To not pay to choose seats but expect to sit together?

I know how computers work thanks. I'm a programmer.
But @pleasehelpwi3 was implying that the companies deliberately split families . At the same time, puts them together. That's wrong. It can only be one or the other as a binary choice.
Either families are deliberately split, in which case OP should pay or be prepared to faff around asking others to switch seats.
OR they don't, in which case OP shouldn't pay, which is what PP was reassuring OP happens.

I suspect the reality is more complex. Perhaps in a flight with few seats chosen families get put together anyway. In a flight full of families who have already chosen seats that may not be possible, even if they wanted to. So they have to rely on passenger goodwill.

On a low cost airline yes! That's how it works! The reason you benefit from cheap air fares is because you don't get all these perks as standard.

If I fly with my family we are all adults, it doesn't matter if we sit next to each other or not, and we get nice cheap flights.

You cannot reasonably expect to pay rock bottom prices and get club class service!

I don’t get it, just check in online if your flight is soon and you will immediately see if you’re together. You don’t have to worry then as you’ll know immediately.
on easyJet, I have never paid, check in 30 days before (you can see how empty the plane is before you make your decision) and you will all be together. Genuinely nothing to worry about. If you leave it to the last minute that’s when you risk being apart.

There are lots of posts on here about people not paying and being separated across the aisle/behind… don’t be that person. Pay the £20.

I always reserve an aisle seat, I don't mind people climbing over me to get to the loo but I hate asking. Also hopefully quicker to get out in case of emergency landing 🙏 I would always be prepared to move to an equivalent seat (i.e. aisle) but otherwise would request a financial incentive from the "asker" I usually have a sum in mind in case I am asked, 100 euros for a flight to europe, maybe only 50 for a shorter flight and in cash of course 🙂

Exactly. And I would not "accept responsibility" for someone else's kid. I'll be reading my book as planned.

It's only Ryanair I think that make a point of deliberately not sitting groups together (it's one of their simple ways to grab a bit more cash per booking, fair enough) - all other airlines will attempt to, and it would be very unusual for them to split a toddler from their accompanying adult.

I've given up paying for selected seats. I get in there a soon as check-in opens and secure suitable seats. The fear used to get the better of me when my kids were young, but then I realised I've only ever once seen cabin crew asking passengers if they'd swap with a mother and young child.

Crazy how many people on this thread have been conditioned to accept that paying to sit next to your family is in anyway acceptable..... it's a shady, dangerous business practice as in the worse case scenario it impedes the swift evacuation of a crashed plane. I've never paid it and never been separated from my child....more fool people who do!

And watch while those ultra cheap air fares disappear before your very eyes!

OP has now paid for the seats, but has to forego a few G+Ts and a day or two kids club.

I had exactly this dilemma last year when flying on my own with 2 DC (my children are a little bit older). I risked it because sitting over the aisle or sitting behind me wouldn't be too much of an issue but we were sat in a row together.

I wouldn't bother paying as realistically they aren't going to separate you (and good luck to the passenger who gets seated next to your 2 year old!

I was told by BA and EasyJet recently (flew with both earlier in the year) to call up and say you are traveling with and infant and a 2 year old. They can manually override the automatic seating for free to ensure are seated together. Better to do that than wait until you are at the airport.

Its £20. Why would you take the risk and stress of not being sat together? Flying with a baby and a toddler on your own is going to be difficult enough as it is without adding an extra aspect to worry about. Just pay for the peace of mind.

Anyone pay not to sit with their kids - let someone else look after them for a while!😂

yes this is true about the lone female traveller. I had this (I was younger then and would not do it now) but the parent in question was kicking off big time.

The airline gave me 2 glasses of prosecco as thanks. That was nice. Doubt it happens now though.

Which is crazy if an airline operating from the UK or EU as that is not allowed.

I wouldn't pay for the seats, but would do my check-in as early as possible.

We flown with easyJet in May, group of 5 adults. When I did the group's check-in, it suggested 5 places in one row.

Also £20 a seat usually. So £40. And that is likely the charge one way. So £80. It adds up!

Not necessarily. They might ask me. I'm not bothered where I sit and I won't have paid extra for it. I can cope not being seated next to my travelling companion.

Travelling with D.C. is stressful enough without amy anxiety about whether you will be seated together. £20 is a small price to pay for piece of mind.

At 2, they will be either next to you, on the seat in front, the seat behind. Or if you have an aisle seat they could be on the other side of the aisle.

They're not allowed to seat the 2 year old further away than that.

So you could pay, and get exactly the seats you want. Or not, and know they'll be super close.

To lighten things a bit, I pay a very small amount for the seat I want on Ryanair which is my preferred airline, never had a problem with them and all good for me.

It is the last row at the back on the right hand side. Yep, beside the two loos, near the crew if I feel sick or have an episode of my illness (haven't yet but it's a comfort!), beside the exit doors for the steps at the back, which in case you don't know are wider and less steep than those in the front!

Most people book up from front to back, so there is always room for my carry on in the overheads. I have it licked, but I still won't sacrifice my seat 😂

That could be two hours' wages for the OP.....

Just pay. Don’t be one of those mothers who expect people to move seats for them.

Those taking the hardline stance of no freebie seat allocations for children…

where do you stand on children getting a free luggage allowance, free buggy/car seat/travel cot allowance?

Do you think they should be forced to pay for those, or are airlines allowed to waive some fees for families travelling?