Make sure you are seated together for flight home

[crashbb]

Same here. There was the flight that we took (booked only 2 weeks ahead of the trip) where we had four separate seats. They had my DH in one row, DD8 separate a couple rows behind him, DS age 9 months was in a completely separate part of the plane and I was about 4 rows away from DS.

When we got to the airport, I knew they were going to have to do something, because there was little likelyhood that some stranger was going to want to sit next to and deal with my 9 month old for me. Sure, they might not have been HAPPY that their seat assignment was changed, but really....

It turned out to be no problem at all. I didn't care if all four of us were together or not, as long as each child had a parent in the same row. Anything else would have been irresponsible (and I imagine would have been a liability issue for the airline to leave a small child with no parent there - imagine if one of them had a peanut allergy and didn't tell the flight attendant and got peanuts?). DH sat with DD and I sat with DS a few rows away, and we didn't mind that at all.

The 9 month old would be a problem (if he was in a car seat, the airline has to make someone move - the only time that they do). Otherwise, no, there is no liability issue. Children as young as 5 can fly without their parents on the plane at all; an 8 year old can certainly fly seated a few rows from a parent (you make no mention of any disability).

In this specific case, any irresponsibility was YOURS. You booked your tickets knowing that all that was available was four separate seats. If that was not acceptable for you, you should not have booked that flight.

 

[crisi]

She said that she sat with 2 of her kids, and her husband was with the others. No one was away from a parent in the post that you're responding to.

Yes, I realize that. I'm expanding on her "not really a big deal comment," not limiting myself merely to her comments.

 

[surfgirl]

As for discount fares for children (or seniors) they are usually a % of the full fare and most often more than the internet fare.

Not for international carriers (typically non-US based).

We recently flew from OSL-ARN (Oslo - Stockholm). The adult economy fare was $119 and the child was $106. Those were one-way flights and not full-fare! If you don't believe me, go to flysas.com and put in dummy flights and you will see two different economy restricted fares for adults vs. children.

 

[tjmw2727]

Not for international carriers (typically non-US based).

We recently flew from OSL-ARN (Oslo - Stockholm). The adult economy fare was $119 and the child was $106. Those were one-way flights and not full-fare! If you don't believe me, go to flysas.com and put in dummy flights and you will see two different economy restricted fares for adults vs. children.

I didn't realize we were talking about international flights now as the OP was about a domestic flight. Yes of course, international flights are a differnt ballgame.

For domestic flights booked over the internet with an internet fare they all look the same on the computer.

 

[surfgirl]

I didn't realize we were talking about international flights now as the OP was about a domestic flight. Yes of course, international flights are a differnt ballgame.

For domestic flights booked over the internet with an internet fare they all look the same on the computer.

No they don't. At least on the airlines that I book. I put in the # of adults, the # of children for each flight. At the least, if they try to separate you and you are on the same booking number, you can tell them that they had the information. Having said that, most time it is the FA's that deal with the problem.

While their own policies may not always be followed, most airlines have policies that children below a certain age cannot be seated alone. If all else fails, pull out their own policy and quote it to them. If you've booked everyone as adults, you have less recourse if you've been separated.

Yes, I agree we were talking domestic, but I was giving multiple examples of why it is important to book things correctly:
1) airline knows from booking if it is adults vs. kids
2) child fares may be more cheap than adult fares.

Since this thread was started as a "general warning", I was continuing in that vein. You made general statements and I wanted to clarify that they weren't all correct.

 

[tjmw2727]

No they don't. At least on the airlines that I book. I put in the # of adults, the # of children for each flight. At the least, if they try to separate you and you are on the same booking number, you can tell them that they had the information. Having said that, most time it is the FA's that deal with the problem.

While their own policies may not always be followed, most airlines have policies that children below a certain age cannot be seated alone. If all else fails, pull out their own policy and quote it to them. If you've booked everyone as adults, you have less recourse if you've been separated.

Yes, I agree we were talking domestic, but I was giving multiple examples of why it is important to book things correctly:
1) airline knows from booking if it is adults vs. kids
2) child fares may be more cheap than adult fares.

Since this thread was started as a "general warning", I was continuing in that vein. You made general statements and I wanted to clarify that they weren't all correct.

Ok we are going to have to agree to disagree.

