Via iStockphoto / @justplainmanshit TikTok
A Southwest passenger asked a flight attendant if he could move to an empty part of the plane, but it backfired.
Ever since Southwest Airlines changed its boarding policy, flyers have complained about seating issues.
For context, Southwest changed from an open seating policy to a closed policy in January 2026. While passengers used to be able to choose their own seat upon boarding, flyers must now purchase a place in advance if they wish to be seated in a specific part of the plane.
This change has attracted controversy. To start, some say that the higher-end seats they paid for did not come with the promised benefits. Others allege that they have purchased seats, only to later be placed on standby.
Now, a passenger is calling out the airline following a recent in-flight incident. Here’s why viewers are divided.
What Happened On This Southwest Flight?
In a video with over 230,000 views, TikTok user Kelly Wisner (@justplainmanshit) shows himself sitting on a Southwest Airlines flight. The cabin is revealed, and most of the seats appear empty.
With this in mind, the TikToker claims that he asked a flight attendant if he could move to another seat once the flight took off. Her answer stopped him in his tracks.
“I said, ‘Can I switch seats when we get in the air?’ And the lady said, ‘No, those are up-charged seats,’” the TikToker recounts. “No one else is getting on the plane, and you cannot move to the seat in front of you, because it’s a more expensive seat.”
In the caption, the TikToker adds that he was told he would need to upgrade to sit in those seats. This is despite the fact that, by his estimation, the flight was half empty.
“They [would] rather have the old couple next to me listen to my snoring than give them some comfort and let me move,” he writes in the caption.
By the end of the video, he dubs this situation “the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Why Don’t They Let You Switch Seats?
In some cases, stopping someone from switching to a different class makes sense.
For example, if there is an empty seat in First Class, allowing someone to move up may cause a dispute among passengers, as people in Economy may fight to get the First Class seat. Plus, the airline may have only stocked enough First Class-specific goods for the people who got a ticket, therefore making them unable to accommodate additional flyers in the class.
Not accommodating guests with just a little more legroom is less understandable. Still, there may be a reason why an airline wouldn’t want you to switch to a different seat.
In Southwest’s case, the airline switched from open to assigned seating in January 2026. At the same time, the airline debuted three different seating categories: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom. The former option is the standard ticket; the latter two are available for an upcharge.
Can You Just Switch Seats?
Some airlines will allow you to move around the cabin after takeoff. Usually, this is OK as long as you get permission from a flight attendant before doing so.
Southwest, however, seems to severely restrict passenger movement.
Earlier this year, a video went viral in which a woman claimed she was chastised by a flight attendant for moving to a row of empty seats.
The Southwest website underlines this strict policy. In a section about its updated seating policy, the website states that “with assigned seating, you’ll select your seat during booking for most fares, and it will be saved for you.” It specifies that you will not be able to choose your own seat after boarding.
Part of the reason for this enforcement may be due to the fact that passengers can buy upgraded seats under an hour before a domestic flight takes off. An airline could argue that, if passengers knew that they could regularly move to more expensive seats once the plane took off, they may be less likely to pay for them in advance.
Still, if you are on a flight and notice an empty seat, it doesn’t hurt to ask a flight attendant if you can move to it. The worst they can say is “no.”
Viewers Are Split
In the comments section, users were divided about which party was in the right.
Some sided with the airline.
“Why are you entitled to a product you didn’t pay for?” a user asked.
“Everyone wants everything for free,” added another.
“I would be p—- if i paid extra for my economy premium seat and you got to sit there for paying for a lower economy seat,” stated a third.
Others took the opposing position.
“Insane, and those defending this are also insane,” declared a commenter.
“For everyone giving analogies… United and American have let people move around. Also, southwest use to let you move,” noted a second.
BroBible reached out to Southwest Airlines via email and Wisner via Instagram and TikTok direct message.