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
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Trump Just Gloated About His Intellect With A Truly Narcissistic Description Of Himself—And Critics Pounced

President Donald Trump was criticized for his latest narcissistic display, describing himself as an "extraordinarily brilliant person" while complaining about a successful redistricting effort in Virginia that bodes well for Democrats in this year's midterm elections.

The new lines would shift the state’s congressional balance from a current 6–5 Democratic edge to a projected 10–1 advantage, with only one Republican-leaning district in the conservative southwest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; Laura Ingraham
Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Gavin Newsom Perfectly Trolls Laura Ingraham After She Warns That Virginia Is 'The New California'

After Virginia voted to approve a redistricting plan that benefits Democrats, Gavin Newsom mocked Fox News personality Laura Ingraham for calling the state "the new California" in remarks on X.

The new lines would shift Virginia's congressional balance from a current 6–5 Democratic edge to a projected 10–1 advantage, with only one Republican-leaning district in the conservative southwest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

AOC Expertly Mocks Republicans Who Are Crying Foul Over Virginia's Redistricting Vote: 'Wah, Wah, Wah'

New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mocked Republicans who are complaining about their Virginia redistricting loss, explaining to reporters why they're so preoccupied about the possibility of Democrats picking up additional seats in the House of Representatives in this year's midterm elections.

The new lines would shift the state’s congressional balance from a current 6–5 Democratic edge to a projected 10–1 advantage, with only one Republican-leaning district in the conservative southwest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @jacobcarbreslin's TikTok video
@jacobcarbreslin/TikTok

A 'Fake Egg' Prank Targeting Kids Is Trending On TikTok—But Not Everyone Thinks It's Funny

In a recent TikTok trend, people are presenting young children with "fake eggs" and crushing the egg in their hands to show that the eggs are fake.

In order for this trend to work, the person has to poke a hole into each end of the egg to drain it of its yolk and let the shell dry, so it becomes more brittle and easy to crush, making the prank more believable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @nicmarievee's TikTok video
@nicmarievee/TikTok

Guy Sparks Debate After Abandoning Girlfriend In Economy While He Booked Himself A First Class Seat On Flight

It's really hard to watch while someone is clearly not being treated well enough by their partner, and instead of accepting the reality check for what it is, they spend their time digging their heels in deeper and defending their partner's honor.

That was certainly true for TikToker Nicole Vawter, or @nicmarievee, anyway, when fellow TikTokers called her partner out on selfishly booking himself a first class seat while his long-time girlfriend sat back in economy.

Keep ReadingShow less