Seat saving is an ongoing flight etiquette debate, but it could be a moot point soon.
Recent rumblings fromSouthwest Airlines’CEO , Bob Jordan , suggested that the airline’sopen seating policymight soon be come to an end in a bidding to increase receipts . Thepolicyallows mass to choose whichever seat they want upon boarding , with the ability to bear to be in earlier embarkment groups to stop up better seats . The arrangement is just one of the manner that Southwest has differentiated itself from other American carriers .
But , while some people are fray over the likely change to the policy , it might be a relief for people dealing with the etiquette crisis that is fundament saving . With everyone being able to choose their own backside , it theoretically should make it well-to-do for parties traveling together to find seats next to each other . But depending on how the planer is boarded , you could still end up seat apart from your go companions . So , to forbid this ordeal , some masses redeem behind while embarkment .
But that can make other people on the plane jolly irritated , as one Redditor outlined in ther / SouthwestAirlines subreddit . The traveler said they were traveling alone from Atlanta on a completely full Southwest flight . They boarded in Group A and chose a window seat .
Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty Images
" As someone walked by , they threw an iPad and a neck pillow into the two seats beside me to save them , " the Redditor , notthevaledictorian , detailed . " I was n’t able to see who it was . The escape was getting progressively full and people were giving me dirty looks and even read ' you ca n’t reserve seats ' to me as they walked by . I was getting really stressed because I did n’t desire to get in trouble for seat saving . "
In the thread , debate sparked on whether these types of billet should be the basis for ban Southwest ’s open seating policy altogether — or if there should be an expressed forbiddance on stern saving from Southwest . presently , there isno forbidding or specific languageregarding the practice , and travelers in the thread report that it often goes unaddressed by escape attendants during the busybodied and ofttimes hectic embarkment summons .
The issue is a hot - button topic in theSouthwest Airlines community of interests discussion forum . When one person asked about a person in embarkation group A relieve seat for kin members in later boarding groups , other meeting place members were quick to channelise out that there is no insurance policy against seat saving — but that there was also no policy against sitting in a seat that someone else had " saved . " One respondent to the subject matter board outlined the stakes clearly :
But just like the question ofwhich armrest is yours , when is it ok torecline your seat , and how to deal with peoplerequesting to switch seats , there is not a single worldwide consensus on thisetiquette enquiry .
The advice on how to continue either as a seat saver or someone handle with a backside saver is situationally specific . A rule of thumb is to try not to assume the worst of masses and to pass . If you explain why you need the seat , the soul next to the saved seat might feel less resentful . Also , just endeavor to ignore other masses as much as possible . asunder from help someone who might call for assistance on the plane , once you get in your ass , forget the rest of other people ’s antics alone .
Also , as someone who has embraced the joy of assigned seating area at places like picture theaters , concerts , and ball games — I have to say it solves many of these problems .
Looking for more travel tips?
Whether you need helpsneaking Mary Jane onto a plane , finding an airport where you cansign up for PreCheck without an appointment , or making sure you ’re getting everything you ’re entitled towhen your flight is scrub , we ’ve get you cover . Keep read forup - to - date travel hacksandall the travel news show you needto help you plan your next braggy adventure .
