What I just learned re. Airtran flights booked through SWA

[Our3ps]

I'm sorry you missed it, but there is a huge notice about seating, right after you choose your flights.

After you pick your flights the next pages shows you the flights and the total cost. There is a green "I" that pops up and states What you need to Know to Travel. It is smack in the middle of the page, so I'm not sure how you didn't see it. I'm not posting this to berate you, but so that others who are purchasing tickets will know to look at this section, and not skip it. It is very important!

No offense taken. I simply did not see it, guess my ADD got the best of me. At least these flights are booked through SW so I have the opportunity to continue to search for other options. The flights I purchased are out of DC and I would much rather fly out of BWI, so I am hoping that I can get flights closer to home and maybe within $100 of the ones I purchased, time will tell.

Thanks for pointing this out though, I feel much better about the whole thing. SW was responsible...I just wasn't a responsible consumer. Still the whole thing is crazy. They should make exceptions to be able to purchase advance seating (even at a higher premium to SW customers) or offer families with children under a certain age the ability to check in slightly early. My husband doesn't seem too concerned. If we end up keeping the flights they are only 2 hrs, so if no one will switch with us then I certainly hope my little ones are well behaved and don't freak out. People may wish they had switched then!

 

[maxiesmom]

My husband doesn't seem too concerned. If we end up keeping the flights they are only 2 hrs, so if no one will switch with us then I certainly hope my little ones are well behaved and don't freak out. People may wish they had switched then!

If you end up having to ask people to switch seats, then do what you can to make them want to trade. Offer them a better seat, one closer to the front of the plane, one on the aisle, or a window. Don't try to have someone trade with you and end up in the middle. Most people won't take that trade. Maybe even offer to buy them a drink!

Best of luck!

 

[Comeundone87]

After reading a couple different threads about airtran seats i started to get a bit worried about my upcoming flight. We booked our airtran flight through expedia and I know I didn't choose our seats. I don't remember if I had that option and just didn't want to spend the extra $$$ or if it wasn't an option. So I just logged on to airtran and spent the $60 to make sure we have our seats. I feel so much better now. I dont have to worry about checking in online at exactly 24 hours, and i don't have to worry we will be scattered throughout the plane (especially with a DD6) Only one of our flights we were able to be in the same row too so I think our flights will be packed.

Thanks OP for posting this info!

 

[dawn25]

So how did everyone's experience end up? We are flying SW through AirTran in September and I'm nervous we will be separated from our child.

 

[purplekicks]

I have flown with my 3 teenagers on AirTran booked through them directly as well as through SW a few times and I haven't been separated from them. I don't know if they adjust the seats when we get to the ticket counter or what but we have always sat in the same row.

 

[disneybirds]

I am glad that I saw this thread. This explains why my DH and I were in the middle seats of the last two rows when we traveled back from Minneapolis. I have now changed my parents flight to Orlando to a Southwest one so they have some choice of seats. Thanks everyone!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am glad that I saw this thread. This explains why my DH and I were in the middle seats of the last two rows when we traveled back from Minneapolis. I have now changed my parents flight to Orlando to a Southwest one so they have some choice of seats. Thanks everyone!

If you had checked AirTran or Southwest's website before booking, you would have found a clear explanation there of how they handle seat assignments. It's always a good idea to read and understand your airline's policies; I do not understand why most people do not do this.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

If you had checked AirTran or Southwest's website before booking, you would have found a clear explanation there of how they handle seat assignments. It's always a good idea to read and understand your airline's policies; I do not understand why most people do not do this.

I am an experienced flyer, flying probably 20 times/year, for both business and pleasure. I'm a lawyer, so I interpret the written word for a living. I booked an Airtan on SW flight for our Disney trip in 2 weeks. I saw the notice before I booked and ASSumed that although I'll be assigned seats, they'd assign the seats for the travelers in my party together. Why? Because I have two young kids in my travel party. It makes no sense to me, logically, that they'd assign a 3 year old a seat alone. I know there are no guarantees on any airline to be seated together, but in all my years of flying, I've never been separated from my kids on another airline, and other airlines have reassigned seats at the gate to put me with my kids. I do think the notice could be clearer, and should state something like, "If you want the option to chose your own seats on any Airtran segment, you must book the segment on Airtran's website. The same flights are available on both websites." or something like that. Silly as it may seem, when I booked my flight, I had no idea that Airtran website was still up and running and that I could book flights on it. As far as I knew, Southwest and Airtran had merged, and that was that. Had I known that I could have booked the exact same segment for the exact same price, I would have switched over to the Airtran website to do so. I wasn't booking an Airtran flight on the Southwest website to save on the luggage fees, I was doing it because I thought it was the only option for the direct flights that I wanted to and from Orlando.

