The man refused to swap plane seats with the 7-year-old boy (stock image)(Image: (Image: Getty))

Man refuses to swap plane seats so boy, 7, can sit with dad – and people agree

11 Jan 2025, 08:00 by Paige Freshwater · Irish Mirror

A man has received a round of applause for standing his ground after refusing to give up his seat to enable a seven-year-old to sit next to his dad on a flight.

The 29-year-old was looking forward to enjoying the view from the window on his short 70-minute journey and was surprised to find the boy in his seat upon boarding.

Sharing his experience on Reddit, he narrated how the father asked if he wouldn't mind swapping seats: "I pointed towards my seat and the father asked me if I would mind swapping so they could sit together, and that their seat is in the row behind it. I said that I would only swap if it is a window seat, and he said it is an aisle seat."

The situation turned tense when the father challenged him with a loaded question: 'So do you want to sit next to my son?' To which the passenger stood firm, declaring he didn't mind who his neighbour was, so long as he had the window seat. Despite being labelled unkind as he took his seat, the steadfast flyer simply advised the father to "behave himself".

He recounted: "I just stood there looking at him serious, I think he was trying to shame me initially but he didn't respond anything else to that. His wife was watching this the whole time. When somebody in the row behind saw it he offered to swap and sat next to me so they did eventually sit next to each other.

"For all I care they could have sat 20 rows apart or even booked a new flight, I had zero investment in this or their reasons. They can ask, I can say no and that should be the end of it. I didn't like the 'swap' happened before I approved it either. If they care that much they can book their seats in advance like everyone else. I didn't have a good reason why I need the window seat except that I like it and don't like the aisle seat."

Online reactions were strong, with one user commenting: "People need to stop thinking they're entitled to the seat someone else specifically picked out." Another chimed in: "I am tickled pink that you told him to behave himself! " A third added: "I'm not sure why people think lack of planning can be covered by personal relationships."

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