What airlines don't have assigned seats?

[JJ&JSMOM]

Just curious what airlines don't have assigned seating? I would think a family traveling would want to sit together! This seems like a dumb policy anyone know why? My DH just flew US Airways and they had assigned seating. TIA

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

In the US - Southwest

Overseas - easyJet, Ryanair, many small Asian carriers

Others I can't think of right now.

It's not a dumb policy to not assign seats as it helps keep costs down for the airline. Not sitting next to a family member (except a small child) is not the end of the world. I've been separated from my husband on many flights and managed to survive.

 

[debster812]

And, on carriers that have assigned seating, if there is a last minute equipment change, there is not guarantee you'll keep your entire party together.

Also, on AirTran here in the US if you buy the 2 or 3 least expensive categories of ticket, you don't get your seat assignment until you check in.

 

[havencruiser]

I enjoy NOT having assigned seating and getting the choice of NOT having to sit next to the folks on the plane that every other person i nthe waiting area hoped didn't have to sit next to them, either.
With the airlines without assigned seats, be SURE, if at all possible to check in 24 hours beforehand. At Disney World resorts, go to the conceirege desk and ask them to print boarding passes for you. On Southwest you want an "A" pass. But even if you get a "B" pass (they board after all "A" folks, just get to the gate ealy, get in line and you should have no problems sitting together.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

In the US - Southwest

Overseas - easyJet, Ryanair, many small Asian carriers

Others I can't think of right now.

It's not a dumb policy to not assign seats as it helps keep costs down for the airline. Not sitting next to a family member (except a small child) is not the end of the world. I've been separated from my husband on many flights and managed to survive.

I wouldn't mind being separated from my DH - thats no big deal! But when you have 3 young kids its essential to sit w/them. I think that would be a priority when it comes to seating people.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

SWA will ask if there are people willing to change seats if you have small children and can't find seats together when you board.

I love flying SWA, no assigned seats means planes board faster. We've never had a problem finding seats together with an A or B boarding pass.

 

[bicker]

Every airline will try to help keep parents and children together once everyone is seated. Typically there are enough folks with middle seats in the back of the jet willing to switch to put a family together.

 

[minniebeth]

...But what about airlines like United who are charging extra for certain seats...does that mean that you will have to pay extra just to keep your family together?

 

[bicker]

The extra charge is for certain assigned seats. It does make the ability to find a block of seats together more difficult, because in many cases the preferred seats are aisle and window seats, but there are always a set of full rows, in the back of the jet, which are not preferred seats, so you can reserve those to keep your family together.

 

[chasbos]

We have travelled as a family of 6 all over the world, even when the kids were little - they are now 8, 11, 14, & 15.

The only times we have sat near each other is with Southwest - go figure! We have always been able to sit 3 & 3 side by side, with no problems at all - we usually have A boarding passes and do not line up until they start preboarding.

Now, on all of our flights with assigned seats we have been scattered around the plane! Always 2, 2, & 2 or 2 & 4. The kids are really good travellers and it is fine for us.

Our theory is now, if we want to sit together as a family - fly SWA!

 

[salmoneous]

Believe it or not, families do sit together on SW. Really!

 

[DebbieB]

You can have more problems on airlines that assign seats. Either they change the seats after you reserve them or if you book closer to when the plane is full, there are no seats together left.

 

[DonnaL]

More good reasons to love SW!!!!!!!.......