The issue low cost airlines accidentally created

Low cost airlines have a lot of benefits for people who aren't picky. I have managed to fly from Copenhagen to London round trip for $60, Krakow for $45, Rome $80 and the list goes on. Low cost airlines enable even the thinnest wallets to travel. If you want to get away for a weekend and know how to pack only a backpack then this is you option. However, there is something that has happened recently on these flights that irks me and it's not even the airlines fault.

On these types of flights, if you want to choose your seat you must pay. For someone like me, I don't think spending an additional $5 for a seat is worth it when I could spend that $5 on some damn good treat in my destination. Especially thinking of the amount of flights i take per year, this would be a lot of cash forked over just to sit where i want. Because of this, most customers don't pay for seats. Here is where I get pissed. There is somehow an expectation from passengers that they will be able to switch seats with other passengers so they can seat next to their friend or family member for free. Last weekend I was asked to move from my aisle seat (bonus!) to a middle seat so that a dad can sit next to his wife and baby. I said no because I was already settled in my seat, luggage stowed, and I GOT AN AISLE SEAT. Automatically because I said no I was considered the asshole in this situation. Why? If it was mandatory that the husband sit next to his wife and child then shouldn't he be the asshole for not spending the $5 to secure he would sit next to them?

I know, i know, it's a family and I should have been nice. Well what about all of those single parents out there traveling? Seriously, I think a mother can care for her child alone for a 3 hour plane ride just fine. And if she can't? Well then it's karma for me to sit next to a crying baby instead of switching seats.

I think this should be a new common courtesy of flight travel that needs to be learned. I don't try and sit next to my boyfriend on these flights. You know why? I can survive. And if I can't? I buy a damn seat!

#vacation #traveltips #travel