A plane passenger is calling out a fellow traveler for saving multiple rows of seats on a recent flight.
After boarding their Southwest flight, the original poster (OP) noticed a woman sitting in the middle seat of row two, they recalled in a March 6 Reddit post. While they initially had no problem with this, things took a turn as they made their way further down the aisle.
“[I] look over and a purse is in the aisle seat across from her. No problem again. Look at row 3, purse on the middle seat of each side. Um ok…row 4 same thing!” they wrote.
The OP decided to sit in the aisle seat of row four — one of the rows with a purse in it. The seat saver was not a fan.
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“Lady in [the] middle seat [of] row 2 says all these rows are taken. I said, ‘No they’re not. Too bad!’ ” they wrote. “I told her if you want to save 3 rows, go towards the rear of the plane.”
The woman did not appreciate that response, leading her to reply with a “fake laugh.”
Soon, more passengers began boarding the plane. Newcomers asked if seats in rows two and three were open. The OP informed them they were. Those spots began filling as the seat saver’s family started boarding.
“Her family started sitting in the leftovers of rows 2-3. She even let her kids go to the back, while the adults sat with her!” the OP wrote.
They added their discontent: “A clear case of buying business select and trying to hold 3 rows for the entire family. I’m usually not confrontational, just wanna go home. But this one was something.”
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Commenters shared their grievances, with one writing: “Why the h— is it so important for people to sit together? We’re all enclosed in the plane, so it’s not like anyone is going to be lost. Grow up.”
“I’m just curious how she carried 5 purses on the plane,” another asked.
Under Southwest’s current open-seating policy, there are no rules against seat saving. Instead, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Once onboard, simply choose any available seat and stow your carryon items in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you,” the airline details on their official website.
However, the airline announced in 2024 that they would be making the switch to assigned seating. In the second half of 2025, Southwest will begin selling assigned seats, though this new model will not fully take effect until 2026.
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Southwest “has been known for its unique open seating model for more than 50 years, but preferences have evolved with more Customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred,” the airline wrote in a press release when they announced the change in July 2024.
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