A traveler has vented his frustration online after an awkward in-flight encounter in which another passenger refused to stand up to let him use the bathroom.
In an Instagram post, Justin Vagle (@thevaglefamily) explained that he had needed to use the bathroom mid-flight, only for the passenger seated on the aisle declined to stand up and instead “scooched” sideways in her seat.
Justin, who noted that he is “six feet, 215 pounds,” claims he was forced to squeeze past her, which he noted was “horrible for both of us.”
On the way back to his seat, he assumed the woman would stand up to avoid the situation happening again, but he was stunned when she did the same thing.
“I know it stinks if you are in an aisle seat, I know it’s hard,” he said. “[But] you have a responsibility to get up out of your seat to let people go by you.”
“Just slide out,” he pleaded. “It’s not hard. This is one of the easiest things you could do.”
Air travel etiquette has long been a source of tension, particularly as flights become more crowded. According to Reader’s Digest, the shared nature of flying means passengers are expected to be mindful of others in close quarters.
“Crowded airlines, small seats, all the boarding groups…there are a lot of elements that make travel seem stressful, and stress takes people away from the thought process of common courtesy,” etiquette expert Tami Claytor told the outlet.
As Vagle pointed out in his video, one of the most widely accepted norms is that aisle-seat passengers are generally expected to stand to allow others to exit the row.
Travel etiquette guidance widely emphasizes cooperation in these situations, noting that small gestures can ease discomfort for everyone onboard.
The post quickly drew reactions from other Instagram users, many of whom shared similar frustrations or broader complaints about airplane behavior.
‘Cannot deal’
One urged, “Make a plane etiquette series. I have some to add. The last three times I’ve flown, when we’re deplaning, the people BEHIND ME get up and leave BEFORE ME… Not cool, people. We go in order.”
Another added, “Seriously, the only reason I refuse to go to the bathroom on a plane is that I cannot deal with those people.”
“I once fell into another passenger’s lap trying to scooch by to my window seat because they refused to stand up to let me in and out,” one contributor recalled.
Basic Courtesy
Many users pointed to a broader pattern of inconsiderate behavior during flights. Travel blogs and etiquette guides frequently note recurring issues, from passengers refusing to stand to let others out to disputes over reclining seats and shared space.
Travel blog Blonde Voyage 901 advises passengers to “stand up to let people out of the row” rather than forcing others to climb over them, describing it as a basic courtesy in a confined environment.
Experts say these small interactions can shape the overall experience of flying. Speaking to Reader’s Digest, Melanie Fish of Expedia Group advised readers, “If a fellow traveler appears to have their hands full, offer to help and see if there is something you can do to make their life easier.”
As air travel continues to rebound and flights remain packed, moments like this are likely to remain flashpoints for frustration—and online discussion.
Newsweek has reached out to @thevaglefamily for comment via Instagram. We could not verify the details of the case.
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