Airtran Seating ? - Not the Usual

[maciec]

We always fly Airtran and buy our seats ahead of time. This time I was just going to wait until the 24 hour mark. We are flying to Maine on this trip, for Disney, I always pay. Anyway, when I look at the seats that are available now there are the one's that say "not available" and I think that means that those hae already been paid for. Then there are those that are the ones that open up for booking. The ones that are still open for booking, does that mean that they are the ones that then become FREE? Also, just because the seating chart says "not available" does that mean that they are sold or just not available for booking at this time? What has been your experience?

Thanks,
Melissa

 

[Missytara]

We always fly Airtran and buy our seats ahead of time. This time I was just going to wait until the 24 hour mark. We are flying to Maine on this trip, for Disney, I always pay. Anyway, when I look at the seats that are available now there are the one's that say "not available" and I think that means that those hae already been paid for. Then there are those that are the ones that open up for booking. The ones that are still open for booking, does that mean that they are the ones that then become FREE? Also, just because the seating chart says "not available" does that mean that they are sold or just not available for booking at this time? What has been your experience?

Thanks,
Melissa

Not available can mean two things, either that seat is booked or it is blocked for some reason.

I noted on my flight down to MCO in November, all the "B" seats were blocked out. I asked on the board what that meant, and I was told that allows Airtran to go down to a smaller plane if the seats are not booked prior to flight day. If they get an indication that the flight can sell out, if they stay with the larger plane, they will release those seats before the flight date.

It has been my experience that unless you wait until you get to the airport to be seated, you pay for the seat if you chose a seat no matter when you pick it. But I cannot be for sure.

 

[maciec]

Not available can mean two things, either that seat is booked or it is blocked for some reason.

I noted on my flight down to MCO in November, all the "B" seats were blocked out. I asked on the board what that meant, and I was told that allows Airtran to go down to a smaller plane if the seats are not booked prior to flight day. If they get an indication that the flight can sell out, if they stay with the larger plane, they will release those seats before the flight date.

It has been my experience that unless you wait until you get to the airport to be seated, you pay for the seat if you chose a seat no matter when you pick it. But I cannot be for sure.

I thought that when you check in at the 24 hour mark that you don't have to pay for the seats?

 

[ancestry]

I thought that when you check in at the 24 hour mark that you don't have to pay for the seats?

Yes you are correct. You don't have to pay for the seats at check in.

My children just flew AirTran and the seats that opened up at check-in varied. One flight everything not previously showing as not available opened up. The other flight not so much.

One thing I noticed was that the $12 seats that guarantee zone 1 boarding ARE NOT zone 1 boarding after the 24 hour mark when you get them for free. I was able to get my daughter a seat in this $12 section for free at check-in but since we didn't pay for the seat it became zone 7. Had I paid the $12 prior to the 24 hour mark it would have been zone 1.

 

[Ed J]

I thought that when you check in at the 24 hour mark that you don't have to pay for the seats?

You thought right.

You don't have to pay if you do the 24 hour check in. But you are taking a chance that you won't get to pick seats together.

The chance of there not being seats together 24 hours out is slim, but this it why people pay the few extra dollars to be sure they are seated together, or get an isle or window or to sit where they want too.

 

[kifuller4]

Okay, I'm new this trasportation board but this is the exact thing I wanted to know...

I hope I am understanding this correctly... once I hit the 24 hour mark I don't have to pay to pick my seat.
And just because the seat on the chart says it's "unavailable" doesn't necessarily mean that someone has already "purchased" this seat. We are a family of 5 and I really don't want to spend the money on buying seats. As long as we are together in a set of 2 and 3 I will be fine!

 

[Aristocath]

Okay, I'm new this trasportation board but this is the exact thing I wanted to know...

I hope I am understanding this correctly... once I hit the 24 hour mark I don't have to pay to pick my seat.
And just because the seat on the chart says it's "unavailable" doesn't necessarily mean that someone has already "purchased" this seat. We are a family of 5 and I really don't want to spend the money on buying seats. As long as we are together in a set of 2 and 3 I will be fine!

Yes, once you hit the 24 check in mark you don't have to pay to choose your seat. But, don't count on being able to sit together even if you check in 24hours prior. Getting 2 seats together may happen but three is risky sometimes. If it is going to stress you out, pay for at least part of your group to choose seats together. We are also a family of five and I don't like the stress of worrying about seats. Especially on our return flight when I have to take time out of our vacation to check in 24 hours prior. I learned it is better for us to fork over $60 and have no anxiety.

Have a great trip!

