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5 flight attendants share their thoughts on the etiquette of asking people to swap seats on a plane, as the debate wages on across TikTok

Charissa Cheong,Monica HumphriesApr 23, 2023, 19:06 IST

Insider spoke to five flight attendants. They all agreed it's OK to ask to swap seats with fellow passengers.@londonkaizen/TikTok/@deardemdiary/TikTok/@wanderlizst/TikTok/@karenvaje/Instagram/@leannacoy/TikTok/Inti St Clair/Getty Images

On TikTok, debates about seat switching on airplanes often go hugely viral.
TikTokers have raised questions about the social pressures of making or refusing a request to swap.

Debates about travel etiquette commonly go viral on TikTok.

A person walks down an airplane aisle.Dobrila Vignjevic/Getty Images

It's fine to ask someone to swap seats with you, but they are not obliged to say yes.

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That being said, it's often less acceptable to ask for a swap if the seats on the flight are pre-determined.

People line up based on boarding group numbers to board a Southwest Airlines flight.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

It's a good idea to offer someone an upgraded seat if you're asking to switch with them.

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In certain situations, flight attendants encouraged passengers to consider giving up their seats.

A family sits on an airplane.Images By Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images

There are methods and tips that can help you ensure you get the seat you want.

A screenshot of the seat selection on a United Airlines flight.United Airlines

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