Most U.S. airlines have air vents above the seat. You can turn them on if you’re hot, and turn them off if you don’t want to be blown on. But who controls the vent? Does each passenger have dominion over the one above their seat – or is it a common utility, and you have to accommodate the preferences of everyone around you?
Conflict on a plane can take place over the seemingly simplest of things, as one Delta Air Lines passenger learned.
Currently on a flight head westbound. I am on the right side of a 3 passenger row. The person sitting in the middle has now 3 times closed my AC vent either while “adjusting” their own vent or when I stood up to go to the bathroom. The vent is pointed towards my face, no where near their direction. I will politely bring it up if it happens a 4th time…
And it happened again! About 20 minutes prior to landing, the air vent miscreant went to make the adjustment. The passenger whose vent it was “asked them to please leave the one for my seat as it is as I’ve adjusted it to my liking.” And “[t]his dude looked me in the eyes and said I paid for my seat, not the communal AC system” so they had no right to it.
But surely the passenger has more of a right to the vent above their seat than the passenger in an entirely different seat has, right? Each seat has a vent! But the man said “it doesn’t work like that” and that “people don’t always get their way in public transportation and that the current temperature was “more than comfortable”.”
A flight attendant got involved, and the man “demanded a cup of hot water” to warm up from the freezing chill of the air vent. The crewmember obliged, and the man “held it against his pulse points while animatedly shivering.”
What would you do in this situation?
- Confront the vent hog
- Get a flight attendant to intercede
- Tape the vent open
- Go all Mike Tyson on a JetBlue flight
Surely the first step is to calmly ask the passenger to stop, and then involve cabin crew. But you can easily see how this would escalate.
You have a right to be comfortable just as any other passenger does. You can control your own vent. if he an control your vent then you can control his.
All of the arguments the vent hog made to the passenger could just as easily been directed back at him (i.e., “you don’t always get what you want” and “you don’t have a right to the communal A/C system”). Unreal.
I would handle as the passenger that wanted the vent open the first two times. The third time I would call the flight attendant. If a fourth time came about I would tell the offender he will leave the flight in a wheelchair if he touches it again.
Best thing to do for that traveler is to press the flight attendant call button.
Most decent and reasonable people will have the instinct to politely ask this seat neighbor to stop closing the vent, BUT from the sound of it this seat neighbor might be anything from merely having a bad day and acting a little overly entitled, through to passive aggressively belligerent and trying to create conflict where there is none. So before voices get raised and your other seat neighbors, who are potential witnesses but they’re probably zoned out at the moment, can vouch for who is doing what, just get one of the flight crew involved- you’ll have the initiative as the innocent party.
And FTR the vent closer in this story is an idiot.
Divert to Birmingham, Alabama and call the police! DYKWIA!!!!
I tend to want more air because I believe air circulation is better to reduce airborne pathogens. Therefore, when I board, I immediately try to open all 3 vents near me as well as the 3 in the row ahead. However, I only open them slightly. If they are opened too much, the passengers will likely close them completely. Therefore, a little is better than zero.
For my own, if there is a nasty passenger, I may try to divert the air slightly away from him or her. If there is an empty seat, that might be an excuse to move. However, then the bully wins because now they have 2 seats.
I really don’t care if the vent above my seat is open or closed, it doesn’t make a difference to me. I am always dressed in layers specifically for the reason that airline cabins in their entirety may be hot or cold.
I say “Sir/Ma’am, I think that’s my vent,”, and if I hear anything back other than an immediate and profuse apology, I can only assume the person is psycho and/or having a REALLY bad day and I disengage immediately.
Everybody should do what I do as my m.o. throughout life is what allowed me to become a 7 figure earner (may be 8 figures next year). Dealing with all kinds of people, diplomatically, is my strong suit and I am compensated lavishly for that.
I would TRY to adjust my vent away from the offending jackass and turn it down a bit. BUT…it is MY VENT. Next time, pick a seat that is more to your liking but leave my vent alone.
Why are people so much less considerate of others these days? Is the nearly daily display of poor etiquette by POTUS and other powerful people having an effect?
