What should we do regarding flight change?

[mmackeymouse]

Back in June, we made flight plans for January through AirTran. At that point, we booked seats together. Since then, there have been some relatively minor time changes, but no big deal.

Well, this week, I received an email from AirTran stating a change in our flight. We don't really have too much of a problem with the time or anything. The only thing is, our original flight number no longer exists; we are on a whole new flight number.

So I logged on to verify our flight. Well, on the return flight, only one of the four of us retained our reserved seat. All of the seats we had reserved are gone. In fact, the flight is pretty full. There are no first class seats left, and the only seats left where we can all sit together are seats in the not very good section of the plane. Plus, we'd have to pay another $6, unless we want to wait until online check in.

I mean, considering there are really no seats to move us to, I just don't know what to do. I want to call them and get something resolved, but I am not sure what I need to ask for- vouchers? Free checked luggage? The rest of the nonstop flights that day are just as full.

I know that it is their fault, and that they should be responsible for it, but I don't want to be unreasonable either, as they can't sit us in people's laps.

How should I approach this?

 

[Green Tea]

Just call and explain you had reserved seats and you don't any longer. They should be able to seat you together. If they can't put you in the location you were, they should refund the $6 per seat charge.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Just call and explain you had reserved seats and you don't any longer. They should be able to seat you together. If they can't put you in the location you were, they should refund the $6 per seat charge.

I know this sounds just awful, but I think it is worth more than the $6 per seat. We reserved our seats 6 and a half months ahead of time for the best non firstclass, non exit row seats on the plane. (per SeatGuru) All that is left together is toward the rear of the plane, which is exactly where we did not want to sit.

I don't want to seem like a snotnosed, entitled brat, but to us, the inconvenience is worth more than $6 per seat.

I think that because they are the ones that messed up, they should put us in a better or at least equal position to what we were when we booked. I just don't know how to convey that to them without getting nasty.

 

[DebbieB]

Sometimes there are seats that are showing as occupied on the seating chart but are actually blocked for airport check-in. They may be able to move you to those if there are any avialable. You would not have to pay $6 again. If there are no seats together available, you will be pretty much stuck, refunding the $6 would be all they would do or possibly cancel & refund the tickets. They don't offer compensation when there are flight or seat changes.

 

[crashbb]

You aren't going to get more than the $6 refunded.

And, they aren't going to move someone out of their seat to give you the seats that you want (it would just cause a domino effect).

As DebbieB, there are usually seats that don't look available but are, and you may be able to be moved to those (without paying an additional $6). I'd give them a call.

 

[francie57]

Unfortunately the tickets you buy from an airline only entitle you to a seat on the plane, not a specific seat. We had the same problem a few years ago with Delta and that was what I was told. Don't be surprised to not get a lot of help on this. As a poster said, they are not going to move someone out a a seat to put you in it. All you can do is call and calmly explain your situation and see what they have to offer. You shouldn't expect to get anything more than the seat refund, if that, since they still have seat available for you. As we learned from our experience, you will probably be sitting in a row you don't want toward the back of the plane, but at least you are on the plane and going to Disney.

 

[seashoreCM]

Probably better to nail down the seats at the back of the plane showing as available.

If you seek a refund of the seat charge your family could end up scattered about.

If the flight time is changes significantly, then feel free to hand pick some alternative flights you would like (don't pay attention to full seat maps) and telephone and ask to be re-rescheduled to one of those.

 

[taliategan]

AT canceled my flight too. I was able to get similar seats on the flight they re-scheduled me, but the problem was the flight that was canceled was non-stop and I was re-booked by AT on a connecting flight. Seats were same on 1st leg of trip and 3 rows further back on 2nd leg. Had I known they were going to cancel the non-stop flight, I would have booked on SW. There was now to much of a price difference to try to cancel with AT and re-book on SW.

 

[mmackeymouse]

And, they aren't going to move someone out of their seat to give you the seats that you want (it would just cause a domino effect).

As DebbieB, there are usually seats that don't look available but are, and you may be able to be moved to those (without paying an additional $6). I'd give them a call.

You mean like they did to US? Apparantly they WILL move people out of their seats to give someone else the seats they want, because it happened to us.

It is just upsetting, because we paid the fee and scheduled as far out as they were scheduling, because it was THAT important to us where we sat. So, what this says to me, is that you can do everything right, everything exactly like they say you should, you pay your dues, plan ahead, and still get shafted.

 

[twinsplusone]

I know how you feel. We bought our Feb '10 tickets back in April. I called Midwest to have help choosing seats. The kids first flight, they were stuck in the last row and I didn't want that again. I requested a middle row 5 across and was very pleased with what was suggested and booked. Only to find out that the plane changed to 4 across and we are once again in the last row. Three are in the last and 2 of us are in the row in front of them. Coming home 3 are in the last row and 2 of us are 9 rows ahead. Nothing they can do because it's a full plane. The customer service person was sympathetic but could do nothing to get the kids a window. She said seat reassignments were done by a computer. I'm disgusted because like you, we bought early to assure the flight and seats that we wanted. I'm writing a letter to Midwest. I know nothing will come of it, but it will make me feel better.

