What happens when kids aren't seated with you on flight?

[Liv's Mommy]

I checked my itinerary today on Delta's website. We have a connecting flight home that stops in Atlanta. When we leave Atlanta our kids aren't seated with us! My dh and I aren't even seated together. We are in rows 24 and 26 and the kids are in row 16 and they aren't even beside each other!! I checked on Delta's website where you can change your seats and their are only a few left and they aren't even close to each other. Are my kids really going to have to sit apart from us (they are 8 and 5)? How do I go about fixing this!?

Thanks!
Jen

 

[crashbb]

Yes, they may end up sitting apart from you and no the world will not end (not saying you think it will).

Ways to reduce the chances of this happening:

1) Keep checking the seat selector to see if any pairs open up. Choose "good" singletons seats - near the front, aisles (or window if no aisles) - as these are more tradeable.

2) Call Delta - sometimes they have seats that are blocked, but not actually being used. They *may* give you a pair (they may not, even if they exist, since they are blocked for a reason).

3) Check in at the 24 hour mark. The blocked seats have often opened up and people may have upgraded, opening up coach seats. See comment about getting "good" singletons.

4) Get to the airport early and ask at the check-in counter if any pairs have opened up. Again, upgrades may have happened. Or cancellations. Or people choosing other seats when they check in (thus opening up seats). See comment about getting "good" singletons.

5) Ask again at the gate. Again, cancellations, upgrades, etc. keep happening.

6) Very nicely ask the people in the seats that would give you a pair. ALWAYS try to ask people to move into a better seat. In other words, ask someone in a middle seat to take your aisle seat or ask people to move forward, rather than backwards (let's say you have a seat in row 5 and a seat in row 30 - ask the person in row 30 if they'd like the seat in row 5, don't ask the person in row 5 to take the seat in row 30).

In case all else has failed - make sure that each of your kids has their own backpack (or whatever) for carry on, in which they have their own entertainment/snacks/whatever so that they have everything they need if they are sitting alone.

WHAT NOT TO DO - do not threaten the person sitting beside your kids if they don't want to move. In other words, do not hand them a paper bag and say "Here's a bag in case she gets sick". Do not tell your child to cry. Do not just sit in the seat and hand the person your boarding pass. Do not pitch a hissy fit. I'm not at all suggesting that you plan on doing this, but all my examples have been suggested on this board.

 

[ElizabethB]

In my experience, Delta is good about releasing blocked seats to assist families to be together -- especially when the youngsters are as young as yours are. I would call them now, explain the situation and see if they can release some blocked seats for you now. If they can't, I would find out the exact date and time when those seats will be available and call back at that point. If they can't do it ahead of time, we've had Delta re-arrange seating at the airport for us.

Delta is also good, in my experience, about keeping young children with their parents when flights are delayed, cancelled, etc. I was once flying to Orlando with a friend and her twins (then about 8 yrs or so). We were delayed on our flight to Atlanta, so missed the Atlanta connection. When we finally arrived, my friend and her twins had already been confirmed by Delta for seats on the next flight. I, however, had to wait for a confirmed seat and almost didn't get one. I'm a high-level elite flyer with Delta and my friend is not. Nonetheless, my friend traveling with children had a much higher priority for confirmation on the next flight than I did. And, I thought that was appropriate.

Asking people to move is never very successful in my experience unless you are offering them a much, much better seat than they currently have. I would not rely on that.

Personally, I would not want my 5-year-old, in particular, sitting with strangers, so I would be very pro-active about getting your seats changed now. Also, be very flexible. If they can find two seats for you and one child, and two seats for your dh and the other child elsewhere on the plane, take that offer definitely. And, be willing to take a middle seat and a window seat since those are more likely to turn up than aisle and middle.

Good luck!

