AA changed our flights again and messed up our seats - what are the odds we can (M)

[joellyn23]

change them at the airport?? Right now, there are no seats left to be assigned, but the airport still has some they can assign the day of our flight.

We booked 2 seats together in 2 rows. Right now, they have 2 seats together in row 30, a single seat in row 14 and a single seat in row 23. I have 2 kids -- 8 and 6 yo. I'm in a bit of a panic thinking we won't be able to change our seats and they'll be stuck alone. Any suggestions?

We reserved our Apr/May flights back in July. In September, AA moved us all from an 8:30 pm departure to a 3:30 pm departure without notifying us (just asking for a computer generated email to give us a heads up). Now they've cancelled that 3:30 pm and moved us back to a 6:20 pm flight. Very frustrating -- again they didn't bother to notify us of the changes (they also changed our outbound flight by an hour). With all the changes, we've somehow lost out on seat assignments. At this point, I don't care if we're all 4 right by each other, but I cannnot accept my kids not sitting near a parent on the flight.

If we do change at the airport -- is that something you do at the ticket counter when we check bags **OR** do we have to wait until we're at the gate? I'm just wondering if it makes sense to get to the airport super early (if they can be changed up front). If we have to wait until the gate attendant arrives, we won't benefit at all by getting there early.

Thanks for any input/suggestions.

Joellyn

 

[Tigger_Magic]

This is what happens when you purchase tickets so far in advance. Most airlines will not notify you of changes until it is closer to your departure date (mostly because the flights can and probably will change yet again). Many flights will go through schedule and/or equipment changes. Most likely your flight had an equipment change -- that will often cause seat assignments to get changed or "lost."

You can usually get a seat assignment at check-in. I would plan to arrive a little early. If you can't get seats together, you can always check with the gate agent. They may be able to arrange something.

If not, then when you get on, ask one of the flight attendants to assist you. There may be someone willing to change seats so a young child can sit next to a parent. I wouldn't worry too much about this -- it will work out OK.

 

[dudspizza]

First, try online check in to see if you are offered the chance to change seats at that time. If that does not work, ask immediately when you check your bags at the counter. They can change seats there, if there are open seats. Airlines bank a bunch of seats to be assigned at the airport. Get there early and all should be fine. If neither of those work, then I would do as the previous poster has said... hopefully someone will help you out, but I don't think it will get to that point.

Duds

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Yep, duds. I don't think it will get to the point of asking a flight attendant to intervene either, but if that remote possibility occurs...

I've read some horror stories about families being separated on flights and unsympathtic gate agents and uncaring flight attendants and unfeeling fellow passengers who wouldn't change seats to save their lives. Sometimes I wonder how much is truth and how much is just sour grapes over something else that happened.

Bottom line: don't lose any sleep over this; arrive & check-in early and you should be fine. This has happened to me more than once and I've always been able to get it changed (fixed) at check-in.

 

[Hannathy]

Like everyone said when you get to the airport ask, the airlines hold so many seats until day of departure so it usually can be worked out. I will tell you don't count on 4 but maybe 2 and 2 or 3 and one somewhere else.

If they can't or can only do one adult and the youngest don't get all upset. As long as you are all on the same plane it will be fine, don't let it ruin your vacation. One time our flight got changed and we couldn't sit together-except for me and the littlest one, my daughter 6 and nephew 12 and DH were all several rows apart. My daughter thought it was neat. My husband loved it 'cause he could read his paper ! Have fun and as long as you all get there at the same time it is only the transportation not the vacation.

 

[martinp13]

If it got down to swapping seats on the plane, I can't imagine that no one would swap seats and let the two loners sit together. Especially if you ask nicely. Better yet, let the flight attendant do the asking, as they better know who to ask and how to phrase it.

Even if it all falls through, at least you're on the same plane. No one is going to run off with your kids, and the brief "independence" might do em good. If you put them in the seats ahead of you, you can even watch them.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, if the airline is holding blocked seats for deadheading airline personnel or for Air Marshals, they will not give them to you or allow them to trade. I ran into this scenario a while back, and was informed that uniformed airline personnel flying as passengers are required by TSA to be seated on the aisles. (There were 26 of them on the plane.)

If there are any seats other than middles now available, grab them -- they have trade value, which middles essentially don't have.

[Edited to correct a typo.]

 

[DebbieB]

Just FYI, if the airline is holding blocked seats for deadheading airline personnel or for Air Marshals, they will not give them to you or allow them to trade. I ran into this scenario a while back, and was informed that uniformed airline personnel flying as passengers are required by TSA to be seated on the aisles. (There were 26 of them on the plane.)

If there are any seats other than middles now available, grab them -- they have trade value, which middles essentially don't have.

[Edited to correct a typo.]

I was on a flight last week CLT/PIT and a uniformed captain was sitting across the aisle from me in a center seat.

 

[CarolA]

A hint. If it comes down to asking passengers to change with you...BE NICE. I was on a flight recently where the parents got on and were royal pains about it. They screamed at the FA, at each other and at the other passengers. Guess what? NO ONE MOVED!!!! I think if they had been nice folks would have moved, but when they stood in the aisle and YELLED at one man that "YOU HAVE TO TRADE SEATS WITH ME" he just said NO! (To be honest, the way they were acting I wouldn't have moved and I was hoping they would just be thrown off! I was in First Class so I was not involved in the seat mess. I could just hear the parents yelling!)

