What?? You have to pay on Airtran to pick your seats?

[proud_canadian]

Hi there,

We normally fly out of Toronto with Canadian airlines, so all these extra fees for baggage and paying for picking your seats is new to me.

Thinking of flying out of buffalo or detroit with AirTran as they have the best price. However, I am wondering about these costs I see mentioned to pick your seat.

We are a family of 4, and we don't care where we sit, as long as the kids don't sit alone. Do we actually have to pay for that?

 

[Traveliz]

Hi there,

We normally fly out of Toronto with Canadian airlines, so all these extra fees for baggage and paying for picking your seats is new to me.

Thinking of flying out of buffalo or detroit with AirTran as they have the best price. However, I am wondering about these costs I see mentioned to pick your seat.

We are a family of 4, and we don't care where we sit, as long as the kids don't sit alone. Do we actually have to pay for that?

Yes.

Liz

 

[jen42002]

Yes. You have to pay to get advanced seat assignments. Otherwise, you can check in 24 hours in advance but get whatever is left. Since there are normally many families traveling to Orlando, it is highly unlikely that someone would be able to switch seats if you did not get your family together. For that reason, many people (including myself) choose to pay the $6 each to get advanced seat assigments. For our family of 6 it does add up. We are just not willing to take the risk of not being seated together and would certainly not expect someone to switch to accomodate us. Unfortunately it's just the way the industry has headed.

 

[AprilRenee]

Me, DH and my 3 brothers all flew airtran 4 flights total (2 down, 2 back) and I was able to get seats together on every flight just checking in 24 hours before. It wasn't an issue at all. Yes, we ended up sitting near the back of the plane on 3/4 of the flights but whatever, we got to Disney World!

 

[azdizzymom]

Hi there,

We normally fly out of Toronto with Canadian airlines, so all these extra fees for baggage and paying for picking your seats is new to me.

Thinking of flying out of buffalo or detroit with AirTran as they have the best price. However, I am wondering about these costs I see mentioned to pick your seat.

We are a family of 4, and we don't care where we sit, as long as the kids don't sit alone. Do we actually have to pay for that?

If you want to sit together PAY FOR THE SEATS! It is important that before booking any airline reservations you know of all the 'extra' fees...like baggage fees and seat fees. Add those into your cost to see if it really is the best deal.

Airlines are under no obligation to move people who have paid for their seats for someone who chooses not to. Some people have luck finding seats together at the 24 hour mark BUT with the number of flights being cut and airlines overbooking chances of finding 4 seats or even 2 and 2 together at 24 hour mark when everyone else is checking in are getting slimmer and slimmer. You can't expect a family or someone who paid for a certain seat to move for you and your family. There is an older thread here (search Airtran) where people report being separated from their kids or seeing it happen. You are already spending lots on a trip to Disney....RT for 4 you are talking under $50 for peace of mind and your kids comfort.

Pay for the seats! Have fun! To be honest my boys are 14 and 15 and we all sit together on every flight. I pay for seats when needed or if on airline where we don't pay for seats I weekly watch to make sure no plane change or seat changes. If I catch I quickly move us together or 2 and 2. I would not move for anyone...sorry but if I pay or even if I don't pay but watch constantly I will not move. I want to be with my family...they might not enjoy being with mom all the time but we sit together!

 

[azdizzymom]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2624648&highlight=airtran+seats

That is link to thread I was talking about with extensive discussion on seats and Airtran. Take time and read...think some bad advice was given when someone here said they had no issue getting seats together. You need to decide if you are willing to risk it especially if kids young. If you feel lucky go for it...if not don't get mad when people don't move or airline won't move people!

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Virtually everyone wants to sit next to the people they travel with. Flights to Orlando are filled with families who want to sit together.

The PP gave you poor advice. Some people who check in at T-24 are able to get seats together. Others aren't. People who chose not to pay don't have any recourse if they lose the T-24 lottery.

 

[aubriee]

Me, DH and my 3 brothers all flew airtran 4 flights total (2 down, 2 back) and I was able to get seats together on every flight just checking in 24 hours before. It wasn't an issue at all. Yes, we ended up sitting near the back of the plane on 3/4 of the flights but whatever, we got to Disney World!

