Delta Seating Policy

[Morgand]

Hi All

We were thinking about flying with Delta for our next trip and were wondering what their policy is for seat assignments. Do you get to chose what seats you want when you book? Is there a fee to pick your seats ahead of time? And also are there fees for checked luggage now? I know they did not have a fee for bags before but I am not sure if this is changed. Just want to make sure the whole family gets seated together and know where we are going to be seated for the flight.

Thanks, I know a bunch of you know all about Delta.

 

[Ratatosk]

We flew delta last week. We were able to pick all our seats ahead of time with the exception of a connecting flight to our home, which I believe was because they hadn't determined what type of plane they were going to use. No fee for that.

Baggage fees were $25 per bag each way -- so $50 round trip per bag.

 

[mopee3]

Beware of Delta and there seating reservations. There are 7 of us, 3 different parties 4 , 3, 1, traveling on Mar 30. We reserved the seats in mid Sept and we have had 3 different changes because Delt has changed the planes on us 3 times. We started out sitting next to each other and are now scattered through out the latest plane. We did not link the reservations together because we didn't think starting out sooooo early we would need to, but we should have. I asked Delta what gives and they are no help. Our only recourse now is if the flight changes planes yet again, at least now the reservations are linked.

Live and learn, and the thing I learned, DON'T FLY DELTA.

Moe

 

[francie57]

You can pick your seats when you buy your tickets. There are some preferred seats that you pay for that are not available to everyone. As far as the seat assignments being changed, that will happen if the airline changes the type of plane. This happened to us in the past and once they change the type of plane all seat are reassigned by the computer (explained to me by a supervisor at Delta). If you notice the change quickly you can change your seat assignments without any problems. Basically every airline does this - not just Delta! The best way to avoid problems is to just keep checking your flights every week or so. I usually check once a week when we are months away and if anything changes I make a correction right away and it really isn't a big deal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And if there aren’t two or three or four or seven seats together on the new plane, they still won’t be able to seat you together.

 

[azdizzymom]

Beware of Delta and there seating reservations. There are 7 of us, 3 different parties 4 , 3, 1, traveling on Mar 30. We reserved the seats in mid Sept and we have had 3 different changes because Delt has changed the planes on us 3 times. We started out sitting next to each other and are now scattered through out the latest plane. We did not link the reservations together because we didn't think starting out sooooo early we would need to, but we should have. I asked Delta what gives and they are no help. Our only recourse now is if the flight changes planes yet again, at least now the reservations are linked.

Live and learn, and the thing I learned, DON'T FLY DELTA.

Moe

As others have mentioned this happens on LOTS of airlines. I had it happen on Airtran going to Orlando 3 years ago. I am also flying Delta in April. I purchased my tickets in September. I have had 3 different flight time changes and the seats have changed (we are a FAMILY of 4 with 3 different reservation numbers--long story). I weekly check my reservations and did with Airtran, when I flew Delta last summer and now that I am flying in April. Takes just a few minutes and you can save huge hassle. Yes, on one flight we ended up further back in the plane but we have seats.

OP...any airline can make changes. Just be proactive and check weekly no matter what airline. Don't wait for the email from the airline...will probably come closer to the time the trip is planned for. As soon as you notice a change call ASAP...Delta you can change seats online. I always go to www.seatguru.com and see what seats are not good. On one flight we are towards the back BUT in the row behind the exit row (so the seats in front of us don't recline) and with TALL TALL boys and hubby that will be great!

You will find good stories for airlines and bad ones for the same ones. Just keep checking (also do if you are renting a car). I do a weekly check of my rental car and airline reservation. Have saved some money on the car and saved hassles by finding flight changes and dealing with those.

Yes, there is a baggage fee. Yes, you choose your own seats and you don't pay for those unless you want upgraded ones.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you aren't going to fly an airline because your seats were moved...

If you aren't going to fly an airline becuase the flight times changes...

If you aren't going to fly an airline because the plane was delayed...

If you aren't going to fly if the airline does not do EVERYTHING exactly as you want....

