Delta Flight Fight: Guy Branum Says Man Elbowed Him Over Being “Too Fat” Middle Seat

Guy Branum, the comedian known for sharp takes and sharper outfits, says a Delta flight from New York to Los Angeles turned into a whole scene before the wheels even touched the runway. According to Branum, a fellow passenger elbowed him in the ribs because Branum, who sits in the middle seat, allegedly looked too big for the space. Branum claims the confrontation happened pre takeoff, with the accusation that he was occupying more space than his seat would normally allow. The elbow, Branum says, came with a side of commentary about personal space and body size, a combination that instantly throttled the mood from calm to chaotic.

As the tension mounted, Branum says he reported the incident to a flight attendant and the crew launched an investigation. The flight was delayed in the process, turning what should have been a routine NY to LA hop into a mini-drama you would expect to see unfolding in a Netflix pilot rather than at 35,000 feet. Branum even posted a video of the moment, capturing the tug-of-war over the armrest plus the verbal sparring that accompanied it. On screen, you can hear the back-and-forth about the middle-seat dynamic and the aisle partner’s insistence on space. The exchange sits squarely at the intersection of weight stigma and the daily realities of air travel, where the few inches between stranger and stranger can feel like a battleground.

Branum describes the flight crew as “amazing” and “supportive,” a sentiment you see echoed in many passenger interactions with airline staff who navigate the delicate lines between customer service and safety. Yet Branum also singles out a Delta Red Coat—an in-flight supervisor or security-like figure—who, he says, treated him “like an object.” The phrasing hints at a perception that Branum’s dignity was not fully respected in the moment, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has felt scrutinized while simply trying to sit down and ride along.

In the end, the seating dynamics shifted: Branum says the man who allegedly elbowed him swapped seats with a woman across the aisle. The change eliminated the direct confrontation, but not the public airing of the incident. Delta has been approached for comment, with no word back at the time of reporting, which is typical in ongoing investigations where airline personnel review CCTV footage, interview passengers, and consult crew notes before drawing conclusions.

This isn’t the first time a celebrity voice has used the airline theater to spotlight a broader social issue. The core of Branum’s recount lands on a pair of intertwined questions: How much space do we deserve on a three-seat row, and how do we handle encounters that veer into body shaming or discomfort about size in public spaces? The incident makes for a spicy social moment—and, yes, a reminder that travel, even in 2025, still requires a certain amount of grace, patience, and a willingness to navigate uncomfortable conversations with strangers at 30,000 feet.

What’s next? Will Delta or other carriers address the incident with new seating policies or improved crew training on handling sensitive personal space disputes? Will Branum use this moment to advocate for clearer guidelines around mid-seat etiquette or the policies governing interventions by flight crews when personal space is breached? The airline world tends to respond behind the scenes with policy tweaks or staff training modules, but the public-facing narrative can influence traveler expectations for months to come.

If you thought the in-flight chaos was reserved for dramatic passenger lists, think again. This story is a reminder that reality often travels with you, even when you’re strapped into a seat belt and trying to reach a destination.

Anyway, that is the deal. The next chapter may involve more from Branum, Delta, or the flying public as this particular seat saga continues to unfold.