 

[n2mm]

I agree with the other poster. Yes it is possible that you may not sit together. This happened to us on United many years ago when I was fairly new to the flying game. We were a party of 5 and lap baby and we ended up all over the plane. My daughter and baby were in the back and my SIL elsewhere, but we asked at the desk if there was anyway to try to have someone sit near my 6 yo grandson. The best they did was have him in an aisle seat and me in an aisle seat across from him. And my husband was near the front sitting between 2 older woman and they talked his ears off all the way home....which we found amusing. As mentioned, you could try calling now and ask about it prior to your flight day. You may be looking at the possibility of one parent sitting near the 5 yo at best, but like us, not actually sitting with him. I would make sure you pack some books and activities in case you are separated.

 

[crashbb]

I agree with the other poster. Yes it is possible that you may not sit together. This happened to us on United many years ago when I was fairly new to the flying game. We were a party of 5 and lap baby and we ended up all over the plane. My daughter and baby were in the back and my SIL elsewhere, but we asked at the desk if there was anyway to try to have someone sit near my 6 yo grandson. The best they did was have him in an aisle seat and me in an aisle seat across from him. And my husband was near the front sitting between 2 older woman and they talked his ears off all the way home....which we found amusing. As mentioned, you could try calling now and ask about it prior to your flight day. You may be looking at the possibility of one parent sitting near the 5 yo at best, but like us, not actually sitting with him. I would make sure you pack some books and activities in case you are separated.

Were the two people beside flying together and were the two people beside your son flying together? If not, the person in the middle seat, generally, would jump at the chance for an aisle seat.

I would never assume that people would move (especially on flights where you pay for seat selection), but that scenario (offering aisle for middle), is one of the more likely to have a positive outcome.

ElizabethB - I agree that asking people often doesn't work, but it was my last ditch option.

 

[Hannathy]

as of right now yes they are going to have to sit apart from you. And unless they are special needs will do fine. The age for unaccompanied minors is 5 so don't expect the FA's to invest a lot of capital in getting folks to move, especially if it is a tight gate time. It happens every day that kids are apart from parents. Usually the only ones upset in the whole thing are the parents. Kids usually take it in stride. My kids have been separated numerous times and I have sat beside separated kids and there has never been a problem. In fact my kids ask to sit apart from us because they want window seats.

So make sure they both have their own backpacks with activities and snacks and relax. You all will get there at the same time, they can't go anywhere and they just may learn some interesting info from who ever they sit with.

 

[n2mm]

Were the two people beside flying together and were the two people beside your son flying together? If not, the person in the middle seat, generally, would jump at the chance for an aisle seat.

I would never assume that people would move (especially on flights where you pay for seat selection), but that scenario (offering aisle for middle), is one of the more likely to have a positive outcome.

ElizabethB - I agree that asking people often doesn't work, but it was my last ditch option.

Yes, United rearranged our seats and I was sitting next to a couple and my grandson was sitting next to a couple. I made a mistake of buying seats on United and when I went to book my seat assignments, it said it couldn't. I called and was told that there were seats for us, but United would generally hold out the emerg. seats for the checkin day and while others moved to those seats it would free up seats for us. I called prior to try to get some help, but there was nothing they would do for us. I learned my lesson and would never buy a flight without being guaranteed a seat next to a child if I needed that arrangement. Mostly it's just me and DH flying together, but several times a year we travel with the kids and grandkids, so seat assignments are a big issue for us now. We love Jetblue and try to always fly with them now.

 

[Hannathy]

Yes, United rearranged our seats and I was sitting next to a couple and my grandson was sitting next to a couple. I made a mistake of buying seats on United and when I went to book my seat assignments, it said it couldn't. I called and was told that there were seats for us, but United would generally hold out the emerg. seats for the checkin day and while others moved to those seats it would free up seats for us. I called prior to try to get some help, but there was nothing they would do for us. I learned my lesson and would never buy a flight without being guaranteed a seat next to a child if I needed that arrangement. Mostly it's just me and DH flying together, but several times a year we travel with the kids and grandkids, so seat assignments are a big issue for us now. We love Jetblue and try to always fly with them now.

