Woman Boards Delta Flight To Los Angeles. Someone’s Sitting In Her Seat. Then It Gets Worse

In the past few years, it really feels like people have forgotten how to behave on airplanes.

This isn’t just a vibe—there’s actually some data to support the idea that airplane passengers have become increasingly feral. In 2017, the FAA claimed there were just 544 unruly passenger incidents. Just a few years later, there was an average of over 2,000 unruly passengers per year. While numbers have gone down recently, they’re still substantially higher than pre-COVID levels.

This unruliness can take a few forms. It can be a passenger trying to push past others to leave the plane early; it can be a grown man being so rude and obstinate that the plane has to turn around. No matter what form it takes, even a small incident can ruin a flight for everyone on board.

One passenger recently sparked discussion after claiming that common airplane etiquette about seat switching wasn’t followed on a flight, nearly ruining her experience. But is she right?

What Went Wrong On This Flight?

In a video with over 317,000 views, TikTok user Mel Mitchell (@thebaddestmitch) says she recently experienced rude behavior on a flight. Now, she’s saying that airplane etiquette is a “lost art.”

“If you are with your family, y’all get separated in seats, which is an inconvenience…that is on Delta. Take it up with the gate agent,” she starts. “And [if] you want someone to switch seats with you, do not sit in the seats first and ask questions later. You sit in your assigned seats, and [then] be like, ‘Hey, is it okay if we switch?’”

According to Mitchell, she recently boarded a four-and-a-half-hour flight on which she had a window seat. Specifically, she says she had a window seat in F, which she says is ideal for sleeping on a long flight.

However, when she got to her seat, she saw that there was already a couple settling into her row.

“I see there’s a small child in my seat, and they’re all sat as a family together,” Mitchell states. “And they were just like, ‘Oh, you know, we’re a family, we were together, blah, blah, blah.’ I’m just like, ‘Don’t care. I paid for the seat.’”

What Happened Next?

After Mitchell demanded her seat back, she claims that the husband left the row and went to his assigned seat—a middle seat on the opposite side of the plane.

“You’ve gotta at least offer a better seat,” notes Mitchell. “I’m not going from window to middle and on the other side. I’m not doing that.”

In response, Mitchell says the remaining family members were “passive aggressive” toward her. But Mitchell is insistent that she didn’t do anything wrong.

“This is unfortunate; it’s an inconvenience, but it’s my seat,” she declares. “Take that up with the people. Or at least ask first. But…I don’t owe you my seat.”

She closes by reiterating that, if it were a fair trade or a trade that upgraded her, she may have considered it. However, in that particular situation, she says she should not feel obligated to switch seats.

Is She Right?

Basically every “expert” or etiquette article on this topic agrees with Mitchell’s position.

Speaking to the Washington Post, etiquette expert and former flight attendant Jacqueline Whitmore says it’s acceptable to ask to swap seats if a traveler is separated from someone who depends on them for care. For example, if a minor child would be left alone without a swap, it is acceptable (etiquette-wise) to ask for a switch.

Still, she says that there are no guarantees. Instead, she advises raising the issue with the airline prior to boarding, not another passenger.

A flight attendant speaking with Travel + Leisure echoed this advice. Talk to the gate agent first. If that doesn’t work, wait until boarding is finished, then ask. When asking, be aware of who you are asking to swap seats and where you are asking them to go. For example, a young person swapping their window seat for another window seat may be okay. Asking an old person to get out of their aisle seat to move to a middle seat on the other side of the plane? That’s a no-go.

Some airlines also have a commitment to fee-free family seating. Airlines with this policy can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.

Commenters Say She’s Right

In the comments section, users affirmed that Mitchell was correct to behave in the way that she did.

“They bought their seats assuming they could guilt someone into switching,” wrote a user.

“These airlines are so ridiculous, it’s their fault,” stated another. “If people buy tickets together, they should automatically have seats together unless they choose otherwise.”

“I mean seat selection is a thing – they can choose a row well before the flight,” offered a third. “You’re not an [expletive] because they don’t know how to plan!”

“lol a couple tried this with me! Offered a seat at the backkkk of the plane from my comfort seat. Hit em with ‘I’m ok‘ and plopped my headphones back on cause what?” recalled a further TikTok user.

BroBible reached out to Mitchell via email and Instagram direct message as well as to Delta via media relations contact form.