 

[wdwstar]

we have been flying AA for a couple of years now & I always book almost a year out for each time we fly, much cheaper with AA. We fly at least 4 times a year. I cant remember a flight that AA didnt change the times & our seats. I always check our flights once a month. This way i have control in rebooking our seats online and we only had one time we were moved to the back of the plane, but all together.
we checked at the gate if we could all move forward if AA had room and by the time we were to board the flight was full so moving for us. AA doesnt send email everytime they change the flight time, I believe i received one email about changes during that time period. Always remember if AA changes your flight tiime you can call AA and see what other flights you can be moved to on the day you were supposed to have flown, without paying any fees.
I would call AA right now and explain you are flying with children and you cant be spread out thru the plane if they can change your seats right now. If not maybe they can put you on another flight on that day.

 

[joellyn23]

THANKS everyone! You've put me at ease. I was just caught up in the moment, I guess I will keep checking their site to see if any seats happen to open up -- if not, I'll just try to change them at the airport. Just one little hiccup I didn't expect.

Doing the 70 day dance today!!

Joellyn

 

[kaytieeldr]

First, try online check in to see if you are offered the chance to change seats at that time. If that does not work, ask immediately when you check your bags at the counter.

And be SURE to check in at the counter, not with the SkyCap outside. AND, while I think of it, get to the airport EARLY. If they advise ninety minutes, shoot for at least two hours. If two hours is recommended, try to get there a half hour to an hour before that. The earlier you request changes to released-that-day seats, the better your chances.

 

[MermaidsMom]

If you have to ask to change seats with someone, it almost ALWAYS works if you offer the seat you have closer to the front of the plane to someone seated further back with your family member. People usually don't mind moving forward, but resent being asked to move back when obviously you don't even want the back seats for yourselves.

It always amazes me when a group is split up between front and back and the ones in the back are asking those up front to change with them so they can sit with their (young, sick, old, upset, cranky, sleepy, grumpy, etc) family member that is up front, rather than offering the front seat to someone that is next to them in the back. Then, they pout if no one wants to change and argue with the flight attendant who then actually goes to the person in the front and tries to guilt them into moving back. grrrr

 

[CarolA]

If you have to ask to change seats with someone, it almost ALWAYS works if you offer the seat you have closer to the front of the plane to someone seated further back with your family member. People usually don't mind moving forward, but resent being asked to move back when obviously you don't even want the back seats for yourselves.

It always amazes me when a group is split up between front and back and the ones in the back are asking those up front to change with them so they can sit with their (young, sick, old, upset, cranky, sleepy, grumpy, etc) family member that is up front, rather than offering the front seat to someone that is next to them in the back. Then, they pout if no one wants to change and argue with the flight attendant who then actually goes to the person in the front and tries to guilt them into moving back. grrrr

At least they asked.. I can't count how many times I have seen folks just take seats and "assume" that everyone will be fine with their new seating arrangements. I got on a flight from France once and found someone in my seat "you don't mind if I take your exit row aisle seat" Of course, it worked out well for me, While he was telling the FA how important he was and how many miles he flew etc and therefore I should give up this seat I was upgraded to First Class!


I will move for kids if asked nicely. I was once asked to move by a couple who "claimed" to be on thier honeymoon.... out of my first class seat LOL! I declined. Somehow during the flight I figured out that the couple had actually been married for about 10 years. He got "free upgrades" and they used this stunt all the time with a pretty good success ratio

 

[TDC Nala]

The OP has minor children. I get that. If you don't have minor children, what's the big deal about sitting together? I saw a couple once kick up a fuss on a Magical Express bus because it was nearly full and they wouldn't be able to sit together. They couldn't be separated for a half hour?

I'm like Carol, I move for kids to sit with parents but not for adults to sit together if I already have the seat I wanted. From where I am, it's just a two hour flight. I suppose if they said they were too scared of flying to sit apart I might relent (remember that, all you couples.)

Even if it was parents with children, if they were downright rude about it (and the kids weren't little tiny kids) I might refuse.

 

[Mojomanny]

Since AA cancelled your flights, I would suggest do an internet search of AA's Rule 240. Here is a copy from www.mytravelrights.com. This way you will be better aware of your rights and AA's obligations.

American Airlines

SCHEDULE IRREGULARITY

American Airlines defines a schedule irregularity as:

A delay in the departure or arrival of an American Airlines flight that results in a misconnection, or

A flight cancellation or omission of a scheduled stop, or any other delay or interruption of an American Airlines flight, or

A substitution of equipment to a different class of service, or

A schedule change that requires you to be rerouted.

If your flight is delayed, cancelled or you miss a connecting American Airlines flight, due to a schedule irregularity

1.American Airlines must confirm you on their next flight (on which space is available) at no additional cost.

