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.
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….