Airtran Seating???

[MakiraMarlena]

Please do not go in expecting someone who DID pay for their seats to switch with you because you have a child and you didn't want to pay for your seating assignment. It has nothing to do with whether they have the Disney spirit or not.

This is what is going to occur when passengers are asked to pay extra for their seating assignments. If where you sit and who you sit with means as much to you as it means to the passengers who WILL pay for their seats, you can't beat 'em, so maybe it's time to consider joining 'em.

 

[danielle.st]

I would really dislike having to wait until 24 hours ahead to reserve my seats. I wouldn't have a computer with me at Disney World and wouldn't be able to reserve. I much prefer paying a nominal fee ahead of time so that I don't have to worry about it.

 

[UConnJack]

I would really dislike having to wait until 24 hours ahead to reserve my seats. I wouldn't have a computer with me at Disney World and wouldn't be able to reserve. I much prefer paying a nominal fee ahead of time so that I don't have to worry about it.

I believe that's the way Airtran used to do it, I think the extra fee for advance seating is a relatively new thing.

BTW, I think the concierge or RAC will usually check you in at 24 hrs if you ask? Is this the case?

 

[danielle.st]

But I could live with that if someone else could have done it for me It really was so easy to do it right when I booked my tickets though.

 

[tkoran]

I've started checking fares for December (currently about $245 RT including taxes, etc.) and when I check the available seats over half are already unavailable. Over half unavailable this far out already? What I really question is that I checked 2 different flights and they both have the exact same seats available.

Anyone know what's up with that?
What's the chance of that fare going down?

 

[mla973]

While I'm not a fan of the extra $15 pp it cost us to select our seats at the time of purchase, I'm too picky not to. I like that AirTran has a two seats on one side and three on the other. I want the two-seat side so DH and I do not have to climb over others (or have them climb over us). Or get stuck beside someone who smells (has happened to me before). To me, it's worth the extra $30, and I would be unlikely to switch with someone after I've paid that.

To the OP, if sitting near your child is important to you, I would pay the extra fare to guarantee it.

 

[dvc guy]

I am flying Airtran in July and traveling with my 2 children. I was very concerned with this as I have read and reread many comments on this topic.
I emailed Airtran several times with my concerns and the last person that I had contact with assigned my seats at no charge as a one time deal because I was traveling with children.
I thought the same thing that they would at least put the children next to the parents but I am not sure.
I do understand that there are people that pick their seat assignments when they purchase their tickets (but you can only do that if you purchase directly through Airtran.com) or you can pay the fee or wait 24 hrs before your scheduled flight and pick your seats online(if you have paper tickets like I do you can't do anything online) or you have to wait until check-in.
I would think under most circumstances that if for some reason that you were to be put in seperate seats you could probably ask the person next to you to change seats. I would think that they would be more than happy to oblige or they can listen to your child cry and bother them the whole plane ride

Who sold you paper tickets???

I have not seen a paper ticket for domestic travel in a few years. You are sure they are paper, I was under the impression that Airtran was all E ticket.

When you book Airtran you need to add in the price of the seat assignment, as the total cost of the seat or take your chances. Most planes go out full so your chances of getting seats together are not great.

 

[njmom08]

When I called Airtan back they waived the fee for advanced seating since we are first time customers. The gentleman said they would give it to me as a courtesy. I must say I felt attacked on this thread. I was just asking for some opinions since we have never flown with Airtan. I am offended that poeple have implied that I am not concerned about my children. I have these message boards very helpful and I was just asking.

 

[njmom08]

The man I spoke to at Airtran said since I booked everything through Disney travel I would not be able to check in on-line 24 hours before the flight. It sounds like next time I should book my package through Disney and airfare directly from the airline.

 

[KevGuy]

I love airtran prices, so the extra to sit together is no big deal for me. It assures that both my kids get window seats and my wife and I sit next to them. I doubt we are giving up our paid seats for anyone.

 

[danielle.st]

I must say I felt attacked on this thread. I was just asking for some opinions since we have never flown with Airtan. I am offended that poeple have implied that I am not concerned about my children. I have these message boards very helpful and I was just asking.

You agreed with a poster about letting strangers hear your children crying as a strategy if they wouldn't change seats for you. I can't speak for anyone else, but that is what motivated my reply. It's not a funny or a cute strategy.
Anyway, I'm glad you have it all straightened oout and you can relax knowing it won't be an issue

 

[njmom08]

When I agreed with that person, I was joking. I obviously would not wany my children to ruin anyone's flight. That would not be a nice way to start someone's vacation.

 

[danielle.st]

Let's say it's all good then It's hard to get some tones across message boards. I'm glad you wouldn't do that and that you have everything all set.

 

[lutherlovr]

I can't imagine anyone wanting to sit next to an unaccompianed 3 yo crying for it's parents (when the situation could easily be remedied), even if they did pay $10 extra for that seat. That's punishing yourself. JMHO.

 

[danielle.st]

I can't imagine anyone wanting to sit next to an unaccompianed 3 yo crying for it's parents (when the situation could easily be remedied), even if they did pay $10 extra for that seat. That's crazy. JMHO.

And I can't imagine someone not paying the 10 or so extra and taking the chance that there is no one who could easily remedy the situation for them.

 

[kritter]

I am willing to pay so I know we are near our children!!!!!!!!!

 

[crashbb]

NJMOM08 - I also thought that you were agreeing with using a crying child to 'convince' people to change seats with you, which is where my response came from. I'm glad that AirTran was able to help you work it all out.

I think that part the issue is that I seem to come at this from a different perspective than many and am not convinced that, for the most part, not sitting next to a parent is going to scar a child for life.

I was 5 (1 day past my birthday) when I first flew without my any family - as in they weren't on the airplane at all. I loved it! I was, of course, an UM and very well taken care of.

I was also 3 or 4 when I didn't sit with my parents (we had missed a connection and they shoved us onto another flight with minutes to spare - my memory is dashing through the airport following a gate agent trying not to drop Pooh Bear). Family legend is that I came off the flight wanting to be Jewish - the man sitting next to me had a Kosher meal and they had a better dessert than my meal did!

The airline I mainly fly doesn't charge for seat selection (for most fares), so I don't pay to select my seat (though as an elite member I have access to more seats to pre-select from) and as long as I am trading "like for like" have moved for families. I just wouldn't want the OP (or other posters) to count on it and be upset if people won't move.

So, for the most part