You have been very, very lucky then. I always arrive at the airport early and sit in one of those seats right next to the desk. Every single flight, without exception, I've seen at least a couple of families raising heck with the person at the desk, demanding that other people be moved, so they can sit next to their young child. They are always told that there is nothing they can do and that they had the option to purchase their seats and chose not to. The response is always the same (almost word for word), "No we didn't purchase seats. We didn't dream Air Tran would separate us from our kids, so we didn't think we needed to. Now you have to move someone so we can sit next to our child". The response from Air Tran is always the same. 'Ask when you get on, but we can't make anyone move if they choose not to'.

Another problem with not purchasing seats is that most of the flights I've been on have been oversold. In fact, every single Air Tran flight I've been on this entire year has been oversold. The people that didn't purchase seats are the ones to get bumped if they can't find enough people willing to voluntarily give up their seats for one on a later flight. This past October we saw security called when a man was having a screaming fit because he was being bumped. Security told him he could either calm down or he could leave the airport. He yelled that he didn't know that just because he didn't purchase a seat that he'd be one of those bumped. He finally calmed down and hopefully got a seat on a later flight. I fly solo alot, but still purchase my seat. Due to claustrophobic issues I don't like the back of the plane, nor do I like middle or window seats, nor do I want to be bumped to another flight, plus I want to know that there's enough room in the overhead for my carryon, so I pay for the more expensive $15.00 seats that are toward the front of the plane. I get my preferred aisle seat that I need and am in boarding zone 1. It's just an extra $30.00 that I count into the price of the flight. Almost every flight I am asked to give that seat up for some middle seat in the back of the plane for some couple or parent who chose not to pay for their seats. Sorry, not happening!

 

[Lewisc]

Most people will be able to be near a computer at T-24, have a friend near a computer at T-24 or be able to use a web enabled phone. Flights to Orlando a filled with families who want to sit together and who don't want to pay for assigned seats. Some families who check in at T-24 will get seats together and others won't.

 

[AndreaDM]

We usually pay to choose 2 of our seats just so at least one of us is next to our daughter. We then check the other parent in at 24 hours out for free - sometimes we can get that seat near or next to the other 2, sometimes not.

 

[eliza61]

If it's any concellation, even after I paid to pick my seats and factored in 1 checked baggaged each way, my airtran reservations where still $400 bucks cheaper than SW.

Personally, my kids are teens/young adults who could sit by themselves especially since they spend most of the time with ear buds stuck in their ears. Me and dh though, like to sit together so we pay. In the grand scheme of things it's not a deal breaker.

 

[kaffinito]

Another problem with not purchasing seats is that most of the flights I've been on have been oversold. In fact, every single Air Tran flight I've been on this entire year has been oversold. The people that didn't purchase seats are the ones to get bumped if they can't find enough people willing to voluntarily give up their seats for one on a later flight.

I fly solo alot, but still purchase my seat. Due to claustrophobic issues I don't like the back of the plane, nor do I like middle or window seats, nor do I want to be bumped to another flight, plus I want to know that there's enough room in the overhead for my carryon, so I pay for the more expensive $15.00 seats that are toward the front of the plane. I get my preferred aisle seat that I need and am in boarding zone 1. It's just an extra $30.00 that I count into the price of the flight.

I am so glad you posted this information! I called Air Tran right away and got my seat assignment. 12C, Aisle 3 rows from the front coming and going.

So thank you!

 

[azdizzymom]

I am so glad you posted this information! I called Air Tran right away and got my seat assignment. 12C, Aisle 3 rows from the front coming and going.

So thank you!

Glad to hear you did this!

Have a great trip!!

 

[keishashadow]

You have been very, very lucky then. I always arrive at the airport early and sit in one of those seats right next to the desk. Every single flight, without exception, I've seen at least a couple of families raising heck with the person at the desk, demanding that other people be moved, so they can sit next to their young child. They are always told that there is nothing they can do and that they had the option to purchase their seats and chose not to. The response is always the same (almost word for word), "No we didn't purchase seats. We didn't dream Air Tran would separate us from our kids, so we didn't think we needed to. Now you have to move someone so we can sit next to our child". The response from Air Tran is always the same. 'Ask when you get on, but we can't make anyone move if they choose not to'.

