If you want your trip to have a good start, it is crucial that you ensure that you get the best seat on the plane. In turn, one TikToker has gone viral after highlighting the importance of what she calls the “middle seat strategy.”
In the twelve-second clip, TikTok user Kuch (@kuch3x) filmed herself in her airplane window seat before slowly panning the camera across the seating aisle, revealing that the middle seat was empty (except for some personal possessions). As for the third seat, the camera showed a man, presumably her partner, putting his thumb up to the camera.
“Blue Danube Waltz” played in the background, while an on-screen caption read: “When the middle seat strategy actually works during our flight.” Clearly, Kuch had hit the air travel jackpot, while the video amassed 1.5 million views.
BroBible reached out to Kuch via TikTok direct message.
What’s the Middle Seat Strategy?
In short, the middle seat strategy for couples is the best way to avoid unwanted seatmates invading your space. It involves booking a window and aisle seat in the same row in order to discourage other flyers from choosing the middle seat. In theory, this allows couples to have the whole row to themselves.
Kuch isn’t the only one to employ this strategy, as demonstrated by Instagram travel account @gs.travel, which is run by George and Melina. In a reel, the pair say in on-screen text that you can “outsmart the middle seat” and get a whole row for yourselves.
“When flying as a couple, try booking the aisle and window seats in a row of three,” they add in the video description. “Most people avoid choosing a middle seat, so there’s a good chance it will stay empty giving you extra space and a more comfortable flight! Of course, if someone does end up in the middle, you can always offer to switch so you can sit together. It’s a simple trick that often works!”
Meanwhile, in an interview with The Washington Post, airline reviewer Scott Leazenby also cited the benefits of the middle seat strategy.
“The chances of it working out are better the farther back in the plane you go,” he added. “People are more willing to put up with a middle seat if they’re closer to the front.”
What Did Commenters Think?
One commenter admitted they did the same. “My husband and I did this but then someone sat in the middle and declined our offer to switch to whichever seat she would prefer,” they wrote. “Was so awkward. We sat in silence for the whole flight.”
Another, a former gate agent, shared what they really thought about this strategy. “Seat hoggers as we call it,” they said. “As an ex gate agent, I used to love assigning people who are traveling alone in between the party of 2 cuz I know they’d have a good seat because the couple will most likely ask if they want window or aisle.”
Others seemed to delight in being able to ruin this strategy. “I would be very excited if I got stuck in a middle seat and found out it was a couple who would love to trade me for aisle or window,” a third admitted. “Stubborn people will never feel the joys of symbiosis.”
“I specifically look for seats like this and ask to move there to be inconvenient,” a fourth shared.
Meanwhile, a fifth commenter struggled when they found themselves in this situation. “This happened to me on a flight, I was the middle seat between a couple who did this,” they explained. “They proceeded to talk around me, passing snacks, etc the whole flight. I offered several times for them to switch seats so they can sit next to each other, but they declined. I was so annoyed lol I feel like it’s fine to try but be willing to switch seats if it doesn’t work out!”