'I sat between plus-sized plane passengers but their rude reaction stung most'
A plane passenger has sparked a debate after claiming two strangers made their flight unnecessarily uncomfortable - with many believing the pair were frustrated because their travel plan didn't go as hoped
A passenger has sparked a debate after revealing what happened when they were assigned the middle seat between two strangers on a packed flight - claiming the pair made it obvious they never wanted anyone sitting between them. The traveller explained they had been allocated a middle seat for their connecting flight and, upon boarding, found a mum and daughter already settled into the aisle and window seats.
Not only had they spread their belongings across the middle seat, but they also seemed frustrated when asked to move everything so the rightful passenger could sit down. Sharing the story on Reddit, the traveller said: "I let them know it was my seat and the daughter grumbled the whole time while moving her bag."
After taking their seat, things only became more uncomfortable. The passenger claimed both women had lifted the armrests between the seats and seemed unhappy when they were lowered.
They added: "The mother told me she was more comfortable with the armrest up. I smiled and apologised, but explained I needed it down."
The traveller also claimed the plus-sized pair repeatedly 'spilled into their seat', resting their arms and legs over the shared armrests despite being asked several times to move.
Before sitting down, they even offered to swap seats with either of the women so they could continue sitting together more comfortably - however, both declined.
The passenger believes the pair had deliberately booked the window and aisle seats in the hope nobody would be assigned the middle seat - and were annoyed when their plan didn't work.
They added: "They kept talking loudly over me and passing things back and forth. I eventually asked them to stop because they were constantly reaching across me. It was a full flight so there was nowhere else I could move."
Seeking opinions, they asked whether they had been unreasonable for expecting the women to stay within their own seats.
Many social media users sided with the passenger, arguing that booking the window and aisle doesn't guarantee the middle seat will remain empty.
One user said: "I'm guessing they bought the window and the aisle seats in the hopes that nobody would take the middle seat and they could sprawl, but it being a full flight messed up their plans."
Another added: "People like them are why I carry two folding plastic boards in my carryon. They look like flat plastic lunch trays when I unfold them.
"They go between the edge of the seat and the armrest and create a wall on either side of my seat. I give up the armrest but oversized people next to me can't ooze into my space."
A third said: "I once sat in the wrong seat and I was so embarrassed! I rapidly skedaddled to my actual seat while apologising."