Another problem with not purchasing seats is that most of the flights I've been on have been oversold. In fact, every single Air Tran flight I've been on this entire year has been oversold. The people that didn't purchase seats are the ones to get bumped if they can't find enough people willing to voluntarily give up their seats for one on a later flight. This past October we saw security called when a man was having a screaming fit because he was being bumped. Security told him he could either calm down or he could leave the airport. He yelled that he didn't know that just because he didn't purchase a seat that he'd be one of those bumped. He finally calmed down and hopefully got a seat on a later flight. I fly solo alot, but still purchase my seat. Due to claustrophobic issues I don't like the back of the plane, nor do I like middle or window seats, nor do I want to be bumped to another flight, plus I want to know that there's enough room in the overhead for my carryon, so I pay for the more expensive $15.00 seats that are toward the front of the plane. I get my preferred aisle seat that I need and am in boarding zone 1. It's just an extra $30.00 that I count into the price of the flight. Almost every flight I am asked to give that seat up for some middle seat in the back of the plane for some couple or parent who chose not to pay for their seats. Sorry, not happening!

I pray for overbooked airtran flights i'm the one @ the desk volunteering to be bumped as soon as I reach the gate. Unfortunately, even the 1st flight out of PIT last few years to MCO has had empty seats.

fyi, i always pay for my seat coming home as im not as flexible with my schedule in reverse.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

All of this will be a moot point once the buyout/merger with SWA takes affect late in 2011 or early 2012. SWA intends to rebrand the AT planes to look like SW planes and the ticketing/reservations/seating will be converted to the current SWA policies.

 

[aubriee]

I am so glad you posted this information! I called Air Tran right away and got my seat assignment. 12C, Aisle 3 rows from the front coming and going.

So thank you!

Good decision! One funny thing about those seats: if you pay the $15.00 to purchase them, you are in boarding zone 1. However, if you wait until 24 hours out and get those same seats for free you will be in the last boarding zone (zone 7), at which time most of the overheads will either be full or way back at the back of the plane.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Yep - and this is why we refuse to fly Airtran. If the bags, even the 1st one, were free, I could maybe consider - but all of their fees are just TOO MUCH!

 

[livibug]

Even with the bag fees, seat fees, and cost to drive to lexington - we still saved $500 over flying out of Cincinnati, Dayton, Indy and Columbus - and it is a direct flight - couldnt get that anywhere else without spending even more $$.. so for us it was worth it as I factored all that in when I bought. Have flown airtran 3 times in the last few years and it has been a breeze! Of course, everyones experience is different, but knock on wood, ours has been great so far.

 

[ktmo]

I just booked Airtran flights through Disney. How do I pick my seats? I am traveling with my DH and two DDs. Do I call Airtran or Disney?

 

[prncess674]

Another problem with not purchasing seats is that most of the flights I've been on have been oversold. In fact, every single Air Tran flight I've been on this entire year has been oversold. The people that didn't purchase seats are the ones to get bumped if they can't find enough people willing to voluntarily give up their seats for one on a later flight.

Absolutely false information. Please don't spread rumors with no basis in fact.

Let's get a few things straight. The act of involuntary bumping is very, very, rare. IF a flight is oversold airlines always start with looking for those with flexible schedules who are willing to change their plans for additional VOLUNTARY compensation. I fly 100K per year and everytime I have seen the gate agent make announcement for volunteers there is always a long line of people willing to give up their seats for $$$.

If you review the bump rules below you will see that it costs airlines big $$$ to INvoluntarily bump someone and there is always someone willing to take the money. Airlines will many times offer more than the involuntarily bump amount simply to get volunteers. In 10 years of flying, the amount of times I have seen involuntary bumps can be counted on 1 hand and it was in cases of mass hysteria major weather occasions.


Here are the INvoluntary rules:

* If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination (including later connections) within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation.

* If the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay you an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination that day, with a $400 maximum.

* If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles (200% of your one-way fare, $800 maximum).

* You always get to keep your original ticket and use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own arrangements, you can request an "involuntary refund" for the ticket for the flight you were bumped from. The denied boarding compensation is essentially a payment for your inconvenience.