Should I buy seats on Airtran?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

So I'm seriously considering saving the $60 it will cost to buy the cheapest seats on our flights. I'm thinking since the flights are pretty empty the chance that at least the kids could sit together is pretty good, right? Any advice?

 

[kelleyrn2000]

So I'm seriously considering saving the $60 it will cost to buy the cheapest seats on our flights. I'm thinking since the flights are pretty empty the chance that at least the kids could sit together is pretty good, right? Any advice?

I posted this question before myself...and I ended up just buying the seat assignments. Apparently there have been many families split up, and I didn't want to risk it. (I ultimately cancelled our tickets when Airtran cancelled our nonstop flight and the only remaining nonstop was extremely early in the morning). HTH!

 

[klynn]

So I'm seriously considering saving the $60 it will cost to buy the cheapest seats on our flights. I'm thinking since the flights are pretty empty the chance that at least the kids could sit together is pretty good, right? Any advice?

I think you should do whatever you are comfortable doing.

 

[Hannathy]

I posted this over on the Family board where you posted it:
If it is important to you to sit together then you should pay to do so. If you don't pay then you need to accept the seats where ever they may be on the plane. I would not hold my breath that without paying you would get 3 seats together. 2 maybe but I doubt 3. If you only care about the boys why don't you pay for their 3 seats and then you sit wherever they put you on the plane-but know it probably won't be near them. And don't expect other people to move if you haven't paid for your seat and they have because that is what you chose to gamble on sitting together and just like all gambling you loose sometimes.

Only you can decide wht the most important thing is to you when you fly. Some people it is cost, some seating location, some baggage, every one has their own priorities and you have to pay for them.

 

[Glencora]

I posted this over on the Family board where you posted it:
If it is important to you to sit together then you should pay to do so. If you don't pay then you need to accept the seats where ever they may be on the plane. I would not hold my breath that without paying you would get 3 seats together. 2 maybe but I doubt 3. If you only care about the boys why don't you pay for their 3 seats and then you sit wherever they put you on the plane-but know it probably won't be near them. And don't expect other people to move if you haven't paid for your seat and they have because that is what you chose to gamble on sitting together and just like all gambling you loose sometimes.

Only you can decide wht the most important thing is to you when you fly. Some people it is cost, some seating location, some baggage, every one has their own priorities and you have to pay for them.

That's probably the best explanation of the situation that I've read on these boards.

 

[TaraPA]

When are you flying? Many AT flights book up at the last minute - there are many people (like myself) that wait until 2-3 weeks prior to book flights. With AT's cheap fares right up to the 2-week prior point, they often fill up with last minute travellers. Getting 3 seats together will be next to impossible, even if the flight isn't full, because those that have paid for seats will want to surround themselves with empty seats, and may be more apt to choose the middle of a row of 3, know what I mean?

We've seen families split up on every AT (and Allegiant) flight we've taken. I've also seen the many, many posts on here of how people had a fit that their small children were split up because they didn't pay for seat assignments, and no one was willing to move (as they had paid for seats, they should not have to move, and will not be made to move by flight attendants). If your kids are willing & able to sit alone, then by all means, skip the seat assignments, but just be prepared that they most likely will not be seated together.

 

[honeymo78]

If you do decide not to pay for seats, be sure to check in right at the 24 hour mark to select seats. Don't wait until you get to the airport as you will have missed your beat chance to find seats together.

We have opted not to choose seats before and have been able to find 2 seats together, not sure about about larger groups. In two weeks we are flying again and did not pay for seats. We will upgrade to business class but two others in our party will just select seats at check in.

 

[Thumper4me]

Honeymo78,

How much does it cost to upgrade to First Class on AirTran?

Kelly

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't bank on the flights remaining empty. The seats will either sell or Air Tran will combine flights. It just isn't cost effective for any airline to fly planes that are not full.

If you are ok flying with your family members split up, then don't pay for seat assignments. If it is important that you all sit together, then you do need to pay for them. Only you can answer if it is worth $60 to chance not sitting together.

 

[Inkmahm]

Honeymo78,

How much does it cost to upgrade to First Class on AirTran?

Kelly

For Milwaukee to Orlando it is an additional $69 to get to business class.

 

[honeymo78]

It depends on the segment length. from philly to orlando it is $69 or 4 reward credits. You upgrade at 24 hour check in or at the airport kiosk you will be able to check two bags for free. We are taking advantage of this and checking our companions bags with ours for free. Round trip we would have paid 120 in bag fees or 140 to upgrade two of us and use reward credits to upgrade on the way home. Since we fly about three times a year we upgrade with credits whenever we have the chance.

