Flight attendant reveals real reason why you should never swap seats with someone else

Switching seats on a plane is always controversial.

And now a flight attendant has taken to social media to warn passengers not to let another holidaymaker switch seats with them.

Leanna Coy (@leannacoy), a cabin crew member based in the USA, posted a TikTok video titled 'Why you shouldn't switch seats on the plane'.

The flight attendant explains that she was recently asked to switch seats with a passenger on a United Airlines flight.

Leanna says that the woman asked her to swap her aisle seat for another aisle seat in a different row.

She reveals: 'Normally, I am absolutely 100 per cent against changing seats. Your lack of planning should not constitute me having to move.'

But on this occasion, Leanna explains that she decided to swap seats. However, the flight attendant quickly regretted her decision.

The cabin crew member says that if the woman did anything against the aircraft's rules, such as smoking in the bathroom, her behaviour would be associated with Leanna's seat number.

And there's another reason that Leanna says she was left 'anxious' by her decision to trade seats.

'I realised I'm flying United,' explains Leanna. 'If you know anything about United's service, if you want to buy drinks or anything, you have to put your card onto the app ahead of time, which I've done before.'

This means that the passenger who swapped with Leanna would be able to access her card to pay for items.

Leanna claims that she spoke to the flight attendant who confirmed that the passenger would be able to use Leanna's card to order items to the seat.

She adds: 'Now, do I think this lady was trying to scam me out of money on my card? No. But that's just something to be aware of.

'I fully support you if you don't want to switch seats. You are entitled to the seat that you chose.'

In the comments, TikTok user and cabin crew member 'FAWN' says: 'I always ask people their last name when they buy a drink to verify it's the saved card.

'Honestly I don't ever charge without verifying because I'm always scared I'll charge the wrong person.'

And another flight attendant agrees, saying: 'Usually we ask for last names for inflight purchases'.

But a user who said they worked as a United gate agent, also warned passengers not to switch seats on the plane.

'Molly' says: 'Please never switch up seats without telling the gate agents/flight attendants, for the exact reasons you said and we can get in trouble.'

A flight attendant recently revealed why crew are required to carry two flashlights at all times.