I need flight advice

[bcla]

Glad this worked out for you! I've not had that positive an experience. Last time I flew, DH, 6 yo, 4yo and I all had separate seats (reassigned by airline due to their scheduling glitch, we were originally together). All middle seats. No one would trade with us. Finally a flight attendant bribed someone with a first class seat so at least my 4 year old and I could sit together. The 6 year old had to sit alone, a few rows up. From Philadelphia to SEA. Sigh.

I've also had seats reserved only to have a flight downgraded to a smaller plane (LGB to SEA, on Alaska) and had my kids separated from me. It's very frustrating!

The biggest issue these days is that some airlines now charge extra for passengers to select "premium" seats such as exit rows with extra legroom (won't let kids under 16 in those seats), and some aisle seats. Since people are paying money for those preferences, they won't willingly give them up just to be nice to someone else.

The other issue is that often families won't pay those premiums to select contiguous seats even if they do have the option, then complain that their families are separated once they get on the plane. Not saying that the OP is doing that, but it seems to be a recurring theme these days on some planes.

If I had that issue, I'd probably offer something to the person who gives up the seat. Maybe pay for an alcoholic beverage or a meal.

 

[DisneyB]

I have been on over 100 flights over the last 2 years and I can say that I have never seen an issue of a parent having to be split up from their family. Travelers in general are good people and appreciate how tough flying can be. I have given up my window seat for a middle seat further back in the plane before without hesitation so a father could sit with his two kids. Another big reason to want to switch is because honestly who wants to sit next to a 5 year old with out their parent next to them? Sounds like a recipe for a looooong trip. I would try the airline and if they are no help I am sure the other passengers would be more than willing to accomodate.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Maybe pay for an alcoholic beverage or a meal.

Absolutely! We did both times! (Well, we offered the first time, but it was an 11:00 flight and strangely, the nice fellow didn't feel like drinking!)

And when I travel alone, I always give up seats for families.

 

[keltiesmom]

The 5yo wasn't my main concern, she's pretty independent and chatty, she will talk to anyone that will listen. It was the 2yo who was my concern, the baby is a lap child so will be with DH or myself. Hopefully it all works out, we are the second from last row on the plane which is great IMO, close to the bathroom and less bothersome to everyone else with our Carseats and kids the agent kinda laughed and asked why I didn't want to relax with a drink and let them be someone else's for a bit.

 

[snesguy]

The 5yo wasn't my main concern, she's pretty independent and chatty, she will talk to anyone that will listen. It was the 2yo who was my concern, the baby is a lap child so will be with DH or myself. Hopefully it all works out, we are the second from last row on the plane which is great IMO, close to the bathroom and less bothersome to everyone else with our Carseats and kids the agent kinda laughed and asked why I didn't want to relax with a drink and let them be someone else's for a bit.

I've dealt mostly with United and Alaska lately and I can say that I've been pretty impressed by Alaska Airlines customer service. Most of their reps seem like they actually care about helping you and try their best to do so. United -- not as much, but I can usually get what I need out of them eventually by being persistent.

 

[Disney Dreams]

.... Hopefully another family doesn't come along and separate us....

I wouldn't be too concerned about that. The agent that helped you most likely indicated on your reservations not to move your seats.

Safe travels,
Dreams

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This may have already been mentioned in the replies (haven't read them yet), but because your children are so young, the airline will make sure to put you all together. This will not be an issue.

 

[wbl2745]

I'm ok with being split up but at least one of us with the girls and then the other with ds. I was just reading that the Carseats can't be installed on the isle which is fine but I'm wondering if they will be ok to be side by side, window middle seats? This is why we drive. Lol

I'm actually also quite sure the airline will seat you together, particularly if you talk to them.

However, we had a horror story when our daughters (triplets!) were five. We were flying to Germany and the seating got mixed up. We were scattered all over the plane. I argued with the airline employees, pointing out that one of our daughters got motion sick. Would they make sure that the businessman sitting next to her kept the "barf bag" at hand. They decided that maybe they would seat us together.

 

[Bellestreak]

I guess I'm another moron, because this happened to me.
I had chosen my seats well in advance and even when we checked in received the right ones. But as I was showing my boarding passes, the attendant pulled me aside and said my seats had been changed, and it turned out I was no longer sitting beside my then 3.5 year old. I said that was unacceptable and he said they would move me on the plane. The attendants on the plane were far too busy and frazzled to help me so I started chanting like a carnival barker until I ended up with 2 seats across the aisle, not as good but better than it had been.
I'm not saying this WILL happen, but it would be crazy to assume it can't.