 

[Funwith4kids]

I agree with the others to do what makes you feel comfortable and if it is important to you everyone sits together.

Last week we were on a full flight and one family did not pay for seats and when checking in online couldn't find seats together. They waited 'til at the airport to deal with the seats and were stuck with 3 exit row seats and 2 middle seats. They did not fly since they had 3 kids and you can't have a child in an exit row seat and no one else was willing to change with them since others had purchased seat assignments.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with the others to do what makes you feel comfortable and if it is important to you everyone sits together.

Last week we were on a full flight and one family did not pay for seats and when checking in online couldn't find seats together. They waited 'til at the airport to deal with the seats and were stuck with 3 exit row seats and 2 middle seats. They did not fly since they had 3 kids and you can't have a child in an exit row seat and no one else was willing to change with them since others had purchased seat assignments.

If they were willing to be split up they could have forced the issue. Airtran did not have a seat available for one of the kids. Could have claimed this was a denied boarding situation and insist AT ask for volunteers. Move one passenger from a middle seat to an exit row and the problem is solved (AT side of it). Only works if the family is willing to be split.

edited to add Flights to Orlando are filled with families that want to sit together. Families who don't pay for seats must understand they are agreeing to accept middle seats in different parts of the plane. A claim that the FA will try to assist families who want to sit together is a meaningless statement.

 

[Hoopfamily]

I always pay the extra when it's offered. I've flown Airtran 2 times to Disney form Boston. Both times seen families telling the gate agent that they have to be together and both times the gate agents telling them no. They will ask people to move, but if no one wants to you get what you get.

 

[duffy]

Worst-case scenario, your family will be scattered all over the plane. If you're comfortable with that, then save the money.

If your kids are ok knowing that they may be sitting far from you, again, save your money.

 

[dioxide45]

How do you know the flights are pretty empty? You can't use the seat map to determine that because the flight can be almost sold out yet show almost empty on the seat map. This is because people who have not paid for seat assignment aren't shown in a seat until they are assigned one at check in.

 

[duffy]

How do you know the flights are pretty empty? You can't use the seat map to determine that because the flight can be almost sold out yet show almost empty on the seat map. This is because people who have not paid for seat assignment aren't shown in a seat until they are assigned one at check in.

Good point. I flew Allegiant, and the day we were to leave, I checked the seat map, and it looked like there were only going to be about a dozen people on the plane!! (We paid for seats together.)

The plane was absolutely packed, not one empty seat. I realized only then, that those seats on the map that showed as empty, really were just not claimed until the last minute by someone who didn't pay for their choice.

What looked like a practically empty plane was actually a full one, with only a small fraction paying the fee to select seats together.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Last time we flew AT, we paid for seats for all 4 of us. I don't like having to worry and for $24, it's a tiny bit in the grand scheme of things and surely not worth the stress. I like my vacations to go as smooth as possible and though some things are beyond our control, weather issues, etc. this is not one of them.
Another family of 5 seated behind us next to dh chose not to pay for seats(3 x 3 plane so he took one row behind the 3 of us.) They were scattered around the plane and so stressed out and asked my dh if he would mind switching seats so her preschooler could sit with her. Of course dh would never say no to a mom and child esp knowing that both of our kids were sitting with me.

At first I didn't say anything but did finally ask if she paid for seats and she said she didn't think she'd have to and couldn't believe they'd split up a family. I told her that's why they offer the opportunity to select seats in advance. It may sound rude but I couldn't resist.
Just irked me that basically we paid for seats so that someone else didn't have to.

 

[DonnaL]

As others have said, only you can decide what you want for your family. That said, however, please don't board the flight and expect someone who has paid for a seat to give up their paid seat so your family can sit together. For my own family, it doesn't matter to us since we are all adults. However, when traveling with our grandson, who is 8 1/2 and has been flying since he was 18 months old, we do pay the extra. Even though he is an experienced flyer I don't think I would be comfortable having him sit alone and I don't know so much that other passengers would greatly appreciate having a younger child sitting alone next to them. Also, as others have said, please don't use the seating chart as a gauge that the flight is not full. I haven't been on a flight to MCO for several years now that has more than two or three empty seats.......and that's both on SWA and AT. Most are completely full.