Plane seating

[G00fyDad]

I thought I would pass along a general transportation tip here to those of you who do not fly often and would not normally think of this.

When you book you airline tickets go to SeatGuru and check the diagram of the seating. The airline simply assigns you seats without regard to those in your party. I had to have them rearrange our seating the other day because this is my first flight with the family. They had an aisle between us. Ummm NO. If you go to SeatGuru you can see the seats and their layout. Call them back and have them reassign you seats.

 

[safetymom]

If you are booking online I suggest going to seat guru first. Just keep an eye on your flights because things could change between now and Oct.

 

[kirbsam]

When I book online, I make my own seat assignments.

 

[G00fyDad]

Okay. Let me correct myself here. This is directed at those who book with either a travel agent that doesnt ask this info or if you book through WDW.

 

[mom_rules]

Great site-thanks!

 

[G00fyDad]

No problem.

 

[NotUrsula]

Since this thread is directed at folks who don't often fly, I just thought I would add that airlines will not always reassign seats when asked. There are a million reasons why not, but don't be surprised if your request is met with "I'm sorry, but the seats you have are the only available seats at this time."

Also, if you are less than 30 days out and do not yet have seat assignments, it is entirely possible that you will not get seat assignments before your departure date, no matter how often you call or how politely you ask.

 

[G00fyDad]

Since this thread is directed at folks who don't often fly, I just thought I would add that airlines will not always reassign seats when asked. There are a million reasons why not, but don't be surprised if your request is met with "I'm sorry, but the seats you have are the only available seats at this time."

Never thought about that. I have had to call Disney and change res several times now and each time it automatically gave me bad seats. I had them change them and they did it with no problems. BUT that was Delta. Maybe other airlines arent so accomodating.

 

[seashoreCM]

Join the frequent flyer program.

This usually at least gets you aisle seats all the time or window seats all the time.

Always try to get at least some kind of seat assignment immediately. Call back every day if needed. You can always change seats later. Mor and more airlines are changing their bump rules to first bump people without advance seat selections (after asking for volunteers).

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

Just being a member of a frequent flyer program doesn't usually get you better seats. If you a preferred member that has some status with the airline you can get seats that others can't get like aisle or window, exit row.

I agree to at least get a seat assignment. If there is an overbooked flight if no one volunteers they look at those with no seat assignments to bump.

 

[G00fyDad]

If you a preferred member that has some status with the airline you can get seats that others can't get like aisle or window, exit row.

With Delta I got the seats I wanted without hassle. And I'm not a preferred member. Heck, I'm not a preferred anything. LOL

 

[safetymom]

There are certain seats that only preferred members can get until closer to the flight. If there was someone with status and they showed up at the airport and raised a fuss chances are they would get the seat.

Sometimes the airlines can spread a little pixie dust too.

 

[G00fyDad]

Oh no. Do you mean that since I am not a preferred member and that since I booked this far out that someone can come along and claim my seats and they will bump me to another flight?

 

[safetymom]

No they probably wouldn't bump you from the flight. If they switch to a smaller plane you could lose your seat assignments. Just keep watching your flights. Most times the airlines don't contact you when they change things.

 

[G00fyDad]

Well we are already on a pack of gum with wings, an Embraer 145. Only 50 seats on this "pack" and only 18 seats left. I have us booked for seats 4 and 5 B and C. There is an aisle between rows A and B. I am not going to have an aisle between me and my kids. They havent seen someone raise a fuss until that happens to me. This is my kids first flight and DD is nervous already. Besides, I dont want any of us to have to sit with a stranger.

So far everything has been going according to plan with the trip planning. I'll bet this is one of the snags I'll hit because that flight is filling up fast. The other day there were 44 seats available on it. Now just 18.

 

[safetymom]

It will be fine. On that size of a plane you could hold hands across the aisle.

If you approach the flight with a positive attitude and try to tell your kids what to expect you will have a great flight.

 

[G00fyDad]

I understand.

I just dont want any of us having to sit with a stranger. My family ( not me ) is kind of shy. DS2 will not sit for it. DD10 and DW will just be miserable.

 

[CarolA]

Just a note....
A ticket entitles you to A seat on the plane. Not a SPECFIC seat. If you are moved, rasing a fuss can backfire. (I once saw them just leave someone who wouldn't get on unless she got an exit row seat... BYE!)

 

[shatzjsl]

Goofy Dad,

Just be sure to check back every so often on the airline's website. I booked our June tickets in Feb. last year on AA. I picked our seats as soon as I booked them. Our plane got downgraded and they had me and my DD10's seats 5 rows apart. I called AA and they moved us to seats that were next to each other. Luckily, they can't downgrade our plane for this June's trip (or we'll be on a prop plane) so I am pretty confident we will have the seats I already reserved.

Susie

 

[G00fyDad]

If our tiny plane gets any more downgraded our captain will be Wil E. Coyote aboard a slingshot. Has anyone seen one of these Embraer 145's? YIKES! I'm pretty sure we could all hold our legs out the exit doors and just stop this thing if need be. LOL

The last plane I was on was a Boeing 747. Never anything smaller than a 777. I'm afraid to stand up quickly in that thing for fear of cracking my head on the ceiling.