This Is the Only Acceptable Way to Ask a Fellow Passenger to Switch Seats, According to a Flight Attendant

Here are all the right (and wrong) ways to ask to swap seats.

<p>Eyesfoto/Getty Images</p>

Eyesfoto/Getty Images

So, you’ve booked a flight along with a travel companion. But whoops — you either totally forgot to book seats beside one another or booked so late that side-by-side seats were no longer available. While it’s impossible to ask the airline to move your fellow passengers in advance so you can sit together, Whytney Rawls, a flight attendant and travel expert, says there are ways you can still find your way next to one another.

“There is absolutely a way and a time to ask fellow passengers to swap seats, along with circumstances in which you should never do this,” Rawls shares with Travel + Leisure.

Ask the gate agent for help.

To begin, Rawls suggests starting at the gate. If your flight isn’t completely full, the gate agent may be able to make last-minute adjustments to the seating chart to allow you and your companion to sit next to one another.

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Always wait until boarding is finished.

According to Rawls, “the unofficial, yet proper rules to follow are to always sit in your original seat first, wait until boarding is finished, and stay within your seating class/zone. Then — and only then — you may kindly ask a fellow passenger if you may swap with them.” She notes that if people sit in the wrong seat, this can cause havoc for both other passengers and the crew, so just be patient.

Be mindful of who you’re asking to swap seats.

Once boarding is complete, it’s time to make your move. However, Rawls says it’s critical to think long and hard before asking someone to swap seats. “You should never ask if the passenger you desire to swap with is a child, elderly, or anybody with special needs that require assistance, for obvious reasons,” Rawls tells T+L.

Consider where the person you’re trying to swap with is sitting.

Trying to move up a class? Yeah, sorry, that’s a no-no. “Don't ask to swap into an exit row or a seat with more legroom if you're not in the same class of seat,” Rawls says. “Typically passengers pay a premium for those seats, so it's not appropriate.”

Be cognizant of the flight crew’s time.

When it comes to swapping seats, you may politely request the assistance of a flight attendant, with some caveats. “You should always wait until they're not visibly busy for the best outcome,” Rawls shares.

The in-flight crew usually has a seating chart handy on their handheld device and is happy to accommodate the needs of customers, whenever possible. Bear in mind that there are usually 100 to 200 souls on board, and with all of the pre-flight responsibilities, a seat swap may not be a priority while preparing a flight for take-off.

Finally, always take 'no' for an answer.

Did the person say no? That’s a shame, but getting upset won’t help the situation. After all, they paid for their seat too. “If someone isn't willing to swap, regardless of their reasoning, don't argue with them,” Rawls says. “It's their seat.”

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