Airline issues

[momofrrr]

We leave in the morning for WDW and I made our flight reservations in February including seat assingments. I just checked us in and they have moved us all over the plane. We are a pary of 5 and I had us in row 6 going and row 7 coming home. Now we are split up all over the plane. How can they do that!

 

[MM27]

Did they change the plane? The airlines sometimes do this if there is a need for a bigger plane. See if you can go online and change your seats or get to the airport early to see if someone there can do it for you. It stinks, but at least your flight wasn't cancelled.

I know someone that is going on a cruise out of San Juan this weekend. She originally had a direct flight but it was cancelled. They now have her on three connections and it's taking hours longer for her to get there.

 

[peemagg]

I would call the airline and complain that you paid for seats all together and because they changed the seats around they need to fix it and refund your money.

 

[momofrrr]

I did call and at first I was not happy but certainly not mad. I am officially mad now. The first person that I talked to told me that there was nothing I could do, that I should be happy that we were all on the same flight and not split up on different ones and that I should read the contract for my tickets and even quoted me the article number and paragraph. When i asked to speak to his supervisor he told me that I did not have the right to talk with a supervisor regarding seat assingments and that he would absolutley not transfer me to one. I told him that I had paid over a $1000.00 for five airline tickets and that I did have the right to speak to someone over him to which he responded again he would absoluelty not transfer me to his supervisor. I hung up and called back to speak to someone else. I had to go through the story all over again and finally got to a supervisor after being told that he had just transfered another call so one would not be available. I told him I would be glad to hold and I guess he decided that I was not going to give up. I will also report this agent when I get to the airport in the morning.

My kids are certainly old enough to sit in a different location, they don't need me to buckle them in or take them to the bathroom but the point is that I made the reservations on February 24th. I just don't think they had the right to split us up. I will be really unhappy if I find out that they did it to accomidate someone else. They should have called earlier!

I guess I should be grateful that I still have a week at WDW infront of me. Coming home we are all seated together, one row in front of the other. By Then we might want to be separated by the length of the plane.

 

[peemagg]

Do they charge extra for seat assignments? If they do and you paid for the seat assignment, then they broke their contract with you and need to fix this. If you didn't then there is the possibility that you could be stuck unless someone at the desk can do something for you. Remember that everyone has a supervisor, so if you don't get anywhere with the supervisor ask to speak to his boss.

There is also a conflict resolution officer (CRO) at each airport. You can demand to speak with them when you get to the airport (or maybe you can talk to them on the phone tonight by calling the airport itself), but be sure to get there early enough to take care of it all and make your plane too.

 

[crashbb]

Unfortunately, unless you paid extra for the seats, the airline is perfectly in its rights and doesn't have to do anything for you. If you did pay extra for those seats, all they have to do is refund the fee. Not saying it is right - just telling you the situation. This is why it behooves people to keep on eye on their flights - changes in aircraft or flight can result in a change of seats. You only requested the seats - you didn't guarantee them (not that many airlines make this clear).

Some suggestions for you:

Check online to see if seats together (or at least a couple of pairs) open up as people check in and change their seats. If all that you can get are single seats, try to get ones that are good for trading - exit rows, bulk heads, aisles near the front.

Get to the airport early and try again there (people change seats, upgrade, and/or cancel, so seats open up).

Speak to the gate agent - again, seats open up or they may have someone else asking to move seats and the GA can co-ordinate things.

Ask, nicely, if people would mind switching seats with you. Always try to ask people to move to the "better" seat. In other words, if you have a seat in row 2 and one in row 37, ask the passenger beside your seat in row 37 to take your seat in row 2 (not the other way around).

 

[traveljunkie2]

I am in a similar situation in that I booked flights over 9 months prior to our trip and our flights were rescheduled and all screwed up. Not only did they cancel our original flights completely, but when they automatically rebooked us, they put us on flights with 9+ hour layovers each way. I am travelling with 2 kids under 6 and a disabled family member. That would be a nightmare for everyone involved. I finally got our flights worked out, but could not get seats together, plus had to add an extra layover coming home. Our original 7 hour journey will be 13+ hours coming home. Not really looking forward to it.