Regardless of what information the booking system asks for in regards to the age of travelers, the computer can not distinguish children from adults when you book an internet fare. This results in separated seating if the flight times or equipment changes. The FA's do try and re-seat but sometimes that isn't possible esp traveling to Orlando when most of the flight is families who also want to sit with their children.

I am not trying to be "debbie downer" but IMHO its best to know what can happen - as the op pointed out - and be prepared.

I do know from personal experience that the airlnes will separate a child as young as 5 from a parent as I have seen it and experienced it. I have never seen a published policy (on a domestic airline) that states that a child under a certain age must be seated with an adult. The exception is when a CSR is being used, in fact a 5yo can fly without an adult as an unaccompanied minor.

That said, the airline will work harder when a toddler/preschooler is involved but with a school aged child, IMHO it is best to be prepared for the possiblity.

If you read the contract of carriage - the only thing you are purchasing is travel from point a to point b. Seating, flight times and even number of stops are subject to change and IMHO its best to be prepared.

I am not saying I think this is good practice or that I agree with it but I fly at least monthly so I do have some experience with airline travel.

 

[Tikitoi]

OK. Didn't know this. But good to know. So even with JetBlue, I guess.

 

[taitai]

No they don't. At least on the airlines that I book. I put in the # of adults, the # of children for each flight. At the least, if they try to separate you and you are on the same booking number, you can tell them that they had the information. Having said that, most time it is the FA's that deal with the problem.

While their own policies may not always be followed, most airlines have policies that children below a certain age cannot be seated alone. If all else fails, pull out their own policy and quote it to them. If you've booked everyone as adults, you have less recourse if you've been separated.

Yes, I agree we were talking domestic, but I was giving multiple examples of why it is important to book things correctly:
1) airline knows from booking if it is adults vs. kids
2) child fares may be more cheap than adult fares.

Since this thread was started as a "general warning", I was continuing in that vein. You made general statements and I wanted to clarify that they weren't all correct.

I am curious, what airlines have policies that children below a certain age cannot be separated from a parent?

 

[surfgirl]

I am curious, what airlines have policies that children below a certain age cannot be separated from a parent?

I don't know all the airline policies, but I remember from booking British Air, I was looking for this exact thing.

'Passengers travelling with children aged 2-11 years
If you do not choose a seat, we will allocate you a suitable one 3 days before departure.

If the group cannot be seated together, each child will be seated with an adult at least.'

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/mmbseatingpolicy/public/en_gb

{edited: Seems that it is a rule in the UK - but not in the US. Don't kill me on the domestic vs. international thing. I haven't time to read all the US carriers websites, I just knew I remembered it from somewhere.}

ftr, I am advocating being prepared in advance and call to get it straightened out before the flight. Check in early and be there early. Don't hold up the full plane because you're late and seat aren't together. If there aren't seats together, select single aisle seats first, then single window seats. People are much more likely to switch into an aisle seat than into a middle seat.

We frequently book seat A and C (aisle and window with middle - B- between us). If B is booked, they are usually thrilled to switch into the aisle seat and the kids sits in the middle.

 

[surfgirl]

Ok we are going to have to agree to disagree.

Regardless of what information the booking system asks for in regards to the age of travelers, the computer can not distinguish children from adults when you book an internet fare.

bull. Why did we pay different fares for adults vs. children ? Of course, "the computer" was able to distinguish - I put in the number of adults and the number of children. It charged us different airfare. How is that treating us the same ?

If you read the contract of carriage - the only thing you are purchasing is travel from point a to point b. Seating, flight times and even number of stops are subject to change and IMHO its best to be prepared.

I am not saying I think this is good practice or that I agree with it but I fly at least monthly so I do have some experience with airline travel.

Not disagreeing with this at all. But sometimes people aren't prepared - "I don't want to pay to reserve seats in advance, but I want my family all together." on a low-cost airline. They are happy to inconvenience others who have paid for that seat so they can sit together. Is that ok ?

ftr, I have experience with airline travel too. I think it happens more frequently on certain routes than other routes (ie MCO vs. MSP).

 

[crisi]

I was on British Airways with a nine year old sitting separate from any of the adults.

 

[surfgirl]

I was on British Airways with a nine year old sitting separate from any of the adults.

well then just flog me.

I was asked for a policy. I provided a policy. I haven't flown all of British Air flights to verify it.

bottom line is that I agree with the 'be prepared', ask a FA to solve, but don't let it get to that point if possible.

 

[taitai]

I don't know all the airline policies, but I remember from booking British Air, I was looking for this exact thing.

