Flying Delta - How likley will we be able to sit together

[Yellowjj]

I don't really want to dish out the extra money each way to upgrade from Basic Economy to Main Cabin... It makes me nervous that the kids could be sitting all over the plane.

It makes you nervous that your children might be seated all over the plane, but not nervous enough for you to spend a extra $20 to purchase regular economy fares?

Right. Would you be asking this question if this were Spirit, Allegiant or Frontier; airlines where you have to pay to select seats regardless?

Expect one parent and the 1 year old to be sat together. Everyone else is fair game. Luckily for you, Delta has some of the best employee's, who may take sympathy on a mom being cheap and trying to game the system. They may work to seat you all together but don't expect it as a given.

NB* (To those who don't fly Delta often, most basic economy fares are usually only $20 cheaper than regular main cabin fares)

 

[AliceIn]

I would not count on sitting together. We had to book some last minute travel when my MIL died. My kids were 4 months, 21 months, and 4 years old. I'd bought tickets for all 5 of us. They could only find one row of seats together on any of the flights. So I sat with the two babies, and my husband and son were far away from both me and from each other. It was very nerve rattling to have my 4 year old son sitting between two strange adults for a 4.5 hour flight, and there was nothing at all we could do about it. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to accept it. We always buy seats in advance for all 5 of us so this doesn't happen again. If it's an extra $200 for the round trip to select seats, I'd rather do that than be separated.

 

[n2mm]

I always pay to select my seat or whatever the airline I'm flying requires. I don't want to be mean, but you want to save money and not pay the extra. But don't expect others who have paid the extra to willingly move. I don't like paying the extra on Frontier, but I do. I don't like paying for early bird on SW, but I do. It's all about what's important to you. Making sure my grandkids sit with at least one parent or grandparent is my highest priority. I do my part and hope it works out on the plane--esp. SW. We have had many children sit with my husband and myself. We had a nice little 5 or 6 year old sit with us once last year. My husband actually did a few things for him as he couldn't open his soda can or reach the TV screen (to tilt it down) when flying Jetblue. His brother who was about 7 sat with another couple across from him in the aisle. Mom and another baby was in the row in front and gramma was further up. All this was on a flight (Jetblue) that has assign seating....I'm guessing they booked last minute or was doing standby. Please prepare your 6 and 8 year old children for what may occur. Good luck and I hope it works out for your family.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I was on a Delta flight this morning that had 65 people on standby (earlier flight had a weather delay!). Gate agent very clearly announced no seat changes. She politely turned every request away. And they were shoving people everywhere.
You add in the fact that people are now paying extra for seats, booked flights and the impact something like I saw happen this morning, you are going to be stuck.

For me the Economy savings are not worth the middle seat risk, so I am unlikely to give you my seat unless you also have a nice aisle. And that may be your big problem. Trading aisle or window for comparable seats often works. Trying to get someone to give up an aisle for a middle, tough sell

And sometimes the kids you see dealing with their solo seats are flying on airline employee benefits. I sat next to a cute girl in that position a while back. She knew the drill and was very nice. (Their parents know that asking a paying passenger to move not only gets them off the plane but can get someone in trouble so they don't ask)

 

[balletomane]

We have had many children sit with my husband and myself. We had a nice little 5 or 6 year old sit with us once last year. My husband actually did a few things for him as he couldn't open his soda can or reach the TV screen (to tilt it down) when flying Jetblue. His brother who was about 7 sat with another couple across from him in the aisle. Mom and another baby was in the row in front and gramma was further up. All this was on a flight (Jetblue) that has assign seating....I'm guessing they booked last minute or was doing standby. Please prepare your 6 and 8 year old children for what may occur. Good luck and I hope it works out for your family.

That was very kind of you. I myself, don't want to babysit someone's child while I am on vacation. I have raised my children, babysit my grandchildren, care for my patients at work and am now needing "me time".

 

[alliecat523]

While I would not count on sitting together, it is possible. I've also been on oversold flights where they say no seat changes....until everyone is boarded. I've been on Delta flights where they have changed aircraft and every single seat has been changed and you got your new assignment as you entered the jetway. The flight attendants are typically very helpful in getting folks together. With that said, I highly doubt you'll get all 5 together so have a plan for various splits.

 

[gwynne]

While I would not count on sitting together, it is possible. I've also been on oversold flights where they say no seat changes....until everyone is boarded. I've been on Delta flights where they have changed aircraft and every single seat has been changed and you got your new assignment as you entered the jetway. The flight attendants are typically very helpful in getting folks together. With that said, I highly doubt you'll get all 5 together so have a plan for various splits.

I would say years ago it was more true that FA's were very helpful in getting folks seats together. Not so much the rule anymore. Passengers who make a careful seat selection expect to sit in that seat. Obviously a last minute equipment change or flight delays can change that, but that is not the usual situation.
Most passengers expect if someone is unhappy with their seat assignment they will work it out with the gate agent, instead of bothering other passengers once on board.

 

[bumbershoot]

That was very kind of you. I myself, don't want to babysit someone's child while I am on vacation. I have raised my children, babysit my grandchildren, care for my patients at work and am now needing "me time".

