Airline seating

[DisneyAbsolutely]

I'm flying Airtran with my husband and son, do they automatically seat people together? Do I need to be concerned about that? Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You need to go to AirTran's website and read their seat assignment policy. This will explain how seat selection works.

No one on any airline can be guaranteed the seat they want.

 

[dzaharchuk]

Hello- I just booked my airfare with Airtran this weekend. I was unpleasantly surprised when the page to choose your seat came up with the message that there is a $6.00 "seat charge". So, yes, you can sit together, but the cost is $6 pp, each way. Added another $60 to my trip, but I don't want to take a chance on not getting seated together. Sneaky.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Hello- I just booked my airfare with Airtran this weekend. I was unpleasantly surprised when the page to choose your seat came up with the message that there is a $6.00 "seat charge". So, yes, you can sit together, but the cost is $6 pp, each way. Added another $60 to my trip, but I don't want to take a chance on not getting seated together. Sneaky.

It's not sneaky at all. AirTran clearly states their seat assignment policy on their website. It's not the airline's fault if you didn't read and understand their policies before booking. I will even post a link for you:

http://www.airtran.com/help_seat_assignments.aspx

Advance seat assignments are available for purchase at any time with Discount Coach and Sale fares. Prices vary by seat. For customers who purchase Regular Coach fares (Y, B or M fare classes), some seat selections are complimentary.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

Hello- I just booked my airfare with Airtran this weekend. I was unpleasantly surprised when the page to choose your seat came up with the message that there is a $6.00 "seat charge". So, yes, you can sit together, but the cost is $6 pp, each way. Added another $60 to my trip, but I don't want to take a chance on not getting seated together. Sneaky.

Geez, thanks for the tip! I'm wondering if that's just an option for people who want to customize their seating arrangement (i.e., window seat, aisle, etc.) Wouldn't they want passengers that booked together to sit together? Very interesting!! I'd be fine to sit separately if I had no choice but I'm hoping they would at least try to seat parties together.

 

[declansdad]

I think the seat selection prices run from 6.50 to about 19.00 depending on where you want to sit. Paying for seat selection is the only way to guarantee sitting together with Air Tran.

 

[kamik86]

Geez, thanks for the tip! I'm wondering if that's just an option for people who want to customize their seating arrangement (i.e., window seat, aisle, etc.) Wouldn't they want passengers that booked together to sit together? Very interesting!! I'd be fine to sit separately if I had no choice but I'm hoping they would at least try to seat parties together.

Nope, the may try to have those that booked together sit together for some extent but they aren't going to guarantee it especially if many people pay for seats. When people pick seats 1 or 2 seats will be left all over the plane and they will just fit people in so its possible your family of 3 can end up in 3 different areas (assuming your son is above the age required to not be with a parent... maybe someone else knows what that age is)

 

[DebbieB]

Geez, thanks for the tip! I'm wondering if that's just an option for people who want to customize their seating arrangement (i.e., window seat, aisle, etc.) Wouldn't they want passengers that booked together to sit together? Very interesting!! I'd be fine to sit separately if I had no choice but I'm hoping they would at least try to seat parties together.

They want people who want to sit together to pay the fee. That's where the airlines are making their profits these days.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Wouldn't they want passengers that booked together to sit together? ...I'd be fine to sit separately if I had no choice but I'm hoping they would at least try to seat parties together.

They do try to seat parties together, but if you have the option to pay to chose seats and you don't do so, don't expect some one to move to accommodate you (not directed at anyone here, just general advice). As far as wanting people traveling on the same booking to sit together, airline employees really don't care unless you are talking about a very young child or disabled person traveling with a parent or caretaker. Then they will sometimes try to find seats together.

If seating is really important, fly an airline where you don't have to pay extra for advanced seating or pay the seating fee.

 

[StacyMarie]

Flew Airtran last year, if you want to definitely sit together, pay up I paid the $6 fee per person because I didn't want to take the chance of not being together.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm flying Airtran with my husband and son, do they automatically seat people together? Do I need to be concerned about that? Thanks!

I've flown Airtran for 3 years now.

If you don't pay to get seats together, you will most likely be separated on the flight unless there are seats together when you check in at the 24 hour mark.
That does happen but not as much as it used to since planes are flying pretty full these days.

I just count the fee for choosing my seat and luggage fee as a total cost of the flight nowadays when I'm deciding which airline to fly.

