Flight Passenger Scores $150 via Venmo in Aisle Seat Swap Deal

In a world where seat-swapping on flights often leads to awkward standoffs, one traveler found a way to flip the script—and make a quick buck. A Reddit user shared their experience of scoring $150 for giving up their aisle seat during a recent nonstop flight from New York to Austin.

According to the post on the "r/delta" subreddit, the drama unfolded when two passengers, both stuck with middle seats in the same row, tried to negotiate swaps so they could sit together. Their opening offer? A modest $80 to anyone willing to give up their aisle or window seat. Spoiler alert: no takers.

One of the middle seat passengers ended up next to the Reddit user and upped the ante. "The guy next to me asked if I would swap for $150. I thought about it and said yes. We swapped, and his buddy Venmo'd me before takeoff. Boom, easiest $150 I've ever made," the post gleefully recounted.

As if the deal wasn’t sweet enough, when the drink cart rolled by, the generous passenger offered to buy the aisle-seat seller a drink. While they opted for water, the Redditor humorously noted that they may have missed out on a free glass of wine. "I guess the lesson here is everyone has a price," they quipped.

Other Redditors quickly chimed in with their own tales of seat-swapping adventures. One user shared, "Someone once paid me $100 to switch from an aisle to a window. No brainer for me." Another added, "This is the way. If the flight isn't too heinously long and you're comfortable in a middle seat, just throw out a price! Nothing to lose, so why not?"

The incident sparked a wider conversation about the ethics and etiquette of seat swaps. Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," emphasized the importance of offering a fair trade. "You need decent trade bait! Don’t offer a middle seat in the back in exchange for an extra legroom aisle," he told Fox News Digital. "Have a compelling reason that will resonate with the person you’re asking and something decent to offer in return."

Rosalinda Randall, a California-based etiquette expert, echoed the sentiment, suggesting that travelers should approach seat swaps more thoughtfully. "You may have more luck if a flight attendant makes the announcement or if you offer to buy them a beverage or two, pay for airline extras, or transfer funds," she advised.

While not everyone is eager to make deals mid-air, this story proves that sometimes, a little Venmo magic can turn a cramped middle seat into an unexpectedly profitable venture. And hey, $150 is nothing to sneeze at for a few hours of discomfort.