Traveler’s Viral Hack to Avoid Middle Seats Sparks Ethics Debate

A viral travel tip about avoiding the dreaded middle seat has social media buzzing, but not everyone is on board with the method—or its ethical implications. The hack, shared by Australian content creator Jorden Tually, has amassed over 22 million views on Instagram, with users weighing in on whether it’s genius or problematic.

The Hack: How It Works

Tually, who has over 3 million TikTok followers, shared his strategy for sidestepping the middle seat without paying extra fees on budget airlines.

According to his video:

1. Pretend to Book Middle Seats: Tually selects multiple middle seats on his flight by entering fake passenger names during the booking process.
2. Hold the Seats Temporarily: This forces the airline’s system to hold those seats for about 10–15 minutes.
3. Book Your Own Ticket: With the middle seats held, Tually proceeds to check in with his real ticket, often securing a window or aisle seat instead of being randomly assigned a middle one.

In his example, the system allocated him a window seat after the middle seats were blocked.

Social Media Reactions

Many Instagram users applauded Tually’s ingenuity:

• “Modern problems require modern solutions,” one person commented.
• “BRO, that’s genius! Thanks for sharing,” another user added.

However, not everyone saw it as harmless. Critics argued that it’s unfair to both the airlines and other passengers.

• “This is why flights are so expensive these days! You should be ashamed,” one user wrote.
• “Shameful. People buy the cheapest flights, cheat on buying the seats, and then complain about the airlines,” said another commenter.

Experts Question the Hack’s Ethics

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, weighed in on the controversy, calling the tactic both time-consuming and ethically questionable.

“You’re pretending to book seats you have no intention of keeping, which is harmful to the airlines and other passengers who may be looking for seats at that time,” Duckworth said.

While Tually claimed the process takes only a couple of minutes, Duckworth suggested it could take much longer for the average traveler. He also encouraged passengers to keep their travel preferences realistic when flying with budget airlines.

“If you’re choosing a budget-friendly option, just know you’re going to get a budget-friendly seat,” he said.

Budget Airlines and Seat Selection Fees

Tually’s hack highlights the growing frustration with extra fees on budget airlines. Many carriers charge passengers to select their seats, prompting some travelers to look for creative ways to avoid additional costs.

For instance, low-cost airlines often assign middle seats by default during random seat allocation, pushing customers to pay extra for aisle or window seats. While these fees range from a few dollars to over $50, they can quickly add up—especially for families or frequent flyers.

Finding Ethical Alternatives

Travel experts recommend avoiding such hacks and instead factoring seat selection costs into your travel budget.

“Pick a flight that fits your budget, select your seat during booking, and enjoy your trip without the headache of trying to trick the system,” Duckworth advised.

By planning ahead, travelers can ensure they get the seat they want without resorting to tactics that could inconvenience other passengers.

The Bigger Picture

While hacks like Tually’s may appeal to those looking for a quick fix, they raise broader questions about fairness and ethics in travel. As airlines continue to rely on add-on fees for revenue, travelers are left to decide whether these strategies are worth the potential backlash.

For now, the debate continues on social media, with some praising the ingenuity behind Tually’s tip and others calling for more integrity when booking flights. As one commenter put it, “If you’re not willing to pay for comfort, maybe it’s time to embrace the middle seat and enjoy the ride.”