A man who refused to give up his upgraded seats to an elderly couple on board a 12-hour flight to Los Angeles has sparked debate online.


The unnamed traveller took to Reddit to explain that during his flight from New Zealand to LA, he had upgraded his seat to have more leg room because he is 6ft3in. 


However when he reached his seats, he found an elderly couple in their mid-seventies there.After refusing to give his seats to them, he received glares from the other passengers on board the flight.


Over 2,000 people commented on the post, but many said the traveller had been in the right for his behaviour. In the post titled 'Old couple try to take our seats on the plane', the man detailed the events, writing: 'Saw a few plane seat-related posts so I thought I would add my story.'


'Few years ago my significant other and I planned a 3 month trip around the world. Our first flight was from New Zealand-LA. 12-13 hours.'



'We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I'm 6'3" and wanted the extra leg room. Cost an extra $60.'


'This flight was with Air New Zealand, the screen has your name on it when you get to your seat. 'Welcome churtothechur' We get on the plane.'


'Find our seats and there is this older couple sitting there (mid 70s). I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers. They hadn't.'


'I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen. They then ask me just sit in their seats which was 10 rows back. No leg room.'


The Reddit user then goes on to describe the brief exchange between the two couples.


He said he informed them he had paid extra for the seats, and asked the couple to move.

A third user wrote: 'Honestly wouldn't matter if you were 4'0 - they were your seats. These people were ridiculous.'


A fourth added: 'Seriously, what kind of person decides to take someone else's seat on a plane?'


'I understand if there's an empty seat once you've taken off, but this kind of thing takes a special kind of entitlement.'