'AITA for telling a 6'8 giant to upgrade his plane seat next time so I can recline?'

'AITA for telling a 6'8 giant to upgrade his seating?'

Context - Flight between two major European cities, flight cost about 60 euros. Flight time 1.5 hours.

Me (32M) I am 5'10 and I check in to my flight the night before. I wanted a window seat, so I chose window seat. It was not extra, but I had seen that the cost for extended legroom was about 20 euro. This was a larger plane so each side of the aisle had 3 seats, so window, middle and aisle.

I didn't feel the need to get more space because I intended to sleep and its general sufficient space. After takeoff, the person in front reclines their seat. No problem, I recline my seat, but the guy in the aisle behind, but in the middle stops me.

He tells me that he is too big and the chair reclines into his legs. This man seated in the middle is extraordinarily tall, and seated in the middle, so his knees extend into the space of both the aisle and window seats.

People on both side of him now have their space invaded by his limbs, and the entire row in front of him can't recline their seats (despite the aisle in front reclining and invading their space). A total of 5 people around him have minor inconveniences because of his height.

I say 'Yea no problem, I won't recline my seat, but next time you can choose a different seat as to not inconvenience 5 other people'. He explains that normally the attendants give him an aisle seat or upgrade him, but they couldn't this time.

I respond that it isn't the airlines responsibility to give him a seat, and if he knows he doesn't fit in a middle seat he could have chosen an aisle, as there was no charge to choose an aisle seat (I had seen the option the night before) or he could have upgraded for extended legroom seating for an extra 20 euro.

He says he didn't have the 20 euro to spend (mind you he is flying to one of the most expensive cities in the world). I said choosing an aisle option is free, to which he says he didn't have that choice and that I am being selfish.

I respond by saying 'I'm not being selfish, I'm fine with having less space so you can be more comfortable, but pointing out that you're the selfish one for not taking responsibility for others space and depending on flight attendants to put you in better seats.'

He thanks me for my opinion sarcastically, and I sarcastically reply that I'm just looking out for his best interests. We exchange fake smiles. Honestly, what bothered me was the rent-seeking behaviour and the principle of it. Am I the A&^hole?

From the comments:

Any_Ad6921 writes:

Yta if you want to be comfortable on your flight you need to pay for the upgrade

Itchy-Smell8152 OP responds:

That's exactly what I was telling the tall person in question though.

Any_Ad6921 writes:

I know but it doesn't work like that though. The person who doesn't want to deal with the downfalls of traveling coach should pay for first class. I know it seems ridiculous but that's how airlines make money off of first class.

I fly first class with my kids because I don't want to be squished into tiny seats with children and first class is a lot better but still not enough if you ask me lol at least not on the airline I use

Itchy-Smell8152 OP responds:

It would have cost 20$. Not a first class ticket. Its Europe.

RollerskatingRoses writes:

YTA. Flying sucks. You invaded this guy's space and then lectured him

Itchy-Smell8152 OP responds:

You didnt read the post. He wasn't sitting directly behind me.

RollerskatingRoses writes:

I did read the post. You reclined, invading the row behind you. He was in the row behind you, one seat over. Making the flight more uncomfortable for 3 already uncomfortable people, and you are doing the same thing he can't help, deliberately. Then YOU made a scene on an airplane. YTA.

You made a choice to make an uncomfortable situation worse, you judged this man's income in a very classist way, and then proceeded to make EVERYONE around you for several rows uncomfortable. YOU were the loud, rude, obnoxious man on a plane.

Swirlyflurry writes:

YTA. You gave an unnecessary lecture telling this guy how he should pick seats on a flight, from upgrading to picking aisle seats. You also judged him for not already doing these things, when you don’t know his circumstances or anything about him, really.

Unsolicited advice is always an AH move. And you dished it out in spades.

Itchy-Smell8152 OP responds:

That's a valid criticism.