Just so you know your seat isn't guaranteed on any airline. You just happened to run in to it on United, but I have had it happen on Delta, United and Southwest that I can remember for sure, oh and Midwest. It happens on all airlines.

 

[crashbb]

Just so you know your seat isn't guaranteed on any airline. You just happened to run in to it on United, but I have had it happen on Delta, United and Southwest that I can remember for sure, oh and Midwest. It happens on all airlines.

While I agree it can happen on any airline, I cannot see it happening on SW given that they don't assign seats.

 

[Liv's Mommy]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I talked to my dh and he said that our TA said that Delta would not make kids sit separately from their parents. She said not to worry if right now it said that they are, because I could fix it at the airport. Hmmm....I am thinking she may be wrong about that as I wondered how that would happen if all the other seats are taken. I think I will call Delta and at least see what they can do (if anything). This will be the first time flying for both of my kids, so I would rather have them sitting with us if possible.
Thanks again!
Jen

 

[DebbieB]

WHAT NOT TO DO - do not threaten the person sitting beside your kids if they don't want to move. In other words, do not hand them a paper bag and say "Here's a bag in case she gets sick". Do not tell your child to cry. Do not just sit in the seat and hand the person your boarding pass. Do not pitch a hissy fit. I'm not at all suggesting that you plan on doing this, but all my examples have been suggested on this board.

I want to echo this. I travel alot for business and have moved for families many times. I do agree that you will have more luck getting the person to move to an aisle or window rather than a middle.

One time I was in a window seat and a mom and little girl sat in the other 2 seats, plus the mom had a lap baby. I knew she wanted me to move so that the lap baby could have a seat. I was going to see if there were any open seats until she started playing games. First she said "let's sing songs all the way home....", then "I think you might be getting sick" to the little girl (she didn't look sick). After that, I said to myself forget it, I just put on my I-Pod and closed my eyes. Luckily the little girl was next to me and she fell asleep.

 

[crashbb]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I talked to my dh and he said that our TA said that Delta would not make kids sit separately from their parents. She said not to worry if right now it said that they are, because I could fix it at the airport. Hmmm....I am thinking she may be wrong about that as I wondered how that would happen if all the other seats are taken. I think I will call Delta and at least see what they can do (if anything). This will be the first time flying for both of my kids, so I would rather have them sitting with us if possible.
Thanks again!
Jen

The TA is definitely wrong - although it is a common comment. Unless the kid is in a car seat, there is no rule that says that they have sit beside a parent. Heck, both your children are old enough to fly without you on the plane, much less you not beside them.

The steps I posted earlier are your best bet.

 

[Hannathy]

While I agree it can happen on any airline, I cannot see it happening on SW given that they don't assign seats.

It happened on Southwest. We had a connecting flight that we just barely made since the first leg was late getting in. There were not 2 seats together anywhere on the flight and since the airports were all messed up -I believe it was weather all over so flights were late, canceled, etc-the FA's weren't waiting for anyone to try and change seats, they had a tight make it or don't take off gate time and they were making it. It was get on sit down and take off or else get off the flight NOW. We wanted to make the flight so we got on and sat down. I believe she was 4 or 5 on that flight can't remember for sure but it was fine, I really don't understand why it wouldn't be.

So yes it can even happen on Southwest.

 

[crashbb]

It happened on Southwest. We had a connecting flight that we just barely made since the first leg was late getting in. There were not 2 seats together anywhere on the flight and since the airports were all messed up -I believe it was weather all over so flights were late, canceled, etc-the FA's weren't waiting for anyone to try and change seats, they had a tight make it or don't take off gate time and they were making it. It was get on sit down and take off or else get off the flight NOW. We wanted to make the flight so we got on and sat down. I believe she was 4 or 5 on that flight can't remember for sure but it was fine, I really don't understand why it wouldn't be.

So yes it can even happen on Southwest.

Ahh...I see, you mean you can get separated from your child on any airline. Which I totally agree.

