Is it rude to switch seats on a plane?

Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert who runs the Protocol School of Texas, says seat switching should not be an issue. It's always best to plan ahead if you know you're going to need extra legroom or want to be seated next to your best friend, she said.



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If you've already boarded your flight, Whitmore says to speak with a flight attendant. 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.

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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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If you are proposing to trade seats because you want to be near your spouse or friends, or have a very tight layover, and you are offering a comparable seat (aisle for an aisle, window for a window), it's always worth the ask and is generally viewed as acceptable.

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Originally Answered: Can you sit in first class if seats are empty and ask nicely? Short answer: no. The airlines don't want to encourage passengers to buy cheap seats and then pester the flight attendants for an upgrade. They want First Class seats going only to the people who pay full price for them.

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Delta does try and seat family members together but only upon request. Flight attendants will sometimes ask for volunteers to switch seats. The airline also blocks a handful of rows in the main economy cabin on most flights to accommodate groups and families.

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Yes, but MAKING you switch seats instead of ASKING you to do so is possible only when flight safety is a real concern. Actually yes. If you are a disabled person sitting at an emergency exit, you're gonna switch seat. If you are too fat and sitting at an emergency window, you have to move.

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This Is the Only Acceptable Way to Ask a Fellow Passenger to Switch Seats, According to a Flight Attendant
  1. Ask the gate agent for help.
  2. Always wait until boarding is finished.
  3. Be mindful of who you're asking to swap seats.
  4. Consider where the person you're trying to swap with is sitting.


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Keep it on the down-low. If a passenger raises a concern or looks as if they're about to cause a scene, respond in a calm, quiet manner. Sometimes all it takes is a simple request from Cabin Crew to stop a certain behaviour.

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Skipping seat selection doesn't mean you won't get a seat on the flight. You might get stuck in the middle seat if you don't pay for one. Even if seat selection is free, you might want to skip it if only lousy seats are available (see the upgrade hack” below).

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If you have elite status with your airline, all you have to do is make sure to request a complimentary upgrade for your booking before your flight or as you're checking in (specific methods vary by airline). Upgrades are given out based on availability, and the list for those limited seats has a specific hierarchy.

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More and more airlines have been adopting upgrade auctions for otherwise-unsold premium economy, business, and first class seats.” For airlines, Keyes says the rationale is simple: upgrade auctions generate significantly more revenue for airlines than handing out upgrades for free.

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He said: “You should ask the lead flight attendant or the flight attendant at the boarding door. “You should ask prior to door closure, but don't be surprised if they don't move you until after you're in the air if they're going to grant your request.”

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In fact, most regular airlines now charge for seat selection anyways. It's often around $10-$30 per seat per flight segment, so if you cave in and pay for that, it can add up quickly. You shouldn't do it. No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat.

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This benefit varies from airline to airline. Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

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What are the best seats on a plane?
  • Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front.
  • Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row.


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It's not abnormal — especially post-pandemic — to see passengers on a flight wearing medical masks. Flight attendants may make note of these passengers as potentially feeling sick, but they will also look for swollen or red eyes, sweating, or sweating when scanning guests.

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