Song Airlines

[Simba's Girl]

As far as not seating families together goes...I've had this happen to me and DH travelling with infant Hayley on Continental...it was probably our fault because we weren't as "early" as we should've been. AND it can happen on other airlines too.

I am a bit nervous about Song as we will be using them out of Bradley (actually this was the only carrier except SWA that had direct flights) but we plan on being there very early-1.5 to 2 hours ahead of time.

I tell you what though, I am more nervous travelling with 2 children and all thier gear this time though!

Heather

 

[Simba's Girl]

As far as not seating families together goes...I've had this happen to me and DH travelling with infant Hayley on Continental...it was probably our fault because we weren't as "early" as we should've been. AND it can happen on other airlines too.

I am a bit nervous about Song as we will be using them out of Bradley (actually this was the only carrier except SWA that had direct flights) but we plan on being there very early-1.5 to 2 hours ahead of time.

I tell you what though, I am more nervous travelling with 2 children and all thier gear this time though!

Heather

 

[PaintedStuff]

A travel agent told me that Song's middle seat is the narrowest of all the US carriers. Flyer beware!

 

[adamak]

Quick question...

If the group of families already had their seats assigned through the website or by phone, will the seats still be re-assign at the gate? Guess I dont' understand the concept of "arrive early to be seated together".... I never travel with more than 1 person, but I always arrive 2 hours prior just to make sure I get to WDW on time.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by Aisling
We were in row 2 and were actually called to board second. I don't remember which zone boarded before us. So maybe they board by other criteria, who knows.
But on our return, we were row 3 and our zone did indeed board first. This was out of JFK.

Sorry, should clarify...

Typically, people with special service requests, wheelchairs, and unacompanied minors will board first (zone 1). Then zone 2 will start off with rows 1-14...

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by PaintedStuff
A travel agent told me that Song's middle seat is the narrowest of all the US carriers. Flyer beware!

The middle seat is the same width as all the other seats on the aircraft. Song has a standard seat width of 17". This is no different than Delta's regular 757s, and other aircraft types. Some are larger.

Across the industry, the standard economy seat width is anywhere between 17" - 18". I don't know how updated this information is, but this site gives a quick comparison across the major US airlines:

http://travel.simplyquick.com/discount-airfares/airlines.html

BTW, JetBlue has a standard seat width of 18.5", which might be the best in the industry.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

Originally posted by packy
We had a two year old in the row in front of us whose parents allowed her to wander the aisles most of the flight without a word from the flight attendants.

Maybe she was looking for her parents who had been seat assigned down the other end of the plane Sorry couldn't resist

But if you check in early, you should have no problem.[/i]
Um, not necessarily.
We actually got to the airport nearly 2.5 hours before our flight, as we knew there would be a problem with the seat assigment. We were still told at check-in that the gate would try to sort it out for us. Because she hadn't seat assigned us at the check in desk, we were lumped in with the standby passengers and there was a very real danger that we could have been bumped from the flight. If it's an overbooked flight, I would insist on getting seats assigned at check-in, even if you're early- just a warning for anyone in a similar situation.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Can I have some more GOOD stories about Song? I just bit the bullet and booked round trip tickets for early December!

 

[goofy4tink]

As I said earlier, I liked them a lot and will use them whenever I can. I found their customer service friendly and helpful on the phone over the 5 months before I flew. With the changover from Delta I had some flight/seat changes. But they worked with me and I got what I wanted. On the flight I had no problems either. Check-in was a breeze. I've had more trouble with Continental and others than with Song.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by adamak
Quick question...

If the group of families already had their seats assigned through the website or by phone, will the seats still be re-assign at the gate? Guess I dont' understand the concept of "arrive early to be seated together".... I never travel with more than 1 person, but I always arrive 2 hours prior just to make sure I get to WDW on time.

I'm wondering the same thing. Can someone help us out with this?

Is it common for Song to change seat assignments?

 

[seashoreCM]

Haven't used Song yet (will in November) but have used ithe predecessor flights on Delta Express.

Haven't had any problems.

If you had seat assignments you should not have problems except if they change to a different airplane. Song (recently remodeled) airplanes have the interior laid out differently than Delta (older layout) airplanes and there is the chance an unremodeled plane will get rolled out and then all the seat assignments get scrambled.

It is OK for all family members to board at the time the highest zone number is called, sometimes if you ask they will let you all board when the lowest zone number is called.

Since the door used for boarding is in the middle, the very front of the plane can be loaded early as well as the very back.

Zone boarding is easy to understand, all you need to do is follow the numbers. The airline could change the number of zones and who is in each zone without notice and it is just as easy for the passenger to follow. It is the seasoned biztravelers and road warriors who are the most unpleasant, because they don't like to follow rules. They think they should get additional privileges because they are paying full fare, but really their company, not they, usually pays the fare.

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

 

[packy]

This airlines appears to be quite a mess right now but given a year or so they will probably sort out all of the problems. Their zone boarding plan is lacking as is their food service. Then again, when looking for the cheapest transportation to WDW you take what you can get. In the end, you get there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I really don't think Song has a problem. I found the food service to be fine. It sure was better than Delta's old flights to Orlando. Those offered nothing at all!! As far as seating goes, we were changed about 4 times over a period of 7 months. But, that's the chance you take when you book really early. With only one exception, I got the seats I wanted. That one exception was when I changed my flight time and there was nothing open in the front. I found the zone boarding to work very well. There was not nearly as much confusion as on other flights.
I was prepared to bash Song after their many flight changes this winter/spring. But, I find I just can't do that. They were a pleasure to fly. I know some will have other stories to share but sometimes you only hear the bad stories. Just wanted to share the good.

 

[NancyinCt]

Hi packy,

We'll be using Song out of Hartford in Nov., they haven't started here yet around the 16th 17th of Sept. I believe. Just a quick question if I may, do they serve water (bottled preferably) on board or just soda? I refuse to drink water on a plane if its not bottled. If not I usually will pack a bottle in my carry on or buy one at the concessions stands at the airport, Delta usually has small bottles for passenager, but this was before they gave up food etc. just wondering if Song is doing away with them?

Thanks in advance

Nancy in CT