Seats on Airtran: Buy now or wait until online check in

[joxer1014]

I have my flights on Airtran for this October. This is the first time I have flown Airtran only because their schedule was far better than Southwest. I have already factored in the baggage costs and it is still within my budget. What is not within my budget is the $6 or $15 advance seats.

How many of you Airtran flyers out there have waited until the 24 hour mark at check in to get your seats? When you did, were you able get seats together? There are six of us flying with two kids and I am just worrying about if we can sit together.

Should I bite the bullet and pay for the seats or wait it out?

Thanks very much.

 

[aubriee]

I'd go ahead and purchase seats. I fly Air Tran several times a year and every single flight I've seen families raising heck with the gate agent demanding they move people so their family can sit together. Sorry, but more often than not, I've seen those families seperated. The FA may or may not even ask for volunteers, but they will not force anyone to move. Since so many people pay for their seats, they are not willing to give them up for people who chose not to. I often fly solo, but still purchase those $15.00 or $13.00 seats. Those seats (if purchased in advance) guarantee you Boarding zone 1, which means you'll for sure have room for your carry ons. Plus I have claustrophobic issues and refuse to sit in the back of the plane or in a middle or window seat. Sorry, but if I pay an extra $30.00 r/t for the seats I need, I will not give them up to someone who chose not to pay.

I don't want to be rude, but at the same time think it's very unfair and rude for families to just expect everyone to accommodate them (not just families with kids, but I've seen couples do this also). Not that the OP would do this. This last statement is not aimed at her, but I've seen alot of others do this.

 

[Lewisc]

Most passengers want to sit next to family members. Many of them don't want to pay for assigned seats. They hope to get seats together by checking in at T-24. You can do a search. Some passengers are able to get seats together but others can't.

Save the money if sitting together is only a preference. Pay for assigned seats if sitting together is a requirement.

 

[Donaldswife]

I have my flights on Airtran for this October. This is the first time I have flown Airtran only because their schedule was far better than Southwest. I have already factored in the baggage costs and it is still within my budget. What is not within my budget is the $6 or $15 advance seats.

How many of you Airtran flyers out there have waited until the 24 hour mark at check in to get your seats? When you did, were you able get seats together? There are six of us flying with two kids and I am just worrying about if we can sit together.

Should I bite the bullet and pay for the seats or wait it out?

Thanks very much.

Pay for the seats, $36 is a small price to pay for your peace of mind in knowing you will be seated with your children.

 

[disneychic2]

DH and I fly Air Tran more often than not and we have never purchased seats ahead. We do the online check-in and get really good seats together (so far every time). But with 6 people, it would be almost impossible to get seats together. If money is an issue, could you purchase three seats so that the two children and an adult will be guaranteed to be seated together?

 

[CarissaDance]

We are flying AirTran this fall and I went ahead and paid to choose seats. We have 3 children (2 are 5yr old) so it was very important I knew we would be seated together. We didnt spring for the premium ones though, just the $6 seats, which still ended up being more in the front half of the plane.

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

Probably depends on where you're flying out of. We fly AirTran out of Milwaukee and the flight is usually completely full. I always reserve seats ahead of time, otherwise there's a good chance the two of us would not get seats next to each other.

You could always wait to reserve them but keep an eye on the flight. If it looks like it's starting to fill up, you can go back and modify your itenerary on AirTran's site and then add seats. You'll be charged the same as if you added them when you booked the flights.

 

[Redarrow5150]

I get what you're saying but why would any airline put customers in this situation? So the airline won't move them but don't have a problem with passengers making moves on their own isn't exactly giving the customer any service. Given how computers are used these days, I don't see how they can't make adjustments with software programming. All the information passengers provide airlines, I find it hard to believe they don't have the programming necessary to work these type of situations out.

