Flying with a toddler...seating on one airline is not together

[crazydaisy00]

Can anyone with past experience help answer a few questions please. My friend booked my flight to visit her and Im taking DS2 with me. We fly out US Airways but have a layover then fly United Airlines for all other connections. On one flight she couldn't get seats together. She said in her past experience with this problem and her child (she flys frequently) she went up to the checkin and told them and they would accommodate her needs or simply ask someone on the flight to trade you seats. Im still waiting for her to email me conf and plan to get online to see if I can change prior to flying out. I know some people will say we should have booked another flight but the 3 day window this was the only one that worked for my DS2 and cost was a huge difference unless we took red eye home which wouldn't work good for him either. TIA

 

[Gracie09]

no way on gods green earth would I knowingly enter an aircraft without a seat next to my two year old.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Can anyone with past experience help answer a few questions please. My friend booked my flight to visit her and Im taking DS2 with me. We fly out US Airways but have a layover then fly United Airlines for all other connections. On one flight she couldn't get seats together. She said in her past experience with this problem and her child (she flys frequently) she went up to the checkin and told them and they would accommodate her needs or simply ask someone on the flight to trade you seats. Im still waiting for her to email me conf and plan to get online to see if I can change prior to flying out. I know some people will say we should have booked another flight but the 3 day window this was the only one that worked for my DS2 and cost was a huge difference unless we took red eye home which wouldn't work good for him either. TIA

If there are no sets of 2 available when you go online to look yourself, you might end up needing to pay for a seat assignment in an up-charged seat. Alternatively, if you can't book together, airlines often hold seats back for assignment at the gate....in that case tell the gate agents about your situation and hope they can accommodate you.

This subject has occasionally gotten quite heated on this board, as there are some people who don't want to move their seat. ever.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i would contact the airline. i'm sure they will work something out.
no one on that plane would want to sit next to a 2yr old while the child's mother is several rows away.
its just not gonna happen so i would not worry too much cuz someone will switch their seat so you can sit next to your child.

 

[iheartdisney123]

Some people don't want to move their seat, but some people don't mind. Don't worry... I believe you'll find a seat together.

 

[supersnoop]

The airlines block 10-20 seats on each plane for this very reason. When you check in, they'll probably move you to a bulkhead or the last row of the plane.

 

[sam_gordon]

I do think accommodations will be made, but I wouldn't want to count on them. If this was me...

1) I'd check on line and see if I could get two seats together. This may include an upcharge, which I'd be willing to pay if it's reasonable (<$20).
2) If that's not doable, I would call the airline and explain the situation and see if they can rectify it now.
3) If that's not doable, I'd get to the airport early and explain when I check in (this is assuming you're on a single ticket yet crossing airlines).
4) If that doesn't work, as soon as I get to the gate, I would ask for help.
5) Last but not least, board when they call for those needing extra time and talk to the first FA I see on board.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you called the airlines? They can often help when you can't do anything online.

If you don't have frequent flier accounts with US Airways and United yet, I would sign up for those, and call to both put those accounts on your flights AND to deal with the seating issue. Might help them see that you want to start using them more often (if you don't already have accounts) which might help them help you.

 

[krupes]

I would try contacting the airline ahead of time to find out about moving seats, but if that's not possible, I would not worry too much about it. I have asked people to switch seats numerous times when flying (so I could sit next to husband, relative, etc), and not once has someone denied me. If you run into trouble on the plane, the flight attendant should certainly be able to help.

 

[sam_gordon]

Other issues to consider (and you might have already)...

Are the two flights on a single ticket? Do you have checked luggage that needs to be switched between airlines? Do you need to leave the secure area of the airport, collect your luggage, then check back in with United? How long is the layover?

 

[PrincessAnnabell]

I am having the same problem with United. I booked through orbitz and called them to straighten out the seating, but it is still not putting our family together. I just tried changing it online and I will check later to see if it worked. It also lists everyone as confirmed except me. I don't know why? I will call again until I get it fixed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I'm reading your post correctly, this is a last minute booking for a flight within 3 days? If so, this is probably the issue; there may not be two seats together in economy.

Get your confirmation number from your friend and call United. They may have some seats they are holding back and it's possible that they will assign you these. If you want to resolve this now, and calling United doesn't help, see if two Economy Plus seats are open now and pay for those.

Keep in mind that 24 hours before the flight, lower level UA frequent flyers can move their seats from economy to economy + for free, so economy seats often open up then. Check the seat map then.

If you still can't find two seats together, see the UA gate agent at the airport. Since your child is so young, they will try and get you seated together and someone will be willing to switch seats.

 

[crazydaisy00]

Other issues to consider (and you might have already)...

