Can a flight attendant make you change seats?

Flight attendants have the authority to move people around and the flight attendant can ask someone, she says, emphasizing that seat trades should always be equal. But Whitmore says there are two scenarios where it is “never” OK to ask for a switch.



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With Basic Economy, you'll automatically be assigned a seat before boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's assigned. Advance seat assignments may be available for purchase during booking and up until check-in opens.

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If the seat trade is not equal, however, most experts and frequent flyers agree the only appropriate requests are if a family is separated from young children, or if a passenger needs care during flight from their traveling companion.

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WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule requiring that flight attendants receive longer periods of rest between shifts. The new rule increases the rest period to 10 consecutive hours.

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The 35-in-7 rule applies only to Reserve Flight Attendants and states that a Reserve may not be scheduled to exceed 35:00 flight hours in any 7 consecutive 24:00 hour periods. This legality is waivable, however, remember that if you do so during bidding it is for the entire month.

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7 Cannot visit cockpit any time Cabin crew are not allowed to visit the cockpit any time they choose. There is a rule of 'sterile cockpit' where the cabin crew cannot contact the flight crew during certain times unless of an emergency situation.

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Can airlines force you to buy a seat? Even if an airline's website makes it appear that you have to pay extra for a seat, you are never required to choose a specific seat and can always opt to decline seat selection in lieu of a FREE seat assignment during check-in.

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Some airlines might require you to acknowledge and accept the change. On others, you may automatically be confirmed on the new flight. Get a refund. In other instances, the change may be significant enough that you no longer want to take the flight at all, and no alternative itinerary works with your schedule.

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Not at all. You have a seat either assigned by the airline or you paid for it. If someone has a compelling reason that matches with your willingness, then by all means swap. But be SURE to tell the attendants.

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“A cardinal rule of seat swaps is that you should never take someone else's seat before they board,” the blog states. As for how requests to swap seats should be handled by travellers, both Gottsman and The Points Guy say that passengers should feel comfortable declining if they don't want to give up their seat.

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You can pay to select the seats you want ahead of time across many airlines, although the price you'll pay will vary based on your carrier and your itinerary. For most domestic and international flights, you'll likely pay anywhere from $5 to $50 per person to select a seat ahead of time.

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If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight.

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Tammy Nelson was flying on Delta Airlines from Cincinnati, Ohio, to San Jose, California, when she was asked to swap seats with a woman who wanted to sit next to her two children.

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If there are not enough passengers who are willing to give up their seats voluntarily, an airline may deny you a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passenger's check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passenger's frequent flyer status.

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Here are a few questions that make us flight attendants cringe.
  • What Is The Pilot Drinking? ...
  • The Gate Agent Said You Could Seat Us Together? ...
  • Can I Just Sit Here? ...
  • What Hotel Do You Stay At? ...
  • (Ringing The Call Button) Can I Have A Coke? ...
  • What? ...
  • How Many Days Do You Work? ...
  • Is This Your Usual Route?


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Flight attendants on long-haul flights are provided with spaces to rest.

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