A Delta passenger is questioning how airline staff handle seat assignments after a gate agent allegedly reassigned them from a preferred exit row seat just minutes before boarding—despite a largely empty flight.
The incident was described in a new Reddit post by user Thysanopter, who said they had intentionally chosen an aisle seat in the exit row with an empty middle seat after being upgraded.
‘Salty’
The original poster (OP) said they had even called Delta in advance to make the change, preferring that spot over Comfort+.
But just before the seat map was locked, they received a last-minute notification that their seat had been reassigned.
“I’m salty… half empty flight too, like 70 open seats, with whole rows empty,” the OP wrote.
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Thysanopter said the seat was reassigned to two people wanting to sit together, displacing them to another exit row spot that was already occupied.
They added that the new seat had a couple in it, with a larger passenger in the middle, prompting them to eventually move to a vacant row in the back.
“Out of eight people in both exit rows, four didn’t have the seats 10 minutes before boarding and two who did—lost them,” the OP wrote.
According to Delta’s official seating policy, gate agents may reassign seats at their discretion to accommodate operational or customer needs. Exit row seats, however, require passenger consent because of their location and safety responsibilities.
Several Reddit users responding to the post voiced their support and urged the OP to take further steps.
“Send a complaint with the specifics,” one commentator advised. Others speculated that the gate agent may have been influenced improperly.
“Maybe they slipped her $100 cash,” one joked.
Another added, “Can I Venmo a bribe? I don’t carry that much cash.”
One user suspected the incident occurred at Atlanta‘s Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, referencing their own experience of a gate agent who, “Wasn’t wearing a name tag,” and refused to speak with passengers about a delayed flight.
“The three girls [at the desk] rolled their eyes as if to say ‘not again’,” they wrote.
Despite moving to an empty row, Thysanopter maintained that their original seat had more value.
“Aisle exit row with empty middle > empty row in the back. It’s not even up for discussion.”
Delta’s seat reassignment discretion, while not against policy, can frustrate passengers when done without explanation.
According to Newsweek‘s guidelines on plane etiquette, switching seats to sit with companions should involve asking, not taking, and requires courtesy to fellow travelers.
As for the gate agent involved, Thysanopter claimed she, “Wasn’t looking at me, just at the screen,” and never offered a response.
Another pundit remarked, “I would have repeated myself if they ignored me. You have to be more assertive.”
‘The first time’
In reply to an invitation to comment from Newsweek via Reddit, the OP recalled that they have been switched multiple times to a different seat, “But there was always some explanation, family with small children, handicapped person, airline crew relocation etc.
“This was the first time it was just some random person who convinced [the gate agent] to give him my specific seat, even though the plane was half empty.”
Newsweek has contacted Delta for comment.
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