Are you allowed to change seats on a flight.

Question

Everyone I've talked to says that you can move around when the airline says that the plane is safely in the air. My youth leader (the leader on my trip) said that we are not because of a new FAA regulation. I wanted to move to sit by my friends, is this possible??

Answer 1

If your leader say you may not, you may not. That really should be the end of the discussion.

But in general, passengers are permitted to move once aloft. But not always. Sometimes seating has been done in what seems an odd way for balance and moment considerations, etc.

Answer 2

If the crew does not object, you may move from one seat to another. If the crew says no, you have to remain in your assigned seat.

In particular, you may not sit next to an emergency exit unless you meet certain criteria, and the crew must approve this.

I don't know of any new FAA regulation that changes this.  Ask your leader to provide the actual reference to the regulation.  My guess is that he is simply making it up (something that youth leaders are prone to do on trips).

Answer 3

As far as i know, you can change seats with the person next to your friend (if they are willing too) The flight attendant can help you with that too. You can get up and use the restroom, but not a lot of people just stand up and walk around the plane (i didnt find any info on FAA or anywhere else about that new rule)

If your youth leader says you cant get up and just walk around, then you should probably listen to him/her or them. If you have any questions about seating and moving to a seat next to your friend, you can ask the flight attendant after you get onboard. They probably know more about any new seating rules from the FAA.

Answer 4

I'm sorry to say that due to people abusing that rule such as bombers and people like that the FAA now made it a rule that you cannot not switch seats unless a flight attendant permits you to.

Answer 5

you could just switch with the person next to your friend.

if no, then tough luck :(