One of our flights is completely sold out, and my disabled mother does not have a seat assignment. When I rebooked the flights, they told me she would be accomodated at the airport (at that time there were a few seats remaining). I have called three times to give the airline an opportunity to move people around prior to arriving at the airport, but they will not do it, and now coach is completely sold out. So yes, someone is going to have to be moved in order for me to sit next to my mom to assist her in sitting and standing during a 4+ hour flight. We have less than a 45 minute layover during which this seat assingment is going to have to be made, so it will be interesting what the airline does to accomodate her. I'm hoping she gets bumped to first class, since the only 2 remaining seats are there.

So, I feel your pain, but it could be worse. If you do have to be moved around to accomodate someone else, be glad you are not traveling with small kids or the disabled, for whom it is (in most people's minds) unreasonable to be away from their traveling companions.

I hope you are able to work out seat assignments that work better for your group, and that you have a great trip.

I feel a little better after venting! (Keeping my fingers crossed for a kind soul to give up his or her seat next to me on our sold out flight, or for a compassionate flight crew to bump mom to first class)

 

[tessieg]

I am in the same situation. Flying tomorrow alone with my three kids, 10, just turned 6, and 2. They rebooked some of our flights two months ago and ruined the seating I'd selected at purchase. On 1 flight all 4 of us are in different spots! I too called and they refuse to do anything. They say that legally they are in their rights as long as my children are not put on a different plane!
I am going to the airport early to see what I can do. I have to at least be seated with my 2 yo!!! It's just crazy that they do this. I would also be much much happier if the older two could also at least be together--I know all 4 of us won't be together.
I had no idea this could happen and am pretty worried. Good luck!!!
Tessie

 

[mom2meiko]

i'm really shocked by this. i'm curious what airlines you are all dealing with. we are flying jetblue. they changed our plane from 3 seats across to 2 seats across and moved us all over the place. long story short - i booked 2 of our intended 4 seats - but at that point was only expecting to book a 3rd seat because dh was not planning to fly down with us. unfortunately, i booked a seat for myself and my son (figuring originally that if we couldn't get 4 seats together, dh could handle dd better than ds.) but now facing flying w/ the 2 kids alone i called and explained that ds is an infant and would need to be a lapchild and dd (2) couldn't possibly fly in another row so they very easily/happily altered our reservation from his name to hers and put us in 2 seats together. i loved the customer service and it just gave me another reason to be loyal to them...

i have to say i wouldn't be feeling so loyal to the airlines that are splitting family members up left and right. that's terrible!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would call the airline and complain that you paid for seats all together and because they changed the seats around they need to fix it and refund your money.

I would only do that if the OP actually did pay for specific seats.

 

[kaytieeldr]

i have to say i wouldn't be feeling so loyal to the airlines that are splitting family members up left and right. that's terrible!

Attitude has a lot to do with it. The apparent stress of finding out almost lastminute that (a) one's seat assignments have been changed and (b) that the ticket does NOT guarantee a specific seat is stressful and sometimes - despite what we think our own reaction is - we come across as rude or worse to someone whose fault the problem was not but who may be able to help.

 

[maxiesmom]

i have to say i wouldn't be feeling so loyal to the airlines that are splitting family members up left and right. that's terrible!

This is why once you buy plane tickets you need to check on them often. Airlines sometimes switch planes around, and that in turn messes up seat assignments.

The best thing to do is to call the airline once you notice your seats are changed. If they cannot fix it, then show up at the airport a little early. They MAY be able to switch things around. If that doesn't work, you can politely ask fellow travelors to change seats with you. Maybe throw in a free beverage or snack as a show of appreciation.

It is a bummer to loose your seat assignments.

 

[MiniGirl]

I would call the airline and complain that you paid for seats all together and because they changed the seats around they need to fix it and refund your money.

Really???? Fix it AND issue a refund. I'm sincerely hoping you don't mean that. With the storms the past week, I would imagine the airlines have had to shuffle planes and crews around to try to get as many people where they are going as possible. Despite popular belief, the OP bought a ticket on a flight -- not a specific seat on the flight. As long as they honor the contract, the airline is within its rights to change seat assignments.

