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Original poster

AIBU - Seating on Airplane

61 replies

Abidan68 · 10/01/2023 18:21

Just got back from a hols in the USA with a lovely couple but they are very much of the view that they do what they want to do and it is all about them.

get on plane for return flight and there are seats booked - 3 at the front in a row then one at the side next to 2 other seats which are slightly set back

friends and husband take the 3 seats without any discussion or “do you mind” about me sitting on own and they all unpacked bags/got settled and I just stood there. I know the other female in the group would never have sat on her own and her husband wouldn’t have allowed her. I am steaming that there wasn’t even a discussion about the seating and cross with my husband that he didn’t actually say anything. There were people around us and therefore I felt I had no choice but to sit down

they all sat and chatted and had a laugh and I just sat there

it had been a long day to maybe Uber sensitive but am I being unreasonable that my husband should have at least showed some sort of display of caring for where I sat? I raised with him on way home in car and I am now getting the silent treatment

AIBU?

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 10/01/2023 18:24

Why hadn’t you booked 2+2 seats in the first place , alternatively you should have said something to your husband at the time .

thistimelastweek · 10/01/2023 18:25

You are not being unreasonable.
They were all rude.
At the very least, seats could have been swapped around during the journey.

LIZS · 10/01/2023 18:26

Who checked you in or booked the seats? Why did you not agree configuration in advance if it were important?

ladymacbeth · 10/01/2023 18:27

Erm. Why can't women sit on their own?

ErrolTheDragon · 10/01/2023 18:28

I know the other female in the group would never have sat on her own and her husband wouldn’t have allowed her.

Really?Confused
Leaving that oddity aside, it was a bit rude for there to be no discussion but if it actually mattered to you why on earth didn't you say something instead of just standing there?

thunderstruckk · 10/01/2023 18:28

Plane seats are assigned on your boarding pass - did they sit in the seat assigned to you? If not I see no issue.

RedHelenB · 10/01/2023 18:29

I'd have asked my husband to swap with me halfway so I could have some conversation too. If you don't speak up at the time you're only hurting yourself.

mynameiscalypso · 10/01/2023 18:30

I can't be the only person who would be incredibly grateful at having the solo seat surely?

redskydelight · 10/01/2023 18:31

This wouldn't have bothered me at all.
But as it bothered you, why didn't you say (at least to your husband) that you didn't want to sit on your own?

PacificallyRequested · 10/01/2023 18:31

Someone had to sit on their own, why shouldn't it have been you? I think you got the best deal personally!

Georgyporky · 10/01/2023 18:31

Someone had to sit on their own as no-one had booked 2+2.

"I know the other female in the group would never have sat on her own and her husband wouldn’t have allowed her."

I really don't get this, unless she has a disability or he's a wanker.

Ratched · 10/01/2023 18:32

Tbh, I'd have loved that.
My best flight was sitting separate from DH, and happily reading, eating, drinking and dreaming with no annoying 'chat'.

IhearyouClemFandango · 10/01/2023 18:33

mynameiscalypso · 10/01/2023 18:30

I can't be the only person who would be incredibly grateful at having the solo seat surely?

Me too! Bliss.

Onnabugeisha · 10/01/2023 18:35

Id be happy to not be piggy in the middle, getting a solo seat on the side (aisle? Window?) is much better than insisting on sitting next to my DH and being given the middle seat as a result.

LordSugarTits · 10/01/2023 18:41

Was that the seat on your boarding card? Why didn't you book 2 together if you didn't want to sit alone?

JorisBonson · 10/01/2023 18:43

This seems like an absolute non issue. It was just a plane journey. As long as there isn't a bigger problem, ie you were left on your own all holiday, I really can't see the problem.

So yes, YABU and over sensitive.

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 10/01/2023 18:58

Blimey, I'd have been delighted!

QueenMabs · 10/01/2023 19:00

I have found the only rule
with airline seats it's that YOU SIT IN THE ASSIGNED SEAT. Even if it's your husbands or child's you'd rather have.

You have missed the crucial bit!

Was your seat the one set back if so YABU.

If it was someone else's YANBU.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/01/2023 19:01

Someone had to sit on their own, and it might as well be you as anyone. However, it was a bit nasty of your husband in particular not to offer to swap or ask you minded. It’s not nice to just abandon the other half of the couple you’re part of without a work.

Should really have been booked 2+2 in the first place though

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/01/2023 19:01

Personally I’d have wanted either aisle seat regardless of whether on own or with another two though. But it’s polite to check!

tillytoodles1 · 10/01/2023 19:11

I've sat on my own on a trip home from the US,as the friend who's seat it was is terrified of flying and didn't want to sit with strangers. I read my book and I was fine. My husband was sat behind me so we could talk if we wanted something.

Luana1 · 10/01/2023 19:17

It was really unreasonable of your husband to at least not offer to swap but personally I would have chosen the seat on its own. Did the couple get on the plane first and the crucial question which you haven't answered was was everyone sitting in their assigned seats as in did the couple have the seats next to each other on their tickets?

Galliano · 10/01/2023 19:19

Perhaps this is a reverse? My AIBU would be if my DH lumbered me with this whilst he sat elsewhere in peace!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/01/2023 19:24

Yes I think it doesn’t matter what each of us would choose, it’s the no discussion that’s rude

FlounderingFruitcake · 10/01/2023 19:24

I know the other female in the group would never have sat on her own and her husband wouldn’t have allowed her.
WTF

But you (the group, not you personally) could have booked seats in a configuration in 2 pairs but didn’t. You can also chat across the aisle, should you want to. The aisle is also more desirable to a lot of people so I for one would say you had the advantage versus whoever took a middle seat. If it’s a typical night flight you just sleep anyway. My 5YO has done a flight sat across the aisle from DH (rebooked after a cancellation and it was a fully booked flight) whilst I was 2 rows back with the baby and she was fine so sorry but I really don’t get it.

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