Airtran seating

[LeslieG]

I have a flight on Airtran in a couple weeks. I didn't pay for a seat assignment, but I went in and took a look at what was available in case I changed my mind. There are only a few open seats left according to the seating chart. I'm wondering if the taken seats reflect all those who have booked, regardless of whether they chose a seat assignment? I mean I'm assuming I have one of the "taken" seats, just don't know which one yet, and the ones that show open just reflect the number of seats left to be sold. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Henlady]

It's my understanding that the seats that are showing as "taken" are actually seats that were purchased with the extra fee. The seats showing as "open" are truely unselected seats, and will be the only ones available to those who did not pay for their seat selection. So, one of the open seats is what you will select when you check in at or after the 24 hour check in point. We purchased seats 15D,15E, 15F for our return flight and they now show as "unavailable" for selection for anyone else.

 

[LeslieG]

But in the past when I haven't pre-purchased a seat assignment, at the 24-hr mark when I go to check in, they have already assigned me a seat. It's just at the 24-hr mark I have the option to change it. I wonder if the option to change at the 24-hr mark is then limited to those seats that show open. I know this is confusing. I hope this post makes sense.

 

[Inkmahm]

But in the past when I haven't pre-purchased a seat assignment, at the 24-hr mark when I go to check in, they have already assigned me a seat. It's just at the 24-hr mark I have the option to change it. I wonder if the option to change at the 24-hr mark is then limited to those seats that show open. I know this is confusing. I hope this post makes sense.

Yes, you can switch to any open seat at the 24 hour mark. There may not be any open seats though if you're flying on a popular flight, then you're stuck with whatever you're assigned.

 

[LeslieG]

In the past, I've never paid for a seat assignment, but was still always seated together with my family. I was thinking though that a good way for Airtran to get more people to pay for seat assignments would be to start not seating people on the same itinerary together. Would they do something like that? I think I know the answer. It's always about the dollar.

 

[Traveliz]

In the past, I've never paid for a seat assignment, but was still always seated together with my family. I was thinking though that a good way for Airtran to get more people to pay for seat assignments would be to start not seating people on the same itinerary together. Would they do something like that? I think I know the answer. It's always about the dollar.

They will seat people wherever -- regardless of what itinerary they are on.

Liz

 

[LeslieG]

They will seat people wherever -- regardless of what itinerary they are on.

Liz

Just curious if you've personally experienced that, going to check in at the 24 hour mark and found your party spread out all over the plane. I've traveled with Airtran fairly frequently and have yet to have that happen.

 

[aubriee]

They most definitely will scatter people on the same itinerary out all over the plane. I fly Air Tran out of DFW several times a year and it seems like this past year especially, every trip there are people at the counter raising heck that they are not seated together and are demanding that Air Tran do something about it. They seem to assume that since they have children (or on the same itinerary) that Air Tran will accomodate them. Not so!

I've also seen people who try to sit together once they get on the plane and then demand that the people who actually have those seats assigned move. Neither the gate agents nor the FAs have much sympathy for them though. If you want to sit next to your family purchase the seats. I fly solo mostly and still purchase my seats because I want an aisle seat close to the front and am willing to pay to make sure I get it. On a flight last fall, I got on the plane to find a man sitting next to his girlfriend in my seat. When I told him he was in my seat, he jerked his finger toward the back and told me I could have his seat in row 23. Give up my aisle seat in row 9 for a center seat in row 23. I don't think so! He got verbally aggressive, but the FA told him he could move to his assigned seat or exit the plane. Those were his two choices.

 

[Pinnie]

DH and I have been split up at the 24 hour marks many times. Now that most flights are flying full, if you want to sit together, spend the $ and buy the seats. Otherwise you are not going to find those of us who paid to sit where we are sitting to feel your pain.

pinnie

 

[sweetdana]

I flew with DD5 and did not pay for seats. They rearranged and allowed us to sit together. Although I would have blow my lid had my dd5 been sitting next to strangers.. and I image they would have too, when she asked for help with her water, or needed help going to the bathroom..

 

[Disney Ella]

They most definitely will scatter people on the same itinerary out all over the plane. I fly Air Tran out of DFW several times a year and it seems like this past year especially, every trip there are people at the counter raising heck that they are not seated together and are demanding that Air Tran do something about it. They seem to assume that since they have children (or on the same itinerary) that Air Tran will accomodate them. Not so!

I saw the same thing happen in PHL in November. The gate agent refused to move people who had paid for their seats so that the complaining family could sit together.

 

[Henlady]

LeslieG: You are automatically assigned one of the available seats when you check in. I have read that Airtran keeps the last 3 rows of seats aside to accommodate families, etc..... If you look at available seats on most flights, the last 3 rows are generally never available for "pre" selection.

