Allegient - Preferred Seating???

[northriver]

We are flying Allegient for the first time and I see that they have a Preferred Seating program. Can someone tell me how it works? It would add $66 to our total airfare, but seats are on sale right now, so overall it isn't that bad. I'm just wondering how they assign seats otherwise? They wouldn't really split us up would they? And is it worth it to pay $66 to get on the plane first? I have a toddler and a carseat, so I'm thinking it might actually be a good deal for us to be able to get on first and sit up front and not have to haul a carseat all the way to the back.

Any regular Allegient flyers here that can tell me anything about this?

And if you could choose any seat on the plane what seats do you choose?

 

[ducklite]

All I can say is that if you sit up front with the car seat, please wait until the plane is empty before trying to get off. As much as people think they don't trying to wrestle a car seat and kids off a plane blocks aisles and prevents other passengers from getting off. Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

One other thing, depending on the configuration of the cabin, you might want to go to the back anyhow to be closer to the lavs. Easier to walk down the aisle with a car seat while a plane is still on the ground than with a kid who needs to go (or be changed) when the plane is moving--especially if there's a line that you need to wait in.

 

[Edd]

I speak to many Allegiant passengers about the preferred seating. It is good if you want to pay for it, but many do not. No family I have spoke to has been split up in the plane. In fact, one husband told me that if they wanted someone else to watch his kids, he wouldn't mind, but he didn't feel like paying an extra amount for the seating.

 

[blessedby3]

We have flown Allegiant a couple of times (using them again in 3 days!!!!!) and have never paid for seat assignments. We are a family of 6 (5 with seats) and have always been able to sit together. You are able to get your seat assignments when you check in and thats what we do. You are still able to preboard with a small child.

 

[sammielynn]

Same here. We have never paid for seating and have always sat together.

 

[northriver]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still not sure what to do.

Last trip we flew American and they did not allow preboarding to families, even with a carseat.

ducklite - Sorry, but I don't *think* that I don't block the aisles, I KNOW that I don't block the aisles. My carseat is small and I travel light I can always get off a plane much faster than passangers with several carry on bags in the overhead. I've been flying with carseats for 14 yrs, so I've got my system down to a science.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still not sure what to do.

Last trip we flew American and they did not allow preboarding to families, even with a carseat.

ducklite - Sorry, but I don't *think* that I don't block the aisles, I KNOW that I don't block the aisles. My carseat is small and I travel light I can always get off a plane much faster than passangers with several carry on bags in the overhead. I've been flying with carseats for 14 yrs, so I've got my system down to a science.

Carriers are strongly enforcing the number and size of carry-on's these days, so no one has "several." I dont care how long you've been traveling, it takes longer for a family with kids and a car seat to get off the plane than a solo traveler with a single carry-on. Just the "kids" factor alone adds time.

 

[northriver]

This trip I'll be traveling with my mom and SHE actually slows us down.

In any case, we are in Iowa, so don't worry, I doubt you'll be behind us.

I'm going to call Allegient now and ask about preboarding with the carseat. I'm thinking we won't pay of the preferred seating afterall.

Thanks for the imput everyone!

 

[Allison]

We saw a family separated when we flew down for Christmas. One of the kids ended up sitting with my son and husband and his family was several rows behind. This was a full flight.

I always pay for the preferred seating because I'm anal about that kind of thing. I like to get as far to the front as possible and know where we will be seated. For many others families, it's no big deal and not worth spending the money on.

They preboard families with children 4 and under and those that need extra time. Then the preferred seating people board.

By the way, there has always been a lavatory at the front on the many Allegiant planes I have been on. There are lots of children on the flights too so people understand dealing with a carseat (not that's a big deal in the first place).

 

[Mainebound]

We are flying Allegient for the first time and I see that they have a Preferred Seating program. Can someone tell me how it works? It would add $66 to our total airfare, but seats are on sale right now, so overall it isn't that bad. I'm just wondering how they assign seats otherwise? They wouldn't really split us up would they? And is it worth it to pay $66 to get on the plane first? I have a toddler and a carseat, so I'm thinking it might actually be a good deal for us to be able to get on first and sit up front and not have to haul a carseat all the way to the back.

Any regular Allegient flyers here that can tell me anything about this?

And if you could choose any seat on the plane what seats do you choose?

To the OP -- we are flying Allegiant in March. We did not pay for preferred seating. I will let you know if we have trouble.

And, FWIW, I am sorry that you have had to deal with some off topic remarks, unrelated to your legitimate and totally inoffensive question , in this thread.

 

[leanne11]

we have used them before and as long as you get to the airport 2 hrs before the flight you just pick the seats at that time..

I would suggets to make you feel better.. go on the website now, pick the flight you r leaving on and pretend to buy a seat, put your name in and then it will ask do you want to buy a seat, you can see how many seats are available, they will be in yellow, if there is alot available, then close the page
then you will know how many people pd the $11 fee, then just show up early enough to get first choice

 

[blessedby3]

we have used them before and as long as you get to the airport 2 hrs before the flight you just pick the seats at that time..

I would suggets to make you feel better.. go on the website now, pick the flight you r leaving on and pretend to buy a seat, put your name in and then it will ask do you want to buy a seat, you can see how many seats are available, they will be in yellow, if there is alot available, then close the page
then you will know how many people pd the $11 fee, then just show up early enough to get first choice

Thats a great tip. I was wondering how I could see how many seats were already taken. I just tried it for my flight and got to see what was left so far. Thanks

 

[northriver]

UPDATE: I decided not to use the Preferred seating, but then when I went to buy the tickets, I couldn't stop myself LOL! So we have seats in the front, not the bulkhead because I like to have my carryon handy at all times with a toddler! The total cost was $255 each ticket, so not too bad even with the extra cost for Preferred Seating. We are using Allegient primarliy because we get a direct flight, not so much for the lower fares.

Thanks again for all the replies. I'm looking forward to flying Allegient and I'll let you all know how it goes.