Seat squatting as the New Year starts annoys flight passengers: ‘Couldn’t believe’ it. Every traveler has been there, cloaked in the frustration that arises from losing the battle over their own seat.
As 2025 unfolds, social media is awash with stories of “seat squatters,” prompting spirited discussions on platforms like Reddit.
Describing a recent flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles, a passenger shared an experience that has ignited the ire of many. In a post on the “r/delta” forum titled “Seat squatter caught and rude entire flight,” they articulated a familiar dismay.
Traditionally, the term “seat squatters” encompasses those sneaky individuals who claim seats that they have neither booked nor paid for, leaving rightful owners bewildered.
“I couldn’t even believe my eyes after seeing all the seat squatter posts,” the traveler wrote, reflecting on the ongoing saga in the skies.
The traveler recounted the boarding experience that turned muddled when a couple, seemingly in their late 20s or early 30s, occupied their row. “I tell them they’re in my seat, and they oddly start fumbling around, mentioning they have a dog with them.”
Upon revealing her dog allergy and the fact that she had paid for the seats, the tension escalated.
“He placed his arm over the armrest, applying pressure to my arm,” she recounted, navigating this uncomfortable standoff.
As the couple juggled their seating arrangements, the female passenger initially vacated her window seat, only to have the male partner squeeze into the space beside her. The struggle over armrests had officially begun.
“Once we finally got off the plane… my fiancé tells me this guy silently fought with him over the armrest the same way he did with me for the entire flight,” she documented, capturing the absurdity of their predicament.
Her bewilderment rang clear, “I cannot rationalize how or why this man did this when we did absolutely nothing to him other than ask to sit in our own seats.”
As Reddit users chimed in, sharing parallel anecdotes and assessing the audacity of such behavior, a mix of empathy and indignation permeated the discussion.
“I doubt people that are already OK with breaking the rules are going to be great people,” noted one user.
Another individual, reflecting on their own encounter, stated, “It’s only happened to me once, thankfully. I’ve learned to be polite on the initial interaction, hoping it’s a legitimate mistake.”
The debate opened yet another can of worms: the age-old question of who gets claim over the precious armrests in the middle seat.
“The middle seat gets both armrests thing is entirely an online knowledge thing,” someone chimed in, provoking laughter and agreement among others. “But the average person who flies once or twice a year likely doesn’t know or think about it.”
As conversations unfolded, a fact emerged: less than 30% of travelers are diligent about understanding seat etiquette, often leading to misunderstandings and confrontations.
In the midst of chaotic boarding processes, experts like travel advisor Leff recommend simple solutions for avoiding such conflicts.
“Instead of stealing seats,” Leff suggested, “Flyers can try asking others directly to swap seats with them.”
“Immediately request assistance from the flight attendant,” advised another traveler who had encountered similar issues.
Through a lens of introspection, one must wonder about the broader implications of the “seat squatter” phenomenon. Is it merely a reflection of modern society’s impatience? Or does it stem from a deeper sense of entitlement that seems to linger in crowded spaces?
Randall, a seasoned traveler, implied that how they approach the seat squatter matter impacts the inflight experience dramatically. “If the seat squatter refuses to move, do not engage; do not recruit other passengers to rally,” they noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace on board.
Ultimately, while the “seat squatter” trend emerged from the frustration of travelers, it also serves as a poignant reminder: every flight is an opportunity for mindfulness and respect in the shared space of travel.
