A passenger who asked the overweight man sitting next to them on a flight to cough up money for taking up too much room has sparked a furious online debate.
Reddit user Bigbawluh submitted the story on the social news website as part of the subreddit “AmItheA*****e”, or AITA.
“This month I was flying across the country on a long five-hour flight, which I had booked and selected seats for,” they wrote.
“I specifically chose an aisle seat in a row of two, so no middle seat – just the aisle and window.
“Well, a very obese man boards and I can tell instantly he is going to have a tough time fitting in any of the seats.
“I assume maybe he bought two hence why he’s even attempting to board.
“I’m mentally crossing my fingers he’s not next to me, but sure enough he ends up pointing to the window seat next to me to let him in.”
Bigbawluh goes on to describe the man as “seeping into about a third of my seat,” when he sat down.
“I sit down and am pressed up against him, making me uncomfortable.”
They confronted the passenger, saying that the situation was unworkable. The man allegedly tried to tuck his arms in, but “was overhanging over the armrest about a quarter into my seat even when squeezing his arms in.”
They eventually asked the flight attendant to help resolve the situation.
“She instantly tells him that he is likely going to need to purchase another seat,” wrote Bigbawluh.
As there weren’t any open seats left on the flight, the cabin crew member told the man he would need to book another flight unless someone agreed to let him take up part of their seat.
“This causes a very awkward silence. The guy seemed embarrassed and didn’t want to get up.
“He mentioned how he can’t wait for a later flight.”
Bigbawluh said they felt bad for the man but were also concerned about their comfort on the long journey.
“The guy seems really flustered by this ultimatum, and here’s where I made my offer,” said Bigbawluh.
“I told the guy, ‘Look, I’ll put up with this if you give me $150 (£113) – that’s half the cost of this flight and that would compensate me enough for the circumstances’.
“He instantly agrees, pulls out cash and pays me. He even told me he appreciated it.”