2.If there is an alternate American Airlines flight that will arrive at your destination earlier than the alternate you have been offered, you have the right to be confirmed on this American Airlines flight at no additional cost, even if first class space is all that is available.

3.If the alternate American Airlines flight is not acceptable to you, you have the right to be confirmed on the flight of a different airline at no additional cost.

4.If there is an alternate "different airline" flight that will arrive at your destination earlier than any alternate flight you have been offered, you have the right to be confirmed on this flight at no additional cost, even if first class space is all that is available.
5.If no alternate flight (on American Airlines or a "different airline") is acceptable to you, American Airlines must refund your money - even if you have a non-refundable ticket.

Note: Instead of offering refunds, airline agents often times will tell the passenger to keep their ticket and when they are ready to travel again, the airline will rewrite the ticket and waive any change fees. While it may sound generous, I recommend you reject any such offers. A year is a long time and a lot can happen. Why have an airline ticket that you could lose or possibly not use? I prefer to get a full refund and when I fly again, I will buy another ticket.

If your American Airlines flight delay, cancellation or misconnection is not due to a Schedule Irregularity, it is due to a Force Majeure Event.

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT

American Airlines defines a Force Majeure event as:

Any conditions beyond American Airlines’ control, including weather, acts of God, riots, civil commotion, wars, hostilities, strikes, labor-related disputes, government regulation, shortage of labor or fuel, or other facts not foreseen by American Airlines.

If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or you miss a connection to an American Airlines flight due to a Force Majeure Event (and this includes weather), American Airlines’ only obligation is to refund your ticket.

AMENITIES

American Airlines for hotel accommodations only when you are on an American Airlines flight that is diverted to an unscheduled point and the delay at this point is expected to exceed 4 hours, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m..

Hotel accommodations will not be furnished if this delay is at your home city, or in some cases where the airline is landing at a nearby airport or city. Rule 240 states that American Airlines may provide amenities as they feel are necessary to maintain the safety and welfare of certain passengers such as invalids, senior citizens, unaccompanied minors, etc.

 

[danacath]

Mojomanny, thanks for posting AA's Rule 240. When I called in tonight to AA to confirm my flight in 12 hours, I found out that it was cancelled, due to an approaching ice storm. Bummer... The next available AA flight isn't until Sunday. I grabbed the final 3 seats on that flight, even though it will mean leaving for the airport with DD's (age 6 and 9) at 3:30 AM. Anyway, DH has been trying to get me to accept the fact that there is nothing else that can be done, but me, being one who must first exhaust ALL options was having a hard time "throwing in the towel". Seeing Rule 240 in black and white sure helped! Now, if I can just nicely request 3 seats together and have someone nicely comply, that will be great. Hmm, do you think my chances decrease because I'll be making the request in the wee hours of the morning?

 

[safetymom]

When there are flight cancellations due to the weather the airlines are not as accomodating as they usually would be.

When I tried to get home from Boston last week there were many many people on the standby list and I am sure many of them didn't get home or where they needed to go that day.

If you know there is going to be a problem the sooner you can call the better.

 

[Alexander]

Mojomanny, thanks for posting AA's Rule 240. When I called in tonight to AA to confirm my flight in 12 hours, I found out that it was cancelled, due to an approaching ice storm. Bummer... The next available AA flight isn't until Sunday. I grabbed the final 3 seats on that flight, even though it will mean leaving for the airport with DD's (age 6 and 9) at 3:30 AM. Anyway, DH has been trying to get me to accept the fact that there is nothing else that can be done, but me, being one who must first exhaust ALL options was having a hard time "throwing in the towel". Seeing Rule 240 in black and white sure helped! Now, if I can just nicely request 3 seats together and have someone nicely comply, that will be great. Hmm, do you think my chances decrease because I'll be making the request in the wee hours of the morning?

Nah, if someone won't move who is next to your child just hand that person your child's blankie, stuffed animals, coloring books, sippy cup, and the barf bag. Tell them "just in case". They'll move!

To the OP--We are leaving on AA tomorrow. We booked in August. They changed our flights several times and lost all of our seats. When I called them, they rearranged everything. They even asked if I wanted to fly on different flights. They were very, very accomodating. We had our flights upgraded from non-refundable to refundable too. This was all without even asking for anything more than getting our seats together. But the key is 1: you have to call them and 2: be nice. I would wait a day or two from now since the weather has been really crazy for the airlines the past week or so and I'm sure the customer service reps are feeling a little stressed.

 

[MermaidsMom]

At least they asked.. I can't count how many times I have seen folks just take seats and "assume" that everyone will be fine with their new seating arrangements. I got on a flight from France once and found someone in my seat "you don't mind if I take your exit row aisle seat" Of course, it worked out well for me, While he was telling the FA how important he was and how many miles he flew etc and therefore I should give up this seat I was upgraded to First Class!


I will move for kids if asked nicely. I was once asked to move by a couple who "claimed" to be on thier honeymoon.... out of my first class seat LOL! I declined. Somehow during the flight I figured out that the couple had actually been married for about 10 years. He got "free upgrades" and they used this stunt all the time with a pretty good success ratio

Oh my word!! That is crazy, the nerve of some people. I love that you were upgraded to 1st.