no seats together on plane :(

[bostonlass]

I booked our air waaaaaaaaaaay in advance with Delta. At that time I selected all of our seats together. (it's me and my two daughters). Well since that time they have cancelled the flight and put us on a different flight and ever since I realized that (i had to keep checking the site since someone tipped me about how delta does this) we don't have our seats together and the plane is full.

I contacted Delta today and the woman was nice and said that she'll put a notice on the flight telling the attendants that we need to sit together. Just wondering...does this really work? My kids will freak totally if they have to sit alone. They're 10 and 11 but still.....they need their mom when they fly!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Yes, the Delta agents at the gate really do try to switch the seats around. If they can't I have seen them talk to the flight attentants. The Flight attentants are very good about making announcements once on the plane.

It will work out.

Have a great trip.

Patricia

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

It's most likely up to the gate agent now. I've had that happen but just by being polite and explaining the situation I've gotten seats together.

 

[dudspizza]

It's most likely up to the gate agent now. I've had that happen but just by being polite and explaining the situation I've gotten seats together.

The other thing is to get to the airport VERY early to see about a seat change. You can also check-in online 24 hours in advance to see if there are seats that open up. Airlines hold seats until the day of departure. They also upgrade their frequent flyers and seats open up.

As a last resort, the gate agents "may" try to help you.

Now, as stated above, be polite and hopefully things will work for you. I had some friends who got to the airport maybe 60 minutes before take-off and could not get seats together. Other families had been in the same situation and remedied that by getting there early. My friends ended up having to ask people if they would move so they could sit 2-2. It would have been solved by getting there early.

Duds

 

[bostonlass]

Thanks everyone! Definitely will get there about 2 1/2 hours early since our flight doesn't leave until around 11am so hopefully it will all work out.

 

[Hannathy]

I would certainly start putting the idea into your DD's head that you may not all get to sit together. Why would they freak? 3 together would be a whole row and that will be hard to find on a full plane. You may find 2 together and then the girls could sit together but you may not. Since they aren't toddlers or even preschoolers you probably won't find a lot of sympathy from strangers to move and give up their seats, because really 2 kids that age can sit alone. My DD has flown alone since 7 let alone separated from us on the same plane. On one flight to Disney our flight was changed and the only 2 seats we could get together I sat with my 2 yr old my DD 5 was a row in front and across the aisle and my 12 Nephew was several rows in front of her and my DH was way in the back. My DD hasn't sat with us since she was 10 because she wants a window, her Dad wants a window, and so does her brother! so we end up in 3 rows. Make sure they have their own back pack for activities and remember it is only the means to get there not the destination/vacation.

 

[bostonlass]

Wow you're lucky that you have such good little travelers!!! My 10 yr old freaks out and throws up just about the whole time she's on the plane. Maybe when I explain that to the person sitting next to her they'll wanna move. lol

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm going to agree that you should prepare them for the possibility, just in case.

Make sure that each child is carrying his/her own "stuff" for the flight, including any snacks that you are bringing, and tell them to stay in their seats on arrival until everyone else has left, so that you can make sure that they are not leaving any toys/gadgets behind on the plane. If you do end up separated, you don't want to be trying to pass things over other people to get them to the kids.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wow you're lucky that you have such good little travelers!!! My 10 yr old freaks out and throws up just about the whole time she's on the plane. Maybe when I explain that to the person sitting next to her they'll wanna move. lol

Well, then you might have to consider the possibility of you sitting with her, and your 11 year old sitting alone.

Chances are this will NOT happen. There are seats left on the plane, they just can't/won't be assigned until the day of the flight (or possibly the day before). There may be Elite SkyMiles members who upgrade to First Class; there will likely be some passengers who have to wait until they get to the airport to be assigned exit row seating, freeing up their original seats. There are seats being 'held' in case those high-mileage frequent fliers, or some business travelers, book near the last minute. ANY of these seats could easily become available on the day of the flight.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

If the gate agent cannot get you 3 seats together, try to get the best seats possible. It will be a lot easier to trade seats on the plane if you have 3 aisle seats than it would be is you have 3 middle seats!

Best of luck - Suzanne

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had this situation more times than not with AA until we started flying with Southwest. I travel alone with my now 10 and 12 yo dds and have been since they were little. Even at the ages of 4 and 6 I often lost our seats together even when booking 6 mos or more in advance. LIke you flight changes, equipment changes etc.

My advice is to have each child carry a backpack with things to keep them busy, gum for take off and a snack. (Remember no liquids). We use a small messenger bag instead of a backpack. It holds just enough but not too much and its easy to carry. Prepare yourself and them for the fact that they "may" be sitting alone. Most times its in the row in front of you or across the asile. A few times the gate agent assigned us the exit row seats knowing full well that we couldn't sit there. This helps the FA get people who can sit in the exit row to switch with us.

