Flight passengers sound off over viral middle-seat booking hack and more air travel debates

Many Americans traveled far and wide across the U.S. throughout 2024. 

Some travelers may have also participated in hot travel debates that emerged in 2024.

As 2025 begins, here is a roundup of some of the biggest travel conversations that have circulated on the internet.

Have you seen any of these? 

Jorden Tually shared that when it comes to booking with budget airlines, travelers should wait to check in and open up another browser.

In the additional browser, they should then click on the middle seats and pretend to book them by typing in random words into the information page.

"When you do this, the system is going to hold those seats for about 10 to 15 minutes, and that's when you book yours," Tually says in his video.

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, told Fox News Digital that "this middle seat hack is not going to save you enough money for the time it'll take to make it happen."

A viral TikTok video posted by a comedian has grabbed the attention of social media users who travel.

In the video, the user says, "I get to the airport six and a half hours early."

"I've never felt so safe and understood," one user wrote, appearing to agree with the video message.

"I'm late to everything EXCEPT the airport," said one user.

"I'm a 2-3 hours early person," another user commented.

Posted in the "r/SouthwestAirlines" forum, the note was titled, "Favorite trick for people that put trash in seatback pockets." 

Users took to the comments section of the post to discuss the issue.

"There will always be idiots/morons/low-lifes that just do not care," said another.

"Increasingly, carriers spend little time cleaning up between flights. They don't schedule planes with enough time on the ground to do it - and when a flight runs late it's one of the first things that gets cut," said Leff.

A viral post on Reddit sparked a heated debate over airplane etiquette and personal boundaries after a passenger admitted to refusing to give up an aisle seat when another traveler requested it.

Posted in the "r/AITAH" forum on Reddit, the note was titled, "Not giving up my aisle seat on a 15hr flight for an older lady with mobility issues."

The "seat switch" refusal had people divided online, with some defending the passenger's decision and others showing concern for the older woman.

One person suggested, "Just look the flight attendant in the eye. Smile politely. And say, 'I'll swap seats if my alternative is business class or higher.'" 

"Former cabin crew here: People with reduced mobility are usually supposed to be seated [at] a window seat for safety reasons," claimed one user.

Randall said making a polite request to switch seats is OK, though it may frustrate other passengers.