Air travel can often be a stressful experience, and many passengers go to great lengths to ensure their comfort. One woman, however, found herself in a difficult situation when another traveler asked her for a favor mid-flight. Caught between her own needs and social expectations, she faced a dilemma that later sparked widespread discussion online.

The woman had booked a flight to visit her family for Christmas and, knowing she needed extra space due to her size, had purchased an additional seat for comfort. Once on board, she found herself sitting next to a mother with an 18-month-old child. Noticing the empty seat beside her, the mother asked if she could use it for her baby. However, the woman declined, explaining that she had paid for both seats.

A flight attendant soon got involved, trying to mediate the situation. After hearing both sides, the attendant initially asked if the woman would consider giving up the seat but ultimately sided with her, acknowledging that she had rightfully paid for it. The mother, clearly unhappy with the outcome, had no choice but to keep her child on her lap for the duration of the flight, as per airline policy. For the rest of the journey, she responded with passive-aggressive behavior, including glares directed at the woman.

Seeking reassurance, the woman later shared her experience on Reddit to see if she had been in the wrong. The majority of users backed her decision, arguing that the mother should have planned ahead and purchased an extra seat for her child instead of expecting a stranger to accommodate her. Some parents even chimed in, stating that while flying with a baby on their lap can be uncomfortable, it is ultimately their responsibility, not another passenger’s burden.

While some sympathized with the mother’s situation, most people agreed that the woman had every right to the seat she paid for. Many criticized the mother’s sense of entitlement and the flight attendant’s initial approach. In the end, the discussion highlighted an important travel lesson—passengers should plan accordingly and not rely on the kindness of strangers to resolve their own oversights.