 

[wallawallakids]

I guess I'm another moron, because this happened to me.
I had chosen my seats well in advance and even when we checked in received the right ones. But as I was showing my boarding passes, the attendant pulled me aside and said my seats had been changed, and it turned out I was no longer sitting beside my then 3.5 year old. I said that was unacceptable and he said they would move me on the plane. The attendants on the plane were far too busy and frazzled to help me so I started chanting like a carnival barker until I ended up with 2 seats across the aisle, not as good but better than it had been.
I'm not saying this WILL happen, but it would be crazy to assume it can't.

If you don't mind me asking, what airline did that? I have never heard of that once your seats are picked.

I guess this is why we always fly Jet Blue. You pick your seats for free the day you book. NO way I would fly not sitting next to my kids. Not going to happen. If something happened on that plane, I want to be near them. Who else is going to help my kids? I can say in all the years of flying (2 cross country trips a year to visit family with 4 kids for the past 7 years) I have never once had my seats moved away from my children. I think I will continue sticking with JB!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I just got off the phone with alaska and they have moved us together. Hopefully another family doesn't come along and separate us. Lol thank you for all of your comments, hopefully the flight will go smoothly. I've never had to be concerned about seat selection before, now I know

I'm so glad this worked out.

We've had this happen on both United & US Airways.

The United was a flight to Hawaii and there were 12 of us traveling - we booked over the phone, with an agent and had 4 rows of 3, all in a block. Got an email about some changes and when I logged on, saw our seats were no longer together. They had my then 5 month old sitting with her 8 month old cousin, my then 3 yr old was by himself,etc. Called United and although it took the agent awhile "to get" the issue, they eventually got our seats back to where they should have been and everything was fine. Turns out they changed the planes (that was the change they emailed about) and didn't keep seat reservations.

The second was a US Airways flight to Vegas and I had us booked in confirmed seats only to find out at check in that they were no longer together (and at the time was traveling with a 1.5 & 3.5 yr old). Gate agent couldn't help us, but after a mini, but polite tantrum over a the customer service desk they were able to get to me 2 seats together (one as a lap child, the other in a seat). However it turned out we were on the side of the plane that couldn't have a lap child because there were only 3 oxygen masks, so thankfully some nice passengers moved around with us so we could sit on the other side.

We are flying Alaska soon, so I'm glad to hear their customer service so good!

 

[Fonziepdx]

I just got off the phone with alaska and they have moved us together. Hopefully another family doesn't come along and separate us. Lol thank you for all of your comments, hopefully the flight will go smoothly. I've never had to be concerned about seat selection before, now I know

Good to hear. I love flying Alaska and try to every opportunity. Flying isn't as luxurious as it used to be with many airlines, but I feel like Alaska is one of those few that still treat you as more than a pocket of cash.

 

[heybets30]

I see that you got it solved! YAY!

I was going to say -
Keep calling the 800# until you get someone to help you. We ran into this with AA (we almost exclusively fly AA from Chicago to LAX). There are times, even if you book 3 months in advance, only middle seats are available online, for instance.

Just be kind, but show worry about the children's ages and stress how surprised you are that you aren't all together given the young ages - make sure you try calling that magic 24-hrs right before the flight - most airlines do keep seats open for the last-minute reservations. We always do skycap, then make sure we are the first in line at the gate counter if we need to adjust seating - even when our flight was cancelled, they made sure one adult was with 1 child, or both children were with me or my husband.

Most airlines understand and will try to help you.

 

[Sherry E]

Did everyone notice that this is an old thread/topic?! The original question -- and the subsequent resolution -- was posted in mid-January of 2013. Somehow it was discovered and resurrected!

Anyway, I just wanted to point that out before our many helpful DIS'ers begin to offer suggestions and help to the OP. At a quick glance it probably appears that the thread was started in January of this year, but it was last year.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Did everyone notice that this is an old thread/topic?! The original question -- and the subsequent resolution -- was posted in mid-January of 2013. Somehow it was discovered and resurrected!

Anyway, I just wanted to point that out before our many helpful DIS'ers begin to offer suggestions and help to the OP. At a quick glance it probably appears that the thread was started in January of this year, but it was last year.

It was just pointed out to me, too, Sherry. I didn't even notice.