I’m with @JimC2, try to be polite, communicate, compromise, and if that’s not working, de-escalate, get an authority involved if needed, build a coalition to defeat bullies. Anyway, that’s logical.
This is why I frequent VFTW; mostly so that Gary can recycle unverified Reddit posts, and to hear from you, the fellow regulars, your ‘hot takes’ on the ‘episode,’ whatever it may be.
My only disappointment is that no one has made it overtly partisan or racial yet. Can anyone add some gasoline to this fire, please. We need spice!
For instance, take the word ‘communal…’ while some may think of Catholic Mass, how about the ill-perceived political/economic ideology with a similar name. Add the ‘ism…’ Go! Fight! Go!
@Unintimidated — With those 7-figures, you really should just fly private then. Do with all the vents as you wish! Just remember, you’d have to park the G550 at SXM, then take Winair to SBH. Ugh. Oh, how money can’t solve everything… Also, is @Un you, like for short, or are you different people? Because @Un is pro-CCP, and it’s pretty lame… Hope you’re a different fellow.
Just tell them you are travel sick and you projectile vomit without fresh air.
@1990 That person is too poor to fly private. If someone makes 7 figures a year, say that is US$5M. Can they reliably make that every year for 25 years? Many times, there is not that certainty.
The G550 has a list price of over $60 million. It costs $10,000 per hour to operate. In my opinion, one would need a net worth of $600 million to afford that and a reliable yearly income of $50M per year (assuming the aircraft is flown 500 hours per year). That poster doesn’t have $50M per year income reliably over many years.
That would get me boiling. I often find the interior of airplanes too hot and appreciate it when there is a vent for me to direct and use. By directing the air at the top of my head, I can usually tolerate the hot conditions. In fact, on a longer trip, I can dry out pretty much completely. Fortunately I have never been seated next to such an entitled person.
Actually, I don’t see how this escalates. 800k miles, never has happened. And I’ve been in an emergency landing- twice at the same airport over the years, Knoxville, and all in coach at the time.
Tell the passenger that without airflow I will vomit, and I always miss the airsick bag!
I thought everyone here was now taking Business class to avoid the plebian experience in the dregs of the airplane? Why is Mr 7 figures even sitting close enough to talk to a fellow passenger much less share the same air? I detect some embellishment in someone’s story.
The FA took care of it. I would just laugh at them. It will annoy them more than just about anything else that won’t get me banned.
@derek — Inflation strikes again! @Unintimidated can’t even fly private on a $5 million/year income these days. Next, you’ll tell us we can only ‘lease’ that megayacht; we’ll have to slum it in the Maldives at a mere 5-star resort with overwater bungalows, like a peasant. What next? Only 2007 Dom? Ugh. I suppose we’ll also have to sell the fifth condo in Monaco, and the ski chalet in Chamonix… Zut alors!
Drama queen vent closer is 100% an arrogant, entitled leftist
Like 1990
Next time they close the vent, make a big show of taking off your shoes while making exaggerated “whew” noises and fanning your feet. Or if you’re in the middle or window seat, ask for a cup of water and then fail to grab it correctly when the FA hands it to you.
….and this kids is how I ended up on the no fly list….
I agree with Culo above, but I’m not sure about the leftist part. Precious yes.
The Germans are perpetually cold, and drafts frighten them. Americans do often want air. I’m always hot.
I was also a flight attendant for 35 years. I tell people to dress in layers and bring a fluffy. I also told them not to come aboard dressed for the beach. Duh.
This is why on planes you dress in layers. Adjust as necessary
Sir…when the day arrives where the First Officer reaches over and adjusts the Captains vent, then you can adjust mine. Until then, get your mittens off of my air….CAPICHE?
When will the entitlement end—the ‘what’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is also mine’ mentality? There are three seats and three air vents, each angled toward its respective seat. For some people, going out in public must be such a rare experience that they forget basic social awareness. You’re not at home—you’re in a shared space. That means respecting others, compromising, and understanding personal boundaries
This will be deleted lol. Another clickbate that has no ending, got me again! Curious to see the results if I’m in that situation and nope. I hate it gave this site another tap, please follow me and block/avoid/ban this site as publicly and often as possible.
Dude, mess with mine and watch.
