Would you pay to keep your airline seats together?

[maxiesmom]

t.

A child who is 5 can travel as an unaccompanied minor and may be taking a school bus without a parent. Parents who want to sit next to an older child (I won't quibble if you think it should be 6 instead of 5) should have to pay the same as a passenger who wants to sit next to their spouse or other traveling companion.

Great point! If a child is capable of riding a bus to school without a parent along with them, then surely they are capable of sitting apart from mom or dad on an airplane.

Not all airlines charge for seats. If someone doesn't like the policy of charging for seats, they are free to fly on an airline that doesn't.

 

[Planogirl]

I just paid $10 for confirmed seats on Spirit and it was worth it. Flying is so miserable that I'm at least grateful for someone to talk to.

 

[delilah]

I would pay extra to sit next to my family members because I already know their idiosyncrasies. And like another poster of the thread, I refuse to sit in the middle seat, particularly if it is a couple with one in the aisle seat and one in the window seat.
The last time I flew, I paid extra for seats. It was one of the 2-3 configurations. My son and I sat on one side of the aisle, and I booked the seat across the aisle for my husband. He went to the restroom instead of sitting in his seat, and, lo and behold, some kid plopped himself into his seat. His histrionic mother was aflutter because her son was assigned a row two rows in front of her. This kid looked to be about 12-14 years old. Fortunately, he was assigned an aisle seat,because I would have stood my ground because I had paid for an aisle seat for my husband. But, because he was in an aisle seat two rows ahead of us, that was OK.

 

[taaren]

It seems like $10 per ticket is worth it, as that's what we pay for EBCI on Southwest, which is, in essence, trying to guarantee a group seats together.

My DS is 5, and we have paid for seats for him to be sitting with one parent (not both of us). I feel this is our responsibility as parents when it is available, and when we are flying confirmed. That expense is part of what we took on when we decided to have a child, just like having to feed, house, and clothe one more body (and part our consideration in deciding whether to have any more children, the extra expense involved in living and travelling as a larger family). However, we have also flown standby and had him seated apart from us on some of those flights, and it really wasn't a big deal for him or us (I think the youngest he did this was when we was three), despite the fact that we're usually flying halfway across the ocean on 5 hour flights.

I think the only time it should be a free service is to lock parents and minors together if you book a flight with a layover where the passengers remain on the same plane, as that is a safety issue if a small child gets off the plane without the parent.

Great thought provoking question OP.

 

[ssawka]

So...because you all are a family you shouldn't be charged? But because I am not a family I should have to pay to sit up front to avoid panic attacks and loosing my stomach?
Sorry, but if I paid to sit in a particular seat.. then I am sitting there unless you will give me money to sit in business class or change flights!

Actually, I am against all of the nickle and diming that airlines are now doing. I 'm a bit "old school" and feel that you should be able to pick any seat that is available when you make your reservation without being charged extra to do so. Perhaps, I'm in the minority, but I would much rather pay a little bit more up front and not have to worry about additional fees for every little thing.

Saturday Night Live did a skit a few years ago where everything on an airplane had a credit card reader including the door to the bathroom. I think we are not far from that becoming a reality.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Airfare is subject to tax by the government. Fees aren't. Therefore, a lá carte pricing isn't going away. It's not nickel-and-diming, it's paying for the services you use.

 

[Reddy]

I have 2 non-verbal austic boys - we haven't flown but if we do, we will have to sit together, with the boys being disable & is a spot where they haven't been before (then again either have I ) it would be the only way possible.

please understand boys have the austism you don't want & one with siezures on top of it - not the anti-social with a really great mind - the hand flapping, hate change doesn't like crowds - they get video for college classes to show the ones that think they want to be a special ed teacher

 

[sonnyjane]

Am I missing something? Many posters have said that they fly JetBlue because they let you pick your seats for free when you book, but that has been my experience with all flights and operators (other than Southwest). Delta, United, Hawaiian, American... They all let me pick my seat at the time of purchase for no extra fee? And when I travel with DH, we are always next to each other because we pick at the time of booking. What airlines are charging extra to pick seats (not premium seats, just specific seats in general)?

 

[mhconley]

I voted $0. I have never had to pay for a seat and would not pay extra to keep seats together, I'd simply find another airline. Of course sticking with a single airline (or alliance) for all my travel, business and personal, helps. Membership and status, even silver, has it's rewards. It is why I am a loyal United / Star Alliance flyer.

Martin

 

[Clamesa]

I think charging a family for wanting to sit together is ridiculous. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go put on my flame retardant suit and wait for the replies.

I'm with you !!!

 

[Lewisc]

Airlines with assigned seats already let you select seats together. The "lock" would come into play if there was a change in schedule and your flight was combined with another flight. Airlines already try to keep passengers together. This feature would come into play if there aren't enough seats together to accommodate all passengers. The number of "locked" seats sold would have to be limited.

Forget about paying an extra $10. Would anyone in this thread be willing to pay the fully refundable $$$ fare if a seat lock was one of the perks offered?

We want to pay deeply discounted fares but then complain about what is necessary for airlines to run profitable at those fares.

ssawka I agree with your point the masses have spoke. Airlines have found the vast majority of passengers prefer to book lower displayed fares and pay extra for almost everything.