So, I guess I screwed up because I injected common sense when interpreting the notice on Southwest's website. It defies common sense that a child who couldn't fly as an unaccompanied minor would be seated alone on a plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......

So, I guess I screwed up because I injected common sense when interpreting the notice on Southwest's website. It defies common sense that a child who couldn't fly as an unaccompanied minor would be seated alone on a plane.

You are worrying for nothing; you will be able to get a seat next to your 3 year old, even if you have to get someone to trade seats.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

You are worrying for nothing; you will be able to get a seat next to your 3 year old, even if you have to get someone to trade seats.

I just want to go on our trip already, and this is adding to the anticipation! LOL. The next 2 weeks can't go fast enough. Luckily, the nonstop segment on the way back home is operated by Southwest, so we'll only have the worry going to Orlando and won't have to worry about it on the way back.

 

[Gracie09]

I don't know. First year contracts taught me never to assume anything in a contract that wasn't written. If I saw the same sentence at a minimum I would call and ask for clarification. Hope you get your wish but there have been some bad situations reported on here.

I am an experienced flyer, flying probably 20 times/year, for both business and pleasure. I'm a lawyer, so I interpret the written word for a living. I booked an Airtan on SW flight for our Disney trip in 2 weeks. I saw the notice before I booked and ASSumed that although I'll be assigned seats, they'd assign the seats for the travelers in my party together. Why? Because I have two young kids in my travel party. It makes no sense to me, logically, that they'd assign a 3 year old a seat alone. I know there are no guarantees on any airline to be seated together, but in all my years of flying, I've never been separated from my kids on another airline, and other airlines have reassigned seats at the gate to put me with my kids. I do think the notice could be clearer, and should state something like, "If you want the option to chose your own seats on any Airtran segment, you must book the segment on Airtran's website. The same flights are available on both websites." or something like that. Silly as it may seem, when I booked my flight, I had no idea that Airtran website was still up and running and that I could book flights on it. As far as I knew, Southwest and Airtran had merged, and that was that. Had I known that I could have booked the exact same segment for the exact same price, I would have switched over to the Airtran website to do so. I wasn't booking an Airtran flight on the Southwest website to save on the luggage fees, I was doing it because I thought it was the only option for the direct flights that I wanted to and from Orlando.

So, I guess I screwed up because I injected common sense when interpreting the notice on Southwest's website. It defies common sense that a child who couldn't fly as an unaccompanied minor would be seated alone on a plane.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You are worrying for nothing; you will be able to get a seat next to your 3 year old, even if you have to get someone to trade seats.

Unless you start out your request with "I am a lawyer and experienced flyer". Seriously you get farther being humble and nice

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Unless you start out your request with "I am a lawyer and experienced flyer". Seriously you get farther being humble and nice

I never tell anyone I'm a lawyer in real life. I know better than that. I just thought it was relevant for this discussion. I fly often. I have to interpret stuff that is written down. Often. And yet I misinterpreted the notice that I was given before I booked my flight. I have seen umpteen posts on here implying that people didn't read, or were stupid, or inexperienced, or cheap and thus they are 100% completely in the wrong for booking an Airtran segment on Southwest when they have small kids. I think all such implications are totally unfair and unnecessary. I think the Southwest notice isn't as crystal clear as some people seem to think it is. Otherwise, there wouldn't be umpteen posts on here about people misinterpreting it. Southwest has a stellar reputation for customer service, and when I booked their flight I assumed that customer service would extend to Airtran segments. Apparently I am wrong.

I'm going to ignore the implication that I would be anything other than polite to either the flight crew or other passengers if I'm not seated with my 3 year old. I'm not stupid and I know you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Here's a virtual group hug for you, because you seem like you might need one.

 

[DebbieB]

I think it's all done by computer and doesn't look at ages when filling the seats. Plus people who paid for assignments through AirTran could have left only scattered seats. The big problem is SW should not have started the dual booking until they could setup their computer systems to allow you to pay for advance seats on AirTran. They could have made up for not charging for bags.

