.
He initially tries (quite aggressively) to deny that the aisle seat is mine, but eventually relents and moves over to his spot.
He takes both blankets and both pillows with him.

I get seated and then ask if he could kindly pass my pillow and blanket (both stashed about his person). He denies having either and demands that I check my seat because I'm "clearly not looking properly".
Whilst I perform a polite seat sweep (God knows why, I can see the fucking pillow) he slides my pillow behind his back and then drops the blanket to the floor and kicks it under his seat .

Having no idea why I've offended Strange Man, I decide to juts play dumb and ask an air steward for a new set. No bother, though they're super busy so I'll imagine they'll forget for better things to do.

Strange Man has now proceeded to man spread in such a way that my shoulder is at an odd angle from my seat and my legs are skew whiff.

I am not a ballsy person. In fact, I have a fairly strong social anxiety.

There are no other seats on the plane.

AIBU to silently seeth, or am I being a right wet blanket?

I should add, he is playing loud home videos through his phone speaker. So is clearly a bit of a knob.

What an utter, utter tosser he is. Can you have a quiet word with crew and request to be moved? He's clearly going out of his way to make you uncomfortable.

I’d be sorely tempted to elbow him repeatedly every time he tries to sleep. However, that would probably get you arrested so if I were you I’d avoid doing that. He’s not worth it.

I’d definitely be making him move into his own seat area though.

You've done a great job so far. Just politely call him out on his behaviour. Please could you x. You'll only be miserable for 8 hours otherwise and think how proud of yourself you'll be. People like him rely on no one calling them out to get away with all sorts of shit. Firm, clear, unapologetic, repeat.

Good luck for the flight!

Ask to be moved

What an absolute wanker he is.

You should definitely speak to one of the stewards about the blanket, the personal space invasion and the phone videos and ask if they can possibly find you another seat because the man next to you is making you feel uncomfortable. You don't have to call them over and have the conversation in front of him - you can walk to the front of the plane and speak to them quietly.

He sounds like a pita.

I would check and see if you can be moved. Walk down to the crew area and explain.

Missing his Mother poor git.

Don't let him get away with such shitty behaviour. Speak to the crew. Eight hours of this will be unbearable. He's counting on you not saying anything.

YABU not to say something. No way I'd put up with that rudeness and discomfort for 8 hours!

Good luck.

Go and speak to the cabin crew. Demand to be moved.

Say something op- we’re behind you!

You should definitely speak to one of the stewards about the blanket, the personal space invasion and the phone videos and ask if they can possibly find you another seat because the man next to you is making you feel uncomfortable. You don't have to call them over and have the conversation in front of him - you can walk to the front of the plane and speak to them quietly

Agreed

Failing that op just get the sick bag out and retch in his direction- that’ll shift the prat!

Please go and speak to the cabin crew

No, don't demand to be moved. Explain the situation and ASK politely to be moved, because his behaviour is making you uncomfortable.

Go and speak to the cabin crew. Ask nicely to be moved.
Much more likely to get a result.

Go and speak to the cabin crew. Demand to be moved.

Please don’t demand anything from the crew. If there’s no other seats, they can’t magic them from the air.A polite request will go much further.
If you can’t get moved; definitely call him out on it, for the sake of all his future flight neighbours.

Orchid, genius idea.

Speak into your wrist and say ‘target acquired’ then loosely describe him.

Be clear, firm and polite. He's no more important than you. He's a dick. You'll be so proud of yourself if you stick up for yourself.

I'd have to say something, probably best going via the cabin crew though. You don't want him counter-complaining about you if the discussion doesn't go as planned.

Think how much money you have paid for that flight. They aren’t doing you a favour by flying you. You have paid for them to provide a service. Explain the situation and ask them to move you. I avoid speaking to other humans like the plague but I’m also really tight so the fact I had paid a fortune for the flight would make me want to get the most out of it!

Plus he’s clearly an arse hat.

Every time he actively spreads, sniff him and look perplexed.