A passenger on board an American Airlines flight to Dallas has published a video of NFL quarterback Cam Newton offering a fellow traveler $1,500 for a seat swap.Earning in excess of $21 million per year, Cam Newton is one of America’s biggest football stars. Newton was scheduled to travel back to the States on Friday 21st June but missed his booked flight from Paris to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.Instead, he was slated for a second American Airlines flight from Paris to Dallas. But for this flight, Newton was only offered an economy seat, according to One Mile at a Time.After boarding the flight, the 6’6” Carolina Panthers quarterback allegedly voiced his disappointment about the size of the seat pitch. He approached a man sitting at the bulkhead of the cabin and asked him if he would swap seats. The football player offered the man $1,500.A video of the deal was promptly posted to Twitter.

Refusal

Despite the gravy, the passenger in question refused Newton’s offer.

According to Business Insider, Eli Edwards – whose video of Newton’s dealing has since gone viral - said,

"I saw Cam Newton go up to a gentleman and ask him if he'd be willing to trade seats for the extra legroom for the 10-hour flight.

“The man asked Cam Newton how tall he was. Cam Newton said 'about 6'6".' The man said he was about 6'4" so it wouldn't do him any justice to switch."

According to Hosie the passenger at the bulkhead was travelling with two other people from whom he did not want to be separated. So, despite being offered a not-inconsiderable amount of money, the man declined.

Edwards said Newton gave way gracefully and returned to his seat for the nine hour journey. He “pretty much shook it off,” according to reports.

Don't mess with the allocation

Seat swapping is considered by most airlines to be somewhat of a nag. More often than not, passenger allocation is carefully determined.

Security concerns, access for disabled users and the position of those with special dietary requirements are just some of the reasons for airlines' insisting that passengers do not move around of their own accord. Hence, if a seat is not to our liking there is usually very little we can do about it.

However, if there is a worthwhile reason to swap a seat with another passenger (such as a need to disembark fast) it may be done sub rosa with a degree of tact and grace.

Generally speaking, seat swaps between passengers are done with the understanding that the swap is either of a better seat or an equivalent seat.

It is a perfectly reasonable business practice to occupy unpopular seats with budget ticket-holders. However, it would not aid co-passenger relations to attempt to coerce a fellow traveler to give up their bulkhead, aisle or window seat for a budget middle seat in the same class.

On the other hand it may be worth trying to tempt someone in an economy aisle or window seat to agree to take a middle seat in a superior class. In any case, to accept that the answer may be "no" before you ask to swap seats with someone is considered good form.

It is likely Cam Newton thought a swap was at least worth asking about.