One Question Flight Attendants Are Tired Of Hearing

Flight attendants play an important role on any commercial flight, but they aren't as powerful as you might assume. For instance, they're usually barred from entering the cockpit (unless there's a serious emergency on board), and they could get fired for giving you an upgrade to business or first class. Despite these limits, passengers often still look to the cabin crew to fulfill special requests, including seat changes.

However, flight attendants aren't equipped with a magic wand that makes it possible to shuffle travelers around until everyone's happy. Cabin attendant Sarah Steegar shared in a FlyerTalk article that she doesn't have the authority to reassign seats, especially if other passengers don't agree with the arrangement. "On packed flights it's a real challenge, like reorganizing Tetris pieces, except I'm looking at it under a time crunch," she wrote.

Flight attendants have become fed up with these requests, especially when passengers believe they're entitled to a new seat. This is sometimes the case with parents who've been separated from each other or their children on the plane. Flight attendant Meryl Love even told The Guardian that airline workers have a nickname for these duos: "the Mary and Josephs." However, they aren't the only ones asking to swap seats. Separated friends and child-free partners are also some of the most likely to expect flight attendants to rearrange their seating.

You might realize by now that you can't expect to move seats just because you didn't get your favorite spot by the aisle or even because your window seat is actually windowless (yep, it happens). Sometimes, you just have to accept a bad spot on the plane. Similarly — and perhaps more surprisingly, if you booked your trip with other passengers — you're also not entitled to a seat change simply because you've been separated from your family or friends.

The only reason a flight attendant can force passengers to move is due to safety issues. If, for instance, a child is too small to be seated alone, they may be placed with a parent, even if they were initially assigned to separate rows. You may also see fliers being moved around if someone is uncomfortable or incapable of operating the emergency exit.

On that note, passengers should never feel obligated to move to accommodate someone else, as an anonymous flight attendant shared with The Sun. If someone approaches you and you politely decline their request to swap seats on the plane, they may become upset or try to get help from the cabin crew. However, most flight attendants will support your decision and shouldn't pressure you to sacrifice your chosen seat against your will.

If you want to avoid being that person bugging the flight attendant about changing their seat, there are a few things you can do before even boarding the plane. First, if you're traveling with children and worried about being separated, try booking an airline with a family-friendly seating policy, such as JetBlue. That way, you're guaranteed a place next to your children.

It's also a good idea to consider seat selection when you book. If your flight doesn't offer free seat selection, it might be worth paying to stick with your group. Alternatively, check seating options during the check-in window before your trip, when you might be able to make a last-minute selection for free.

If you realize you've been given assigned seats away from your friends or family members, flight attendant Sarah Steegar urged passengers to inquire at the gate, where seating issues should be dealt with. Gate agents may be able to place you in a different spot, depending on availability. If they tell you to ask the cabin crew once you're on the plane, take their advice if you'd like, but don't assume your wish will be granted.