“Sleeping” Passenger Snatches Window Seat

June 26, 2011

in Seat Stories

Travelling alone most of the time, I make sure to always get a window seat even for long haul flights. I do not need to go the bathroom often and I always make sure to go whenever the people next to me go. Also, I find the window a good place to lean on when I happen to sit beside someone whose person spills onto my space. If I was on the aisle seat, that would mean I will be bumped by the food cart and passing people while I sleep. So it has always been a window seat for me. Thankfully, since the dawn of online check-in, getting a window seat has been easier.

Anyway, I was on this BA flight on my way back to LHR. When I saw my seat, there was a big lady sitting in it “sleeping.” Sitting in the aisle seat was her companion, a big man. The man was smiling at me when I indicated that the lady was sitting in my seat. He asked if I would mind sitting in the middle seat instead since she was already “sleeping.” I said, yes I do mind. He just shrugged.

When I am in such a situation, I always just call on the flight attendant to help me sort it out. As per usual, I showed the flight attendant my boarding ticket and explained the problem. He then proceeded to wake up the “sleeping” lady, and explained to her that she needed to transfer to her seat. She complained loudly that she was already comfortably seated (her words) and would the passenger (me) just sit in her seat. The attendant didn’t even ask me, proceeding to explain that no, she had to transfer and that I am entitled to get the window seat.

She very reluctantly stood up with “words” and gave me my seat. And she cursed all throughout the flight. Of course, since she was a big lady, she spilled onto my space. But I just kept quiet and leaned on the window so that there would be no more tension.

Then came the meals. While the rest of us were finishing our meals, she conferred with her companion about something. And I was thinking, “What is it this time?” She called the flight attendant and asked for 2 more meals because their meals weren’t enough.

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Weetniet June 28, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Good story! You handled the situation well! Just one question: Did you keep the armrests down throughout the flight (to prevent spillage of fat)?

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Sacha June 28, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Haha I think I know these people. I was sitting behind a pair just like them on a flight from Alaska to Chicago. They tried to pull the same trick with the guy assigned to the window seat on that flight! Thankfully the flight was not full and the flight attendant just found the man another seat. You and the attendant were very mature in that situation.

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skyfly June 28, 2011 at 11:51 pm

I am ashamed for people who are so greedy as to ask for more meals- I think you're not in the town buffet anymore, TOTO!!! : /

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The Teenaged Tourist July 5, 2011 at 7:59 am

Due to living in China, I fly Air China all the time and I often get bored mid-flight (the only form of entertainment are Chinese programs from the drop down TV). So I go hang out with the flight attendants in the galley. On my last flight, I was hanging out with them when they started to eat.

"Hong Kong catering gave us 23 extra meals. Do you want a second serving?" asked the steward

"Thanks for the offer. Can I have another fried rice. If possible, can I have an extra serving of bread pudding? I actually enjoyed it!"

"Coming right up my friend!" He chimed and unlocked a cart, containing the un-served meals.

Long story short, I had a buffet with the crew and thanked them by preparing the galley and locking the lavatory for landing. When they told me they throw away the extra food, i told them to give it all to me. They refused to give me the hot meals due to quarantine regulations but they did give me all the bread rolls they didn't serve. After landing, I was there, walking like a smug idiot with the captain and crew. My carry-on bag in one hand, a big bag of free bread in the other.

I'm Such a Fat A**, but at least I fit comfortably in one seat!

The Teenaged Tourist

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Gregg - admin July 5, 2011 at 9:53 pm

Congratulations on having a very rare flight from heaven Teenaged Tourist!

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The Teenaged Tourist July 6, 2011 at 10:17 am

Hahaha! It's so hard for me to get a Flight From Hell in China! Due to Asian hospitality, it is uncommon to find an unfriendly flight crew with Air China…. Well in my experience of course!

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Belle June 29, 2011 at 3:10 am

Good for you in standing up for your rights. And good for the flight attendant making the woman move. Too many times I've read stories where the flight attendants won't make someone move when they're in the wrong seat, so it's refreshing to hear of a flight attendant doing what's right.

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Tilikum July 14, 2011 at 1:17 am

Ditto other comments

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