What to do if Airline changes your seat

Edits based on comment feedback: 1) it must be an international flight going to the US. Any other combination probably doesn't work. I know they take missed connection bags all the time but US customs views that very differently than "this person checked a bag and then never boarded the flight." 2) you have to be ok with buying another ticket on another airline to get home if they won't budge. A waste of money sure, but to get to stick it to the horrendous customer service of the major US carriers, a price I'm willing to pay 💪 This has saved me a few times when my aisle seat got changed to a middle or window seat just before boarding. I have a bad hip so I really need to be in the aisle for anything over 3 hours. Post 9/11, US security rules say that for international flights, baggage cannot fly if the passenger isn't actually boarded on the flight. So go to the front desk and explain that you need your original seat. Be super calm. When they give you the runaround, calmly explain that you understand but you'll just need to get rebooked on the next flight with an aisle seat available please. You'll quickly get your original seat back. --- **Post Details:** - **Subreddit:** r/travelhacks - **Author:** u/greg90 - **Score:** 41 upvotes - **Upvote Ratio:** 67.0% - **Comments:** 67 - **Posted:** 7/6/2025 - **URL:** https://reddit.com/r/TravelHacks/comments/1lsv5t9/what_to_do_if_airline_changes_your_seat/