Changing seats on Delta flights?

[beck0321]

I don't know how this happened but the TA seated us one behind the other on our flight to Orlando. I am going to WDW with my DH for our anniversary, I want to sit with him! It's one of those small planes with one row on one side and two rows on the other. We're in the two row part. Do you think the person sitting next to DH would take my window seat behind DH and let me sit with him? I know I traded seats with a couple who had a baby. They had them seperated by the aisle and I traded with them so they could be together and I sat by myself. I hope Kharma comes back and lets me be able to sit with DH! Do you think most people would trade seats with one of us?

 

[p2oh]

Can you go on line and look at your seats? If there are two seats together you can change your seats on the website. If not I am sure someone will trade with you. I flew on one of these planes earlier this month and several people switched seats to sit together.

 

[beck0321]

Can you go on line and look at your seats? If there are two seats together you can change your seats on the website. If not I am sure someone will trade with you. I flew on one of these planes earlier this month and several people switched seats to sit together.

I already tried the online thing. All the seats are taken. I'm assuming someone is going to get bumped from the flight. I just hope people are understanding. The thing is. We booked over 6 months ago so we should be sitting together. All I can think is that they combined our flights or something because it leaves 2 hours later than before. Flying scares me and want to sit next to DH for support and so I can hold his hand when we take off and if we hit turbulence.

 

[marvin12]

Also try in the morning of your flight to get seats together, this has happen to us , And everything work out fine.

 

[p2oh]

Could you call and ask to be assigned to the exit row?

 

[beck0321]

Could you call and ask to be assigned to the exit row?

If the online thing already shows someone in those seats, will they just tell me that someone is sitting there? Or would they bump those people?

 

[safetymom]

No they won't bump someone to accomodate your needs. The best bet is to get to the airport early. Certain seats are under airport control on the day of flight so you may be able to switch seats so you are bothing sitting together.

 

[NotUrsula]

There are always seats on the online map that show as unavailable but are not actually assigned; they are blocked for various reasons. Sometimes they are held back for Elite-status passengers, in which case passengers who have that status can see them while others cannot. (That sometimes causes wierd conversations here, when some posters who have elite status claim to see seats on a given flight, while another poster will complain that they have been told that there are no open seats at all.)

The exit row seats are usually held for assignment at the gate or to known Elite-status passengers -- the gate agents are *supposed* to physically see the passengers who will be sitting in exit rows before confirming the assignment; in case they are not physically able, or turn out to be travelling with a child. If you don't have status, you are fairly unlikely to get them yourselves, but you may benefit if someone who does have status asks and gets them, and you in turn get their old seats. Get there early and ask.

However, you should be prepared for the possibility that you will NOT be seated together. (Fear of flying isn't a qualifying disability that would guarantee getting seated with a companion.)

 

[CarolA]

Why do you think someone is getting bumped? (That part I don't get at all. It sounds like you think they will bump someone so you two can sit together and that isn't going to happen)

As to moving if you ask nice you have a good shot. If you don't you don't have a good shot. (I tend to be willing to move when folks are nice, but when they are rude and/or just take the seat and assume I will move then I won't...)

 

[kda]

I have repeatedly found that what I can see on the seat map is NOT what the situation really is and it certainly isn't what the situation will be when it's time for the flight. As already posted, some seats aren't made available initially, but I have noticed that these seats may be come available within a week or a few days of the flight (I was told they were held for people who might want to book with frequent flyer miles but eventually get released) or at the 24 hour mark when you can "check in" on line. And some are held for customers with special status to book. And some people could cancel and make seats available.

If it makes you feel like you're doing something, check the seat map several times a day to watch for cancellations or seats that have been made available. Definitely look at the 24 hour mark when you can check in, BUT don't necessarily check in. There might be some cancellations or people may move their seats around due to a cancellation, which will open up something for you.

Good luck and happy anniversary! These things usually have a way of working out, and it's a real shame to waste energy needlessly on worrying. And, if you need to rely on the kindness of strangers, it's my experience that most people respond kindly when asked kindly.

 

[clkelley]

Here recently, when traveling on Delta last minute (less than two days) full fare tickets for work, I had no problem getting exit row seating online. I was amazed at the difference in seat selection on a full fare ticket, than a discounted fare ticket.