Besides, the OP is gone now, but I'm sure they were able to get a couple of seats together. I flew for many, many years and there was always someone willing to move so that a mother could sit next to her young child. I've even had couples on their honeymoon offer to split up. Now if her kids are much older, then she may have trouble finding someone to switch because chances are there are other groups on the plane also not sitting together.

 

[peemagg]

I meant if she paid extra for her seats. With Aitran you pay extra to choose the seat you want when you book. If the airline changes things and does not honor the fact that the person paid extra for their seat, besides their tickets, then they have broken the contract with the person and has no right to the money. If they do not refund the money and fix the problem then they are taking money for services not rendered. You pay extra to guarantee the seat of your choice. If the OP did not pay extra then she is at the mercy of the airline as to where she and her party are placed and they have to hope for the best.


I also did not mean the price for the tickets, but what they paid extra for the seats.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've had this happen, especially having a big family. Last time we went to WDW, our flight time was changed from 1:30 pm to 8:00 am - big difference. They split us up, but there were 2, 2, and 3, so it wasn't a big deal (DH sat with 2 five year olds, I got to sit with my oldest - what a peaceful flight for me! ). I think this is more the norm than the exception, especially when booking in advance (they switch planes a lot now).

 

[MiniGirl]

I meant if she paid extra for her seats. With Aitran you pay extra to choose the seat you want when you book. If the airline changes things and does not honor the fact that the person paid extra for their seat, besides their tickets, then they have broken the contract with the person and has no right to the money. If they do not refund the money and fix the problem then they are taking money for services not rendered. You pay extra to guarantee the seat of your choice. If the OP did not pay extra then she is at the mercy of the airline as to where she and her party are placed and they have to hope for the best.


I also did not mean the price for the tickets, but what they paid extra for the seats.

Ahhh.... then, yea, I agree with that. I misread your post and thought you were saying the airline should fix the problem and refund her money as well. Basically allowing her to fly for free because of the inconvienence.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[peemagg]

No problem.

Once you wrote what you did, I reread my post and saw the confusion. Sorry for all the confusion.

 

[tjmw2727]

There are a couple issues at work here - most importantly as I see it we no longer book adult vs child fares as the web or special fares are cheaper. This leaves the airline with no way to identify a minor or a child from an adult. The computer sees all ticketed passengers the same.

No airline guarantees seat assignments - even those who require you to pay extra to select them. If schedules change or equipment changes the computer reassigns seats at random. The most an airline with a seat fee can do at this point is try and re-seat you or refund the $.

I can tell you that I have been separated from my kids many times on the "legacy airlines" and some have been excellent at re-assigning us and others not. For those reading along its imperative that you check your flights often prior to travel, watch for time changes and double check your seat assignments. The earlier you detect a change the easier it is to deal with.

Once you realize the issues then you can try and be pro-active, IMHO knowing what you would like and what is actually available and being very patient helps. Do some research and see what other flights are available and or what seats are open. Remember that the rep your speaking with didn't cause the problem, a computer likely did.

It helps to be as flexible as you can - its reasonable to expect a parent to be seated with a baby, toddler, young preschooler or a child with some needs. Other than that its a good idea to prepare older children for the possibility of sitting apart. Make sure they have a backpack with snacks and books, etc and give them the confidence that they can handle it. If they can be seated with you all the better - if not they are prepared!

Good luck and lots of patience for those traveling at this busy season.

FWIW there are some great threads on how to prepare for travel and deal with delays etc on the transportation board.

 

[swkmom]

I flew with my kids in August, they are 13 and 10 and had not flown since they were very small. Once I told the ticket agent they had not flown since they were small and my son (10) was a little nervous she made sure we were together. This was one of the major airlines however we do live in a city with a very small airport so it wasn't busy.

 

[Tigger1966]

And m mother doesn't understand why I will spend 9 miles per gallon to stay off a plane. Don't get me wrong I love to fly but I prefer to be in a little more controll of my detiny than this.
Thank tou all for reaffirming my desission to drive the MH.