Some people simply should not be allowed on public transport. There are the barebeaters who blast their music without headphones, double baggers who believe their bags need a seat of their own, and airport carousel grinders who stand as close as possible to the luggage conveyor belt. Now, another annoying habit has emerged: seat squatters.
Seat squatting, which commonly occurs on flights, is when someone takes a spot that is not assigned to them and that they have not paid for, often to sit next to a friend or family member. While it might seem harmless, it can quickly lead to awkward standoffs. For the seat squatter, it can have extreme consequences. If entitled passengers refuse to comply, seat squatting could get them kicked off the aircraft.
Origin of the Term
The term seat squatting was originally coined by Facebook user Lin Nea after she was forced to stand back and wait while a seat squatter tried to take her designated seat, 25A, to sit next to her husband. She described seeing the squatter feel the weight of silent shame as she shuffled back to her original seat.
While some think seat squatters deserve punishment, the internet is divided. Some label the habit as selfish and rude, while others argue it is harmless. Some even say getting riled up by seat squatters is petty, with one TikTok user admitting they regularly risk sitting in someone else's seat when flying.
Official Policy Against Seat Squatting
If someone refuses to move out of your seat, you should alert cabin crew. An airline's Conditions of Carriage generally sets out that you have a right to your designated seat. If a passenger refuses to vacate that seat, the crew is at liberty to remove that individual from the flight. In one volatile case in 2019, a man was forcibly removed from an American Airlines flight for refusing to relinquish a stolen seat. He became aggressive and disruptive when flight attendants attempted to move him back to his original seat. In most cases, it is the escalation, not the seat dispute itself, that leads to removal.
Passenger Experiences
Many users online have shared their experiences with seat squatters. One user wrote that a guy tried to ignore him when told he was sitting in his seat, but he insisted on his window seat. Another shared that a girl deliberately sat in his seat, a solo row he paid extra for, and refused to move, requiring attendants to intervene.
Even after you are seated, you are not safe. Some travellers might approach you and ask to switch seats, often to sit with a family member or friend. Most airlines allow seat swaps only with cabin crew approval and after boarding is complete. While voluntary swaps are common, you are under no obligation to accommodate others, including families with young children.
Safety Hazard of Switching Seats
Switching seats on a plane, especially before takeoff, can be dangerous. Former commercial pilot Pete Hutchison told The Independent that passengers shifting from one part of the airplane to another could make it behave unpredictably during takeoff and landing. The effect of passengers being on board, as well as where they are seated, is an intrinsic part of balance computation. Moreover, switching seats could complicate emergency evacuations, as crews rely on an assigned seating chart. All seat switches need to be approved by staff onboard.
Etiquette Expert Weighs In
Etiquette expert Laura Windsor has strong feelings about seat squatting. She says questions like can I sit here or is it okay if we switch seats should be redundant today. If people want to sit together, they should have booked accordingly. Someone's holiday should not be ruined because certain people don't have manners. She recommends not engaging with the squatter and going straight to a member of cabin crew.
She adds that people shouldn't feel they can do whatever they want, and there shouldn't be mixed opinions about this. You should never be inconveniencing other passengers because you want to sit where you want. People should have some manners.
That said, if both parties are happy to swap, there is no real harm, especially if it is a like-for-like swap. Some people online who are open to swapping seats share one main condition: if the seat was comparable, it really doesn't matter.
Crackdown on Barebeaters
Coined by Metro, the name barebeaters refers to individuals who listen to music out loud without headphones. It has become one of the most infuriating travel habits. Recently, United Airlines updated its contract of carriage, adding a clause meaning passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content can be asked to leave the cabin. The airline said it has the right to refuse transport on a permanent basis to any passenger who engages in such activities. In February, the Indian government reminded travelers to use headphones during flights to avoid legal repercussions, including fines for unruly behavior.
