Passengers on the plane talk loudly about the viral hack of middle seat reservations and more debates about air travel
Many Americans traveled far and wide across the US during 2024. Some travelers may have also participated in the heated travel debates that arose in 2024.
With the start of 2025, we’re bringing you a roundup of some of the biggest travel conversations that have been circulating on the internet.
Hacking the middle seat on an airplane
A hack going viral shows someone faking the purchase of multiple seats in an attempt to avoid the airline automatically assigning a middle seat. (iStock)
The content creator shared a video detailing how to “avoid the middle seat when flying travel hack.”
Jorden Tually said travelers should hold off on checking in and open a different browser when booking low-cost airlines.
In the add-on browser, click on the middle seats and pretend to book them by typing random words into the information page.
“Once you do that, the system will hold those seats for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then you’ll reserve yours,” Tually says in his video.
TRAVELER VIRUS HACK FOR FLIGHT RESERVATIONS TO AVOID AWFUL MIDDLE SEAT IGNITES DEBATE
Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, told Fox News Digital via email that “this middle-seat hack won’t save you enough money for the time it takes to make it happen.”
Arrival at the airport ‘6 and a half hours early’
A TikTok user (no picture) says he arrives at the airport six and a half hours before his flight. Social media users weigh in. (iStock)
A viral TikTok video posted by a comedian has caught the attention of traveling social media users.
In the video, the user says: “I arrive at the airport six and a half hours early.”
Other TikTok users took to the comments section to discuss what time is appropriate to arrive airport before the flight.
“I’ve never felt so safe and understood,” one user wrote, seeming to agree with the video message.
Another person commented: “I arrive 40 minutes early flight.”
“I’m late for everything EXCEPT the airport,” said one user.
“I’m a 2-3 hour early person,” commented another user.
A TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “We recommend that travelers arrive at the checkpoint two hours before their domestic flight and three hours before international flight.”
Air ‘trash talk’
A Reddit user shared a tip on how to encourage other passengers to throw away their trash instead of putting it in the back pocket of an airplane seat. (iStock)
The passenger took to social media to discuss why fellow passengers on flights they don’t dispose of their trash properly and shared how to solve the problem.
Posted on the “r/SouthwestAirlines” forum, the message was titled “Favorite trick for people who put trash in seatback pockets.”
“While we are waiting to disembarkI’ll mention, ‘Hey, I think you left your AirPods in your pocket,’ which forces them to admit trash,” the person wrote.
The user added: “I’ve done this 4 times, 2 times they took the trash, once the guy said, ‘No own AirPods,’ and the last guy said it wasn’t his job.”
Users opened the comment section of the post to discuss the issue.
“They have to blow up trash like they do fundraising in the church – for the same reason. Blaming people to fill it in as it passes. Problem solved,” one person suggested.
“There will always be idiots/morons/scumbags who just don’t care,” said another.
Gary Leff, a Based in Texas travel industry expert and author of the “View From the Wing” blog, told Fox News Digital that trash is often scattered in seat pockets and left on the floor.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
“Carriers increasingly spend little time cleaning between flights. They don’t schedule planes with enough time on the ground to do it – and when a flight is delayed, it’s one of the first things that gets cut,” Leff said.
Seat switches in flight
There may be some circumstances where changing seats on an airplane would be less of an inconvenience, one etiquette expert said. (iStock)
A viral Reddit post has sparked a heated debate about airplane etiquette and personal boundaries after a passenger admitted he refused to give up an aisle seat when another passenger asked him to.
Posted on Reddit’s “r/AITAH” forum, the note was titled, “I’m not giving up my aisle seat on a 15-hour flight for an elderly woman with mobility issues.”
The user said he believed the woman just didn’t want to sit in it assigned headquarters as the passenger next to her spilled onto her seat.
PASSENGERS DISCUSS CHANGING SEATS ON AIRPLANE AS ONE REFUSES TO SWAP WITH ELDERLY WOMAN
The refusal to “swap seats” has divided people online, with some defending the passenger’s decision and others showing concern for the elderly woman.
“I have to book two seats or fly first class because I have large frame … The old lady can do the same, she was just being cheap and trying to take your place,” the user commented.
Air passengers and passengers shared their most interesting impressions on social networks, discussing various tricks and topics. (iStock)
One person suggested: “Just look the flight attendant in the eye. Give her a polite smile. And say, ‘I’ll switch seats if my alternative is business class or higher’.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“Former cabin crew here: People with reduced mobility should normally be seated [at] window seat for safety reasons,” claimed one user.
Based in California Etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital that “nobody has an obligation to change their seat.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Randall said a polite request to change seats is fine, even though it can frustrate other passengers.
