Stewardess reveals the secret trick that was used to ‘punish’ passengers to exchange chairs

A stewardess has unveiled the secret trick that she uses to ‘punish’ passengers to exchange chairs.

Mitra Amirzadeh, a stewardess -based stewardess, revealed that they has its own secret method to deal with difficult passengers.

The cabin crew member claimed that she is not always involved in the change of seats dilemmas, but if it means a child who has to sit with a parent, she will withdraw.

Mitra revealed that asking the passenger who refuses to move seats, to take care of the child, is a very fast way to make them move seats quickly.

She told the The Wall Street Journal: “I said before:” Okay, so you’re going to look at the toddler?

“You want their snacks and their coloring books because they need it”. “

She claimed that this quickly motivates the passenger to let the child sit with their parent.

Mitra, who is also a trade union representative for an airline that charges passengers for selecting the chair, said that she does not want passengers to be ‘forced’ to exchange seats if they have paid for it.

She continued: ‘The next time you feel angry or get frustrated that you do not get the chair you want, you must remind yourself that you have not paid to choose your chair. Otherwise you would be in it. ‘

Mitra revealed that the frustrating chair swapping drama occurs at around 80 percent of its monthly flights.

It comes after travel expert Jamie Fraser, from Wild Packs American Summer Camp, offered his top tips about how to respond to a chain exchange request with the right etiquette.

His advice comes after a viral incident with a Woman who was filmed by a passenger and was worsened online after he refused to give up her chair to a crying child – resulting in the loss of her job.

Jennifer Castro, a 29-year-old bank employee from Brazil, became the center of an internet Firestorm after a row on a domestic flight of Gol Airlines in December 2024 and has since filed charges against the airline and the passenger who filmed her.

According to Yougov, only six percent of the British would not change under any circumstances of chair, although this can cause a disturbance.

To guarantee a hassle-free flight, Jamie Fraser recommends his advice after the next time you are asked to go on a plane.

Fraser emphasizes that passengers are not obliged to change seats with a colleague -flyer.

Your seat number will be printed on your entry -level and if you have booked a window or aisle in advance, for example, you have the right to choose to stay in that designated place.

When you are asked to switch to a middle chair, Fraser advises to easily tell the passenger that you were the chair where you are.

If the request persists, Fraser recommends it calmly repeating your refusal without further explanation.

After all, your fellow passenger had just as many opportunities as you book in advance.

If the passenger does not take no for an answer, Fraser orders to stay firm but polite.

The expert explains: ‘If the passenger continues to insist to exchange chairs, it is important to stay sturdy but polite in your response.

‘Don’t forget that it is not rude to refuse. Repeat calmly that you do not exchange seats.

“Involve a stewardess if necessary when dealing with situations like this.”

When do you have to consider exchanging chairs?

Fraser notes that there are some situations in which it can be suitable for considering a change of seats.

He advises: ‘You only have to seriously consider changing your seat when a young child is separated from their family.

‘However, the family must first consult the airline for help before he asks a passenger to exchange chairs. Even then you are not obliged to change chairs.

‘You can of course consider exchanging seats if you are not satisfied with your current one, and a passenger offers you a better chair. In addition to this situation, asking to exchange chair is considered a bad travel etiquette. ‘

Fraser adds that wanting to sit next to a friend, not like a middle chair or not booking seats together in advance to expect someone to move.

Why you shouldn’t take someone’s seat without permission

Another big mistake to avoid is to assume that it is good to take another passenger seat without their input.

An important rule while traveling is never to sit in someone’s chair before they go on board, because this can cause unnecessary delays.

It may also lead to tension or, worse, a confrontation between you and the rightful card holder.

Fraser warns: “An employee can ask you to leave the plane or you could notice that you are going viral online.”

Offering an ‘honest’ swap

If you are the one who asks to exchange chair, it is important to ensure that you offer a fair trade.

This can be the same type of chair elsewhere in the cabin, or a chair upgrade with more space.

Fraser emphasizes that the expectation of someone who will exchange his window or aisle for a middle chair is not a good travel etiquette.

It comes afterwards Influencer Maddie Borge, 24, revealed that she had succeeded in grabbing a whole row of seats for herself On an Etihad Airways flight, thanks to the neighbor-free schedule of the courier.

The scheme asks passengers to set how much money they would like to spend to get the line for themselves and if the plane is not busy, they get the extra seats.