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Inside a flight. Pic by me
Yesterday, I came across a news article.
A US-based tech professional named Saran Shanmugam posted on X and claimed that an Indian passenger was taken off a flight after a dispute over a seat change (he was allowed to board later, according to the post). We don’t know the full story or whether it is true.
But it highlights something very real:
A seat on a flight is not just a place to sit. It can sometimes become a point of conflict. And often, it starts with something very small- not choosing your seat in advance.
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How Seat Selection Works Today
A few years ago, things were simpler. You booked a ticket, checked in, and often got a decent seat for free (there were plenty of ‘free’ options to choose from).
Today, almost all pre-booked seats come at a price and if you want a free seat, you usually take the ‘auto-assign’ option where the airline will assign you any available seat. Because now most airlines follow an “unbundled pricing model.”
This means:
Base ticket = just the seat (randomly assigned)
Everything else = extra
According to the International Air Transport Association, airlines increasingly rely on ancillary revenue : fees for services like seat selection, baggage, and meals.
So now:
If you don’t select a seat → the airline auto-assigns one
If you want a specific seat → you usually pay extra
Seat maps depend on type of aircraft and booking class
What Happens If You Don’t Select a Seat
If you skip seat selection:
You may get a middle seat
You may be separated from family or companions
You may end up in a less comfortable location (near lavatory, last rows, etc.)
Airline systems assign seats based on availability, not comfort.
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Why This Can Lead to Problems
Here’s where things get tricky. Passengers often try to exchange seats onboard:
“Can I take your aisle/ window seat?”
“Could you please exchange the seat so that I can sit with my husband/ child?”
Sometimes it works. Sometimes… it doesn’t.
Cabin crew generally cannot force passengers to swap seats unless required for safety reasons. And if disagreements escalate, it can lead to:
Arguments
Delays
In extreme cases, passengers being removed
Airlines treat disruptive behavior seriously, and conflicts, even small ones, can escalate quickly in a closed environment like an aircraft.
Why Paying for Seat Selection Can Be Worth It
It may feel unnecessary to pay extra. But for certain situations, it’s absolutely worth it:
1. Long Flights
If you’re flying 6–12 hours:
Aisle seat = easier to move
Window seat = better rest
Comfort matters more over time.
2. Traveling with Family/ Babies
Auto-assignment may split you up. Pre-selecting ensures you sit together.
If you are travelling with a baby, you are usually assigned a front sit and a bassinet, but it is better to book in advance as there might be others travelling with babies and front seats are limited,
It is rather inconvenient to sit with a baby in your lap all the time in a cramped up space (For babies under 2 years old, you do not have to buy a separate seat, as they can sit on a lap (lap infant) for free or low cost, but you have the option to purchase a seat for them at child fare to use an approved car seat. Children over 2 years old are required to have their own seat. However, check with your airlines first as these rules can vary)
3. Health or Comfort Needs
Need to stretch often → aisle
Prefer to sleep → window
Last month I paid extra for an aisle seat because I had a back ache, the flight on each sector was for 8-9 hours, I was advised to stand, stretch and walk every hour. A small choice can make a big difference.
4. Peace of Mind
No awkward requests. No negotiations mid-air. No uncertainty.
Just board and sit.
A Small Shift in Travel
Seat selection used to be a given. Now, it’s a decision.
Airlines have turned it into a paid option, not because seats changed…
but because pricing models did.
Airlines are increasingly breaking down fares into smaller components to maximize flexibility—and revenue.
A Simple Thought Before You Fly
The next time you book a ticket, you’ll see that option:
“Select your seat.”
It’s easy to skip. But sometimes, that one small click can decide how your entire journey feels.
Travel is full of things we can’t control—
weather, delays, turbulence.
But a few things… we can.
And sometimes, choosing your seat is all about choosing your peace!
Peaceful travels, Yogi 💕💕
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