How Plane Passenger Dealt With Couple Stealing First Class Seats Applauded

One traveler's airplane debacle has ignited heated debate online after they shared the frustrating travel encounter with others on Reddit.

In a post on the r/Delta subreddit, user Zealousideal-Host467 detailed how a middle-aged couple sat in their and their husband's first class seats and told them they were overreacting when they asked if they would move.

The incident has since garnered over 12,000 upvotes and 2,000 comments, with an overwhelming number of people rallying behind the traveler.

The couple, apparently eager to sit closer to their friends, intentionally moved forward despite it not being their seats.

On the Reddit post, Zealousideal-Host467 said: "When I was confused they said, 'Oh sorry [we're] in the wrong seats, well you can have our seats,' which were a row behind, but I paid for and selected the seats I wanted for a reason."

But rather than apologizing and moving, the couple argued back.

"[They] made me feel stupid for asking and kept saying 'you must not fly much because this isn't a big deal,' and 'we just got comfortable and you're making us move,'" the Redditor said.

Delta Airlines declined to comment when contacted by Newsweek.

Online, people were furious with the situation. Some argued that the couple was attempting to guilt-trip the poster into accepting the alternate seats, while others noted that frequent flyers wouldn't resort to condescension or attempt to make the situation seem insignificant.

Reddit user Yourhighness77 said: "That condescending attitude is so annoying. THEY must not fly much because people who steal seats and refuse to move are a*******."

Elizabeth Wyse, editorial director of Debretts etiquette coaching company told Newsweek: "If someone is sitting in your allocated seat, you are perfectly entitled to ask them to move. You may well have selected the seat for a reason and paid for the privilege. Seat numbers are clearly displayed above the seats and on the boarding pass, and there is, therefore, no reason for a mix-up."

Wyse encouraged travelers to stand their ground in situations like this and involve flight attendants if necessary.

"You were absolutely in the right to get them to move. Screw them. They were trying to bully you," one Redditor commented on the viral post.

Another commenter who said they were a flight attendant said: "In my opinion, this is the proper etiquette: if you get to your row and discover that someone is in your seat, tell them that they're in your seat and politely ask them to move to their assigned seat. If that doesn't work or there are further problems, locate a flight attendant for assistance."

Newsweek reached out to Zealousideal-Host467 via Reddit for comment.