FWIW sometimes there are adults who need help from those of us who are more experienced. Would you turn down an adult who needed help, or just a child? Helping someone with unfamiliar things doesn't mean you're babysitting. It means you're being a decent human who recognizes that not everyone is as knowledgeable as others. (like here, how we help out those who might not know as much)

The flight attendants are typically very helpful in getting folks together.

But not in the case of tickets that are *specifically sold* without seat assignments.

 

[balletomane]

FWIW sometimes there are adults who need help from those of us who are more experienced. Would you turn down an adult who needed help, or just a child? Helping someone with unfamiliar things doesn't mean you're babysitting. It means you're being a decent human who recognizes that not everyone is as knowledgeable as others. (like here, how we help out those who might not know as much)QUOTE]

I think that's a different situation than being too cheap to reserve two seats together, and then claiming to be concerned about my child, which was my point. I will assist, but I will not babysit the entire flight. Decent human being...pffft! Who's the decent human being?

 

[allysetraskos]

Thanks for all those who gave me kind advice...
We have never flown delta, usually we fly spirit & have never paid to pre-book our seats.
When I wrote "scare tactic" I didn't fully understand that they would actually seat minors away from their parents, It honestly baffles me that they charge extra to pick your seats when you book your flight I just assumed that when you book your flight you pick your seats as long as they weren't first class or the comfort ones. I thought maybe they try to make you feel like you have to pay to upgrade when you really don't because most people book Basic as well.
& to the rude responses

You will most likely be separated and in middle seats all over the plane. I paid extra for my seat so DH and I can sit together. No way am I giving up my seat to a family who was too cheap to pay to sit together.

Relax.. I wouldn't ever imagine giving up a seat I paid for or asking someone to do the same, I didn't know you can even switch seats once you have your ticket on a plane. No where in my post did I ask "Will people give up their seats for me?".

Luckily for you, Delta has some of the best employee's, who may take sympathy on a mom being cheap and trying to game the system. They may work to seat you all together but don't expect it as a given.

Not trying to "game any system" just trying to save money if we would be seated together regardless. Who actually wants to spend money if they don't have to?...

 

[Lothlórien]

To the OP, I get trying to save money. Honestly, I would just pay the extra to make sure your babies are sitting with you. Most people who choose a seat pick aisle and window seats, which might leave you with a bunch of middles in various places on the plane.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for all those who gave me kind advice...
We have never flown delta, usually we fly spirit & have never paid to pre-book our seats.
When I wrote "scare tactic" I didn't fully understand that they would actually seat minors away from their parents, It honestly baffles me that they charge extra to pick your seats when you book your flight I just assumed that when you book your flight you pick your seats as long as they weren't first class or the comfort ones. I thought maybe they try to make you feel like you have to pay to upgrade when you really don't because most people book Basic as well.
& to the rude responses

Relax.. I wouldn't ever imagine giving up a seat I paid for or asking someone to do the same, I didn't know you can even switch seats once you have your ticket on a plane. No where in my post did I ask "Will people give up their seats for me?".

Not trying to "game any system" just trying to save money if we would be seated together regardless. Who actually wants to spend money if they don't have to?...

This is where you really need to read the web site and know what you are buying. The bargain basement fares are new to Delta, and do not include seat assignments. The other fares they have do include seat assignments.

When you book Basic Economy fares a box pops up explain what exactly is included, and then you have to check that you agree and understand. I'm not sure why you thought it was just a scare tactic. Airlines don't operate that way, they are very upfront about what they charge and what you get for that cost.

If you want to have assigned seats next to each other you really need to upgrade to the next fare which will allow you to do that.

 

[allysetraskos]

To the OP, I get trying to save money. Honestly, I would just pay the extra to make sure your babies are sitting with you. Most people who choose a seat pick aisle and window seats, which might leave you with a bunch of middles in various places on the plane.

I ended up going with Main Cabin and picked out our seats the airfare dropped I was able to get them for $202/ person
I got lucky this morning

 

[AliceIn]

I ended up going with Main Cabin and picked out our seats the airfare dropped I was able to get them for $202/ person
I got lucky this morning

I'm so glad it worked out for you! That airfare is a great rate - and it's even better now that you have the seats all worked out. That's one less thing to worry about now. It's so hard traveling with a family of 5.

 

[maxiesmom]

I ended up going with Main Cabin and picked out our seats the airfare dropped I was able to get them for $202/ person
I got lucky this morning

That is great!

 

[bcsurvivorX2]

Like everyone else has already commented - it is a very high risk to book this Basic fare with children. While it is very tempting to save $30-$40 PER SEAT, you are taking that huge chance of being totally scattered throughout the plane. When I just booked our flight with my grown daughter, son-in-law and 3 yo granddaughter - it was VERY tempting - but when I looked at the available seats left on the plane - I literally got almost the last 4 together - everything else was very random middle here, aisle there - rows inbetween. And as others have said - if I already "preplanned" and picked out my seats, I shouldn't have to give that privilege up after paying the extra $30 to guarantee it. Sorry sounds harsh - but you truly get what you pay for so please don't expect people to accommodate you............................. Hope you have a great trip though

 

[bcsurvivorX2]

I ended up going with Main Cabin and picked out our seats the airfare dropped I was able to get them for $202/ person
I got lucky this morning

AWESOME - so glad it worked out and $202 is a great price for MAIN (got ours for $222 and was thrilled) Look out WDW