I'd go ahead and purchase seats. I fly Air Tran several times a year and every single flight I've seen families raising heck with the gate agent demanding they move people so their family can sit together. Sorry, but more often than not, I've seen those families seperated. The FA may or may not even ask for volunteers, but they will not force anyone to move. Since so many people pay for their seats, they are not willing to give them up for people who chose not to. I often fly solo, but still purchase those $15.00 or $13.00 seats. Those seats (if purchased in advance) guarantee you Boarding zone 1, which means you'll for sure have room for your carry ons. Plus I have claustrophobic issues and refuse to sit in the back of the plane or in a middle or window seat. Sorry, but if I pay an extra $30.00 r/t for the seats I need, I will not give them up to someone who chose not to pay.

I don't want to be rude, but at the same time think it's very unfair and rude for families to just expect everyone to accommodate them (not just families with kids, but I've seen couples do this also). Not that the OP would do this. This last statement is not aimed at her, but I've seen alot of others do this.

 

[crashbb]

I get what you're saying but why would any airline put customers in this situation? So the airline won't move them but don't have a problem with passengers making moves on their own isn't exactly giving the customer any service. Given how computers are used these days, I don't see how they can't make adjustments with software programming. All the information passengers provide airlines, I find it hard to believe they don't have the programming necessary to work these type of situations out.

The AIRLINE didn't put anyone into the situation. The PASSENGER who choose not to pay for seat selection made the situation.

What do you suggest that the computer programming does, exactly? I'm not really understanding your post.

 

[TaraPA]

We've flown AT many times. 6 people together is going to be next to impossible to get without paying for seats. Even 3 together will be extremely unlikely. Every AT flight I've been on so far in the last 18 months has been completely full or oversold.

The times I didn't pay ahead for seats - which was only twice when I was flying with a group of adults so it didn't matter where I sat - I was not able to get even 1 seat with any of them at the 24-hour check-in point. When it comes time to choose seats (if you didn't pay ahead) at the 24-hour mark, you will often see that most seats left are single seats, in the middle. Solo travelers often request aisles or windows, in hopes that the middle seat will remain unoccupied. So that's what's left! When flying with the kids I suck it up & pay the fee, it's a small price for peace of mind!

 

[Redarrow5150]

Ok let's review the situation. If I'm paying for the airline seat...Am I paying for a seat or a "chance" to get a seat? So what is the customer paying the extra money for? To be guaranteed a seat? It's not like the pay for selection gets you any better of a seat. I likened this what some sports franchises do with PSL (Personal Seats Licenses) where you have to pay for your spot and then you have still buy the tickets. Quit trying to nickle and dime customers and put the value of the seat up front.

As for the programming, ummm it's pretty clear given the names of the passenger list of who might be related and make adjustments with names once the flight is established or full. Again outside of first class, the idea of seat selection is for the most part, not high on priority of flying. If it is that's what first class is for.

The AIRLINE didn't put anyone into the situation. The PASSENGER who choose not to pay for seat selection made the situation.

What do you suggest that the computer programming does, exactly? I'm not really understanding your post.

 

[crashbb]

Ok let's review the situation. If I'm paying for the airline seat...Am I paying for a seat or a "chance" to get a seat? So what is the customer paying the extra money for? To be guaranteed a seat? It's not like the pay for selection gets you any better of a seat. I likened this what some sports franchises do with PSL (Personal Seats Licenses) where you have to pay for your spot and then you have still buy the tickets. Quit trying to nickle and dime customers and put the value of the seat up front.

As for the programming, ummm it's pretty clear given the names of the passenger list of who might be related and make adjustments with names once the flight is established or full. Again outside of first class, the idea of seat selection is for the most part, not high on priority of flying. If it is that's what first class is for.

The ticket gets you a seat. Paying for advance seat selection allows you to choose your seat.

I'd disagree with your claim that "outside of first class, the idea of seat selection is for the most part, not high on priority of flying". Clearly, it is for many people (note all the posts on this board about it). If it isn't for you (general you), than you'd have no problem taking whatever is left over (even if they were single middle seats).

Sure, the computer knows who booked on the same reservation and will seat those people together - in any seats that are still available at the 24 hour mark. No way am I flying an airline that waits until the flight is full to assign seats and then does so based on who is related to whom. If I'm flying alone, I'll often not pay for seat selection (though the airline I mainly fly has free seat selection at the time of booking), but if I'm flying with others, I'll pay for seat selection when I book. I'd be very angry if I got moved because people (who booked later) had a big group and the computer decided to have fun playing Tetris.

