Mom insists business traveller give up her first-class seat: 'I didn't think it was fair'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jan 17, 2024 3:00 PM EST

Bringing a four-year-old on a flight with you will require some planning in advance. At the tender age of four, most kids just cannot sit still for the duration of a plane ride. At that age, children want to run around and play until they drop. Sitting still and being quiet aren't usually in a kid's skill set at that age. That's why many parents find themselves stocking up on snacks and charging up their iPad before they head to the airport. At least a lot of planes nowadays offer personal TV screens for each seat, all equipped with dozens of movies and TV shows to pass the time. 

This mom had a different idea though, as u/WhisperingWonders7 shared with the r/amiwrong subreddit. She started begging the OP to switch seats for some pretty strange reasons. And the OP had a first-class seat! You probably know what first-class seating looks like just from walking through on your way to economy class. Imagine actually flying first class! It's so pricey that many of us never get to do that. Luckily for the OP, they were on a work trip, so the company got to foot the bill. 

Check out the whole story below, as well as comments from people who were surprised by the story. After that, these people shared their weather woes, from heavy snow to tornados. 

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  • 01
    'The mom tried insisting I should "do the right thing"
    via Kevin Woblick on Unsplash
  • 02
    r/amiwrong u/WhisperingWonders7 Am I wrong for not giving up my first class plane seat for a mother and her child?
    via u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 03
    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 u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 04
    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 u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 05
    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 u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 06
    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
    via u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 07
    company-booked seat. Finally the mom retreated to her own seat, giving me nasty looks.
    via u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 08
    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 u/WhisperingWonders7 via The Wayback Machine
  • 09
    2 That's wild. I can't imagine why you'd be wrong for your conduct.
    via r/amiwrong
  • 10
    Aquatichive 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 u/Aquatichive
  • 11
    M drfarnsworthly 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
    via u/drfarnsworthly
  • 12
    oblige" if you don't You are not wrong at all. I feel bad for the kid having such a trash mom.
    via u/drfarnsworthly
  • 13
    mybadodge 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 u/mybadodge
  • 14
    Efficient Poetry_187. 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.
    via u/Efficient Poetry_187
  • 15
    Zealousideal-Owl-453. It seems like that mother is way entitled. She probably often pressures others into doing things this way, bullying them by making them feel guilty or portraying herself as the victim. Her behavior doesn't reflect kindness, and you shouldn't feel bad about standing your ground.
    via u/Zealousideal-Owl-453
  • 16
    Hunnidew Not wrong. Don't ever give up a paid for seat.
    via u/Hunnidew
  • 17
    1biggeek Not only are you not wrong, the flight attendant should have shot that down immediately.
    via u/1biggeek
  • 18
    Piavirtue Absolutely not! Do not ever give up your seat, I don't care what deliberate sob story they hand you. She wanted first class but didn't want to pay for it. Her problem. You keep what you paid for.
    via u/Piavirtue
  • 19
    Fairmount1955 "She said her son was too disruptive for a confined economy seat and she absolutely needed that extra space" - then she should have sorted that stuff out when she booked or shouldn't be flying with him.
    via u/Fairmount1955

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child flight attendant mother flight plane airplane flying work story work flights business am i wrong
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