There have been "many" times when a flight showed full on the seating chart online, when in fact, it was very empty.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a Northwest flight for next Sunday night. When I booked it, all I could get was a middle seat, all other seats were taken. I checked their website frequently, this morning and got an aisle seat in row 11. There were 3 or 4 other empty seats.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Only a certain number/percentage of seats are assigned in advance. As other posters have indicated, just because the chart online (or even the CSR on the phone) makes it seem that the flight is sold out, aka full, it's not.

Another of this board's regular participants will explain that purchasing an airline ticket merely promises one transportation from point A to point B on a given day - not even necessarily on the reserved flight.

I would not expect a passenger with an aisle seat to switch to a window seat, or vice versa. Chances are somebody on the flight will be willing to accommodate you, but remember nobody HAS to. The other passengers may well have their own reasons for sitting where and/or with whom they are.

Some posts have suggested trying for the exit row. Given that the OP has admitted an apparent strong fear of flying, this would probably NOT be a good location for her. Remember, the passengers in those seats have to be able and willing to assist in case of emergency.

The OP should plan on getting to the airport EARLY to see about changing seats.

 

[beck0321]

Why do you think someone is getting bumped? (That part I don't get at all. It sounds like you think they will bump someone so you two can sit together and that isn't going to happen)

As to moving if you ask nice you have a good shot. If you don't you don't have a good shot. (I tend to be willing to move when folks are nice, but when they are rude and/or just take the seat and assume I will move then I won't...)

Ok for everyone who thinks I want to intentionally bump someone so I can have my way, that's not what I meant. I meant I DIDN'T want to bump someone intentionally. I'm not some rude b**** who's going to think I deserve to sit next to my DH. I am a very nice shy person who will probably get my way by just making my pouty face and making the person feel sorry for me. Or I might NOT get my way because I'll be too shy to ask, but maybe DH will ask for me...

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you mean your DH will approach either your seatmate or his, and explain that it's your anniversary, and would one of them switch seats with one of you in a mature, polite manner, then yeah, that might work.

 

[beck0321]

If you mean your DH will approach either your seatmate or his, and explain that it's your anniversary, and would one of them switch seats with one of you in a mature, polite manner, then yeah, that might work.

REDACTED

Sorry, apparently I took this statement the wrong way. So, nevermind.

 

[GEM]

FLAMED? Are you kidding??? You obviously have no idea what it means to be "flamed" on the DIS if this is your idea of it.

Good grief. No ones flaming you a bit. One or two people just pointed out that, if you ask really nicely, you might have a shot. No one has accused you of being hostile, rude, or dispicable. You're reading in a WHOLE lot of things they nobody is even hinting at. Get a grip.

I hope it all works out for you.

 

[beck0321]

FLAMED? Are you kidding??? You obviously have no idea what it means to be "flamed" on the DIS if this is your idea of it.

Good grief. No ones flaming you a bit. One or two people just pointed out that, if you ask really nicely, you might have a shot. No one has accused you of being hostile, rude, or dispicable. You're reading in a WHOLE lot of things they nobody is even hinting at. Get a grip.

I hope it all works out for you.

Ok, whatever, I'm over it. I don't really need any more info on this subject. If that is the worst thing that happens on my trip, then I'll be in luck, considering all the other stuff that is going on in our lives right now.

 

[GEM]

By the way, this is definately not the most mature and effective way to handle the situation.

I am a very nice shy person who will probably get my way by just making my pouty face and making the person feel sorry for me

That would just annoy me and I'd definatley stay put where I was. However, if you just expalined very nicely that you were on your anniversary and would like to sit with your husband if it wouldn't bother me too much to move, then I would probably do what I could to make you happy.

By the way, you still aren't being flamed.

I honestly hope somone can help you so that you will have a great start to your trip, but if you display the immature and defensive attitude you've shown on this thread, then I wouldn't count on it.

 

[beck0321]

I honestly hope somone can help you so that you will have a great start to your trip, but if you display the immature and defensive attitude you've shown on this thread, then I wouldn't count on it.

BURN! <-- that is supposed to symbolize burning, just so we're clear here

Oh yes, I was JOKING about the pouty thing. I guess I should have put a to make my point about that. Sorry, that was my fault.