'Passengers travelling with children aged 2-11 years
If you do not choose a seat, we will allocate you a suitable one 3 days before departure.

If the group cannot be seated together, each child will be seated with an adult at least.'

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/mmbseatingpolicy/public/en_gb

{edited: Seems that it is a rule in the UK - but not in the US. Don't kill me on the domestic vs. international thing. I haven't time to read all the US carriers websites, I just knew I remembered it from somewhere.}

ftr, I am advocating being prepared in advance and call to get it straightened out before the flight. Check in early and be there early. Don't hold up the full plane because you're late and seat aren't together. If there aren't seats together, select single aisle seats first, then single window seats. People are much more likely to switch into an aisle seat than into a middle seat.

We frequently book seat A and C (aisle and window with middle - B- between us). If B is booked, they are usually thrilled to switch into the aisle seat and the kids sits in the middle.

I think that is the point here, it is not a US rule. I do not know of any US airline that has that rule about children having to sit with an adult.

 

[bwilcox]

So what happens if the cabin loses pressure and those things come down that you are supposed to put over your nose? They always tell you to put it on yourself and then your child. What if your child is sitting 30 rows behind you as someone on page 1 said happened to them? I wouldn't trust a stranger to take care of my child in case of an emergency, plus my child would be freaking out. Seems like a liability issue to me.

 

[Dustykins]

bull. Why did we pay different fares for adults vs. children ? Of course, "the computer" was able to distinguish - I put in the number of adults and the number of children. It charged us different airfare. How is that treating us the same ?

The fact that the part of the program that figures the rates can differentiate doesn't mean that the computer *saves* that information in the reservation system. If there's not a rule that says a child has to be seated with an adult, why take up the space on the server?

 

[Dustykins]

So what happens if the cabin loses pressure and those things come down that you are supposed to put over your nose? They always tell you to put it on yourself and then your child. What if your child is sitting 30 rows behind you as someone on page 1 said happened to them? I wouldn't trust a stranger to take care of my child in case of an emergency, plus my child would be freaking out. Seems like a liability issue to me.

I would imagine the same thing that happens if a child is flying as an unaccompanied minor. There's no bigger liability that way than if a parent happens to be on the same plane just in a different row.

 

[tlbwriter]

Six people is a big group. I've never been able to keep a group that size together on a flight. It can definitely be a problem when you were counting on being able to share snacks, a DVD player, etc., but it's something to be prepared for.

 

[MiniGirl]

So what happens if the cabin loses pressure and those things come down that you are supposed to put over your nose? They always tell you to put it on yourself and then your child. What if your child is sitting 30 rows behind you as someone on page 1 said happened to them? I wouldn't trust a stranger to take care of my child in case of an emergency, plus my child would be freaking out. Seems like a liability issue to me.

Actually, the terminology is to put yours on first and then help the person seated next to you, so it may be your child or it may be someone else who needs help or it may not be necessary to help the person next to you.

I was a f/a for about 20 years, and have had hundreds of instances where parents and children were separated. In all but 1 instance, people were willing to move. As others have mentioned, most people do not want to be seated next to a child that has just been told they can't sit with mom or dad. Things have changed since I was flying for a living, but airlines were not required to seat people together. Also, as a f/a, I was not allowed to MAKE people move. I could ask, but I couldn't force. I always tried to make it worthwhile for the person moving, too. For example, move from a center seat to an aisle or from the back of the plane to the front, free drinks, etc. Believe me the f/as want you next to your child even more than you want to be next to him/her because it makes our job easier.

Of course, things are different now. People pay extra to get seats next to each other and they may not be willing to move since they would not be getting that money back. Also, on flights to and from a city like Orlando it is harder to get people to move because almost everyone on the plane is traveling with a child. Best thing is just to prepare your child for the possibility and not make it seem like a big deal should it happen. Our children pick up and sense our anxieties. If you make it seem like it is no big deal, they will be calmer about it as well.

My family just got back from the Grand Canyon. On both legs we were separated. On the first leg we were 3 and 1, and a kind man did move so we could all sit together. On the flight back, we were all over the plane. My dh ended up in the jumpseat in the cockpit. (He is a pilot and is able to sit there when there are no seats in the back.) Our 2 girls (11 and 9) ended up in First class -- but not together, and I ended up in an exit row in coach. Now my girls are older, but it was no big deal. They did fine, and would have been fine even a few years ago.