Delta basic economy?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There needs to be a sarcasm indicator emoji!

I think I may have caused this thread to go in that direction, but I hadn't seen any discussion of last year's legislation that may/will require airlines to shuffle people to accommodate a parent sitting next to a young child.

Oh my comment wasn't aimed at you really just the overall question being asked in the original post.

ANNDDDDD I just realized my post got sooo messed up because I missed some words and so it came off in a sarcastic manner and I didn't mean it that way . I meant to say I haven't seen a post go positive but I think you got that part from my post anyways.

There have been several posts last regarding the legislation or where it got brought up at some point and they too haven't been all too positive..most suggesting it is on the individual and not on others to make it work however you need it to work. Though I get where you were going with bringing it up as it would cause something to adjust either on the airline side or the passenger side.

Ok I'm going to edit my above post now geez.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Oh my comment wasn't aimed at you really just the overall question being asked in the original post.

'Twasnt offended! It just took me a minute to realize that you were being sarcastic. That could be a reflection of my lack of sleep.

I meant to say I haven't seen a post go positive but I think you got that part from my post anyways.

There have been several posts last regarding the legislation or where it got brought up at some point and they too haven't been all too positive..most suggesting it is on the individual and not on others to make it work however you need it to work. Though I get where you were going with bringing it up as it would cause something to adjust either on the airline side or the passenger side.

I honestly wasn't trying to stir the pot on this issue. I've danced with at least one of the posters on this thread about this issue before, but I honestly had not seen an update on how airlines were implementing this mandate. After googling about it this week, my findings are that nothing has been proposed about it since the legislation was passed. From the news reporting last year, I didn't know that the legislation gave the FAA a year to come up with the rules. And we still have a few months before that year is up and there's a new administration. So I'm sure there will be another thread some months from now. Yay!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

'Twasnt offended! It just took me a minute to realize that you were being sarcastic. That could be a reflection of my lack of sleep.I honestly wasn't trying to stir the pot on this issue. I've danced with at least one of the posters on this thread about this issue before, but I honestly had not seen an update on how airlines were implementing this mandate. After googling about it this week, my findings are that nothing has been proposed about it since the legislation was passed. From the news reporting last year, I didn't know that the legislation gave the FAA a year to come up with the rules. And we still have a few months before that year is up and there's a new administration. So I'm sure there will be another thread some months from now. Yay!

And I wasn't even trying to be sarcastic guess I'm also not fully here today

Hmm well you did get me thinking I'm not sure I have heard any updates about it actually.

But I did know that as soon as I saw the thread title regarding basic economy it likely wasn't going to be an easy peasy cut and dry type thread as far as what people's feelings are on it.

 

[bumbershoot]

From the wording, it doesn't sound like it has to become a strong rule.

"a rule that directs the transportation secretary to establish a policy to allow children under age 13 'to be seated in a seat adjacent'"

The rule is that the secretary has to establish a policy...that policy could be strong or weak or anywhere in between it seems.

Funny rule. To establish a policy. And "adjacent" doesn't have to mean immediately next to. "Nearby" and "not distant" show up in MW disctionary website for adjacent.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

From the wording, it doesn't sound like it has to become a strong rule.

We discussed this elsewhere on this thread, but I suspect that's how legislation is worded when congress is delegating authority to executive branch agencies, which will make rules that have the force of law. I doubt it was written that way to be equivocal, but probably to conform with other legislation that grants rule making authority via this type of legislation.

When this was passed last year, as part of an FAA funding bill, here's what the co-sponsors had to say about its intent:

 

[sam_gordon]

This should actually be easy for the airlines to implement. On the website, you say you want to purchase 'x' (something more than one) number of tickets for a given flight. The software then asks for names and birth dates of all travelers. Assuming one of the travelers is under 13 at the time of the flight, seats are assigned in pairs (at minimum). If no seating arrangement is available that fits the requirement, you get a popup saying the flight does not work for the booking party. Maybe airlines keep a couple rows at the back of the plane available (unassigned) just for this until all the other seats are full.

I think it's disingenuous to make the rule for children under 13 then point out "toddlers" and "young children" aren't able to fly with their parents. JMO.