I HATE recycled air. The 1 time I left mine open I got covid from all the airborne sickos. Nope, reach for it, go head. See how that goes for you. Keep your hands to yourself, to your seat to your vent. Stfu and sit there, I’m not social.
Also, if you can’t fit in your seat correctly? Buy another ticket!! cause I dont want your sweaty *ss legs on top of mine cause your too big to fit your own seat. Ppl are rude AF
I’m surprised, I thought you were all well off like me. But as a 7 digit earner (we count the digits to the right of the decimal, correct?), apparently I’m supposed to reveal my secrets to living your life as to leave others in the dust. I have been derelict in my duties and will begin soon sharing ways to show you’re better than others. Here’s a preview: spend lots of time on the internet lying.
Dave W., you need to die of cancer.
Sounds like Vent Closer may have been ill with a fever. I would have tried to change seats to get away from the infection risk, but there’d probably be nothing available.
How about taking a small handheld portable fan with you on your flight?
I had the opposite of that happen. The person next to me kept directing his vent at me! I was freezing so I reached up and directed it at his seat and went back to sleep. Woke up with wind hitting me in the face again! This time I reached up and closed the vent. Problem solved. Neither one of us said a word to the other! Lol
If you haven’t lost friends and family to cancer you either have few friends or family, or you are young. You will watch people you love get cancer, often cancers that can’t be explained by lifestyle choices (not that there is some “cosmic” justification for that). Some will lose the fight. Others will win at a tremendous cost. No humane individual wishes cancer on anyone (though a Hitler hypothetical would test my resolve). We all desire a world without cancer. But, if it must exist, I’d so like Karma in charge of it. If that were the case, those wishing others develop cancer should start worrying.
Derek, you “tend to believe”? I tend to believe in Santa Claus. I also tend to believe that your vent is merely agitating and distributing “pathogens”. Do you have any empirical data either way? Or do you just “tend to believe” when doing so makes you feel warm and fuzzy?
In either event, you make me glad I don’t share your psychosis.
If it was up to me, there would be no individual air vents, no individual reading lights, and definitely no reclinable seats!
I bet the vent miscreant also is a seatback recliner blocker 😮
I thought of a good one for earlier in the flight. Instead of using the flight attendant for a confrontation you could call them and tell them that you’re having trouble with how to work the vent and ask them to show you how to open it.
The cabin temp is set by the crew. The vents are all ducted and air pressure constant. If you close one vent, the air will just flow more out the others… just like a ducted system in the home.
The vent blowing on your face or not will result in more comfort due to perspiration and how your body cools. It has nothing at all to do with the air coming from the vent “being cold”, because it isnt, at least not any colder than the rest of the cabin (airline cabins, in general, are kept cool because there’s 100+ bodies in a small tube)
The person sitting aside you needs basic.physics and biology explained to them
If one only paid for a seat that means that the adjuster only paid for a seat as well. I would tell him that the vent is pointing towards the Seat that I paid for so Do Not adjust it. I would reiterate that I am asking nicely now. The consequence would come if he did it again. If the attendant could not resolve I surely would.
Of course Americans are always hot and Germans are cold; look at the disparity in bodyfat percentage. Americans run about 8% fatter now vs 1970; Europeans are closer to the way Americans were when they weren’t fat wrapped sausages.
Lose the fat, chubbos!
For those of a certain age:
“Please don’t bother my friend. He’s dead tired.”
@Dave W. — I know you mean well, and I did like your joke above (decimals), though, we must recognize there are monsters lurking in the comments. I say, feast on @Un’s negativity… ‘let the hate flow through (him)!’ As for ‘that guy’ (in 1945), the only good thing he did was kill himself. Bah!
@Coolio — Oh no, so offended… Now, I’ll have to wash down my feelings with Beluga caviar… Please, do take me literally, I never joke on here… ever…
@Marshall — ‘Don’t stop… believing….’ ho..ho..ho…
You want everything to your liking? Fly private.
If you’re too cold on the flight, Bring. A. Blanket. It’s easy to add layers, but I can only take off so many before a judge gets involved!