So, my advice is to stay calm so they do, get to the airport early and pack as if your sitting apart. Remember honey not vinegar even though its a difficult situation. If you can't get re-seated at the check in or at the gate don't give up as often the FA's will help. Again - the more helpful and willing you are the better your chances are.

On my last solo flight I gave up a nice asile seat so a mom & son could sit together and ended up in the middle of an obnoxious business meeting in flight. I would however do it again if needed depending on the situation. OTOH on a flight prior to that a dad and daughter boarded late (SWA) and demanded that someone move so they could sit together. I wasn't so willing that time.

Not that you OP would do that, just felt like relating the story I guess.

Good luck!
TJ

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I find it ironic that people avoid booking with Southwest, because they fear they won't get to seat together. (Not saying the OP is like that, just a general statement)

When I was a child, my parents always flew American due to the mileage my father would get. It never failed, we always got separated. I think out of 5 vacations, I might have sat with my parents once. And I think that was an oddball flight on PanAm where we got upgraded to First Class. (Go figure, my only First Class experience, and I was 8 and too young to appreciate it)

I hope all goes well on your flight.

 

[Funwith4kids]

Like many others have said, be prepared to sit seperately. Remember, in case you are seperated you can buy liquids once you pass through security to put in each bag, if needed.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Wow you're lucky that you have such good little travelers!!! My 10 yr old freaks out and throws up just about the whole time she's on the plane. Maybe when I explain that to the person sitting next to her they'll wanna move. lol

off topic I know, but have you spoken to her DR. about this? He may be able to give her something to take the edge off and make flying a more enjoyable experience for all of you.

Hope it all works out (and if I was next to you, I would be happy to switch )

 

[CindyandBrice]

Exact same is happening to me now. I booked flights last summer on Delta for this Easter. It is me and my 9 year old traveling. I looked the other day and they had split us in different rows. I called and asked to have this change and was told they will note it on the reservation and will seeee what they can do. I will check in the day before as well to see if at that tie we are together. Not right Delta!!!! THere does need to be some consideration for people who book in advance.

 

[Pinnie]

People flying NWA need to remember that some passengers may purchase AISLE seats for extra $$ and will NOT be wiling to give them up. I speak from experience as a NWA FF.

pinnie

 

[disneygrandma]

Is this something that's real common? My thought was that since we have 3 small children, it would be best to book on Delta and have assigned seats. Now I don't know what to do! We will have 4 adults, so as long as they split us up with atleast 2 seats together for all 3 children, it would be do-able. However, this is the 1st time our grandchildren have flown, and their Mom doesn't like to fly.........so she's not going to be comfortable with that arrangement. We had pretty much made up our minds to book our flights thru an airline with assigned seats. Now I don't know what we should do.

 

[DebbieB]

Just keep watching your reservations to make sure they don't change your seats. If they do, call right away to get reseated.

 

[WillCAD]

I realize that some passengers can be jerks (I've seen a few myself over the years), but I cannot for the life of me imagine a passenger who would not be willing to move to a different seat in order to avoid having an unaccompanied 10 or 11 year old sitting next to them.

I love kids, and I get along well with most kids, but I would not want to be stuck with a stranger's kid sitting next to me for a whole flight. I would instinctively be trying to put the kid more at ease through the whole flight, but the kid would probably be freaking out at being stuck with strangers and not being with the rest of her family, and I would certainly be willing to move to avoid that.

I have never flown NWA, but if Pinnie is right that some passengers actually pay more for an aisle seat, I can understand them not wanting to move. But come on, who is going to be a big enough jerk that they won't move to let a 10 or 11 year old kid sit with her mom? That being said, however, I do agree with everyone else that Bostonlass needs to make every effort with the airline to get her 3 seats assigned together. If that doesn't work, then the FAs can try moving people around before takeoff.

A FA just asking politely can often do wonders, even on a full flight. Basically, all you need are two people who are sitting together to agree to split up, and you're cool.

 

[Pinnie]

I have never flown NWA, but if Pinnie is right that some passengers actually pay more for an aisle seat, I can understand them not wanting to move. But come on, who is going to be a big enough jerk that they won't move to let a 10 or 11 year old kid sit with her mom?

It's true. Been there done that! Sorry, but if I am paying extra to have an aisle seat, call me a big jerk for not moving. I don't own the problem.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060314/BIZ/603140400/1001


Also, 10 and 11 year olds are allowed to fly as unaccompnied minors, so why can't they sit alone?

pinnie