Flying Question...inexperienced

[Mickeywannabe]

Sorry for the stupid question...we made plane reservations for me, my wife and our 3 yr. old child. We won't have seating assignments until we check in. I am concerned that we won't get at least two seats together after talking with the reservationist at USAir. I don't have much experience flying and would like to know if this is a request that the airline will handle without problems.

We made air ressies last week for 7/28 - 8/4

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[Chuck S]

I've never flown US Air, so I can't address their specific policies. I have been on a full Delta flight and the flight attendant came on the PA system and asked for volunteers to move so that a child/parent could sit together. They were, of course, accomodated. I would have thought that would be a 'worst case' scenario. I doubt you have to worry. Just to be a little safer, you may want to check in a little earlier.

 

[sgtdisney]

When you made the reservations wouldn't they give you seat assignments? Maybe if you call and talk to another agent and explain the situation they will be able to at least assign you 2 seats together.

 

[ballgame]

Get to the airport early and check in to have the best chance for seats together.

 

[DebbieB]

A guy I work with, his pregnant wife and their almost 3 year old daughter flew from Pittsburgh to Denver last week. They did not have seat assignments and they were concerned about not sitting together. The gate agent said he would try to take care of them after everyone checked in. They finally called him as everyone was boarding, he went up to the desk and got 3 seats in first class!

 

[ducklite]

Make sure to get to the airport early, and you should have no problem.

They hold the 10 (generally) seats by the center exit rows until people get to the airport. Lots of people like those seats as they have a little more legroom. So they ask for them, and that frees up other seats on the plane. (The people seated in those rows have to be over age 15--varies by carrier--and able bodied). Also, you'll have business people with seating assignments who will be no shows. Also, some carriers hold the first five rows in coach for their best frequent fliers, and when they don't get sold they move other pax into them. So a couple hours until fifteen minutes before takeoff they start the juggle to get people seated together.

Here is the bad news though...if you don't have advance seating assignments, you will often be the first people denied boarding (after non-revs) on a sold out flight. They do first have to ask for volunteers, but they do have the right to deny you. If you are denied boarding you have certain rights afforded to you, which vary by how delayed you are getting to your destination.

It is possible that you will not all be seated together, but they will do everything possible to seat at least one of the parents with a child. I don't think I've ever seen a child not seated by at least one parent, but I hve often seen families broken up where the younger kid was with one parent, an older kid and another parent were each by themselves.

The key is to get there early and get those seating assignments!

Anne

 

[Uncle Mikey]

I have found most people to be understanding and accomodating when asked to change seats so people may sit together. I changed seats so a couple on their honeymoon could sit together. It seems the travel agent did not check the type of aircraft and seat configuration before getting their seat assignments. When I'm traveling solo, it doesn't matter to me where I sit.

 

[caitycaity]

I had a problem with this too. I just called back and asked for seats to be assigned and they did.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

when are you traveling and why did you not get your seats assigned? did you ask for them? call the 800-428-4322 and ask for seat assignments on your flight. let them know that you have a young one flying with you and that they cannot sit by themselves somewhere without you. they can call the seats department and get some seats unblocked for you if necessary. ask to speak to a supervisor if you have to.

 

[Mickeywannabe]

Thanks Bev,

I called the 800 number you referenced and I got the seating assignments we wanted. The customer serveice person called the seating department and got us our seats together. She was more than willing to help!!

Thanks again for the info. We leave in two weeks for the Dolphin!!! Can't wait!!!!