Wow, @Jason Keirstead, I’m sorry you don’t believe that evaporative cooling is a thing. Here is a handy little experiment for you: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chilling-science-evaporative-cooling-with-liquids/
And to Unintimidated – there always one blowhard in every conversation. Thank you for taking a few moments of your oh-so-incredibly valuable time to demonstrate that to the rest of us peons.
The vent squatter is entirely at fault here. First and foremost, if he was dying of frostbite, he should’ve had the courtesy to ask his fellow passenger whether the latter would mind keeping the vent closed or directed further away from the former’s general direction. Instead, he employed sneaky, underhanded tactics like a complete sociopath, only to then following up with more reprehensible actions and statements to.all but confirm that diagnosis. Furthermore, if he disagrees with the existence of an air vent above the seat next to him, he can walk to his destination instead.
Sorry, but you only control the vent over your seat. If you are cold, that is your fault. Everybody knows that flights get cold. Why should I suffer because you didn’t wear enough clothes to stay warm. He should have brought a jacket, coat, or throw. Some people!!!
Don’t do the polite thing anymore. It stopped working in 2017. People only understand trolling these days.
Turn all the vents and lights on and direct it at his face. Or lift up the handrail and sit in his lap. Or just grab his fingers and start a fight. The old rules of politeness and courtesy no longer exist, and his behavior is proof of that.
@Unintimidated
Plenty of people making 20k a year in customer service that also take your approach. Glad it worked well for you but any lawyer, boxer, or competitive investor would laugh their butts off at your advice.
Respectfully, disengaging isn’t diplomacy, its cowardice. I’d rather be broke and confident than a well paid coward.
I tend to be cold on flights and do not like the air vent above my seat directed at me. I also wear contact lenses and the vent air on a longer flight contributes to drying my eyes. I always keep my vent off. When I board, if another vent next to me is directed towards me, I might direct it more toward the next passenger’s seat if that person has not yet boarded. If they have boarded, I would ask the passenger about changing the direction of their vent. When the other vent is directed at another passenger, it doesn’t bother me and it would never occur to me to try to close it. Because I’m often cold, I always travel with a shawl in my carry-on bag. The actions and words of this seatmate indicate that logic and politeness would not be effective. One never knows how unhinged a stranger might be and what action they might take. I would either live with it or get a flight attendant involved.
Those folks that are “cold” when it’s near sweating temperature for the rest of us should plan ahead and wear another hoodie or whatever. Some of those folks are nasty and stink too, deserving to have my vent directed their way so I don’t have to endure their hood stench. Do not f with my vent.
Don’t fly steerage.
@David427 — “For God’s sake, man, there are women and children down here!”
Ask for a cup of cold water and spill it in his crotch.
The conversation that gentleman and I would have would not be friendly. I’m not above letting a mfer know to keep his hands to himself and if he touches it again he’s going to be very unhappy.
The vent is not directly affecting the individual on the flight ( not on his person), therefore he is not directly impacted. If the flight lowers the AC for the whole flight is the passenger with the air on his face responsible for the whole plane or just his seating area? The passenger cannot control hot or cold just airflow. If it was me I would have directed it right towards him, then if he plays his game he might have an assault charge, and the local police can deal with him. Essentially it comes down to the airline and their policies, same as some airlines that have seats that don’t recline. Along with limiting alcohol and enacting other safety protocols for all passengers the airlines can limit interactions with passengers reducing frustrations and in their case liability.
I was in an American flight & the guy next to window put his bad in front of me – I sat in middle seat- so when I sat down. I asked if it was his. He said yes & im not moving it- so I contacted to steward & hr told him to move it & again he refused to move his bag from my feet spot – the cabin steward moved it & this guy was about obnoxious as I hsve ever seen. Then when cabin steward moved it. All his stuff started to fall out- I was so thankful the steward was right there sitting in on a jump seat & watched him the complete flight. This guys attitude was very frightening.. then getting off. He pushed everyone out of his was. It was a scary flight.
A quick elbow to their chin usually gets their attention quickly. Then reach up s – l – o – w – l – y with your elbow directed right at them as you make yet another adjustment. Be sure to stare them down as you do this. Those people are weak cowards and will take it. Guaranteed.
Passive-aggressive much? Dress in layers. Travel with a sweater.
