A few rows away there is an entire bench free, and right next to it there is a place with more legroom. For many, this seems like an invitation to quickly change their seat. But it’s not that simple. Anyone who moves around on the plane without being asked is violating clear regulations and may even confuse safety.
If changing seats disturbs your balance
There is a simple but important reason why changing in the middle of a flight is not allowed: the balance of the machine. Lufthansa flight attendant Maike Herder told Ippen.Media’s BuzzFeed News Germany that an aircraft is constantly being kept in balance. Even small movements of the passengers have an effect on the so-called trim. Individual movements are usually not a problem, but if several passengers move at the same time, the crew has to intervene to bring the aircraft back into balance.
Particularly tricky during takeoff and landing
In the crucial phases of flight, when taking off and touching down, the weight distribution is particularly sensitive. A pilot described in Blick that the plane’s center of gravity is calculated shortly before takeoff. Modern aircraft compensate for a lot, but in extreme cases a sudden seating arrangement can have an impact on flight safety. To achieve aerodynamic advantages and fuel savings, an aircraft’s center of gravity can be actively controlled during flight. This tends to be as far back as possible for maximum efficiency in cruise flight, according to TGM Lightweight Solutions. A severe imbalance in the placement of passengers, for example in the rear, can have a direct impact on this system, which is dangerous in sensitive phases.
When a change of place is possible
However, changing places is not fundamentally taboo. As soon as the cruising altitude is reached and the seatbelt sign goes out, the crew can decide whether a change is possible. According to Welt, the cabin crew keeps track of weight, booking classes and processes. Whether the new space can be used is not the passenger’s responsibility, but rather the responsibility of the crew.
Why free places are not immediately available
The seats at the emergency exit or in the rows with more legroom are particularly tempting. But this is exactly where particularly strict rules apply. Anyone sitting at an emergency exit must be able to help quickly in an emergency. In addition, many of these places are only available for an additional charge. The travel reporter points out that it is not allowed to sit there without first asking the crew. Even if the place is empty, it remains under the supervision of the staff.
Behind the scenes of the seating arrangement
In addition to safety, there are also practical reasons why travelers are not allowed to simply relocate. Sometimes airlines deliberately leave seats empty in order to optimally balance the aircraft. In addition, services such as meals or special requests are tied to the seat number. AirHelp explains that an unplanned change can disrupt the entire onboard process – from meal service to emergency management.
Editorial team finanzen.net
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