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Home » United Airlines » Karen Needs Her Personal Space On United Airlines…
United Airlines

Karen Needs Her Personal Space On United Airlines…

Matthew Klint Posted onJuly 31, 2023November 13, 2023 35 Comments

a man standing in a room with another man in glasses

I try hard to avoid using the “Karen” term because I know too many wonderful Karens, but a “Karen” incident on United Airlines involving personal space really leaves me rolling my eyes…kudos to the gate agent for handling the situation well and for not throwing off the passenger who was just minding his own business.

Karen Demands That Her Seatmate Unplug His Device On United Airlines Flight Because It Is Invading Her Personal Space

A passenger seated a few rows back witnessed the entire thing. She took the two videos below and also offered a third video explaining what happened.

  • A woman was cleared onto a United Airlines 737-900 flight at the last minute and assigned a bulkhead window seat
  • Upon reaching her assigned row, she ordered the two men seated in the aisle and middle to stand up and move out to allow her to enter her seat
  • She then told the passenger seated next to her that he would have to unplug his electronic device because it was invading her “personal space”
  • That triggered a verbal exchange in which the man refused and after some back-and-forth, called the woman a b*tch
  • A gate agent was brought onboard to mediate and heard both passenger accounts
  • A Good Samaritan in the window seat behind the woman offered to switch with her
  • She complained that her seatmate called her a “b*tch” to which he responded, “And you is one”
  • It seems there was fear that the situation was not fully resolved, because a supervisor entered the plane with the gate agent and both passengers were removed
  • Ultimately, the man was let back onboard (and apparently received a round of applause as he returned to his seat)

https://www.tiktok.com/@gammy_i_am_2021/video/7259621993111096619?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7261931895096788507

https://www.tiktok.com/@gammy_i_am_2021/video/7259919988721601834?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7261931895096788507

https://www.tiktok.com/@gammy_i_am_2021/video/7259940349903195435?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7261931895096788507

I understand that “manspreading” is a thing, but telling another passenger that he cannot use the shared power outlet is unacceptable (on select United 737s, there are two power outlets for every three economy class seats). If you have a problem with “personal space” and cannot tolerate someone next to you, I suggest you buy a second economy class seat or upgrade to first class.

For what’s it worth, the man, who was black, accused the woman, who was white, of being rude to him because he was black. I don’t think we can draw that conclusion based upon the video – I think she was jsut very paranoid about personal space and also shrill and rude.

Anyone who thinks that they can dictate who can use shared space onboard (like a power outlet) is a Karen.

The man should not have used coarse language, which reflects poorly on him, but by all accounts he was just minding his own business until this woman boarded and started harassing him.

CONCLUSION

We must be respectful of those around us (as the American Airlines captain reminded us earlier), but shared space is (wait for it…) shared space. No one has any right to demand that you cease from using that shared space just because they may want more space for themselves. If that is your need, then book an extra seat or fly first class…there is no Kevin in this story, only a Karen.

(H/T: View From The Wing with an actual backlink, imagine that…)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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35 Comments

  1. Billy Bob Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 1:25 pm

    That’s a -900. Also if he got an applause when coming back on there must be some other stuff this lady did that’s not shown. She’s definitely the problem here

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 1:48 pm

      How can you tell? Looks like a -800 to me (overhead bins, screens, safety card)

      • Taylor Reply
        July 31, 2023 at 2:09 pm

        Billy Bob is correct that this is a -900, the -800 doesn’t have a mid-cabin lav at row 7.

        • Bil Reply
          August 5, 2023 at 11:42 am

          Dude, if you know that, you fly WAY too much.

  2. Jery Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 1:39 pm

    I just can’t imagine ever calling a stranger a “bitch” to their face. I might think it, or say it in private, but I certainly wouldn’t address them as such. I’d say all people involved here look like dum-dums.

    • Stu Gots Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 3:06 pm

      Clearly you’ve never been challenged by stupidity. Consider yourself lucky.

      • Jerry Reply
        July 31, 2023 at 5:20 pm

        I spelled my own name wrong, so it appears I have indeed been challenged by stupidity, though I still won’t resort to name calling.

    • footballfan Reply
      August 3, 2023 at 5:54 pm

      Generally, I wouldn’t, but to a Karen I would not hesitate for a micro-second to call her that. And, I may even call her something worse. Karens are terrible human beings. They must be stopped at ALL costs, and must be stamped out ON THE SPOT like roaches. I am very serious.

  3. CHRIS Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    I don’t think it had anything to do with him being black but since that’s the automatic thro-down card these days, just go with it.

  4. derek Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 3:51 pm

    Use of the word “karen” is no different from the N-word used against Blacks. This should stop.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 3:53 pm

      Why do you say that? Karen is pejorative, but not on the level of the n-word or even “YT” that the racist trash on TikTok use.

