Advice needed on American Airlines seating

[icalum]

We are a family of 4 -- me, DH, DD7 and DD9. We have the opportunity to go on a "last minute for us" trip the week of 11/8. We are frequest Southwest fliers, but for this trip would be using American, so I need some help. The view seat diagram for one of our possible flights shows only single seats left on the plane. Is there a chance we would be able to sit 2 and 2 when we actually get to the airport? Is there something I can do when booking to help facilitate this? If not, I am strongly considering coming home a day early where there are lots of seats available. Any advice? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Hannathy]

I would never give up a day in Disney just to sit together on the plane. Why not just book the seats where there is an adult right behind the child, you can still see them and talk to them fine and get the extra day in Disney.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Book the seats where you can get 2 in the same row or right ahead of one another. It's just a few hours. You'll be fine. Enjoy the trip.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

As someone mentioned, book seats near each other, selecting combinations of window, aisle and middle seats and if there are no seats that free up when you check in (you can reassign yourself usually), see if someone will trade seats with you on the plane, like for like, people are usually really good about it.

 

[Tara]

The seat selection charts don't have much bearing on actual availability. A good percentage of seats are held for assignment the day of the flight. Select the seats that make the most sense for now, then arrive early at the airport and ask to be moved. Also, if you check in online at 24 hours prior, you may find other options are available.

 

[icalum]

OP here -- Thanks for the comforting advice. I went ahead and booked the tickets for the original days and have convinced myself not to worry about it any more!