Woman refused to swap plane seats for family, dividing TikTok
The controversy over plane etiquette continues to rage, with a woman sparking a heated debate after refusing to move seats.
A fiery TikTok from the passenger defending her decision to stay put despite a family’s pleas ignited a furious conversation about accommodating fellow air travelers — particularly those with kids.
Mom of two Maresa Friedman uploaded the video defending her decision, saying she’s not a villain for not swapping her seat on a Delta flight so a family could sit in the same row.
In a series of clips, Friedman explained the family of three had asked that she move from her seat — which she had chosen specifically — so they could sit together.
“I’m sorry moms and families but as a fellow mom I’m not a villain for not giving up my seat,” she captioned the clip, which has been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
As the seats in first class offered two on each side of the aisle, the family wanted Friedman to move so they could sit together in the seat next to each other as well as occupy the seat closed to the isle in the middle
But she refused, instead suggesting that the family move into a different section of the plane that was in a different formation.
This reportedly only infuriated the family further.
“[After suggesting they move sections] I just got ‘the look,’” the frustrated flyer revealed.
“The flight attendant looked at me and was like, ‘That was a good suggestion,’ but it didn’t stop this mom from [giving me] side eye,” she recalled. “I was getting looked at, she was talking about me.”
Friedman responded to those telling her she should have moved, saying as a mother herself, she always prepares when flying with children.
“Even in the early stages and I would buy my baby a seat next to me,” she said. “But when you book with the airlines, you have to tell them to book your reservations together and that you’re traveling with a minor. That way, when they are looking to bump people they make sure to set you next to one another.”
Commenters were quick to weigh in on the situation, divided over who was in the wrong.
“It’s called just being a nice person lol. Don’t see the issue with switching to a dif 1st class seat,” one user chastised the TIkToker.
“Was there a reason you couldn’t move to be nice? Or like, you just didn’t feel like being nice?” asked another.
Others applauded her for not switching seats.
“Their lack of planning does not constitute your emergency,” one user wrote, with another commenting that they would have done the same.
“Thank you! Other people having kids is not my problem,” added another.
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