 

[Greysword]

I think the idea was to sell a block of seats that remain together vice locking in a specific seat (I will have 10A regardless of configuration or changes). With the block, the computer would assign the block in the event of changes instead of individual seats.

I don't blame the system as it is. I think Lewis hit a good point in preferring to on the plane and split rather than having to wait for a block of seats to open when in transit (at connecting airport). However if the airline could re-assign seats together as a block during irops, then this idea would be helpful.

However, I do not think the systems today try hard to get a party together in lieu of reassigning seats based on other factors (status, aisle/window/row preferences). It just seems disjointed, especially if it is a complete equipment swap four months from travel time, where the seating is open before re-assignments begin. The system does work well when the computer needs to just get people on a plane mid-travel.

 

[Lewisc]

I just read the thread linked in the OP. It said what I've been saying. There isn't a (big) problem with passengers on the same PNR. The computer tries to keep them together. I suspect most passengers would prefer being split if the alternative was a different flight, maybe days later.

The thread is talking about passengers who made their reservations on separate reservations numbers but who then try to link their reservations together. The computer doesn't generally automatically keep those seats together. A human being has to look at the reservation and take action.

This is a solution looking for a problem which doesn't really exist. I can't see the airlines spending a single dollar developing a system to charge passengers who want to sit together but for whatever reason prefer to have separate reservation numbers for each passenger.

Your

I think the idea was to sell a block of seats that remain together vice locking in a specific seat (I will have 10A regardless of configuration or changes). With the block, the computer would assign the block in the event of changes instead of individual seats.

I don't blame the system as it is. I think Lewis hit a good point in preferring to on the plane and split rather than having to wait for a block of seats to open when in transit (at connecting airport). However if the airline could re-assign seats together as a block during irops, then this idea would be helpful.

However, I do not think the systems today try hard to get a party together in lieu of reassigning seats based on other factors (status, aisle/window/row preferences). It just seems disjointed, especially if it is a complete equipment swap four months from travel time, where the seating is open before re-assignments begin. The system does work well when the computer needs to just get people on a plane mid-travel.

 

[Greysword]

This is a solution looking for a problem which doesn't really exist. I can't see the airlines spending a single dollar developing a system to charge passengers who want to sit together but for whatever reason prefer to have separate reservation numbers for each passenger.

Your

I just through the idea by MSPeconomist was interesting, and decided to find out what interest there may be from a non-frequent flyer crowd.

That said, I disagree that the computer has proficiency in keeping linked PNRs together. Even guests on one PNR can (and in my family's case have been) split on an equipment and/or schedule change (happened three times since we reserved our Nov flights in July).

I agree it tries, and I agree the airlines are not likely to alter their systems. However if there are complaints and the airlines feel they could make incremental revenue with little effort by selling blocks of seats to a party instead of individual assigned seats with the assurance they would remain together under most circumstances, then the airlines may decide it is worth their time to investigate. If not, no worries as we keep it as-is.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd pay $10 if I had children or was going on a long flight.

 

[Lewisc]

That said, I disagree that the computer has proficiency in keeping linked PNRs together. Even guests on one PNR can (and in my family's case have been) split on an equipment and/or schedule change (happened three times since we reserved our Nov flights in July).

According to the thread you linked airlines have issues keeping passengers together if the PNRs are linked.

I believe computer tries to keep passengers on the same PNR together if there is a schedule change or equipment change. It isn't always possible to keep passengers together. My point is under those circumstances a typical passenger will prefer to be split instead of having to wait days. Assume the airline blocks rows 4-10 (arbitrary). Assume 2 flights are combined and the blocked rows were 60% booked. 20% of the passengers will need to be accommodated on later flights.

 

[Gigi22]

I said I would pay as much as it takes to keep DH and me seated together. DH is a very nervous flier. He needs constant 'talking down' on even a relatively short flight. If some (adult) stranger would be willing to hold DH's hand the way I do during an entire flight, I would be very grateful and would happily give up my seat, but somehow I just don't think it's going to happen!

As to DH being seated next to a random stranger's child--probably not a good idea, unless that child's parents are really OK with their kid being exposed to someone with a severe fear of flying for the entire flight.

Anyone?

 

[Kristibo42]

I don't care where I sit on ther plane.

 

[tinkermommyof3]

I always paid for the $6.00 seats on Airtran RT. Thought it was reasonable and like to choose where I sit. On SW, pay $10.00 for EBCI on return flight only. Never near internet at 24hr mark for return flight check-in. Like to get check-in at 36hr and a decent boarding postion (has worked out well so far!). We used to always fly US Airways, but it has not been several years. At the time, they did not charge seat fees. However, the flights were costly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I said I would pay as much as it takes to keep DH and me seated together. DH is a very nervous flier. He needs constant 'talking down' on even a relatively short flight. If some (adult) stranger would be willing to hold DH's hand the way I do during an entire flight, I would be very grateful and would happily give up my seat, but somehow I just don't think it's going to happen!

As to DH being seated next to a random stranger's child--probably not a good idea, unless that child's parents are really OK with their kid being exposed to someone with a severe fear of flying for the entire flight.

Anyone?

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