 

[ancestry]

Don't count on being able to get any seats together at all. On my daughter's flight 10 days ago all the seats at the 24 hour check in point were single seats scattered randomly around the plane.

If you have young children who can't sit by themselves then be sure to purchase seat assignments. People who paid for their seats are not going to be willing to move to accmodate someone who didn't pay for their seats.

 

[wed100105]

I was wondering this as well. There are 11 groups of 2 or 3 seats still together (about 40 seats open total) on my flight that leaves two weeks from today. I'm debating whether I should pay the assign seat fee or not.

ETA: I'm flying nonstop from Bloomington, IL to MCO.

 

[Missytara]

Don't count on being able to get any seats together at all. On my daughter's flight 10 days ago all the seats at the 24 hour check in point were single seats scattered randomly around the plane.

If you have young children who can't sit by themselves then be sure to purchase seat assignments. People who paid for their seats are not going to be willing to move to accmodate someone who didn't pay for their seats.

That is a good point; I am flying Airtran out of BWI on Saturday, November 27th. There are only about 12 seats left on my plane and very few of them are together. And that is over four months from now.

I also agree that $6.00 per seat is not alot to pay to get seats together. Don't forget, you are going to a place where you are paying almost three dollars for a bottled water, so $6.00 a seat to sit together is not unreasonable to me.

I am flying alone and I paid the seat fee, to ensure I got a seat on that plane.

 

[wed100105]

That is a good point; I am flying Airtran out of BWI on Saturday, November 27th. There are only about 12 seats left on my plane and very few of them are together. And that is over four months from now.

I also agree that $6.00 per seat is not alot to pay to get seats together. Don't forget, you are going to a place where you are paying almost three dollars for a bottled water, so $6.00 a seat to sit together is not unreasonable to me.

I am flying alone and I paid the seat fee, to ensure I got a seat on that plane.

Would you pay in the situation I put above? 40 open seats with 13 days left? I will be doing the online 24 hour prior check-in.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I don't believe paying the seat fee vs. waiting for check in has anything to do with a guarateed seat on the plane. And, if they change the type of plane, you still may not sit together.

As for young children: I believe the FAA mandates that a child under a certain age can not sit by themselves, so if there are no seats together, they have to move someone, even if the someone paid for that seat. Additionally, if you bring a car seat for a child (and the child paid for a ticket), they have to give the child a window seat (that is the only place the car seat can go).

Also, regardles of the age of the child, if the child is unable to sit by themself (because of a disability, for instance), they have to find a way for the child to sit with a parent.

 

[ancestry]

As for young children: I believe the FAA mandates that a child under a certain age can not sit by themselves, so if there are no seats together, they have to move someone, even if the someone paid for that seat.

I don't believe this statement is correct or accurate. This has come up on the boards before and unless my memory is totally failing me the FAA does not mandate any such thing.

I even searched the FAA website right now and couldn't find anything even close to this.

The airlines are not under any legal obligation to rearrange seats in order to keep a family together.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't believe paying the seat fee vs. waiting for check in has anything to do with a guarateed seat on the plane. And, if they change the type of plane, you still may not sit together.

As for young children: I believe the FAA mandates that a child under a certain age can not sit by themselves, so if there are no seats together, they have to move someone, even if the someone paid for that seat. Additionally, if you bring a car seat for a child (and the child paid for a ticket), they have to give the child a window seat (that is the only place the car seat can go).

Also, regardles of the age of the child, if the child is unable to sit by themself (because of a disability, for instance), they have to find a way for the child to sit with a parent.

There is absolutely no such rule. Of course lap babies will be sitting very near to a parent.

You have to notify Airtran in advance if you need seat assignments due to disability. I think you're correct with respect to car seats. People in that position should call Airtran and see if they're eligible for a free seat assignment.

Families who want to sit together should pay for assigned seats. Passengers who want to avoid paying for an assigned seat should be prepared to be scattered throughout the plan in middle seats.

 

[kifuller4]

I just check the same flight that I am taking in August that is set to leave this saturday ... there are plenty of seats together... which makes me feel better....

And as far as children not sitting with their parent, I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't move for a family, but I would think that MOST people would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. I love my children, but I don't really want to sit by my self with someone elses child. I think I would be more than willing to move for that reason alone... weather I paid for a seat or not. Maybe that is just my midwest mentallity....

 

[Lewisc]

I'd move so a family could sit together as long as the family did everything they could to sit together. That means if their flight was canceled at the last minute due to mechanical or weather issues and a family was given the last couple of seats left on a different flight no problem.

Sorry but a family that wants to sit together, but isn't willing to pay the few extra dollars for assigned seats gets no sympathy from many of us. You said you didn't care when you didn't pay for seats.