Enjoy your trip anyway!

 

[crashbb]

You mean like they did to US? Apparantly they WILL move people out of their seats to give someone else the seats they want, because it happened to us.

No, you were not moved out of your seats. You were placed on a different flight on which the seats you choose were not available. They did not move you out of your seats to put someone else there.

Booking far out always runs the risk of schedule and/or equipment changes that may lead to lose of seats.

Not saying it is a good thing, just telling you that you are not going to get those seats (unless the people in them happen to change their flight/seats) and you aren't going to get compensation.

Also, just so you know. The airline reserves the right to change your seat (even with no flight/aircraft change) at any time. For example, if you have bulkhead seats, they can move you if some with a mobility issue needs them.

 

[KathyTX]

Flights are cancelled, combined or changed to different equipment frequently. The further in advance you book your seats, the more likely the seat assignments are to change in the current travel environment.

Unless you're traveling with VERY small children or on a VERY long flight, it's really not worth getting too worked up about.

As others have pointed out, the airlines' obligation is to get you to your destination at around the time they agreed to. You'll have a seat somewhere in the cabin you paid for, and your baggage will probably arrive on the same flight.

It won't be fun, you won't be pampered, and you probably won't be comfortable. But when you get to your destination, you can start your vacation!

Travelers have to roll with the punches these days.

 

[mmackeymouse]

So, crash, are you saying they won't have any sympathy with our situation. We were amongst the first 10-15 people on the flight to have reserved our seats. You'd think we would get some sort of preference over people who may have booked this other flight months after us.

Obviously, had we known this was how it would pan out, we would have booked, at least the return flight with a different airline.

Do you think there is any chance that if there are open seats toward the front of the plane that they will switch us to them, or do you think they will force us to take the (many) open seats in the back of the plane?

 

[cjnix29]

Call Airtran and explain the situation. I have never had anything but very helpful customer service people when dealing with them. I was even able to change airports and retain seat assignments booked through kayak. They have been very helpful.

 

[dioxide45]

With AirTran those first four rows of coach can't be selected by anyone except those paying top dollar coach prices and elites. Call AirTran, there is a good chance that there are still good seats toward the front that are open and together. We had the exact same thing happen for our upcoming November trip. We called and they have placed us in row 12, seats we wouldn't have been able to select ourselves on-line since they looked like they were already booked.

 

[crashbb]

So, crash, are you saying they won't have any sympathy with our situation. We were amongst the first 10-15 people on the flight to have reserved our seats. You'd think we would get some sort of preference over people who may have booked this other flight months after us.

Obviously, had we known this was how it would pan out, we would have booked, at least the return flight with a different airline.

Do you think there is any chance that if there are open seats toward the front of the plane that they will switch us to them, or do you think they will force us to take the (many) open seats in the back of the plane?

I already suggested asking about the seats that they hold back. Other than that, they may have sympathy but there isn't anything they could do and no, when you booked does not give you any preference (especially since you didn't actually book early for the flight you are now on).

 

[bavaria]

And even then, the seats which are held back may not be assigned in advance by some carriers. LH holds back seats in both Economy and Business/First for 'handicapped use'; I know that if I ask at the check in desk I can usually get one of those seats but cannot get it through online checkin, kiosk checkin, or at the gate.

Most of the time those seats are held for a very specific reason, and family seating is unfortunately for the OP not one of them.

Worst case scenario I suggest that if you cannot get seats together on board the plane that you deplane and fly later, or at least have part of your party do so if it means that much to you.

There is ZERO guarantee for almost anyone for getting the seat that they need or reserved. We cannot say it often enough here, but in DISWorld this seems to be one of the biggest subjects of drama and debate.

Do everything you can, pay for what you need, take crashbb's list of what to do, behave nicely to the airline and your fellow passengers, and deplane as a last resort if you must be seated together.

Good luck.

 

[crashbb]

Do everything you can, pay for what you need, take crashbb's list of what to do, behave nicely to the airline and your fellow passengers, and deplane as a last resort if you must be seated together.

Good luck.

Being seated together isn't the OP's problem. There appear to be enough seats left that they could pre-select seats together. The problem is that the OP doesn't like those seats.

 

[bavaria]

Ah, thank you for translating - early morning and I haven't had enough coffee yet.

Then I really don't understand the fuss. If you don't like the seats, book them for now, and try and change later.

If you REALLY don't like the seats, cancel at your own risk of paying a penalty possibly, book another flight at possibly a higher fare, and run the risk of having seats changed again.

That is one of the big risks of booking flights so far in advance; I book 0-14 days in advance and have only had my seat changed when FAM'd or DOG'd in the last several years.

 

[bavaria]

On a side note, when the woman in the cowboy hat comes and posts on a Transportation Board thread I feel that it is akin to when the principal comes and sits in the back of the classroom....