Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

TikTokers Reveal Hilarious Hack For Keeping Middle Seat Between Them Open On Southwest Flight

Screenshots from Alyssa Rafael's TikTok video
@alyssarafael/TikTok

Married TikTokers Alyssa and AJ Rafael didn't want to have someone sitting with them on their Southwest flight that allowed travelers to pick their own seats—so they pretended to be vloggers.

We can all agree that airline seats have become increasingly uncomfortable and tight, not allowing enough room for anyone to relax while on the flight. This can especially become a problem when we don't know the person sitting next to us.

Fortunately for passengers of Southwest Airlines, the company currently has a first come, first served open seating policy for their flights. Though they will be lifting this policy soon, passengers are currently taking advantage of it in any way that they can.


Two TikTokers, Alyssa Rafael and her husband AJ Rafael, in particular just created a hilarious—and incredibly timely—hack for getting a three-seat row all to themselves without anyone feeling tempted to ask for that middle seat: by acting like obnoxious vloggers.

In a hilarious first video, the pair of TikTokers talk over one another and try to complete each others' sentences (badly) while shouting out common annoying catchphrases as fellow passengers eye—and decide to pass up—sitting with them.

You can watch the first video here:

@alyssarafael

when we landed one if the flight attendants asked for a photo with us haha

The leading question from viewers of the video, of course, was whether or not the hack proved to be successful.

Alyssa Rafael was happy to report that the trick had worked by responding with a series of photos from the flight, starting with one of her relaxing in her seat while AJ was busy on his computer, the middle seat happily empty.

You can see the series of photos here:

@alyssarafael

Replying to @Christina 🫧 🤭 im not saying i recommend trying this but…

Some TikTokers found this hack to be perfectly hilarious, if not with a hint of evil genius.

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

Others shared their own hacks for keeping the middle seat empty, which were also equally genius.

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

@alyssarafael/TikTok

Though Southwest Airlines has spoken of lifting their open seating arrangement on their flights, these are all smart hacks for now for folks who really feel the need for some personal space, especially if it's a longer flight.

Even when the open-seating arrangement is lifted in the future, there will still be occasional opportunities on any airline for open seating, giving passengers a chance to bring back these tried and true hacks, even just for one flight.

The real question remains, however, now that the Rafael TikTok pair have shared their hack on social media—will their followers play along with their vlogging act, or will they want to make an appearance?

More from Trending

Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Lauren Boebert speaking to Alex Stein
Prime Time with Alex Stein/Blaze Media

Lauren Boebert Casts Doubt On Moon Landing During Wild Interview With Conspiracy Theorist

Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was criticized after she seemingly agreed with the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked in a wide-ranging interview with conservative conspiracy theorist Alex Stein.

The segment began with the duo casting doubt on nuclear weapons—Boebert even joked about needing "tin foil"—and moved into weirder territory when Stein praised Boebert for "vibing" with him on the topic of the moon landing. Conspiracy theorists have long alleged the moon landing was fabricated by NASA in what they claim was an elaborate hoax.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosie O'Donnell; Oprah Winfrey
Simon Ackerman/Getty Images; Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah For Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding In Scathing Poem

Among the various celebrity hangers-on who attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venice wedding, the one that seemed to generate the most controversy was Oprah Winfrey.

After all, a woman known for her progressive politics whose entire ethos is about teaching people how to be their best selves, attending the wedding of man who directly funded a fascist regime dismantling our country before our eyes doesn't exactly add up.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa Murkowski
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Lisa Murkowski Slammed After Criticizing Massive Budget Bill She Just Voted For

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski was slammed after she claimed that President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is "not there yet" despite casting the deciding vote to narrowly pass it before sending it back to the House.

In a marathon voting session, the Senate narrowly passed the legislation in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman listening to her boyfriend play guitar
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Things People Initially Found Attractive About Their Partner That Now Annoy Them

Being in a relationship can be wonderful, but it's not without its ups and downs.

In order for it to work, we have to allow it to grow and change over time rather than being locked forever into what it was when we first started dating our person.

Keep ReadingShow less