'She fully intended to fly first class for economy prices': First-class airline passenger applauded after refusing to trade seats with an entitled mom

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jan 18, 2024 5:00 PM EST

Have you ever flown first class? For those of us who don't know what the luxurious cabins look like behind the curtain, it's a fantastical mystery to imagine the wonders that would be worth paying another $1,000+ for your ticket. Budget travelers cringe and roll their eyes at the thought of hot towelettes, fizzing champagne, and slightly-less-microwaved meals, but perhaps opulence at 32,000ft is worth the cost. But is a first-class ticket worth your dignity? 

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  • In our next story, one shamelessly entitled mother thought it would be prudent to risk everything for a chance to sit in first class. Quite frankly, this doesn't even seem like the first time she's tried to run this scam– judging by the tactical planning that went into traveling with a young child. 

  • Scroll for the entire story of entitlement, stubbornness, and a first-class passenger who knows where to draw the line of empathy.

  • 01
    r/r/amiwrong. Posted by u/WhisperingWonders7 17 hours ago Am I wrong for not giving up my first class plane seat for a mother and her child? I (24F) recently flew across the country for a work trip. My company had booked me a first class ticket for the long flight.
    via WhisperingWonders7
  • 02
    When I got to my seat, there was a mom flying with her young son, maybe 4 years old. She asked if I would mind switching to her economy seat so she could sit with her son in first class.
    via WhisperingWonders7
  • 03
    I politely declined and explained I had to work during the flight and really needed the space in first class. The mom got huffy and claimed I was being selfish. She said her son was too disruptive for a confined economy seat and she absolutely needed that extra space.
    via WhisperingWonders7
  • 04
    A flight attendant came over to mediate and the mom tried insisting I should "do the right thing." I reiterated that I couldn't give up my company-booked seat. Finally the mom retreated to her own seat, giving me nasty looks.
    via WhisperingWonders7
  • 05
    I felt bad for the kid, but I didn't think it was fair for this woman to demand I sacrifice the seat that I paid for. My company won't reimburse me for economy seats either. Still, the encounter left me wondering if I should have just done it for the sake of a mother and child. Amiwrong?
    via WhisperingWonders7
  • 06
    prick_lypears 17 hr. ago That's wild. I can't imagine why you'd be wrong for your conduct. 2.4k Reply Share Aquatichive 17 hr. ago I've never flown first class but if I did I would be damned if I'd give it up. What is wrong with people
    via prickl_ypears
  • 07
    milkandsalsa 16 hr. ago Right. Equal seat trade? Sure. Downgrade? Especially a huge downgrade like this? No. Way. Reply Share 591 RickMorty1-23 14 hr. ago All of it is a nope for me....for this type situation. Guarantee she was in the back trying to guilt someone to give up their aisle seat because she didnt pay for an assigned seat.
    via milkandsalsa
  • 08
    milkandsalsa 14 hr. ago She can trade with someone in economy; they can move to first class. Reply Share... 133 RickMorty1-23 He was in first class because he's too disruptive in economy. Load of . If he were disruptive in econ he'd be disruptive in 1st and that would be an even bigger problem. 12 hr. ago .
    via milkandsalsa
  • 09
    Possible Bookkeeper81 7 hr. ago For sure the woman didn't book sufficient first class seating because she wanted to get one on someone else's (op in this case) dime. Big Nope, big time.
    via PossibleBookkker81
  • 10
    RickMorty1-23. 4 hr. ago She didn't book ANY FIRST CLASS TRAVEL. She booked two economy tickets, made the little guy scream and act up, probably by being mean to him. Flight attendant moved him to first class which was what she wanted second half of the scam fell apart when OP wouldn't be bullied or guilty into swapping. She fully intended to fly first class for economy prices. People like her, running scams, make everything more expensive for the rest of us as she causes things to dip in the ne
    via RickMorty1-23
  • 11
    glycophosphate · 13 hr. ago I'm sort of confused. Did this woman book a 1st class seat for her son, and an Economy class seat for herself with the deliberate plan of guilt-tripping somebody into switching seats with her? 113 Reply Share johnnyg08 12 hr. ago 100% premeditated. And it's probably worked before.
    via glycophosphate
  • 12
    Velociraptor53 12 hr. ago Bro I just now checked flights First class from Chicago to Miami is about $1,300 Regular economy seat? About $350-$550 So an extra THOUSAND DOLLARS I knew first class wasn't remotely that cheap as you claim a checked bag and some drinks would be
    via Velociraptor53
  • 13
    foxymoron 11 hr. ago Mom's plan was to buy an economy seat and then try to guilt trip somebody in first class into trading. Good on OP for standing up for themselves!
    via foxymoron
  • 14
    PriceZombie 14 hr. ago I'd give up my seat. But it's going to require several crisp $100 bills. This isn't a charity. 31 Reply Share Demented Pimento 12 hr. ago Considering the price of an average first class seat, I'd say 10 $100 bills (also makes up for a middle seat in economy).
    via PriceZombie
  • 15
    drfarnsworthly. 17 hr. ago I don't know how people are shameless enough to ask such a thing... "Hey, your seat is significantly more expensive than mine, we both had the chance to book whatever we needed.... but I opted to get the cheaper one. Do you mind if we switch? I'm if you don't oblige" You are not wrong at all. I feel bad for the kid having such a trash mom.
    via drfarnsworthly
  • 16
    mybadodge 17 hr. ago Not Wrong at all. She should have booked 1st class if she says her child is too disruptive for the seat she booked. She felt entitled and then tried to guilt you into moving. Screw that.
    via mybadodge
  • 17
    JohnExcrement 17 hr. ago An economy seat is plenty big enough for a four-year-old. Unless this kid is totally unruly and thrashing. A first-class seat is not going to solve that problem; the child and his unruliness will simply expand to fill the available space. The mom was full of And there is no reason on earth you should ever give up your seat to anyone who failed to buy the seat they really wanted.
    via JohnExrement
  • 18
    SalientSazon 15 hr. ago This mom has 100% has done this before and worked so she's doing it again. It's just a scam to get a an almost free first class ticket. I guess she loses nothing by asking, worth a shot in her mind I guess. Glad OP didn't.
    via SalientSazon
  • 19
    ScottClam42 14 hr. ago Agreed. It blows my mind, though, that someone would formulate this plan to guilt a perfect stranger into giving up their seat... all in the name of saving money. I would gladly spend extra money to make sure i dont have to stress about something.
    via ScottClam42
  • 20
    Perspex_Sea 15 hr. ago Bet she picked OP as a young woman thinking she'd be her best bet for guilting someone out of their seat. Reply Share... 422 22 mybadodge 15 hr. ago you're probably right. what appeared to be an easy target.
    via Perspex_Sea
  • 21
    Efficient Poetry_187 17 hr. ago Absolutely NTA. Having a kid doesn't entitle her to the seat you paid for - if she wants to fly first class then she can pay first class prices. Reply Share 85 UnusualPotato1515 17 hr. ago As a mum & we do not claim mums like her! How utterly ridiculously shamelessly entitled!
    via Efficient_Poetry_187
  • 22
    "When I got to my seat, there was a mom flying with her young son. She asked if I would mind switching to her economy seat so she could sit with her son in first class. I politely declined. The mom got huffy and claimed I was being selfish. She said her son was too disruptive for a confined economy seat and she absolutely needed that extra space."
    via canva

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