You aren't going to fly!

Seriously, perfection in a US based carrier flying to MCO does NOT exist! Pick a day and there's an issue on any or all of them!

 

[mopee3]

If you aren't going to fly an airline because your seats were moved...

If you aren't going to fly an airline becuase the flight times changes...

If you aren't going to fly an airline because the plane was delayed...

If you aren't going to fly if the airline does not do EVERYTHING exactly as you want....

You aren't going to fly!

Seriously, perfection in a US based carrier flying to MCO does NOT exist! Pick a day and there's an issue on any or all of them!

I don't mind them moving seats because the plane type changes, but in the 4 years of flying Alaska this has never happened. Once we made the reservation those were our seats. I don't mind the times changes, I don't mind the delays, and I don't expect them to be perfect, I know I am not.

Like I said I didn't link the reservations together because this has never happened and we went through 2 plane changes without us being split up.

So in reality it's my fault, I quess I would expect Delta to give a bit of priority to those that booked their seats first, that said, no I won't fly Delta again unless it's an emergency.

For us Alaska has been like McDonalds, when we make the reservation we know what we are getting.

Mo

 

[Ratatosk]

My only issue has been when they change planes and move one of us to a different section, because it's more than likely they've moved our 7 year old.

It was worse before Delta took over NWA. NWA was notorious for rearranging the seating, we'd notice that our then 5 year old was off by himself and we'd be the last ones to board the plane while the airlines reissued boarding passes with at least one of us sitting next to our child. Or we'd pick out prime seats closer to the exit for a connecting flight because MSP airport always means running from one end of the airport to the other in a short period of time and we'd get reassigned way way back.

 

[seashoreCM]

I haven't flown Delta (or any airline) recently but perhaps someone might be able to shed light on whether Delta recrystallizes all the new semirandom seat assignments immediately after a flight schedule changes versus leave things in limbo permitting someone who telephones promptly to reselect seats easily.

 

[sam_gordon]

My only issue has been when they change planes and move one of us to a different section, because it's more than likely they've moved our 7 year old.

It was worse before Delta took over NWA. NWA was notorious for rearranging the seating, we'd notice that our then 5 year old was off by himself and we'd be the last ones to board the plane while the airlines reissued boarding passes with at least one of us sitting next to our child. Or we'd pick out prime seats closer to the exit for a connecting flight because MSP airport always means running from one end of the airport to the other in a short period of time and we'd get reassigned way way back.

You do know you don't have to get boarding passes reissued, right (assuming at least two seats are together)?

Let's say you have two adults (A, B) and two children (C, D). When the flight was booked, the seat assignments were for Row12, seats A-D. But before departure day, the seats got reassigned... A, B, & C are now in Row 22 A-C. A child (D) is now in Row 11, seat B.

Without even discussing with the airline, the easy solution is for an adult (A) to sit in 11B, the other adult & kids (B, C, D) sit in row 22A-C.

 

[QT Pooh]

Beware of Delta and there seating reservations. There are 7 of us, 3 different parties 4 , 3, 1, traveling on Mar 30. We reserved the seats in mid Sept and we have had 3 different changes because Delt has changed the planes on us 3 times. We started out sitting next to each other and are now scattered through out the latest plane. We did not link the reservations together because we didn't think starting out sooooo early we would need to, but we should have. I asked Delta what gives and they are no help. Our only recourse now is if the flight changes planes yet again, at least now the reservations are linked.

Live and learn, and the thing I learned, DON'T FLY DELTA.

Moe

We fly exclusively Delta - in the 10 years that we have, there have only been minor problems. You do need to check your reservations often for time changes and sometimes plane changes.

To the OP, yes Delta does charge for your checked bags (unless you have status with them). You can however opt to get their Gold AmEx skymiles card...there's a $90 annual fee (which most likely is waived the first year if they're still running that promotion) but it allows you to get one checked bag free for up to 9 people on your reservation.

 

[Ratatosk]

You do know you don't have to get boarding passes reissued, right (assuming at least two seats are together)?

