Got asked to move from a seat I prepaid to sit in by airline staff claiming “this is where the staff sit” they didnt sit there and 10 minutes later 2 people moved there and werent asked to move for the whole flight.

Airline Seating: When Reserved Seats Are Bypassed and a Refund Is Denied

A recent experience on a Gatwick-to-Cref (Greece) flight raised questions about seat reservations, airline policies, and perceived inconsistencies in cabin crew guidance. The traveler had paid to reserve a specific seat — the very last row — well in advance. Shortly after boarding, a cabin crew member informed them that “this row is reserved for cabin crew,” and requested the traveler to move to a different seat. In the moment, the passenger complied.

However, roughly 10 minutes into the flight, two other passengers selected the originally reserved seat and sat there for the duration of the flight without being asked to move. The traveler was relocated to a seat about 3–4 rows forward, with no subsequent attempt by staff to address the new occupants.

When contacting the flight provider, the response stated that since the traveler had been moved to a seat within the same price band, a refund could not be issued. Given the trip is not a frequent one for the traveler, they are seeking feedback from frequent flyers: Is this response reasonable, or should they pursue further action to obtain a refund?

Discussion points:
– How do airlines typically handle reserved seating when crew needs to occupy or reassign rows?
– What are passengers’ rights regarding paid seat reservations and subsequent seat changes?
– Under what circumstances can a refund or compensation be expected for seat changes?
– What steps can travelers take if they believe a reservation was not honored?

If you’ve experienced a similar situation, share how you approached the issue, what resolution you achieved, and any tips for negotiating refunds or credits with airlines.