Skip to content 
AITA for Refusing to Give Up My First Class Seat for a Child? A few weeks ago, my boyfriend (27M) surprised me with a first-class ticket for a long-haul flight. He’s been thriving in his career and wanted to treat me, and I was over the moon since I’d never flown first class before. We had two connecting 12-hour flights on an airline known for its top-notch first-class service.
Once we boarded and I settled into my seat, I was a bit overwhelmed by the luxury. Growing up lower middle class, this was a completely new experience for me. About 20 minutes before takeoff, a flight attendant came over with a woman and a young boy, probably around 6 years old. The woman explained that due to a booking error, her son had ended up in economy while she had a first-class seat. She asked if I would switch seats with her son so he could also experience first class.
I felt quite uncomfortable about this. Although I felt for the child’s disappointment, this was a special gift from my boyfriend, and I was really looking forward to the experience. I politely declined, explaining it was my first time in first class and I wanted to enjoy it. The woman seemed frustrated and argued that her son would appreciate it more than I would and that it was unfair because I didn’t pay for the ticket myself.
The flight attendant seemed to support the woman, hinting that I should be more accommodating. After a moment, my boyfriend stood up and addressed the flight attendant, stating that he had purchased the tickets, was a platinum member of the airline, and booked all his company’s business trips with them. He added that if I were moved to economy, he would take his business elsewhere. Eventually, the woman and her son returned to business class. I noticed the flight attendant giving me disapproving looks throughout the flight.
When I told my boyfriend about what happened, he assured me I did nothing wrong and that it was disrespectful to even ask for my seat. However, some friends think I should have given up my seat to the child, suggesting it would have been the kind thing to do, especially since I didn’t pay for the ticket myself. AITA?
read more: REDDIT
AITA for Refusing to Give Up My First Class Seat for a Child?
Want More: Reddit Stories
A few weeks ago, a woman in her early twenties was delighted when her boyfriend surprised her with a first-class ticket for a long-haul flight. Having never experienced first class before, she was excited about the luxury and comfort, especially since they had two connecting 12-hour flights with a highly-rated airline.
Once they boarded and she settled into her seat, she felt a bit overwhelmed by the opulence, given her lower-middle-class background. Just before takeoff, a flight attendant approached her with a woman and a young boy, around six years old. The woman explained that a booking error had placed her son in the economy, despite having a first-class ticket for him, and asked if the woman would switch seats with her son so he could enjoy the first class as well.
Feeling uncomfortable, the woman declined the request, explaining that it was her first time in first class and she wanted to fully enjoy the experience. The woman requesting the switch argued that her son would appreciate it more and pointed out that she hadn’t paid for the ticket herself.
The flight attendant seemed to support the woman’s request, subtly suggesting that the woman should be more accommodating. At this point, the woman’s boyfriend intervened, stating that he had purchased the tickets, was a platinum member of the airline, and that he booked all his company’s business trips with them. He warned that if the woman were moved to the economy, he would consider taking his business elsewhere. Eventually, the woman and her son returned to business class. Throughout the flight, the woman noticed the flight attendant casting disapproving glances her way.
After the flight, the woman’s boyfriend reassured her that she had done nothing wrong and that it was disrespectful for the other passenger to have made such a request. However, some friends of the woman felt she should have given up her seat, arguing it would have been a kind gesture, particularly since she didn’t pay for the ticket herself.
Let’s catch up on the top Comments on the Reddit Posts: AITA for Refusing to Give Up My First Class Seat for a Child?
Bellefior Writes:
I was on a long haul flight from Europe. I had a tight connection to make and specifically booked the aisle first row of economy for this reason.
I was asked if I would switch my seat for a woman who was traveling with two kids under the age of 10 and a teenager. I asked where she wanted to move me and I would have been in the back of the plane next to the teenager. I declined, said if it was first I’d do it but otherwise it was a no because of the connection. Did not feel guilty about it.
Had I been sitting in first and asked to move, I would have told them to pound sand.
Edited to add: NTA.
Human-Shirt-7351 Writes:
Exactly. Booking error my ass.
I’d have suggested she switch with someone in Coach so she could sit with her son.
I never give up my seat unless I’m getting an upgrade. I don’t care what pity party I get from someone. I paid for my seat, I’m sitting in it.
Definitely- I am pretty positive that every flight attendant has heard the “I actually booked first class, but there was a glitch” line a dozen times from people trying to score a free upgrade.
I doubt any of them would actually believe it.
And if it were true, most airlines would probably try to make a deal with the passenger giving up their seat. They wouldn’t just say “I know you paid for first class, but you’re just going to have to eat all that money because little Timmy wants to sit here.”
I have a hard time believing a lot of these stories (still fun to read) but many people have the tendency to over explain themselves even in situations where they don’t have to give a reason. Which makes them complete targets for choosing beggars. My old job used to have pan handlers really bad, one girl kept explaining all the reasons why she had no money to a guy asking. Which led him into bullying her to the point she opened her wallet to him to prove it. I kicked him out, and just told her “no” is a one word sentence and don’t ever open your wallet like that to a complete stranger.
Flashy-Promise-6915 Writes:
Flight attendant didn’t want to look after a 6yo in economy as you can tell that the mother didn’t want to give up FC
I would report to the airline – have platinum with the other half and this is completely inappropriate. I know how much BC or FC costs even bought with FF points or the cost – the mother was trying to get an upgrade at economy prices, which the attendant should not have allowed to get to this stage.
