A Reddit user recently questioned the existence of “seat karma” after a seemingly kind gesture on a flight from Orlando to Washington D.C. resulted in an uncomfortable situation. The passenger, originally seated in a window seat (12A), recounted his experience on the United Airlines subreddit.
The story began with a tap on the shoulder from the man in the adjacent middle seat. Unable to communicate verbally in English, the man used a translation app on his phone to request a seat swap with his wife, who was seated across the aisle in a window seat (12F). Believing he was doing a good deed, the original poster (OP) agreed to the switch.
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Shortly after falling asleep in his new window seat, the OP was abruptly awakened by a “large man” demanding to know where his assigned seat (12F) was. Confused, the OP explained the seat swap with the couple. It quickly became clear that a mistake had been made: the wife was actually assigned the middle seat next to 12F, not the window seat. The OP had inadvertently taken the large man’s assigned seat.
Apologizing profusely, the OP moved to the middle seat between the couple and the large man. He attempted to get the couple’s attention to rectify the situation, but they appeared oblivious or unwilling to acknowledge him. Consequently, the OP spent the remaining two-hour flight sandwiched in the middle seat, pondering the possibility of “seat karma” for the couple.
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The OP’s post generated a wave of sympathy and advice from fellow Reddit users. Many suggested verifying boarding passes before agreeing to future seat swaps. Others recommended involving a flight attendant to ensure everyone is in their correct assigned seats. Some users even speculated that the couple had intentionally “gamed the system” to secure better seats.
Regardless of the couple’s intentions, the incident highlights the potential pitfalls of airplane seat swaps and the importance of clear communication. The OP’s experience resonated with many travelers, sparking a discussion about airplane etiquette and the sometimes frustrating realities of air travel.
