'AITA for standing my ground and not swapping seats with a man who faked crying on a plane?'

A 22-year-old Redditor found himself in an unexpected and uncomfortable situation on a flight home after visiting friends
PUBLISHED FEB 17, 2025
Redditor found himself in an awkward situation when he got on the plane (Ivan-balvan/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Redditor found himself in an awkward situation when he got on the plane (Ivan-balvan/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

A 22-year-old Redditor found himself in an unexpected and uncomfortable situation on a flight home after visiting friends.

The young traveler had pre-booked a window seat to enjoy some music and relax during the journey, only to discover a man in his seat when he boarded the plane.

The passenger, a man in his 30s, had his own seat but insisted on taking the Redditor's window seat, creating a heated argument that left the OP feeling unsettled and frustrated.

Redditor finds himself in an awkward situation when he gets on the plane

(Reddit)
(Reddit)

The Reddit user with the handle @sleepermood shared a post titled, "AITA for refusing to switch seats on a plane, with a guy that was fake crying and saying 'I need this seat today.'"

The 22-year-old male began by explaining his situation, "So I (22M) recently took a flight home after visiting some friends. I booked my seat months in advance—a nice window seat, because I like to put my music on and just vibe, I mean who doesn't?"

He continued describing the encounter on the plane: "I get on the plane, and there’s already a guy (probably mid-30s) sitting in my seat. I politely tell him that he’s in the wrong spot. He looks up and just goes, 'Oh yeah, I was hoping you’d switch with me. I have a middle seat like five rows back.'"

The Redditor explained how the conversation unfolded: "I tell him, 'Yeah, no thanks, I picked this seat for a reason.' He sighs super dramatically and goes, 'Come on, man, have a heart.' I just shake my head and say, 'Sorry, but I’m sitting in the seat I paid for.'"

The post then detailed the aftermath, "At this point, he starts to tell me every bad thing that has happened in his LIFE because clearly he wasn't that sad of a person but wanted to seem like one. And then he starts crying... Like, loud, over-the-top sobs. The lady next to him looks super uncomfortable. The flight attendant comes over to ask what’s going on, and before I can even say anything, he goes, 'Is there no humanity left on you ASSHOLE?'"

The 22-year-old continued, recounting his conversation with the flight attendant, "I explain the situation, and the flight attendant just stares at him and goes, '…Sir, please move.' Dude gets up all huffy and says, 'Wow. Some people are just heartless.' Then he dramatically walks off to his middle seat. I thought that was the end of it, but when we landed, he stood up, looked me dead in the eyes, and said. 'I hope you have a terrible life.'"

The post ended with the Redditor asking, "So, AITA for not switching seats??"

Internet dubs flight passenger a 'loser' for crying over seat

(Reddit)
(Reddit)

Upon hearing about the Redditor's conflict with a flight passenger who cried over not getting the OP's seat, users expressed support for the OP, agreeing that he was in the right for sticking to his paid seat.

One user wrote, "His parents never told him no. You’re NTA." Another commenter said, "You know you're not the ahole. Why do need to seek validation from strangers on what is clearly a straight forward thing."

(Reddit)
(Reddit)

One Redditor shared, "He had the option to pay extra to choose his seat, but instead chose to make a spectacle. You did nothing wrong and have nothing to feel guilty about. Two words…. F**k him."  A person mocked, "Crying over a plane seat? What a loser. I would have laughed at him."

Someone else said, "NTA, My go to for these situations is "Everyone has problems. Poor planning on your behalf does not constitute an emergency on mine. Please move along."" 

(Reddit)
(Reddit)

One user declared, "NTA his was definitely trying to manipulate you. Like alot of people get awkward when a guy crys and do what they want. I'd of straight up said sure for X amount of money."

A user on Reddit wrote, "NTA. I’d have responded “I hope you die in a fire cursing my name, you pathetic manipulative child.”

(Reddit)
(Reddit)

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online

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