 

[RedAngie]

Paid first class is generally a bad bargain because of a great chance of being downgraded and the refund of the difference being small.

In effect you end up paying full fare coach. Almost nobody buys full fare coach from the git go.

Yes, and also beware of "cheap" first class fares (those not booked in F class), which are often less expensive that full coach fare. Those cheaper FC fares come with a long list of regulations and exclusions. You might discover that they're really a coach fare with an upgrade. In cases of flight irregularity, you could easily be moved back to sit in a middle seat between two people who paid 1/4 of what you did, with no refund due.

 

[seashoreCM]

What could be added (or substituted for today's basic economy), is an economy standby fare. It could be just like today's basic economy but have the provision of being transferred to a later flight in case of certain irregularities.

The fare would have to be defined as standby given that there would be no compensation for being moved to a later flight..

As a standby fare it would not be completely meaningless because Delta charges full fare for someone who really wants to walk up and standby today. (Actually, last I heard, Delta won't book it for you unless there is a good chance you willl be seated and they book it as confirmed.)

 

[sam_gordon]

What could be added (or substituted for today's basic economy), is an economy standby fare. It could be just like today's basic economy but have the provision of being transferred to a later flight in case of certain irregularities.

The fare would have to be defined as standby given that there would be no compensation for being moved to a later flight..

As a standby fare it would not be completely meaningless because Delta charges full fare for someone who really wants to walk up and standby today. (Actually, last I heard, Delta won't book it for you unless there is a good chance you willl be seated and they book it as confirmed.)

How would that help with the child seating "requirement"? If you think about it, even a normal ticket is a "standby" fare. Just because you have a confirmed seat (even a seat selection) on the 10am flight doesn't mean you will actually be on that plane.

 

[Gracie09]

When you speak with such absolute authority, you risk being embarrassed.

Most US-based airlines are, in fact, required to refund the difference if you're downgraded. It's in their contracts of carriage. And that's before we get into "deceptive practices" in transportation law or the DOT's regulatory authority.

Yes and no. If you read above I told people to check their coc. Many coc are silent on the issue or vague as to what they will refund. And given the different pricing practices what would be the refund - full fare to full fare? Full fare to lowest seat etc etc. and what about code sharing. You have to check on those. and then there is actually getting the refund. Like many places airlines are great at taking your money not so great at refunding it. So it becomes a matter of what is your time worth.

 

[Allie B]

We always fly delta. When arriving to check in we ask to have seats together. We are usually put in the very back of plane but they are always kind enough to put the three of us together.

 

[BK1]

My mother accidentally booked flights for my family in basic economy and I have a 5 year old. My wife and I were concerned this would be a problem on the plane and that my son might freak out if put next to strangers for a 6 hour flight. I gave Delta a call and they told me that for passengers 5 years old and younger they can check with a manager to get reserved seats for them and (1) parent (not your entire party). This worked for us and not only did they put my wife next to my 5 year old, they also were able to put our whole family of 4 together for all legs of our trip. I wouldn't recommend this as a strategy to save money on your next flight but if you are in a jam because you booked flights in basic economy (or someone else did on your behalf) this might be worth a shot. YMMV. good luck and happy travels! -BK

 

[maxiesmom]

My mother accidentally booked flights for my family in basic economy and I have a 5 year old. My wife and I were concerned this would be a problem on the plane and that my son might freak out if put next to strangers for a 6 hour flight. I gave Delta a call and they told me that for passengers 5 years old and younger they can check with a manager to get reserved seats for them and (1) parent (not your entire party). This worked for us and not only did they put my wife next to my 5 year old, they also were able to put our whole family of 4 together for all legs of our trip. I wouldn't recommend this as a strategy to save money on your next flight but if you are in a jam because you booked flights in basic economy (or someone else did on your behalf) this might be worth a shot. YMMV. good luck and happy travels! -BK

Be aware that basic economy fares don't just affect where you sit. It also means you will be the last ones to board the aircraft, so there may not be bin space for any carry-ons you may have. If not, you will have to gate check those bags.

You may also want to warn your mom that if she goes to book flights in the future, she needs to read everything on the page. Delta is not the only airline with a cheaper fee that lacks seat assignments. United offers the same thing.