I just check the same flight that I am taking in August that is set to leave this saturday ... there are plenty of seats together... which makes me feel better....

And as far as children not sitting with their parent, I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't move for a family, but I would think that MOST people would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. I love my children, but I don't really want to sit by my self with someone elses child. I think I would be more than willing to move for that reason alone... weather I paid for a seat or not. Maybe that is just my midwest mentallity....

 

[Aristocath]

I just check the same flight that I am taking in August that is set to leave this saturday ... there are plenty of seats together... which makes me feel better....

And as far as children not sitting with their parent, I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't move for a family, but I would think that MOST people would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. I love my children, but I don't really want to sit by my self with someone elses child. I think I would be more than willing to move for that reason alone... weather I paid for a seat or not. Maybe that is just my midwest mentallity....

See, if I paid for an aisle seat and someone wanted me to give up my aisle seat for a middle seat so they could sit by their child, I'd say no. ( I would swap an aisle for an aisle seat if I didn't have my own kids with me.) I paid for and chose my seat, they had the opportunity to do the same. If the children are too young to sit by themselves comfortably, pay for the seats. I don't think it is a matter of kindness, I think it is just a matter of knowing the "rules."

 

[Inkmahm]

I just check the same flight that I am taking in August that is set to leave this saturday ... there are plenty of seats together... which makes me feel better....

And as far as children not sitting with their parent, I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't move for a family, but I would think that MOST people would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. I love my children, but I don't really want to sit by my self with someone elses child. I think I would be more than willing to move for that reason alone... weather I paid for a seat or not. Maybe that is just my midwest mentallity....

I fly Airtran 3 or 4 times each year. Many times, it looks like there are quite a few open seats even the day before the flight and the flights are FULL when I get to the airport. That's okay with me because I always have my seat prepaid if I want to sit in a particular spot. Definitely do NOT count on the flight for this Saturday having lots of seats together for people who haven't paid for seat assignments.

And you may "think" but you'd be wrong that most people on Airtran would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. Trust those of us here who are trying to tell you that isn't true. Many of us have personally seen families split and small children sitting by themselves on Airtran. In some cases, VERY small children. Do a search here and see all the stories if you still don't believe us. I think one kid was about 2 years old that ended up sitting away from his/her parents.

If you are too cheap to pay for your assigned seats, don't come back here to whine about how horrible Airtran is when you end up sitting away from your children on your flights. You won't find any sympathy from the rest of us.

 

[maxiesmom]

And as far as children not sitting with their parent, I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't move for a family, but I would think that MOST people would be kind enough to move for a parent and their child. I love my children, but I don't really want to sit by my self with someone elses child. I think I would be more than willing to move for that reason alone... weather I paid for a seat or not. Maybe that is just my midwest mentallity....

I have refused twice now when asked to switch seats. Once because I was towards the front of the plane, and due to delays had a very short time to make my connection. The dad was sitting by the child, but the mom wanted them to all be together, which I understand. The second, the lady who wanted to switch with me so that she could be by her daughters had a middle seat towards the back, and I always pay for an aisle seat so I don't get clausterphobic. Her kids that she couldn't be seperated from looked about 10 or older. And when she got the person in front of us to switch, she ignored the girls for the whole flight, except to curve her arm over the seat to toss snacks back to them.

In both cases if it was so important to sit together, why did they no pay the fee to do so?

 

[wed100105]

I've read countless threads where people argue whether or not someone should give up their prepaid seats for those who didn't. The battle lines are clearly drawn. Either you would or you wouldn't and you live with that decision.

There are 45 open seats on my flight. That's on both the ticket and the select seats after confirming page. I have a two year old daughter and need to sit next to her. Yes, of course she is worth the $12. At this point I think I will pay for two cheap seats together and hope to move them up come check-in time. I read somewhere that you could move your seats around at 24 hours regardless if you prepaid or not. Is that correct?

I think it's interesting that most people on disboards assume that parents chose not to pay for the assigned seats. That the parents have some great entitlement attitude going and that they expect something for nothing. Sure, some parents probably are that way. I don't think everyone is though and quite frankly when you see all those open seats, it seems a little ridiculous to pay $6 pp per segment. My friend is going to Disney the week before us. She has 6 people in her party. Her flights are 1 stop. It was going to be an additional $144 for their "regular" assigned seats. When you see all of those open seats, it really does become a little frustrating to pay that much more.

To the PP who mentioned that they had a Midwest thought process: I DO, TOO. I'M THANKFUL FOR IT! I would move (unless it separates DD and myself) to let a mother or father sit with their young child.