Need a run-down on Airtran seating/boarding

[NYEmomma]

It's been several years since I've flown so I'm sure things have changed... and this will be my first time flying Airtran. I've flown Delta before where you get assigned seats when you purchase tickets & I've flown SW where you board in groups and it's first come, first serve.

I might be just a little bit dense today, but I don't really understand how the boarding & seating process works for Airtran and what the options are.

What I do know is that I *need* 3 seats together... myself, DD(2) & one other member of my group (whether it's DH, my mom or my dad). Someone to wrangle the kiddo.

I'm willing to pay extra to ensure that we're all together, if that's what is necessary, I just have no clue how it all works.

 

[readytogotodisney]

If you want to be sitting together, definitely pay the upgrade for assigned seats. I'm trying to remember exactly, but when you're purchasing your ticket it will as ask if you want to sit together, click this and I believe a diagram of the plane will pop up showing you the avaliable seats (white ones) and unavailable ones (blue shaded).
If you hover over the white ones, a price will pop up if you have to pay an additional charge. For each name on your itinerary click the seat you want that person to have and it will attach the seat assignment to that persons name. And you should be good.

 

[NYEmomma]

If you want to be sitting together, definitely pay the upgrade for assigned seats. I'm trying to remember exactly, but when you're purchasing your ticket it will as ask if you want to sit together, click this and I believe a diagram of the plane will pop up showing you the avaliable seats (white ones) and unavailable ones (blue shaded).
If you hover over the white ones, a price will pop up if you have to pay an additional charge. For each name on your itinerary click the seat you want that person to have and it will attach the seat assignment to that persons name. And you should be good.

Thanks so much for the info!!

Do you happen to know if it's possible to upgrade to assigned seats after your tix are purchased?

My parents surprised us and bought our tickets for us.

Then they forgot to buy a ticket for DD (well, didn't forget, they just thought kids 3 & under didn't need tickets ). So I had to buy a separate ticket for her then call and get it attached to our existing reservation.

 

[alwaysmom]

I know you can change your seats. I think (not sure) I saw that you could add later but I was looking at so many airlines. Enter your info on their site.

Seats prices ranged from $6 each to $15. I did do the $15 each, first to board as we are doing only carry ons and wanted to make sure we have a spot and I needed 3 together. The $6 seats were in the back and last to board. I would have been happy with those if I was checking luggage .

If you have a layover my concern for getting 3 seats together without picking seats would be on the second leg. When you pick your seats your fee covers both legs so make sure you pick for both.

 

[tkldisney]

Since your parents purchased your tkts. I would go for the 13 or 15 dollar seats. Closer to front and first boarding. Once your at the 24 hour mark, if available you can purchase upgrade to business class for $49 to $69 depending on where your traveling from.

We fly AirTran alot and really like them..

 

[osprey6]

Thanks so much for the info!!

Do you happen to know if it's possible to upgrade to assigned seats after your tix are purchased?

My parents surprised us and bought our tickets for us.

Then they forgot to buy a ticket for DD (well, didn't forget, they just thought kids 3 & under didn't need tickets ). So I had to buy a separate ticket for her then call and get it attached to our existing reservation.

On Airtran (and many other airlines) kids who have not yet reached their second birthday actually don't need a ticket, so long as the child is not taking up a seat.

A few years ago, during one of our annual jaunts to Hilton Head, DW infuriated me by insisting on blowing my frequent flier miles on a seat for DD, then 18 months old. The fact that we has gone so far as to secure a separate seat for a child of that age astounded the gate agent! There were many, many infants and toddlers on that flight, and DD was the only one in her own seat.

 

[crashbb]

On Airtran (and many other airlines) kids who have not yet reached their second birthday actually don't need a ticket, so long as the child is not taking up a seat.

A few years ago, during one of our annual jaunts to Hilton Head, DW infuriated me by insisting on blowing my frequent flier miles on a seat for DD, then 18 months old. The fact that we has gone so far as to secure a separate seat for a child of that age astounded the gate agent! There were many, many infants and toddlers on that flight, and DD was the only one in her own seat.

Really? In my family, EVERYONE has their own seat, regardless of age. We've never been looked at funny by a gate agent for getting a seat for an infant. And, often, we aren't the only ones with a seat for their infant/child. Must have been a new gate agent if she had never seen a small child with a seat before. I just flew with my nephew (he was about 10 months) and he had his own seat both ways - no one batted an eye.

 

[Hannathy]

On Airtran (and many other airlines) kids who have not yet reached their second birthday actually don't need a ticket, so long as the child is not taking up a seat.

A few years ago, during one of our annual jaunts to Hilton Head, DW infuriated me by insisting on blowing my frequent flier miles on a seat for DD, then 18 months old. The fact that we has gone so far as to secure a separate seat for a child of that age astounded the gate agent! There were many, many infants and toddlers on that flight, and DD was the only one in her own seat.

I agree with you. Both my kids flew free for tens of thousands of miles and without any problems, Even in a few very rough landings. Including one that the FA's had to have use brace/assume emergency landing positions. I personally would never pay (unless I was insanely wealthy) for a seat for an under 2 child.

Back to the OP if it is important to you I would just get your reservation numbers from your parents and go ahead and pay for seat choice, That is the best way to get what is important to you. If you don't want to pay for your parents seats and it isn't important to them then just pay for yours and your child's.

 

[NYEmomma]

Thanks for all the responses guys!!

To clarify, DD is 27 months currently... she'll be 2 months shy of 3 when we go to WDW so she'll definitely need a seat. My parents just got confused and thought that because everything at WDW is free for kids under 3, the airlines had the same policy. Which, as you know, they don't.

I've got all the reservation information for us (and DD since she's still on a separate reservation... I anticipate that ending up being a real PIA at some point on our trip) so I'm going to go ahead and call and get reserved seats. I'm happy to do it for the whole group since grandma & pappy are always good for entertaining DD!

In regards to the "grouping", if you buy seats in the front section that gets to board first, is it OK for one of us to stay at the gate with DD until the very last minute and then board right at the end?? She's not a good traveler & I've got a bit (ok, a lot) of anxiety about how well she'll do, so I want to make the amount of time she has to spend on the plane and in her seat as short as possible. Boarding last & leaving first would be the ideal scenario. We'll have checked luggage but will have some variety of carry-ons (we might have one small suitcase but all will definitely have a "personal" bag to stow under the seat).

 

[alwaysmom]

Boarding last won't be a problem at all. Your seat is reserved and it's your seat. Send the carry on with those that get on first. If the gate person questions them with 2 carry on's just tell them why. Getting off first well thats a different story. That just depends on the other passengers. Some will wait, some will run, some will wait while blocking the aisle, some will be helpful, some won't. Get the picture .

Oh yeah! Keep in mind that in pretty much every row there will be one seat that has limited under seat stowage (somethings in the way). Not a biggy and has never caused a problem but just to let you know. Take a look at your plane on Seatguru.com

 

[crashbb]

As alwaysmom, boarding with your daughter at the end shouldn't be a problem (and it is what I often suggest that people do).

For getting off, I suggest you do the same thing (but in reverse). With a car seat and a lot of carry-on, it can take a while to get off the plane (and blocking the aisle while getting your car seats and carry-ons together is not a nice idea). What I suggest is that you unbuckle your daughter and pass her off to whoever is the aisle seat. Let the two of them get off the plane as quickly as possible (which is nice for your daughter) and then the rest of the family can get the car seat unbuckled and the bags gathered and meet your daugther and one adult out in the terminal.