 

[aubriee]

There are lots of threads on this, but basically if you want to sit together then yes, I would pay the seat fee to do so. Air Tran is under no obligation to seat you together and since most folks have figured that out by now, more and more people are paying for the seats they want and most are not willing to give up a seat they paid for, to someone who chose not to. I travel solo, but because I prefer aisle seats, close to the front of the plane always paid for those $15.00 or $13.00 seats close to the front. As of Nov 22nd, Air Tran no longer flies out of Dallas, but back when they did, I flew DFW to MCO 4-6 times a year on them and always paid for my seat. Every single trip I heard some parent arguing with the gate agent that they did not pay for their seats because they didn't think there was any way Air Tran would separate them from their child. Every single time the resonse was exactly the same 'We did not separate you from your child. You did. You had the choice to choose your seat for a fee and chose not to. You can ask once you board and you might find someone willing to trade seats with you, but we will not force anyone to move". Since most flights now fly full and since so many people are choosing to purchase the seat they want, parties who choose not to are being used to fill up those odd single seats that are scattered around the plane. There is a very good chance that if you don't pay the seat fee, you will be seated all over the plane. I have personally seen fairly small kids (4-5 y/o) separated from their parents. Now if you have a child in a carseat, they will sit you next to that child, but otherwise expect that you may be seated apart from your child, if you chose not to pay the seat fee in order to do so.

Check out these threads:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2624648&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2574014&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2535237&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413982&highlight=air+tran+seating

 

[goofy4tink]

Hello- I just booked my airfare with Airtran this weekend. I was unpleasantly surprised when the page to choose your seat came up with the message that there is a $6.00 "seat charge". So, yes, you can sit together, but the cost is $6 pp, each way. Added another $60 to my trip, but I don't want to take a chance on not getting seated together. Sneaky.

Nope, not sneaky at all. It's all out there, for all to see. You just have to take the time to read how it all works before deciding on whether or not you want to fly AirTran.

Geez, thanks for the tip! I'm wondering if that's just an option for people who want to customize their seating arrangement (i.e., window seat, aisle, etc.) Wouldn't they want passengers that booked together to sit together? Very interesting!! I'd be fine to sit separately if I had no choice but I'm hoping they would at least try to seat parties together.

The airlines don't much care about keeping parties together. They care only about filling those seats. It's up to the passenger to use due dilligence in getting seats where they want them. And even then, there are no promises on the airlines part.
If you read the contract of carriage for each airline, they pretty much 'promise' to get you from point A to point B, on a given day...barring mechanical or weather issues. Seating??? Yeah, you can choose (and sometimes pay) for the particular seats you want, but there is always a chance that seat won't be yours when you get there...it's happened to me. Paid for particular seats only to have them given to someone else...but I did get a refund. Big deal.

With Airtran, you can pay for particular seating...that should get you on board in one of the first groups. If you don't choose, and pay for, your seat before you arrive at the airport, they will assign you seats when you get there...and usually that puts groups together...or at least parts of groups together. But, you can still be split up from others in your group. Best to pay for specific seating.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

No wonder this flight seemed like such a bargain!

Have you heard of anyone that didn't pay extra and still were seated together? On AirTrain specifically?

I see that it's common knowledge to many of you but they really didn't advertise this anywhere that I could see. My previous flights with JetBlue and Delta always seated us together. We never had to make special arrangements. So, in my opinion, Airtran's policy is pretty unusual. It's fine if they want to do it this way but it's just another thing to stress about.

Okay so I have to pay a fee for each flight I'm on...does that include stops made in between? So we're talking 100 bucks (assuming the $6 charge is accurate) ?

Thanks everyone. I realize this is probably a redundant question but there is simply no way I could have found a previous post about this. This site is buzzing with activity!! I already lost track of a post I made a few days ago. I can't find it

 

[dudspizza]

No wonder this flight seemed like such a bargain!

Have you heard of anyone that didn't pay extra and still were seated together? On AirTrain specifically?

I see that it's common knowledge to many of you but they really didn't advertise this anywhere that I could see. My previous flights with JetBlue and Delta always seated us together. We never had to make special arrangements. So, in my opinion, Airtran's policy is pretty unusual. It's fine if they want to do it this way but it's just another thing to stress about.

Okay so I have to pay a fee for each flight I'm on...does that include stops made in between? So we're talking 100 bucks (assuming the $6 charge is accurate) ?

Thanks everyone. I realize this is probably a redundant question but there is simply no way I could have found a previous post about this. This site is buzzing with activity!! I already lost track of a post I made a few days ago. I can't find it

This is on the confirmation page before you go ahead and purchase.
Advance seat assignment is available for a small fee, or you may select your seats upon check-in at no cost.

Anyone who pays for their seating assignments will already have chosen seats before your check in (either at the 24hr mark or at the airport). It is unreasonable to ask to have someone moved so a party can sit together since they paid for the right to pick their seat (not saying OP would do this, just a general statement).

OP, there is a chance people are seated together that are on the same itinerary if they don't pay, but the only way to know you are sitting together now is to pay. If you decide to wait until check in, you may or may not be sitting together depending on how many people paid for their seating and how many checked in before you.

Duds

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

This is on the confirmation page before you go ahead and purchase.
Advance seat assignment is available for a small fee, or you may select your seats upon check-in at no cost.

Anyone who pays for their seating assignments will already have chosen seats before your check in (either at the 24hr mark or at the airport). It is unreasonable to ask to have someone moved so a party can sit together since they paid for the right to pick their seat (not saying OP would do this, just a general statement).

