On the plane, Agnia had stopped in the aisle and was staring thoughtfully at her window seat. People were crowding behind her, some of them loudly getting impatient, but the young woman needed a few moments to process the situation. A big plane, seven hours of flight ahead. Three seats on each side, thirty rows. Agnia had chosen her window seat carefully: she hated the stewardesses driving by with their carts, people moving, children running around… Noise, on the other hand, didn’t bother her. As a business traveler, she had long since invested in noise-cancelling headphones, knew how to keep herself busy, listen to music or distract herself. Tonight she was particularly tired and planned to sleep so she would be fit the next day. But apparently that was not guaranteed. The middle seat was occupied by a woman with a strong build. Not exactly the kind of giant you see on American programs about obesity, but definitely not petite either. Her seatbelt was extended with an extension, and Agnia could clearly see that a single seat was not enough. The woman sat with her legs slightly apart, taking up Agnia’s personal space and probably also the space of the person who was supposed to occupy the aisle seat. Or maybe…? — Good evening, — Agnia said politely to her neighbor and pointed to the aisle seat. — Excuse me, is this your seat too? — What, my seat? — the woman answered, visibly confused. — Your seat. — No, mine is in the middle. — Madam, please sit down, — an annoyed voice interrupted behind Agnia. — Go ahead, — she answered and moved a little to the side to make room for the passengers. Then she turned back to her neighbor: — So, there really are three of us here, you, me and someone else? — Yes, exactly. — Very good, I understand.
Agnia assessed the situation at a glance… She herself weighed sixty kilos, but even this ideal weight would not be enough to prevent her neighbor’s massive leg from inevitably pushing into her space. With a sigh, the young woman pressed the call button for the stewardess. The lady next to her stared at her suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. — How can I help you? — asked the stewardess with her professional smile. — My seat is by the window, — Agnia explained calmly. — We have seven hours of flight ahead of us. I’m afraid my neighbor and I won’t have enough space… It will be too cramped, and… — Hey! — shouted the woman, blushing with anger. — What are you complaining about, you skinny herring? — I’m not complaining, — answered Agnia, shrugging her shoulders. — I can be very direct if you want: you should have booked two seats for yourself.
Or fly in business class. In the current situation, no one will feel comfortable: neither we nor you. And by the way, I have not given you a reason to insult me. —I don’t need a reason! —Look, let’s settle this calmly, — the stewardess intervened. —That’s exactly what I suggest, — Agnia agreed. —Unfortunately, there are no seats left in economy class, — the stewardess said with a sigh. —That’s a real pity. Are there any other options? The stewardess sighed again. —I can put you in business class. —You? In business class? — the woman blurted out. — And me? Do I stay here or what? —Unfortunately, the seats in business class are only slightly wider than in economy, and there is only one seat left, — the stewardess answered in a neutral tone. — I will rebook this passenger. The window seat will be free, and you will sit much more comfortably than in business class. Will you come with me? — she added, turning to Agnia. — With pleasure.
Thank you. Under the lady’s grim look, Agnia followed the stewardess. — What do you do when there are no free seats left and you start to get such complaints? — Agnia asked as she sat down in the new seat. This time not by the window, but next to a charming young man who was also wearing noise-canceling headphones. — Well… we are flying, — the stewardess replied in a philosophical tone. — Admittedly, in a somewhat tense atmosphere. — Thank you for helping me, — Agnia smiled. — Thank you for not making a loud fuss. — Oh, I’m a lawyer. I have practice. — Soon we will serve the food and drinks, — the stewardess concluded before leaving. Agnia stretched her legs, took out her headphones and her e-reader. She felt neither anger nor resentment, but simply the satisfaction of having gotten what she wanted and having had the courage to speak. A solution had been found.”A peaceful way out,” thought Agnia as she opened the novel she had started. “In the era of body positivity, I could have gotten myself into trouble. But would she really have felt comfortable for seven hours, or even longer if the flight had been delayed? I don’t care how much she weighs; what bothers me is that she takes up physical space from me.” “We’re about to take off,” announced the stewardess as she passed by. “Please fasten your seat belt.” Agnia fastened her seat belt and resumed reading.
