Booking Extra Seats On Flight?

[diz_princess]

With all the security nowadays, can you book extra seats on flights? We are going to fly with our son and I'd like to have an extra seat for us to spread out. Can we do that?

 

[LisaZoe]

I know SWA will make "large" people buy an extra seat but haven't ever thought of buying an extra just for more seat space. I can't see why the airlines would object but it might be hard to keep it empty if they'd overbooked (although you should then get a voucher for another flight and possibly more).

 

[all4fun]

I have never personally done this, but a friend of mine has. When buying two seats, request one aisle and one window (assuming it's a row w/three seats together). If the flight doesn't get booked up, most likely the middle seat will remain open and you will have gotten it for free. If someone ends up buying that seat one of you can always switch seats with that person so you are still sitting together.

Are you buying a seat for your child? We flew from the west coast and bought our ds his own seat and brought his car seat aboard(he was 13 months old at the time). We put him in a "nighttime" diaper for extra absorbancy and only had to do changes while waiting on our flight at the layover airport. Other than that, we really didn't feel like we needed any extra room. DS was either in his car seat or being held by one of us. I was glad we brought the car seat because I think it made things a little more comfortable for him and safer as well.

HTH,
Cheryl

 

[safetymom]

Flights are so full nowadays that unless you enjoy sitting in the middle seat I wouldn't book the aisle and window.

 

[diz_princess]

Yes, we are buying a seat for our son. I was thinking if it's a row of three we would put our son at the window and I pay for all three seat in the row. I would then sit on the aisle and my husband would sit across from us. I just wanted the extra space and to spare someone having to sit next to us while we were holding our son.

 

[safetymom]

Good luck! If you are trading an aisle seat you will get some takers.

 

[bridegirl]

If you are bringing a car seat for your son, make sure it has a clearly visible FAA sticker. Sometimes the stewardesses are picky about it, and sometimes they could care less.

Also, with a car seat, you should always book a window for the car seat seat, as they will not allow you to put it in the middle or aisle seat. They say that in case of emergency the car seat needs to be in window so as not to block peoples movement out of their seats.

Susy

 

[PlutoPony]

When you make a plane reservation, you have to give a name for each seat you're reserving/paying for. If you make 2 seat reservations (for you and your son) that should be no big deal - you give each name (and note that one is a child). But if you're making a 3rd for an fictitious person and paying for it, that could be a problem. Sure you can make up a name and get a reservation, but when it comes to actually checking in for your flight you're SOL I think. Since you wouldn't have an "real" person to check in for the 3rd seat, think you'd be a no show and thus lose your money.
If I'm completely off-base in understanding your question, please ignore my post !

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, you can buy an extra seat, but you'll probably get some argument about it when you show up and they discover that you are not obese and not carrying a cello. This is especially likely if the flight is overbooked, as nearly all flights are these days.

You need to book the extra ticket on the phone, so that it can be marked as an "extra seat" that cannot be moved away from yours in the event that the seat assignments are reshuffled.
People buy extra seats quite often for delicate musical instruments and/or medical equipment, and for service aniimals.
Be sure to get a second boarding pass for that seat in your name; if it does not have a boarding pass issued for it, it will show up as available when they try to seat the standbys.

 

[javaj]

It could be a little bit more expensive, but would booking First-class seats be better (and easier)? I don't know how much extra space you're looking for, but first class seats are wider than economy seats, plus you get some "pampering" with food and better service

 

[diz_princess]

Can a 7 mo fly first class? I had just assumed that children that young can't.

 

[grlpwrd]

Infants are not ordinarily allowed in First Class.

Don't count on extra space as many flights are overbooked as it is. That's what check-in and boarding passes are (for). You can hope for an extra seat being available, but don't count on it.

The next best thing is to reserve a bulk head seat for extra leg room. Besides, I think you should be more concerned about your baby dealing with the air pressure, being well stocked with baby things, and all that comes with traveling with an infant than having extra room.

GL!

 

[luvabargain]

I think you should just call the airline you plan on booking with and ask them. It sounds like no one here has done this. And let us know what you find out!

 

[Selina]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "with all the security nowadays".....to be honest having an extra seat next to your son is not going to make the slightest difference if you are thousands of feet in the air with a nutter on the plane! Save your money. If it's more room that you want, surely it would be far cheaper to fly in a higher class seat than to buy an extra one. Maybe not, I don't know.

 

[tinkerbella22]

I know the answer...you can book the extra seat in your name. If the plane is overbooked and they ask you to give it up you will have to be compansated like anyone else who gave up a seat. Just amke sure the extra seat is "attached " to your reservation and if ther are 3 seats available they will book it.

No children under 8 are allowed in first class. Anyway first class would be the cost of booking 10 seats.

I have 4 pilots in my immediate family, so I know these answers are correct.

Hope this helps

 

[diz_princess]

Thank you tinkerbella22 and everyone else who offered help.

 

[safetymom]

I guess the airlines I fly didn't get the memo about young children in first class.

I just flew back from Atlanta last week with two ill behaved youngsters. Yes I have kids and mine knew they weren't allowed to act like that anywhere.

I see young kids under 8 in first class quite often.

 

[javaj]

Is this a new thing that children aren't allowed in first-class or is it just for certain airlines? The only time I ever heard of children under a certain age not allowed in first class was for non-rev passengers. I've only flown first-class with my toddler once, on Continental, and it wasn't the cost of 10 economy seats (720 each instead of 470, not really by choice, long story).

My dad worked for an airline when I was growing up and since we were non-rev, we got to fly first class depending on the airline (and availability of course). I *thought* (not sure) that a friend of mine that only flies first class or business class always had her infant with her. I'm going to ask her, I'm curious now!

Originally posted by tinkerbella22
I know the answer...you can book the extra seat in your name. If the plane is overbooked and they ask you to give it up you will have to be compansated like anyone else who gave up a seat. Just amke sure the extra seat is "attached " to your reservation and if ther are 3 seats available they will book it.

No children under 8 are allowed in first class. Anyway first class would be the cost of booking 10 seats.

I have 4 pilots in my immediate family, so I know these answers are correct.

Hope this helps

 

[mbb]

and we've flown first class... I think it depends on the airline

 

[diz_princess]

If you've flown first class with a young one...can you tell me what airline and how old your child was. Also, how did you book your tickets?
Thanks!