Here’s how one traveler’s viral hack to avoid middle seats is causing an uproar

A viral hack shared by Australian travel enthusiast, Jorden Tually, is causing quite the stir online. The contentious trick, aimed at dodging the dreaded middle seat on flights, has raked in over 22 million views and ignited a debate about its ethical implications.

Tually, with over 3 million followers on TikTok, gained widespread attention after he shared his method for avoiding the middle seat when flying on budget airlines. “Did you know with budget airlines if you click random seat allocation they will intentionally put you in the middle seat in the hopes that you pay money to get out of it?” Tually said in his viral video.

@jordentually This travel hack has saved me from MANY a middle seat over the years. It’s actually never failed me and has a 100% perfect record when done correctly! It’s easiest when done on a computer & even easier if you do it closer to checkin as less seats are available 😌 share with a mate & save for future use, ENJOY! PS: can we sue the airlines for saying “random allocation” when I know that’s simply not true 🤨 #whatheck #travel #ryanair #budgetairline #airline #travelhack ♬ original sound – Jorden Tually

His technique involves feigning multiple seat purchases. By pulling up an image of his flight, showing a variety of middle seats still open, he pretends to buy all the middle seats, thus tricking the system into thinking those seats are taken.

However, this move has raised questions about its ethical implications. Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, noted that while this hack may save money, it could cause inconvenience to other passengers and airlines. He pointed out that pretending to book seats with no intention of actually purchasing them can be harmful for those genuinely looking for seats at that time.

While some social media users found the hack to be genius, others labeled it as problematic. Some users expressed their concerns that such tricks could inflate flight prices and create an unfair environment for those who are actually willing to pay for those seats.

Duckworth encourages people to know their preferences when traveling, especially with budget airlines. “If you’re looking for a budget-friendly environment, then just know you’re going to end up with a budget-friendly seat,” Duckworth added. He suggested factoring the cost of the flight into one’s vacation plan and picking seats during booking to avoid any potential headache.

The debate over Tually’s seat hack is reflective of a broader conversation about ethical travel practices. In an age where viral travel hacks are increasingly popular, the line between clever tricks and unfair manipulation can become blurred. By creating a temporary block on middle seats, Tually’s hack potentially limits options for other passengers and could disrupt airlines’ operations.

This discussion also taps into the larger issue of budget travel and the sacrifices individuals are willing to make for cheaper flights. As Duckworth noted, budget-friendly travel often comes with less desirable seating options, and travelers need to be prepared for this trade-off. While some may see Tually’s method as a savvy way to navigate this system, others view it as an unethical exploitation of airline algorithms.