How Air Travel Unleashes the Darkest Side of Humanity: Fabricating Injuries and Insisting on Seat Swaps

Here’s a challenge for you: successfully navigate a plane journey from point A to point B without causing a major incident or becoming the subject of a viral TikTok video mocking your entitled behavior. Sounds easy, right? Well, it turns out that 76.9% of people, based on extensive analysis, find this task to be remarkably difficult.

You’ve probably noticed this phenomenon as well. It’s hard to miss with all the headlines about entitled airline passengers. For instance, just recently, a United Airlines flight had to be diverted to Chicago because a first-class passenger became unruly when their preferred meal option wasn’t available. Personally, I think they should have redirected the plane to The Hague. After all, being served chicken instead of beef may seem insignificant to some, but when you’ve paid nearly $7,000 for your ticket, it’s practically a crime against humanity.

Around the same time, there was another incident involving a passenger on an American Airlines flight who caused a scene and went on a rant claiming that one of their fellow passengers was “not real” and that everyone on the plane would die if they stayed on board. This incident spawned countless memes and viral content.

While these dramatic in-flight incidents grab international attention, there are numerous other examples of bad airline etiquette that go viral on social media. One common offense is people putting their bare feet uncomfortably close to others during the flight.

Another disturbing trend is the use of wheelchairs as a means to board the plane faster. People have been pretending to need wheelchair assistance, dubbed as “miracle flights,” only to ditch the wheelchair and navigate independently. TikTok has even fueled this deplorable behavior, with users faking injuries to gain preferential treatment.

But forget about feet and wheelchairs for a moment. The most controversial issue seems to revolve around seat-switching etiquette. Every other week, someone on TikTok complains about being asked to switch seats with a passenger, usually occupying a middle seat, so that they can sit next to their child, spouse, friend, or emotional support guinea pig. Conversely, someone might go viral by expressing outrage over a selfish passenger who refused to switch seats to accommodate their desire to sit with their loved ones or furry companions.

For example, earlier this year, a passenger on a Virgin Australia flight sparked an online debate after venting about a man who refused to switch seats so he could sit next to his wife. Similarly, an American TikTok user gained attention after declining to give up her window seat for a mother and a teenage son, resulting in a tense and unpleasant flight.

The latest seat-switching controversy comes from a Delta Air Lines flight, where a woman named Tammy Nelson, the CEO of a jewelry company, shared a TikTok video describing how she declined a seat swap request from another passenger who wanted to sit with her children. As expected, the majority of online comments supported Tammy’s decision.

Given the frequency with which the question of seat-switching arises, I feel compelled to make a public service announcement: it’s rarely appropriate to ask fellow passengers to switch seats. Exceptions can be made if a toddler is seated far away from their parents due to an airline error. However, if you’re simply not seated next to your spouse or friend, it’s best to accept the situation and have a joyful reunion upon landing. Trust me, you can handle it! Fasten your seatbelt, put on your headphones, mind your own business, and enjoy the flight.