Seating arrangement on flight abroad

[momtoboys]

7 people going on vacation abroad. 2 couples (one is my DH and me). Three singles - 1 single will be in first class. Long flight. As we were discussing flights, my DH and I had a long talk about how i am self conscious about sitting on a plane with another person. I asked that if there was a choice of just two seats in a row that he reserve them so it could just be the two of us. He was crystal clear on my wishes. Reservations were made yesterday and he reserved three seats together with one of the other singles in our group. She is a person I like very much - she is not the problem. The problem is that my husband deliberately ignored what I had thought was a reasonable request. Now I will be stuck between my husband and the friend for the entire flight. I realize it is better that being stuck squished with a stranger, but I am furious he didn't take into consideration my feelings. I asked him if there was anywhere on the plane where there were just two seats and he said yes but he didn't want her to feel "left out". AIBU for being hurt but this situation?

I don’t get it. You would have ended up sitting next to a stranger anyway.

I think a private jet is probably more appropriate for your needs.

I hate middle seats and I’d be annoyed by that. But you don’t want to sit next to your friend? And you are going on holiday together? How weird.

can you not change the seats?

I would leave him. For maximum effect I'd probably pack, go to the airport and do it there in front of the whole group.

How many planes have 2 seat configuration?

Honestly, if you can’t sit on a plane without getting stressed about it then don’t go on holiday.

There seems to be a lot of people who have issues with basic skills for existing in the world.

He'd have even less leg space in a window seat. I would insist.

One of them is always going to be in a middle seat, if they want to sit next to each other, if it’s a standard 3-4-3 or 3-3-3 on most long haul flights.

Could you just do it yourself? Just go online and swap the seats to ones you want 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've never seen 2 in a row in cattle class

Booking seats isn’t always that easy especially when you’re trying to accommodate a larger group. I think you’re being hard on your dh. Some airlines leave certain rows unbookable because they sell different tickets classes (not cabins) for those that don’t want to pay for seat reservations. Any 2s I’ve ever seen are usually at the back and maybe they weren’t available/ only one available so one of your friends would be sat alone further down the plane. I’m assuming this was a request you made after the flights were booked? How would you feel if you were on a plane with no 2s? How would you feel (as has happened to me on many occasions) the airline change the plane and your seats change completely? I’d try to stop feeling hurt and furious and look forward to your upcoming trip. I almost feel a bit sorry for the lovely friend.

This! 🤣
OP, you sound very precious

I'm with pp, is it you don't want to sit with ANYONE but your husband, or just not with people you know??

Is this just a work up so you can say to the group ' I just can't possibly travel like this'.... and guilt the friend in 1st class to switch as you're like soooo distraught?

Sorry am missing something.

You want to just sit with your husband on a flight where it's impossible that only two people sit together.
So instead of either of you sitting with a stranger, you sit with a friend
So that friend, who isn't in a couple, will now have some to sit with.

What a bastard...I'd leave him

You sound controlling...your "express" wishes! I think you are a little odd.

Seriously YABU.

He did you a favour. There is zero way of knowing if the third seat would of been taken by stranger, the last four flights I have been on I have refused to pay for a “seat” and just accept where they stick me.

you have had a lucky escape

The only time I have ever been on a plane with only 2 seats together in economy was on a fairly small turbo prop. I've never known it on a long haul flight, so unless you're in business class or possibly premium economy I doubt it was an option. Surely better to be between people you know than with a stranger?

Are you an introvert? I am and find being stuck with people draining, even if I love them. So I’m with you.

But it’s nice to include your friend and it’s done now so if it can’t be changed I’d try and make the most of it and have a good time.

Ok, I feel like I need to clarify some things (which usually makes it worse on Mumsnet).

I would certainly like to sit with my friend than a stranger. Sitting with my friend is not my issue with this situation. I was upset that after my husband and I had a conversation and had decided how we were going to travel (if possible) and then my husband deliberately disregarded that plan and didn't even mention it to me.

I agree my DH is being kind to our friend.

I see no reason to have made my own reservations as many have suggested. We had a conversation about the flights and we had agreed on what our plan was going to be.

I have no phobia about sitting next to people in general but am self conscious because I may take up more room than some people and I fear someone will be uncomfortable.

I have no idea how many planes have two seat set ups but this particular plane did

The person telling me I should fly private made me laugh out loud.

Plenty of planes have a two seat configuration. I'm in the Middle East and the planes used by Lufthansa and KLM from here are 2-4-2 in economy. Turkish have it too on some planes. They won't be the only ones. Attached image is the KLM A330-300.

Sometimes there's also a random two seat configuration towards the back of economy, on 3-3-3 and 3-4-3 configured aircraft.

Well surely if you’re big then the friend next to you will understand more and not make a comment. Most people would. I would definitely complain if someone big took over part of my seat. Tell your partner to go back onto the seat reservations and move your seats. Depends on the airline though as most are 3-3 or 2-4-2.

“I see no reason to have made my own reservations as many have suggested”

but you’re the one being difficult/having particular preferences about the seating arrangements so that’s a very good reason to have made your own reservations

Normally when you select allocated seating you have to choose seats for the whole party at the same time - are you, your DH and the other person on the same booking?

If so, it wouldn't have looked very good on him if he chose a row of two seats for you and him and sat her somewhere where else would it?

Maybe he had to book three seats together because you are a group of three?

If you aren't all on the same booking how did he access the friend's booking to select her seat? Or did they book over the phone together at the same time, in which the case the friend might have persuaded your DP to book a row of three?

I think you are getting a hard deal here OP. We all have our quirks and things that make us more concerned than others. Your reasoning totally makes sense. It also means you have to go in the middle which is the worst! I agree that your husband should have respected your wishes and tried to alleviate your concerns. Your friend may not even want to sit with you both anyway and saying yes to be polite. He could have reserved a two and then the one across the aisle for example. Hope the flight is ok. (ps. I would still get your partner to sit in the middle, 6ft 3 or otherwise)

Your sat between your husband and your friend then? Can't see the issue. You sound like hard work.