A new breed of seat squatters is causing a stir on airplanes, not just vying for better seats, but also employing cunning strategies to snag complimentary drinks. These opportunistic passengers are pushing the boundaries of in-flight etiquette, sometimes even impersonating first-class travelers to gain access to premium beverages.

A recent Reddit post highlighted this trend, recounting a flight attendant's tale of passengers who briefly occupied first-class seats, only to return to their assigned seats with their ill-gotten drinks in hand. This incident sparked a flurry of online discussion, with many users expressing disbelief and disgust at such behavior.

One Redditor shared a personal experience involving two women who attempted a similar maneuver, quickly settling into first-class seats before being discovered by the rightful occupant. Their excuse? They were "rookies." The flight attendant then shared a separate anecdote about passengers who used the "visiting a family member" ruse to obtain free drinks before retreating to their assigned seats.

This pursuit of complimentary beverages seems to be the primary motivator for some seat squatters, rather than a desire for a more comfortable seat. Some speculate that these individuals may even be documenting their exploits for social media clout. The audacity of these actions has prompted online commentators to lament the decline of respect and dignity in air travel.

Another incident involved a passenger who was upgraded to first class only to find someone already occupying the seat. This squatter had even ordered a beer, which was ultimately delivered to the rightful passenger. The prevalence of such incidents has led to frustration among travelers and sparked conversations about appropriate etiquette.

Travel expert Gary Leff suggests a more ethical approach: asking fellow passengers to swap seats, offering a compelling reason and potentially something in return. Etiquette experts also advise addressing seat squatting situations calmly and seeking assistance from flight attendants if necessary.