Let's say you have two adults (A, B) and two children (C, D). When the flight was booked, the seat assignments were for Row12, seats A-D. But before departure day, the seats got reassigned... A, B, & C are now in Row 22 A-C. A child (D) is now in Row 11, seat B.

Without even discussing with the airline, the easy solution is for an adult (A) to sit in 11B, the other adult & kids (B, C, D) sit in row 22A-C.

That's usually what we've done if we have at least two seats together -- DH sits with DS and I sit by myself; however, prior to Delta merging with NWA, we had issues with all of us being scattered thru out the airplane, not just across the aisle or in front/behind one another.

 

[hmhanel]

We flew delta last week. We were able to pick all our seats ahead of time with the exception of a connecting flight to our home, which I believe was because they hadn't determined what type of plane they were going to use. No fee for that.

Baggage fees were $25 per bag each way -- so $50 round trip per bag.

If you prepay the bags when doing the online check-in, the baggage fee for the first bag is $23

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

You need to keep checking your flights periodically as Delta has a bad habit of changing flights and not letting you know. Also keep an eye on the seating chart and if you see seats open up together, you can just go ahead and change your seats right then.

 

[*Seanaci*]

FWIW, no matter what airline you fly you should check your reservation for time changes, plane changes, etc.

Also, whenever we've flown (though not Southwest since it's a pick your seat when you board airline), and there is that one family that got seperated in the seating assingments, MOST airlines are good about asking single travelers if they'd be willing to give up their seat so that a mother or father can sit with their child. Normally, there is always at least one passenger willing to give up their seat so that a parent/child can sit together.

Good luck!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

If you can, check-in for flights up to 24 hours in advance online. You might be able to change your airplane seating assignments online. This could allow you a very early opportunity to claim some available seats and get what you want. To a large extent, seating is first come, first served.

If you can't change your seats from home, arrive for your flight early and work with the ticket agent during check-in to try and get adjoining seats assigned. If the agent is unable to get all of your seats together at this point, don’t worry though … you may still have several more options.

When you get to your gate, go to the desk and ask the gate agent if he or she can help you out. Don’t act frustrated … just act friendly and in need of help. If you are there early enough, the gate agent may be willing to move some passengers and get your family seated together. If the gate agent is unsuccessful, too busy or just not very nice … once again don’t worry, you may still be able to sit together.

Once you've boarded the plane, explain your situation to one of the flight attendants - they may be able to intervene on your behalf and ask the passengers if they would mind moving so your family could sit together.

You can also ask passengers yourself if they would be willing to swap with you. I have found that most passengers are generally nice about it, however, keep in mind that it all depends on what seat they are currently assigned to and what seat they would be switching for (eg. if someone has an aisle or window seat and is asked to switch to a middle seat, they may not be willing to swap as that is considered a less desirable seat; same with switching from the front of the plane to the back).

Bonny

 

[steph]

I just purchased two tickets from CVG to MCO. Delta will not allow me to choose my seats for the trip down but would for the trip back. I called Delta and all the woman could tell me in broken english was that the airline had blocked the seats until 2 hrs before the flight.

Can anyone explain this to me???? This is the first time this has happened to me.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[gibsontrio]

I just purchased two tickets from CVG to MCO. Delta will not allow me to choose my seats for the trip down but would for the trip back. I called Delta and all the woman could tell me in broken english was that the airline had blocked the seats until 2 hrs before the flight.

Can anyone explain this to me???? This is the first time this has happened to me.

Thanks for any insight.

Are you flying soon? I am also flying CVG to MCO and I know our flight looks fully booked (I've had seats for months). It is possible they sold you overflow seats. They told me they sell seats for standby even when the flight is fully booked. I would call them asap and find out why this is the case for you.

 

[Brian Noble]

an anyone explain this to me???? This is the first time this has happened to me.

Most likely, the only seats remaining to be assigned are those reserved for customers with frequent-flyer status. Last I knew, they are released for anyone to claim at 24 hours prior to flight time, so check in online as soon as you are able, and you should be fine.