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