I fly often, and I always run into the same problem: I’m heavier than average, and I physically don’t fit into a standard seat without encroaching on the person next to me.

So I decided in advance to buy two tickets — one window seat and the seat next to it — so I wouldn’t bother anyone.

I sat down and buckled my seatbelt when suddenly a woman with a small child approached me. Without asking, she sat her child down in the empty seat next to me. 

I calmly explained that this seat was also mine, that I paid for it, and that I needed it for personal reasons.

But the woman started protesting loudly.

— “Seriously? You won’t give up a seat for a child?!”

Some “kind” fellow passengers chimed in:

— “But it’s a child!”

I could feel the judgmental stares. But I knew I was in the right. And then I did something that ended this little performance. Story continues in the first comment 

I calmly pressed the call button for the flight attendant and explained the situation. I showed both boarding passes and added:

“Either you find this passenger other seats, or I’ll ask for the captain to be called and an official report to be made for interfering with paid seats. This violates transport regulations.”

Everything happened quickly. The attendant called the senior flight crew. After a brief conversation with the captain, the woman and her child were escorted off the plane. It turned out she had done this before — she just got lucky the other times.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, it finally became quiet next to me. A few people even apologized — although most just looked away.

P.S. I bought two seats because I respect myself and others. Not to “give them up” to someone else.