AirTran Seating Worry

[tiggernpooh]

We booked on Airtran in early October for our flights in mid-Jan. I was thinking I would pay the surcharge and get assigned seats, but when I looked on the day of booking, there really wasn't 4 seats together, just two here and there and single seats here and there. I couldn't believe the plane would be so booked this far in advance, so I called Air Tran and asked about their seating assignment policy. The rep stated that they don't offer all seats for pre-selection, and I would probably have a better chance of all of us sitting together if we just wait until the 24 hr. window before we select our seat because they open up all of them at that point.

I am just wondering if anyone else has heard this from Air Tran (and it worked out ok for you to wait until that 24 hr. window) and/or now that they are offering seat assignments, are you having a harder time trying to get seats together?.

I am really starting to worry about us getting separated because I didn't pre-select seats and then no one will be willing to change seats since they paid to have that particular seat.

Should I just go ahead and book two sets of two seats together wherever I can get them? (This makes it really hard for the kids to watch a DVD, though. I like to get the 3 seats in a row, for me and the 2 kids, and then get the 4th across the aisle for DH.)

Thanks!

 

[DisneyFreak43]

We just flew Airtran this month. They had changed our flights a few times after I had purchased the assigned seats. I called them each time to ask for a different flight that would suit us better. One of those times the gentleman on the phone was assigning us to seats in the very back of the plane, I asked if he had anything either just in front or just behind the wing. I of course was looking at my own computer screen at the same time and the seats looked all taken. Magically, I was given the seats I was requesting. I did hear him mutter something like "let me see if this works" as he was doing it. I didn't ask any questions, only if he could send me an email confirmation of my new seats. So, I would suggest you give them a call again, maybe you can find another rep. who would be more helpful. Oh, and this was our first trip w/ Airtran, and although we missed the tv's on Jetblue, we would fly them again if the price is right!

One more thing, the flight was overbooked, and they were asking for 7 seats to be given up. A woman across from me at the gate said she probably wasn't going to be getting on because she didn't have an assigned seat.

 

[cbrfan]

I haven't flown since they started the advance seating, but didn't want to take the chance travelling with our DGS and DD. We booked two and two. Fortunately, we were able to get seats right behind the other.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

If you pay the extra money for an assigned seat then we shouldn't have any problems just doing the airline check in desk at the resort the day of our flight. Is that correct?

 

[cbrfan]

That's what I'm counting on. The only problem that might occur is a change of aircraft. When you check-in through RAC be sure to get your boarding passes and confirm that you still have the same seats. Actually, I plan to check AirTran periodically for any change of aircraft so I can get the best available seating as soon as possible.

 

[Tinkerchele]

When booking your flight, if you pay for seat assignment, not only check and make sure your flight time doesn't change (which happens frequently!), also check that the aircraft didn't change. That's what happened on one of our flights - they changed aircraft and the 4 seats I paid for were no longer next to each other.

 

[canwegosoon]

I am really starting to worry about us getting separated because I didn't pre-select seats and then no one will be willing to change seats since they paid to have that particular seat.

Should I just go ahead and book two sets of two seats together wherever I can get them? (This makes it really hard for the kids to watch a DVD, though. I like to get the 3 seats in a row, for me and the 2 kids, and then get the 4th across the aisle for DH.)

Thanks!

I was worried about the same thing in August(so I bit the bullet and brought the seats)-but I have to admit the stewards/ess on our flight did everything to make everyone comfortable(included asking a few to move)-due to a patient with several medical conditions in the back of the plane(they literally emptied the last 4 rows both sides(and there were no open seats anywhere else).
Now I have booked my March trip...and I again paid for the seats because I can book 24 hours ahead at home, but didn't want to have problems booking at BWV(I am going to ask concierge if they would have done this for me-for next time).
We are 4 also and I do the 2 + 2 because then I know my DH infront of me will not recline his seat(I have really long legs). We can switch and have the kids watch a movie, or DH brings his computer(plays a DVD) and I bring the portable DVD player...every one is happy...esp. DH since he knows he has an asile and I don't kick the seat or snore!!!

 

[tiggernpooh]

Thanks for all your replies. I might go ahead and get some assigned seats for my own peace of mind.

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks for all your replies. I might go ahead and get some assigned seats for my own peace of mind.

And that's just it...money spent so I could stop worrying if we were sitting together or not. When the kids get older you can let that one go. Is what I always say to myself.

Have a great trip

 

[proudmomsantizo]

After reading some of these posts I decided to check our tickets for January. It seems they were all mixed up. We had seeting assigned for the trip to Orlando but of course our 2 kids were not seating with DH and I. Actually the 4 of us were all scattered. That was corrected. Now for the return, I don't know who mixed this up, the travel agent or AirTrans but we were all under different confirmation numbers. Unfortunatly they would not give me seating and have suggested that I pay $7.95 per person for seating, otherwise wait until the day of travel. The person I spoke to was wonderful (Mecca was her name) and took the time to correct the mistakes that had been made but she could not give me the reserved seating without charging.

I think I'll go back to the travel agent and see what she can do since I'm not too clear who mixed this all up.

Thanks so much for the info, it sure helped prevent a huge headache the day of the trip.

 

[elgerber]

We just flew home on Airtran yesterday. I have flown them several times before with no problems. On the way to Orlando we actually arrived twenty minutes early. On the way home however, it was a different story. I paid the $5 per seat months ago to book our seats. Then at the gate they announced open seating. Seems several families with kids did not check in early or book their seats in advance, so they complained loudly and the gate attendant got frustrated and declared the whole plane open seating. Sit whereever you want, and they let them on before the rest of us. Then they start calling it by zones. What's the point of boarding by zone if you don't get your seats anyway. It was a total disaster. The flight attendents were so frustrated.

 

[Traveliz]

We just flew home on Airtran yesterday. I have flown them several times before with no problems. On the way to Orlando we actually arrived twenty minutes early. On the way home however, it was a different story. I paid the $5 per seat months ago to book our seats. Then at the gate they announced open seating. Seems several families with kids did not check in early or book their seats in advance, so they complained loudly and the gate attendant got frustrated and declared the whole plane open seating. Sit whereever you want, and they let them on before the rest of us. Then they start calling it by zones. What's the point of boarding by zone if you don't get your seats anyway. It was a total disaster. The flight attendents were so frustrated.

Wow I have neve have them do open seating --- that is very odd.

Liz

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

We just flew home on Airtran yesterday. I have flown them several times before with no problems. On the way to Orlando we actually arrived twenty minutes early. On the way home however, it was a different story. I paid the $5 per seat months ago to book our seats. Then at the gate they announced open seating. Seems several families with kids did not check in early or book their seats in advance, so they complained loudly and the gate attendant got frustrated and declared the whole plane open seating. Sit whereever you want, and they let them on before the rest of us. Then they start calling it by zones. What's the point of boarding by zone if you don't get your seats anyway. It was a total disaster. The flight attendents were so frustrated.

Did you get your $5.00 back per seat since they ended up doing open seating?

 

[elgerber]

Did you get your $5.00 back per seat since they ended up doing open seating?

Not yet, I am going to call them today. I know several other people were also. The flight attendant said she was filing a report so they should have record of what happened.

 

[elgerber]

Did you get your $5.00 back per seat since they ended up doing open seating?

I did call yesterday, and they refunded it no problem.