 

[Lewisc]

I am so stressed out right now. I didn't know this beforehand or else I wouldn't have purchased these tickets. We are booked on Airtran flights booked through SW. I have a 4, 6 & 9yr old and they seriously will not sit alone. There should be a huge red flag that goes up when purchasing tickets. I guess I am gonna have to do daily searches and hope the SW flights go down before our trip.

You booked your AT flight on the southwest website. You won't have to pay a change fee if you want to switch to a Southwest flight. It will cost you more to fly on Southwest metal? You have to decide if it's worth it. Lets put it a different way. Would have paid the extra money if you knew the rules before you booked?

So, I guess I screwed up because I injected common sense when interpreting the notice on Southwest's website. It defies common sense that a child who couldn't fly as an unaccompanied minor would be seated alone on a plane.

Common sense would suggest some (many?) passengers may have booked through AT, and elected to pay for assigned seats. Common sense would suggest "leftover" seats will get assigned when you check in.

Common suggests an airline will attempt to seat a 3 year old next to at least one adult. Possible "bribe" passengers with drinks. Common sense suggests posters who expect the airline to do the same when their kids are 7 or even 12 may be disappointed.

You say you're a lawyer. Is there anything in the website which suggests, or implies, passengers on the same reservation will be seated next to each other?

Again, you're talking about a 3 year old. Many of us would willingly swap, on a short flight I might even accept a middle seat, to accommodate such a situation. Check some of the threads. Posters are concerned about not sitting next to a 7 or 12 year old. Old enough to ride a school bus themself then I don't see the need to move, unless my new seat is as good or better. That means not being split from my spouse.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I'm not going to post should or not, or what will actually happen, just my experience.

We took an AirTran flight down to disney this August. I booked through orbits as the price was cheaper than SW was posting (cheaper by $44 a person!) so I booked. Couldn't pick our seats until check in at 24 hours. I had no problems finding 2 seats next to each other. We had a party of 6 flying.... 2 kids, wife and I, and 2 grandparents. Actually got 3 and 3.

For the flight home, again it was an AirTran flight but I booked it through SW. No chance at seat selection. I checked in 24 hours in advance through the SW app from the park. Now my in laws qualify for senior fares through SW so they actually got a separate reservation # (even though the price was the same). Anyway, when we got our boarding passes, my wife and I were seated four in a row (AirTran has 2 seats on one side, and 3 on the other) with the window seat on the 3 side open. My in laws were also seated together further back on the plane.

As long as you check in as early as you can, you shouldn't have a problem sitting together....or at least 2 and 2. They try not to split up kids/parents. There is no guarantee. Just make sure you check it at 24 hours in advance.

Oh.....and BOTH flights were overbooked, so they had requests for people to give up their seats. If you have a smartphone, get the app.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Except as op pointed out even that does not mean in anyway you will be together since the seat assignments are completely random. It doesn't matter if you check in right at the 24 hour mark

Going down to WDW, my son and I had different reservation numbers, but got seated together. Coming home, we had the same reservation number (and last name) and were split up. He is an adult, but has downs and autism, non-verbal. So I had to get this fixed at the airport. And....... the flight was FAR from full. Many empty seats, and they put us together in row 10, right after business class seats. (which were all empty except 2).

We also saw them assign the same seats to different people on the way down, kids in exit rows, etc. It is pretty nutty. Cant wait for the switchover!

 

[JPC401]

After reading this discussion, I became worried with my AirTran Flight booked through Southwest... To help others who find this post, I registered to DISboards so that I could provide an update. I'm happy to report that you are able to choose seats on AirTran if booked through Southwest.com (at a cost of $10 each). There is a button at southwest.com, in your reservation that redirects you to the Airtran site and allows you to select and pay for your seats. With 2 kids, both 1st time flyers... it was $40 well spent... and calmed my nerves before our trip to WDW on Saturday. Hope this helps other parents!

 

[kristenrice]

After reading this discussion, I became worried with my AirTran Flight booked through Southwest... To help others who find this post, I registered to DISboards so that I could provide an update. I'm happy to report that you are able to choose seats on AirTran if booked through Southwest.com (at a cost of $10 each). There is a button at southwest.com, in your reservation that redirects you to the Airtran site and allows you to select and pay for your seats. With 2 kids, both 1st time flyers... it was $40 well spent... and calmed my nerves before our trip to WDW on Saturday. Hope this helps other parents!

I believe this has always been the case. I think the issue is that it does not work in reverse. If you book a SW flight through AT, you CANNOT select seats in advance because SW does NOT have assigned seating.