OP, there is a chance people are seated together that are on the same itinerary if they don't pay, but the only way to know you are sitting together now is to pay. If you decide to wait until check in, you may or may not be sitting together depending on how many people paid for their seating and how many checked in before you.

Duds

I ordered everything through Disney's website so there was no disclaimer about seating. Even then, I would have assumed that it was intended for people who wanted to sit by the window or something. My natural assumption (through being simple minded and through recent experience) was that all small parties were typically seated together. I booked about a month before my trip so I might have to bite the bullet on this one. I really don't want to though!! haha. I appreciate the info and I agree that someone paying for seats should not have to give them up unless they want to.

 

[goofy4tink]

No wonder this flight seemed like such a bargain!

Have you heard of anyone that didn't pay extra and still were seated together? On AirTrain specifically?

I see that it's common knowledge to many of you but they really didn't advertise this anywhere that I could see. My previous flights with JetBlue and Delta always seated us together. We never had to make special arrangements. So, in my opinion, Airtran's policy is pretty unusual. It's fine if they want to do it this way but it's just another thing to stress about.

Okay so I have to pay a fee for each flight I'm on...does that include stops made in between? So we're talking 100 bucks (assuming the $6 charge is accurate) ?

Thanks everyone. I realize this is probably a redundant question but there is simply no way I could have found a previous post about this. This site is buzzing with activity!! I already lost track of a post I made a few days ago. I can't find it

Depends on the flight. I had a flight home in Feb...there were no people in the row of seats with me...on any one of the four legs. The plane wasn't full. But, I was flying between Ft Lauderdale and Boston at a slower time of year, and day of week.
If I paid for a seat for my flight down, then it included both legs of that flight. You don't have to pay again if it's a connecting flight.

Here's the thing. The first time I flew with AirTran, there was a large family boarding at the end of the boarding process. I doubt that the family had any idea what they were doing. They had seats all over the plane....and they had no idea how to find their particular seat. I heard the mom complaining that she just couldn't find her seat...how was she supposed to know where her seat was...and where were her children going to be???? Granted, English didn't seem to be their native language, so it was probably even more confusing for them.
I did offer to give up my seat, although I had paid for that particular seat. There were no others in my row (yes, again!!), so figured that mom could at least sit with two of her five kids!! The FA thanked me profusely but told me that they had found seats pretty close together for them in the very rear of the plane.
So....long story short....the FAs will try to find you seats together. But you certainly can't expect those who have paid for a particular seat to give it up so you can be seated with your family. That wouldn't be fair.

I pay for my seat in order to get on board early and be assured of overhead space. I tend to fly Airtran when flying down to see my dad...so seldom have checked bags, just a carryon. So I need that space.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

Delta offered a seating map online that showed which seats were occupied. I'm assuming Airtran doesn't have this option? We flew Jetblue the first time we flew to Disney and Delta last year. Jetblue was awesome!!! I loved every second of my experience with them! Delta was not a pleasant flight but we were seated together and arrived on time! I can't really complain as long as we arrive in one piece and on schedule!! I guess sitting together would just ease some of the traveling stress. Six bucks is a realtively small price to pay for that convenience.... I guess

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Delta offered a seating map online that showed which seats were occupied. I'm assuming Airtran doesn't have this option? ...

All US airlines show seating maps (except WN), unless you are very close to the flight time. They aren't really accurate as to what seats are available. Some seats will be held back for elite flyers, some rows will be unavailable for advanced seat assignment (often exit rows), etc. For example, if you are buying a ticket on UA and you are not eligible for E+ seats, then the seat map shows all of these seats as unavailable. They aren't, they just aren't available to you.

 

[dudspizza]

Delta offered a seating map online that showed which seats were occupied. I'm assuming Airtran doesn't have this option? We flew Jetblue the first time we flew to Disney and Delta last year. Jetblue was awesome!!! I loved every second of my experience with them! Delta was not a pleasant flight but we were seated together and arrived on time! I can't really complain as long as we arrive in one piece and on schedule!! I guess sitting together would just ease some of the traveling stress. Six bucks is a realtively small price to pay for that convenience.... I guess

Buying through Disney does change things. I remember a few years back, I had some friend buy through Disney and they had to check in at the airport. They couldn't use online check in and they arrived late to the airport (because they were too lazy to get there early). We had booked directly with Airtran and chosen our seats while they were scattered all over the plane.

If you have the 6 number/letter confirmation code, you can use it to log on to Airtran's site and pay for seats OR log in at the 24 hour mark to check in and choose seats that are still available for no cost. Check your paperwork from Disney, you may need to call them to get the confirmation code.

Also, you can seat seats that are not available to purchase by going to www.airtran.com and go through the process of booking your same flight and when the flight choice page comes up, you can click on the seat icon to see available seats. You can also go through the process and click "choose seats" from your itinerary and see what is available for you to purchase. When you hover over a seat, it will tell you how much that seat is.....

Duds