I thought you meant that your assigned seat is not guaranteed - which doesn't happen on SW since there are no assigned seats, but is important to remember on other airlines. There have been many posts here where the OP says "I choose seat 8C and the airline has moved me to 10E - I deserve compensation". Those don't go over well with frequent flyers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There have been many posts here where the OP says "I choose seat 8C and the airline has moved me to 10E - I deserve compensation". Those don't go over well with frequent flyers.

Those comments don't even go over well with leisure (2-3 times a year) flyers . Jet Blue - which I adore - even states right on the seat selection page that your seat choice is NOT guaranteed.

 

[cccdisney]

I just booked a flight yesterday on US Airways for our return home in November from WDW. The flight is from TPA to OAK with a layover in Phoenix. When I went to select the seats for the PHX to OAK flight there were not two seats together. I'm flying alone with my 3 kids! I'm not worried about my 11 and 12 yr olds, but I really don't want to have my 4 yr old sitting with a stranger. It is also a late night flight (10:30pm - 12:30am) so he will probably sleep.
I called their Customer Service and she suggested buying 4 "choice" seats, which I did. 3 on the aisle and one window seat. I plan to politely ask the person who is seated in the middle seat between myself and my 4 yo old if he/she would like to trade their seat for a window or aisle. I'm not expecting an issue. Who would WANT to sit in the middle seat when they can have an aisle or window??

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should have no problem finding someone to trade. Keep checking the seating - it's very likely seats will open up between now and November.

 

[ancestry]

I just booked a flight yesterday on US Airways for our return home in November from WDW. The flight is from TPA to OAK with a layover in Phoenix. When I went to select the seats for the PHX to OAK flight there were not two seats together. I'm flying alone with my 3 kids! I'm not worried about my 11 and 12 yr olds, but I really don't want to have my 4 yr old sitting with a stranger. It is also a late night flight (10:30pm - 12:30am) so he will probably sleep.
I called their Customer Service and she suggested buying 4 "choice" seats, which I did. 3 on the aisle and one window seat. I plan to politely ask the person who is seated in the middle seat between myself and my 4 yo old if he/she would like to trade their seat for a window or aisle. I'm not expecting an issue. Who would WANT to sit in the middle seat when they can have an aisle or window??

There may not end up being a middle seat. Some airlines block out the middle row because it allows them flexibility in switching aircraft (i.e. 2 seats per row vs. 3 seats per row).

 

[esk]

I've had this happen too, and I called the airline as soon as possible and they found seats together on on leg. Then she said she "made a note in our file" and that the gate agents would assign us together at the airport.

And they did. This has happened on both United and Delta.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I talked to my dh and he said that our TA said that Delta would not make kids sit separately from their parents. She said not to worry if right now it said that they are, because I could fix it at the airport. Hmmm....I am thinking she may be wrong about that as I wondered how that would happen if all the other seats are taken. I think I will call Delta and at least see what they can do (if anything). This will be the first time flying for both of my kids, so I would rather have them sitting with us if possible.
Thanks again!
Jen

I can tell you from experience that your TA is wrong - we have been separated on the "legacy airlines" more times than not.

I would be preapred to have your kids sit alone - just in case and hope for the best case senario - one adult with each kid. Pack them each a backpack with what they need for the flight and give them the information they need. If your scared and freaked out they will be too = if your calm and have confidence in them they will do ok. Again that is just in case :0

Calling ahead may not help - there are some seats and upgrades that come up on the day of the flight. They may be able to move some adults to the exit row and give you those seats or move a FF to first to help you sit together.

I would arrive at the airport early and be as cooperative as you can. The ticket agent and the gate agent didn't do this the computer did. The more cooperative you can be the better able the folks at the delta counter can help you.

Decide what you are willing to do to sit togethter - a later flight, a layover etc.

My best guess is that they will work pretty hard to get the 5yo seated next to a parent and the 8yo as close as possible. Once you board try you can explain your situation to your neighbors and see if anyone will help you out.

Unfortunately its just a part of flying right now and fwiw no airline guarantees its seat assignments. We started flying SWA after so many problems and have never ever been separated while flying SWA.