A plane passenger wonders who was in the right over a mid-air disagreement between seatmates over a window shade, remarking, “I have never had this happen to me.”
The original poster (OP), who goes by the username Apart_Aspect_6657, recounted on Reddit this week booking a Comfort+ window seat on a New York-to-Denver flight.
Moments after takeoff, the middle seat passenger, without asking or making eye contact, reached over to shut the window shade.
‘It’s my choice’
“I didn’t have headphones on and was clearly on my phone,” the OP wrote, emphasizing the apparent disregard for personal space. After reopening the shade, the middle seat passenger allegedly continued to cast disapproving glances.
The OP told Redditors that they would typically honor such requests, “But feel as a window seat traveler, especially one that have paid and selected the seat specifically, it’s my choice whether to close or open the window.
“If they wanted to be in control of the window, they should’ve paid for the window seat!”
Discussions in the Reddit thread largely supported the OP’s frustration while condemning the middle seat passenger’s actions as overstepping boundaries.
One commenter stated, “Window seat controls the window. Them’s the rules.”
Another user added, “Yeah, respect for personal space and common courtesy has gone out the window these days. No pun intended!”
‘So rude’
Some posters humorously proposed enforcing an “eye mask mandate” for those wanting darkness instead of sunlight.
Others cited similar experiences, with one recalling, “About five minutes into the flight, my seatmate reached across me to pull the shade down. I felt it was so rude.”
Who Controls the Window Shade?
While etiquette varies, experts generally agree that control of the window shade belongs to the person seated closest to it.
According to an article on One Mile at a Time, the window seat passenger has primary discretion over the shade, but should remain considerate of others.
“If the sun is blinding someone or if a polite request is made, it’s reasonable to compromise,” the article noted.
However, balancing individual preference and group comfort isn’t always simple. The Newsweek guide to plane etiquette stresses the importance of communication.
“If you want someone to adjust the window shade, kindly ask rather than assuming control,” the piece advises.
The publication also highlights a YouGov poll indicating that nearly half of respondents believe window seat passengers should consult others before adjusting the shade.
Despite differing perspectives, the debate highlights the need for mutual understanding.
As James Kinsella, a travel expert quoted by Newsweek, observed, “Flying isn’t fun, but we can all be more mindful of others.”
Whether the focus is on personal space or window seat control, air travelers continue to navigate the unwritten rules of high-altitude coexistence. As one Reddit user summarized, “All this should be simple common sense.”
‘No flying etiquette’
A supporter wrote on behalf of many in the the thread, “I’d absolutely reopen the window immediately,” to which the OP agreed: “I should’ve reopened immediately, I waited for 20-30 minutes because I didn’t want to cause a scene.
“To make matters worse, as I was being asked by the flight attendant if I’d like to have something to drink, he interrupts to ask her for coffee and she said, ‘Yeah, let me finish with this gentleman first.’
“Man has no flying etiquette.”
Newsweek has contacted Apart_Aspect_6657 comment via Reddit.
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