 

[TaraPA]

Ok let's review the situation. If I'm paying for the airline seat...Am I paying for a seat or a "chance" to get a seat? So what is the customer paying the extra money for? To be guaranteed a seat? It's not like the pay for selection gets you any better of a seat. I likened this what some sports franchises do with PSL (Personal Seats Licenses) where you have to pay for your spot and then you have still buy the tickets. Quit trying to nickle and dime customers and put the value of the seat up front.

As for the programming, ummm it's pretty clear given the names of the passenger list of who might be related and make adjustments with names once the flight is established or full. Again outside of first class, the idea of seat selection is for the most part, not high on priority of flying. If it is that's what first class is for.

Have you ever flown AT? Pre-paying for the seat gets you the seat. Not the chance to board in a zone like Southwest. You get exactly what you pay for. So if there are 100 seats on the flight & 80 people have paid to pre-select their seats - the remaining 20 seats are open at 24-hour check-in - I don't see that the airline should do anything outside of those 20 seats to put families together. The 80 people that paid think it's a priority to do so (as do the majority of people here on the Transportation Board) & shouldn't be asked to move so people who didn't pay can be convenienced by sitting together. If I paid for my seat there's no way in holy heck I'm moving it so someone who chose not to, can sit how they want. And I'd be offended if the airline asked me to do so.

 

[Redarrow5150]

So why aren't those seats listed at a higher price if there's a priority on them? Again given the computer systems the airlines know what seats get a higher rate than others. You're also missing my point as it doesn't mean EVERYONE on the plane has to be moved around. If someone pays the extra money to chose the seat then I would like to know what seats are costing more. So if I book on-line and want three seats together they could (and should move) those that aren't paying for the seat selection. If the seat selection is so important then why aren't they listing that as part of the fare instead of the lower price? If you're going to take it that far then EVERYONE should have to select a seat when purchasing a ticket.

The ticket gets you a seat. Paying for advance seat selection allows you to choose your seat.

I'd disagree with your claim that "outside of first class, the idea of seat selection is for the most part, not high on priority of flying". Clearly, it is for many people (note all the posts on this board about it). If it isn't for you (general you), than you'd have no problem taking whatever is left over (even if they were single middle seats).

Sure, the computer knows who booked on the same reservation and will seat those people together - in any seats that are still available at the 24 hour mark. No way am I flying an airline that waits until the flight is full to assign seats and then does so based on who is related to whom. If I'm flying alone, I'll often not pay for seat selection (though the airline I mainly fly has free seat selection at the time of booking), but if I'm flying with others, I'll pay for seat selection when I book. I'd be very angry if I got moved because people (who booked later) had a big group and the computer decided to have fun playing Tetris.

 

[TaraPA]

So if I book on-line and want three seats together they could (and should move) those that aren't paying for the seat selection.

I'm not sure I understand - if you book with AT - you HAVE to pay for seats to be able to pick them. If you don't pay for a seat, you have no other option than to wait for the 24-hour check-in. On AT when booking online every single seat has a value assigned to it, there are no "free" ones. If you pre-pay & want 3 seats together you pick them from the open seats available - every other "taken" seat has been paid for, not chosen by someone who didn't pay. So when you say if you paid they should move those that didn't - those that didn't pay at time of booking don't even appear on the seating chart. It's not like on major carriers where you are assigned seats randomly by the airline - on AT if you don't pre-pay, you get nothing until 24-hour check-in.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Let's cut to the chase here...the reason why Airtran does this is because they oversell on many flights. This gives the airlines an excuse to bump others because of lower rates. No such thing as "Pre" Paying...I'm spending to get a ticket. So the 80% are paying to get a guaranteed seat? So there's 80 seats on flight that have better seating? Sorry that makes no sense. Have I flown AT? No but my wife and her friends have and the issue of seat selection got them bumped do to overselling. My understanding in talking to several people that have flown AT is they oversell a lot of flights.