Are the two flights on a single ticket? Do you have checked luggage that needs to be switched between airlines? Do you need to leave the secure area of the airport, collect your luggage, then check back in with United? How long is the layover?

Im glad you asked because I didn't consider having to change checked luggage, I never had to in the past. I should have the conf today so plan on calling and asking if I can upgrade or what we can do. I have 2 layovers one 1 hr 36 mins and the other is only 30 mins which is pushing it. Im not sure yet which one the seats are different.
I know it will work out and willing to pay for upgrade, Im positive someone will switch me under the circumstances and if I have rude people that refuse I wouldn't take that flight and walk off. Taking some pixie dust with so everything will work out

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Im glad you asked because I didn't consider having to change checked luggage, I never had to in the past. I should have the conf today so plan on calling and asking if I can upgrade or what we can do. I have 2 layovers one 1 hr 36 mins and the other is only 30 mins which is pushing it. Im not sure yet which one the seats are different.
I know it will work out and willing to pay for upgrade, Im positive someone will switch me under the circumstances and if I have rude people that refuse I wouldn't take that flight and walk off. Taking some pixie dust with so everything will work out

Just a small correction, paying for economy plus on UA is not an upgrade.

Thirty minutes is a tight connection with a 2 year old. I suggest that you don't take a lot of carry-on luggage.

If your friend bought the US Airways and UA tickets through US Airways, any checked luggage will be transferred for you by the airlines. I would assume this is how she purchased the tickets.

Don't stress too much; this will work out okay.

 

[crazydaisy00]

Just a small correction, paying for economy plus on UA is not an upgrade.

Thank you!

Thirty minutes is a tight connection with a 2 year old. I suggest that you don't take a lot of carry-on luggage.

No, 1 carry on and each will have a personal bag. Im also using a cares harness (I know another heated discussion lol)

If your friend bought the US Airways and UA tickets through US Airways, any checked luggage will be transferred for you buy the airlines. I would assume this is how she purchased the tickets.

She purchased through Orbitz, does this make a big difference?

Don't stress too much; this will work out okay.

I think Im too excited to stress this week!!

 

[Collette]

no way on gods green earth would I knowingly enter an aircraft without a seat next to my two year old.

Totally agree with this!!!

 

[canadiandisneymommy]

Yes this happened to me. When you are at the gate simply let them know and they will re assign seats to accommodate you. They shouldn't charge you extra.

 

[DebbieB]

no way on gods green earth would I knowingly enter an aircraft without a seat next to my two year old.

If you can't get a seat switch worked out, you could always get off. Odds are it will work out.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes this happened to me. When you are at the gate simply let them know and they will re assign seats to accommodate you. They shouldn't charge you extra.

Although the age of the child makes a big difference, they can't *always* find other seats. My son and I had a day much like the OP's (have fun OP! at least we were using miles for such insane flights and short layover times) and on the third flight we could NOT get seats together. Kindness of strangers got us within a row of each other, but no further. Grandmas sitting next to DS didn't want my window seat, and the couple sitting next to me had one who was *severely* afraid of the flight and could not move from her husband.

Again, a 2 year old is going to be helped more than an 8 year old, but it still doesn't always mean they'll be able to find other seats.

I don't want to scare you, just make sure you know the complete situation. And maybe go with some extra money to bribe people with drinks or snacks. (wouldn't have helped my situation, though maybe I could have looked further afield from our assigned seats if I'd really needed to)

Im glad you asked because I didn't consider having to change checked luggage, I never had to in the past. I should have the conf today so plan on calling and asking if I can upgrade or what we can do. I have 2 layovers one 1 hr 36 mins and the other is only 30 mins which is pushing it. Im not sure yet which one the seats are different.

If they were all booked together then it will be fine. If the friend booked with US Airways and then a totally different confirmation number for the United booking, then it's trouble for baggage.

 

[crazydaisy00]

Although the age of the child makes a big difference, they can't *always* find other seats. My son and I had a day much like the OP's (have fun OP! at least we were using miles for such insane flights and short layover times) and on the third flight we could NOT get seats together. Kindness of strangers got us within a row of each other, but no further. Grandmas sitting next to DS didn't want my window seat, and the couple sitting next to me had one who was *severely* afraid of the flight and could not move from her husband.

Again, a 2 year old is going to be helped more than an 8 year old, but it still doesn't always mean they'll be able to find other seats.

I don't want to scare you, just make sure you know the complete situation. And maybe go with some extra money to bribe people with drinks or snacks. (wouldn't have helped my situation, though maybe I could have looked further afield from our assigned seats if I'd really needed to)



If they were all booked together then it will be fine. If the friend booked with US Airways and then a totally different confirmation number for the United booking, then it's trouble for baggage.

She booked it thru Orbitz together but I have a confirmation # for each airline.