      • Fonzi Reply
        August 1, 2023 at 2:00 am

        Do you know that there is Karen nation as well? They might feel quite offended. 🙂

        • Big B Reply
          August 2, 2023 at 7:11 am

          Yes, they’ll need to talk to his manager…

    • Billy Bob Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 5:15 pm

      I’m white and Karen doesn’t offend me at all. Cry more, victim

    • Aaron Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      Is this your way of telling us that youu’re one of those people who think slavery was good for African-Americans?

      • Aaron Reply
        July 31, 2023 at 7:19 pm

        Like Matthew, I really need to double check what I write before hitting “submit”…

    • Alex Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 7:51 pm

      If you will spell out one word, but not the other, then guess what? The word you wouldn’t spell out is the worst word. Lol. This guy. Lmao.

    • Karen Reply
      August 1, 2023 at 2:59 pm

      While not as bad as the n* word, I agree it should stop. Thank you. There are better terms for people behaving badly, and I’m sure that good journalists can come up with something creative that isn’t now as trite and unimaginative as “Karen”.

  5. BDAGuy Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 4:03 pm

    She was wrong and started the problem. He was wrong for what he said but he was the attacked party. She was removed. He re-boarded. Problem solved.

  6. Mike Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 4:13 pm

    Yeah, don’t use “Karen”, it is inappropriate since it is based on race/gender. Not cool. You can call her out on her behavior but once you use the “Karen” reference you
    lose the point. What other race/gender has a name to describe that group? Definitely needs to go away.

    • Billy Bob Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      OK, Kevin

  7. Twinkle Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 5:24 pm

    I agree with Mike and Derek. Using Karen is sexist and antagonist. Behavior can be described, No need to resort to name calling.

    I know some wonderful Karens and I don’t think it’s right to weaponize their name.

    • Aaron Reply
      July 31, 2023 at 7:21 pm

      How is it sexist?

  8. David Miller Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    All of the comments here would never had been made if that woman had of been civil and kept her hands to herself. There are ways to talk to people to resolve issues – she chose to be judgemental (her “manspreading” complaint) and removed the man’s charger without discussion or permission. The man was correct to label her what she obviously was being – a bitch.

  9. Jan Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    “And you is one” lol

  10. Sherman Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 7:01 pm

    Yeah she’s definitely a bitch Karen.

  11. Leslie Bispham Reply
    July 31, 2023 at 8:55 pm

    The actual issue is the woman was unreasonable and rude. She went a step further with regard to the”touching” thing and then touched the young gentleman’s personal items. As a reporter, he should have reported that a rude and unreasonable woman caused a problem on a flight and left out the whole “Karen” label. The comments focused on the term Karen only prove most missed the the actual issue.
    It’s too bad the young man had to get off the plane and the rest of the flight had to wait and be delayed because of one woman’s deplorable behavior

  12. Maugrim Reply
    August 1, 2023 at 3:30 am

    “Karen” is sexist but “man spreading” isn’t ? Mmmmmkay.

  13. Daena Reply
    August 1, 2023 at 9:03 am

    Stop using the name Karen to describe nasty behavior, it isn’t fair to the woman with the actual name of Karen or the indigenous people from Myanmar. You people do anything to spread hate. Why are you continuously spreading hate by calling these woman Karen? There names are never Karen, why not call them out by their own names and hold them personally accountable for their own actions? Why not make them pay a fine for acting nasty in public? Oh right!!! Because that wouldn’t be spreading hate. You don’t want to end racism you want to just continue to spread it.

    • Aaron Reply
      August 1, 2023 at 12:46 pm

      Lol someone clearly doesn’t know what racism means.

      • Bil Reply
        August 5, 2023 at 11:44 am

        Aaron – She’s right. From now on, we call those loud, obnoxious women who always complain “Daenas”.

        • Daena Reply
          August 5, 2023 at 8:43 pm

          If you have a problem with what I said you can address me like an adult. And if that’s the case I’ll be sure to call all male incels like yourself bils. Gfy.

  14. Daena Reply
    August 1, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    How don’t I know what racism means AARON ? Karen is a pejorative term for a white middle aged woman who is demanding beyond the scope of what is normal correct? WHITE WOMAN….no other color mentioned in the definition..correct? Please take your arrogance and what you think you know to someone who clearly is on your incel level and go away…BYE!!!

  15. Chi Hsuan Reply
    August 1, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    I got censored on View from the Wing because I wondered why black people cant speak english properly. He should have said “you ARE one”

    Of course the usual chorus of snowflakes thought it was the worst thing in the world and blah blah blah. Gary ended up DELETING my comments. What a jerk.

  16. Howdy Reply
    August 4, 2023 at 6:17 pm

    Usually, Sadly, and as your writing demonstrate, it is quite inevitable, a Black person, interrupted when minding own business, will in the end, be lectured on what they did wrong. ‍♂️

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