Have you ever flown AT? Pre-paying for the seat gets you the seat. Not the chance to board in a zone like Southwest. You get exactly what you pay for. So if there are 100 seats on the flight & 80 people have paid to pre-select their seats - the remaining 20 seats are open at 24-hour check-in - I don't see that the airline should do anything outside of those 20 seats to put families together. The 80 people that paid think it's a priority to do so (as do the majority of people here on the Transportation Board) & shouldn't be asked to move so people who didn't pay can be convenienced by sitting together. If I paid for my seat there's no way in holy heck I'm moving it so someone who chose not to, can sit how they want. And I'd be offended if the airline asked me to do so.

 

[crashbb]

So why aren't those seats listed at a higher price if there's a priority on them? Again given the computer systems the airlines know what seats get a higher rate than others. You're also missing my point as it doesn't mean EVERYONE on the plane has to be moved around. If someone pays the extra money to chose the seat then I would like to know what seats are costing more. So if I book on-line and want three seats together they could (and should move) those that aren't paying for the seat selection. If the seat selection is so important then why aren't they listing that as part of the fare instead of the lower price? If you're going to take it that far then EVERYONE should have to select a seat when purchasing a ticket.

Have you ever actually booked on an airline with advanced seat selection? I'm starting to assume that you haven't, because your comments are making no sense.

1) The seats, in and of themselves, are no different (with the exception of some with extra leg room etc.). The extra charge is because you get to select which seat you want, in advance. And the site clearly states this (and the cost) as part of the booking process.

2) The seat cost more because they got to choose it ahead of time. Rather than gambling that two/three/four/whatever seats would be available at the 24 hour mark. Or that a window seat/aisle seat would be available. Or whatever type of seat they like.

3) If they didn't pay for advance seat selection (your strange scernerio), there would be no need to move them, because they wouldn't yet be anywhere. If you booked on line and wanted three seats together AND you paid for seat selection, then you can have three seats together - provided that there haven't been so many people who paid for seat selection that there are no longer three seats together. Again, they won't move people who already paid; those who haven't paid don't yet have assigned seats, so there is nowhere to move them from.
In an airline that doesn't charge for seat selection - nope I don't think that the computer should move people for you party. It is first-come, first-served. One of the perils of booking later is the reduced seat selection.

4) Not everyone cares where they sit - so they don't force everyone to select their seat in advance. Just like baggage fees - if I fly with carry-on only (often, for work, I'm traveling and returning the same day), I don't need to pay for baggage fees.

 

[Redarrow5150]

What's not to understand...they take my money even if I don't pay the extra money to select my seat? Gee last I knew when a company takes my money for a ticket that means I have a seat...or at least it should. Every seat has an assigned value? Really? That's weird cause that's not what I'm seeing for AT when booking for a flight. All I see is the extra money is used (not for any seat selection) but to have a seat. If it were an assigned value then what about me going in and paying an extra $20 bucks because I want a window seat that someone already has? So the assigned value stops at $15?

I'm not sure I understand - if you book with AT - you HAVE to pay for seats to be able to pick them. If you don't pay for a seat, you have no other option than to wait for the 24-hour check-in. On AT when booking online every single seat has a value assigned to it, there are no "free" ones. If you pre-pay & want 3 seats together you pick them from the open seats available - every other "taken" seat has been paid for, not chosen by someone who didn't pay. So when you say if you paid they should move those that didn't - those that didn't pay at time of booking don't even appear on the seating chart. It's not like on major carriers where you are assigned seats randomly by the airline - on AT if you don't pre-pay, you get nothing until 24-hour check-in.

 

[TaraPA]

dupe post

 

[TaraPA]

Have you ever actually booked on an airline with advanced seat selection? I'm starting to assume that you haven't, because your comments are making no sense.

Obviously he hasn't. And that's fine, if you don't like that AT forces you to pre-pay for an assigned seat then by all means, don't fly them. There are many other airlines out there that can accomodate you!