A 40-year-old man has recounted an uncomfortable experience on an eight-hour flight, where a woman in the middle seat refused to let him out of his window seat to use the lavatory. The man, who says he is overweight but does not require two seats, pre-booked the window seat for added comfort.
He explained on Reddit that the woman politely declined to stand up each time he needed to get up, forcing him to squeeze past her. The aisle seat passenger was accommodating and would rise when needed. Despite his efforts to minimise contact, he said some brushing was unavoidable.
At the end of the flight, the woman made a passive-aggressive comment about personal space and how uncomfortable he had made her feel. The man said he felt terrible but saw no alternative, as holding it for eight hours was not an option.
Reddit users were largely supportive, with one suggesting he should have told her his only choices were to encroach on her space or pee on her. Another questioned why he chose the window seat, recommending the aisle for more space. A third commented that if she was so concerned with personal space, she should not have boarded an airplane.
