Airlines today constantly push boundaries in their service offerings. With no alternative to flying across oceans, they tend to overbook flights, charge for standard-sized luggage, and introduce unusual seating arrangements.

One woman recently found herself in a moral dilemma when she declined a first-class upgrade swap on a much-anticipated flight. She had booked early and accumulated enough travel points for the upgrade, but things took an unexpected turn when a flight attendant asked her to move to a lower-class seat.

The woman, a 23-year-old, had meticulously planned her trip to San Francisco for over a year, securing her tickets well in advance. Just a month or two before the trip, the airline informed her that she had qualified for a first-class upgrade due to her loyalty points and membership status. This was her first-ever experience flying first class, and she was beyond excited. She prepared for the journey by utilizing the lounge amenities and was welcomed into a luxurious 13-hour flight setting.

However, about an hour after takeoff, a flight attendant approached her with a surprising request: she was asked to switch seats with a 10-year-old boy from economy class so he could sit with his parents, who were seated in first class. According to the flight attendant, the boy’s parents were members who had received upgrades but were unaware that their son wasn’t eligible for the same upgrade. As a result, while the parents enjoyed first-class seats, the child was left in economy.

The flight attendant offered alternatives, including a complimentary upgrade on a future flight or a full refund for the current one. When the woman asked if she could keep her seat, the flight attendant explained that she was one of only three passengers who had received an upgrade. Since there were no other available first-class seats, it seemed logical to have the boy take her place to sit with his family.

Despite the appeal of the attendant’s offer, the woman chose to stay put. She reasoned that she had earned the upgrade through frequent flying and felt it was unfair to give up her seat, especially since the parents hadn’t purchased first-class tickets. The flight attendant remained respectful and assured her that the matter would be resolved.

Although the woman never saw the parents, as they were seated farther away, she did encounter backlash from an elderly woman seated nearby. The elderly woman criticized her for allowing a young child to sit alone for such a long flight. The thought of a child enduring a 13-hour journey alone was concerning, but she observed the boy walking up and down the aisles regularly to see his parents, so he wasn’t truly isolated.

Ultimately, the woman was left wondering if her decision made her the “bad guy” in this situation. Was it wrong to keep a seat she earned, even if it meant separating a child from his parents? The moral gray area left her seeking online advice: Was she really at fault, or was this a case of unfair pressure in an already tricky airline system?