In addition:
You know, for someone who has paid an additional $15 per seat, I would not be happy being asked to move to accommodate another adult. My mid May airfare was purchased in mid January and my seats were purchased at that time. I wanted 3 seats together for my family at the front section of the plane, so I bought them. I would have no problem moving for a child to sit beside a parent, as long as I got moved to another $15 seat, or Airtran was willing to refund me my seat charge. Everyone has the opportunity to purchase their specified seat when they purchase airfare. If you want certain seats, or want to sit beside someone, buy the seats that will accommodate that need right from the "get go".
There are seats available for charges of $15, $13 and $6 each, it is not that much and $6 per seat should not put that much of a burden on anyone for the peace of mind knowing that they are going to be sitting where and with whom they want.
On our flight home (also purchased 3 $15 seats), I have noticed that there is only one set of 3 seats together left on the whole plane.
So families of 3 or more, who did not purchase seats, are going to be spread out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I flew with DD5 and did not pay for seats. They rearranged and allowed us to sit together. Although I would have blow my lid had my dd5 been sitting next to strangers.. and I image they would have too, when she asked for help with her water, or needed help going to the bathroom..

Not funny at all - don't see why you're laughing.

You CHOSE to not pay in advance to select your seats; you should have had to accept the consequences of your decision, NOT expect the airline and the other passengers to accommodate you.

Given that AirTran will allow a child as young as five to travel entirely unaccompanied on the flight by a parent or guardian (yes, I know, they charge for this service), there is ABSOLUTELY NO reason a five year old child can't be seated in the same cabin as, but not adjacent to, a parent.

 

[Inkmahm]

I flew with DD5 and did not pay for seats. They rearranged and allowed us to sit together. Although I would have blow my lid had my dd5 been sitting next to strangers.. and I image they would have too, when she asked for help with her water, or needed help going to the bathroom..

She would have to go without water and would have to take herself to the bathroom. I bet she'd live through it, too.

 

[Hannathy]

She would have to go without water and would have to take herself to the bathroom. I bet she'd live through it, too.

Oh I would be willing to bet she could have handled drinking by herself, most kindergartners HAVE mastered this little task!

See if you would have threatened me with that I would have said oh OK no problem I'll point her in the right direction toward the BR if and when the need arises and if she needs help she can go find you.

No way I'm moving for a 5 yr old, unless it was to first class!

 

[Inkmahm]

Oh I would be willing to bet she could have handled drinking by herself, most kindergartners HAVE mastered this little task!

See if you would have threatened me with that I would have said oh OK no problem I'll point her in the right direction toward the BR if and when the need arises and if she needs help she can go find you.

No way I'm moving for a 5 yr old, unless it was to first class!

I think we said the same thing more or less...

I'm not moving for a 5 year old, either. Not if I've paid for my seat.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Not funny at all - don't see why you're laughing.

You CHOSE to not pay in advance to select your seats; you should have had to accept the consequences of your decision, NOT expect the airline and the other passengers to accommodate you.

Given that AirTran will allow a child as young as five to travel entirely unaccompanied on the flight by a parent or guardian (yes, I know, they charge for this service), there is ABSOLUTELY NO reason a five year old child can't be seated in the same cabin as, but not adjacent to, a parent.

I joke with DH and ask if I can pay the $6 for our kids to actually sit away from us and with someone else for the 1.5 hour flight. At $4/hr, that's a better rate than a babysitter....

But seriously, there is no way I would expect someone who paid money for a seat in advance to give up their seat because I didn't pay for mine in advance even if it was me and my 1 year old who couldn't be by himself. I just don't see how that's fair, even the cheap $6 seats, so I fork over the money for all of us to have reserved seats and just budget that money as part of the airfare when we go to Disney (thankfully the only place we have to buy airfare!!!).

 

[LeslieG]

My concern with young children isn't whether they can get a drink or go to the bathroom, but rather what if there was an emergency. My mind goes to the plane that landed in the Hudson. I can't imagine the panic of having your young child alone ten seats behind you. With that thought in mind, I paid for our seat assignments.

 

[maxiesmom]

I flew with DD5 and did not pay for seats. They rearranged and allowed us to sit together. Although I would have blow my lid had my dd5 been sitting next to strangers.. and I image they would have too, when she asked for help with her water, or needed help going to the bathroom..

It wouldn't do any good to "blow your lid". If you don't pay for seats, they put you wherever there is one open. It would be your own fault if your dd had to sit away from you. The FAs will not make anyone move to accomodate your lack of planning.

 

[PlutoPony]

I flew with DD5 and did not pay for seats. They rearranged and allowed us to sit together. Although I would have blow my lid had my dd5 been sitting next to strangers.. and I image they would have too, when she asked for help with her water, or needed help going to the bathroom..

Let's say you wanted me to swap seats with you so you could sit beside your child. And let's also say I paid $15 to reserve my seat prior to boarding. Would you be willing to reimburse me the $15 (cash, on the spot) to take my seat and sit beside your child?

This is a serious question - I've been wondering this for a while