Maybe They’ll Buy Me a Coffee on the Next Flight!

A few days ago, I flew from Istanbul to Kuwait with Pegasus Airlines. My seat was 3D and even though the flight was full, the seat next to me happened to be empty. Just before boarding ended, a lady entered the aircraft with her dog. She spoke briefly with the cabin crew.

I tried not to make eye contact, but the flight attendant soon walked over and explained that the passenger’s assigned seat was 3A. However, since she was traveling with a dog on a three-hour flight, they asked whether I would be willing to switch seats and move to 3A instead. There was no obligation; it was entirely my choice. Of course, I agreed. Holding a dog for three hours would not be an easy journey.

Meal service began. I ordered a coffee, half-expecting that maybe, as a small thank-you for changing seats, the coffee might be on the house. Instead, the POS machine appeared instantly. I paid. Meanwhile, the lady in my former seat was comfortably enjoying her drink while taking care of her dog. I, on the other hand, was slightly squeezed into 3A, trying to drink my coffee. (That part is, of course, told with a smile.)

When booking tickets, passengers don’t always get the seat they want. Sometimes they forget to select one in advance, sometimes the system assigns it automatically, or the preferred seat isn’t available at check-in. Naturally, they then ask fellow passengers to swap seats on board. If the seat wasn’t purchased separately and the new seat isn’t uncomfortable, why not help? One day, it could be you making the same request.

By the way, I still had a perfectly comfortable flight in 3A.
And a little greeting to my friends at Pegasus… maybe after reading this, they’ll treat me to a coffee on my next flight.