Each passenger gets one vent and one vent only. You can open and close your vent however you like, but don’t touch other passenger’s vents.
If you’re the type of person that always runs cold, you need to plan ahead and bring a jacket. There’s only so much clothing the rest of us can remove before we will get put on a no fly list.
Each person has an air control vent, so no one should be turning off the vent directly over your seat and if they do, keep turning it back on. The gentleman did the right thing, get the flight attendant involved.
He would have only done it once.
People don’t realize you can re aim the vents so it only hits you. Don’t touch my vent, don’t touch my power outlet
I had something similar happen…..I get air sick with turbulence and when the plane is landing I get a mass sweat all over my body and nauseous and when I was a kid i would throw up all the time. As an adult I am easier equipped to handle it but I use the air vent to keep my body cool so I don’t puke. Well guy behind me kept turning mine off – 4 times. I finally turned around with my sweaty face and said if you want I can leave it off but instead of puking in the bag I promise to turn around and puke on you. Leave it alone or get puked on. Your choice. I sat down and turned it on. It stayed on until we landed.
I’d go full on terrorist attack with the whole i got a bomb and i ain’t afraid to use it route
People behave like children. I’ve been on more airplanes than most people have been on buses, and I hate those air vents, but you know what I do? I wear a hoodie on every flight as my comfort is my responsibility…
I can’t stand a bully. Unless there is a medical need, don’t make the flight uncomfortable for others just to satisfy your own issues. Chances are you will never see that seat neighbor again, so do your best make it a pleasant encounter for everyone. The bully in this case would have had his bag placed in the rear of the plane and would not have pushed anyone on that flight.
On a coast to coast Southwest flight, I made the mistake of being the last to board a full flight. Southwest did not assign seats at the time. The only seat left was between two very large guys. These guys overlapped my seat on both sides, I could barely squeeze in. A four hour flight, I spent the last hour and a half standing at the back.
Omg, the macho bs that is spewed is laughable. You peeps are the reason airline travel has become so unattractive. Really? You’re gonna be so tough and physically aggressive? It’s so easy (and safe) to talk trash on the internet. Huge eye roll and glad I do not sit in this section of the aircraft with you types.
I always get cold when I fly. For the read I take an oversized sweatshirt, scarf or something to keep warm. I would NEVER consider adjusting the air over someone else’s seat
@Frequent Flyer with manners says. You see this hear a lot. Some people who would never physically assault someone, like to say how they’d “knock his block off.” I suspect it makes them feel “manly” in ways life doesn’t. Actually, in a strange way, that’s better than actually being violent.
I ALWAYS wear layers, but there isn’t much help for vents blowing in your FACE.
I would ask a flight attendant to adjust my neighbor’s vent so it was aimed property to keep the air aimed at them, not me. (Only after politely asking my neighbor to adjust the vent.).
This should have been easily solved, and not become a petty child like power struggle.
The hot water was inspired! And the pulse points are SMART way to warm up whole body. I would recommend drinking hot tea also!
NOT OK to allow fellow traveler to suffer in shivers!!! BAD behavior. Don’t want that guy’s karma!
PS Last resort–ask flight attended to get re-seated. Surely they can find a better spot for this freezing person.
Id stab him in the neck with a pen
I came to the comment section……. not disappointed ;))
Came to the comment section….. not disappointed;))
I’ve been struggling with hot flash sickness on airplanes recently. I would have thrown up on the guy. Then maybe he’d leave the ac vents alone in the future.
Fourth time? You’ve heard of three strikes and lights out, buddy no?
I had a similar situation with a person next to me. Sweet older woman. Sitting in the aisle seat, I was next to the window. Early morning flight. I had the shade closed. Was fast asleep. Next thing I know, I’m awoke by a blinding light. She had reached over me and opened the shade. When I looked at her. She replied I need more light to read my book. I looked up and the light on the panel above her seat was on.
I made strong eye contact with her, shook my head. As I closed the shade on the window. Went back to sleep, and no further incident after that. Some people are so very entitled.
Some want first class experience with a coach price! They also know who would take their bs. I was asked once to move for someone for their convenience, I asked them: how about my convince? Leave me alone!. That was the last words….