Debate Over Extraordinarily Tall Passenger's Plane Seat Choice: 'Selfish'

A 6-foot-8-inch airline passenger's seat of choice in the economy segment of a plane has sparked a debate online.

User Itchy-Smell8152 on Reddit spoke about opting for the window seat online, the night before his 1.5-hour flight between two European cities. He noticed it was $21 to upgrade seats for extra legroom but, at 5 foot 10 inches, didn't feel the need to.

The 32-year-old man was left feeling hot and bothered during the flight as the tall passenger behind him wouldn't let him recline his seat as he was "too big."

Newsweek spoke to Amie Sparrow, a flying expert for airline Icelandair, about etiquette tips for taller passengers.

Here are her seating etiquette tips for taller passengers to ensure both their comfort as well as the comfort of fellow passengers on flights:

Know the Details Before You Fly

Review the aircraft type before you fly and look up the measurements online to make sure you'll be comfortable. Legroom on flights can vary, so knowing what you'll be facing when you get there on the day will help you plan accordingly.

Be Preventative

As well as what the airline can provide with their seating options, your comfort is your responsibility too. If you know your body won't fit comfortably in a standard airplane seat, work with the airline to ensure you put yourself in the best possible seat for your body size.

Communicate With the Other Passengers

If you are taller than average and were not able to secure a seat with more legroom, it is better to explain to the passengers in the seat(s) in front of you that you tried to find an alternative seat and were unable to, then politely ask them not to recline. It is easier to explain to someone ahead of time than it is to ask someone to change their seat position later. Be friendly and remember they are doing you the favor.

Embrace the Situation With a Positive Mindset

Maintain personal space as best you can, stay calm, and approach it as one of the first of many times you'll be out of your comfort zone on your vacation. And, whatever happens, be extra kind to the flight staff, and don't take your annoyance out on the crew—you may be rewarded for your kindness and understanding!

Show Gratitude and Make Friends

If you are worried about causing your fellow passengers an issue, come prepared and show your gratitude with a small gift. It's not uncommon for people with small babies or extra tall passengers to pass out little gift bags or come armed with chocolates from the gift shop. For example, you could ask the person in the aisle seat to switch with you in exchange for an in-flight glass of wine.

Explaining his flight, the Redditor, who has received 6,000 upvotes wrote: "This man seated in the middle is extraordinarily tall and... so his knees extend into the space of both the aisle and window seats.

"People on both sides of him now have their space invaded by his [limbs], and the entire row in front of him can't recline their seats (despite the aisle in front reclining and invading their space). A total of 5 people around him have minor inconveniences because of his height."

The OP then relays a conversation that took place on the plane.

The user wrote: "He explains that normally, the attendants give him an aisle seat or upgrade him, but they couldn't this time. I respond that it isn't the airline's responsibility to give him a seat, and if he knows he doesn't fit in a middle seat, he could have chosen an aisle, as there was no charge to choose an aisle seat (I had seen the option the night before) or he could have upgraded for extended legroom seating for an extra 20 euro. He says he didn't have the 20 euros to spend (mind you he is flying to one of the most expensive cities in the world)."

The poster states the conversation ended with the tall passenger calling him "selfish," but he disagreed.

"I respond by saying 'I'm not being selfish, I'm fine with having less space so you can be more comfortable, but pointing out that you're the selfish one for not taking responsibility for others' space and depending on flight attendants to put you in better seats,'" he said.

The man ends the post by asking, "what bothered me was the rent-seeking behavior and the principle of it. Am I the A******?"

What Do the Comments Say?

Almost 2,000 people have commented on the post, and there seems to be a divide in opinions. The top comment alone has received 3,500 upvotes.

It said: "Anyone reclining their seats on an economy flight is TA [the a******]"

One user backed the OP: "NTA [Not the a******] we all have our own burdens, for him, it's being well above average height. We are all responsible for our own burdens, whether or not it's his fault that he's tall, it's his responsibility not to expect 5 other people to give up some of their comforts to improve his comfort."

While another said: "YTA [you're the a******]. You gave an unnecessary lecture telling this guy how he should pick seats on a flight, from upgrading to picking aisle seats. You also judged him for not already doing these things, when you don't know his circumstances or anything about him, really. Unsolicited advice is always an AH [a******] move. And you dished it out in spades."

Newsweek reached out to u/Itchy-Smell8152 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.