Mum rages at plane passenger who lacks 'common courtesy' after seat drama

Travelling with young children on a flight can be an exhausting ordeal. The hustle and bustle of getting them through airport security, ensuring timely arrival at the boarding gate, and praying they remain calm during the flight can leave parents feeling drained.

There have been numerous debates about the discomfort of flying with "screaming" children on board, but it's likely that the parents of these children are even more worn out - and we should all show a bit more understanding. However, one mother received no such sympathy on a recent flight with her two children, when the passenger seated in front of her chose to do something rather "rude" mid-flight.

Matilda Norton took to TikTok to share a video of herself and her two children on the plane, where they were quietly minding their own business. Matilda had her youngest child on her lap, while her older son was standing up in the seat next to her, happily playing with a toy plane.

The issue arose when the man seated in front of her decided to recline his seat, leaving her with very little space for herself and her young baby, who was already becoming restless and beginning to cry.

The mother also revealed in her footage that the seat beside the gentleman in front of her remained vacant, suggesting he could have shifted across and reclined that chair instead, which was positioned in front of her elder child.

Whilst this would still have invaded their space, it would have provided the mum with sufficient room to properly care for her younger child.

In the video's caption, she stated: "He had an empty seat next to him. He could have moved over and put the other seat back ... where there was no baby behind him.

"Or when he lay down across both seats, he could have at least put his seat upright since he wasn't even using it. I know everyone has the right to put their seat back, but where is the common courtesy? We had no space."

Viewers responding to the post remained divided over the matter.

Some argued that the mother was justified in her frustration, as whilst the gentleman was entitled to recline his chair, he could have shown greater consideration for her circumstances.

Others, however, maintained the man had done nothing inappropriate.

They also contended that the mother could have exchanged seats with her son so that she occupied the window seat and he sat in the middle, ensuring she would still avoid the reclined chair.

One individual commented: "You could literally swap with your other son, and the issue would be resolved. People are allowed to recline their seats on a flight."

Another remarked: "Why do people think they are entitled to special treatment? He's allowed to recline his seat without any question or explanation."

However, another individual leapt to the mum's defence, stating: "This comment section isn't it. It's so rude to recline your seat on a short flight. It's entirely unnecessary, and you know that it makes the person behind you uncomfortable."

Matilda later explained in the comments why she declined to swap seats with her son, saying she preferred to ensure he enjoyed his flight.

In response to one commenter who suggested she switch seats, she retorted: "He likes the window seat and I would rather him happily look out the window than be grumpy in the middle. You've clearly never travelled with kids!".