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

I've had to pay it with BA. Maybe they are a low cost airline now?

Probably not tbf but i definitely would not move out of principal and as pp said have a resting bitch face 🤣

This is one of the issues that should be a non-issue because separating those on a booking should be unlawful, part of a modern consumer act to stop this kind of rip-offs.

As that won't happen, pay the extra.

I’d just pay it, it’s not a huge amount. They could quite reasonably and safely seat you across the aisle. Lots of other people do pay do the amount of seats not booked might be minimal. Your toddler might like a window seat too

Both times I have been on easyjet at half term we have a 20 minute delay when people were moved to ensure people were sat together. Both times the threat was used that the plane would not take off until it was sorted.

the flight before I was sitting with my then 9 year old and 13 year old ( and the 9 year old looked older) if I would move and no I was with my children both of whom are nervous flyers

I think children under 6 should definitely be sat next to parents. They are too young otherwise to be sat alone.

I don’t think you should have to pay for This but I do think there should be an option to flag your booking as having a young child so that when seats are allocated you are next to them if they are below a certain age.

I’d pay the £20
I have seen so many “should I have given up my seat so child could sit next to mum?” Articles so assuming they don’t always do this

id pay it unless you’re 100% certain you’ll get to the airport in plenty of time to check in early. I was too tight to pay it once when DS was 2, thinking they’d never separate us so no point, and we ended up being some of the last people to check in, plane was full, I was across the aisle from toddler and DH in a completely different part of the plane. It was hideous, he screamed all through takeoff and landing and I vowed never to risk it again.

I’ve always been sat next to mine despite not booking seats. I was secretly hoping my 5 year would be in another row 😂

When you pick your flights you have to choose your seat before paying, at least that’s what happens when in the app. Cheapest are £5.99 I think. I would risk it because there might not be 2 seats together and people do not like moving from the seats that they’ve paid to sit in

I wouldn’t pay it, presuming you check in as soon as allowed which is 30 days pre flight with EasyJet. Just checked in for 8 of us including a 9month old ( no seat) and a 5 year old dgs and we are all seated together. That’s EasyJet and that’s 30 days pre flight. When I book the flights I put a reminder on my phone to check in as soon as the allowed date so there are still plenty of unallocated seats. The only time I’ve ever had the party been split has been Ryanair, I’m convinced they have a secret plan to deliberately split up people travelling together to make them more likely to pay!

I….wouldn’t be moving if you asked me to.

You're not paying less for not having those things.

Everyone else is paying more if they want them.

It's difficult to say no to paying for luggage because your luggage needs are largely dictated by the reason for your travel and the length of your stay.

Paying for seats is where passengers should all just have said, "You're having a laugh, right? No." Given that most people don't actually need to be seated beside their travelling companions, it's an argument the passengers could have won against the airlines by just refusing to pay (and then causing chaos for airline staff by moving around once on the plane).

But because enough people started paying, it's now become a thing.

Another prediction: airlines will start saying you can't bring your own food and drink but must only eat or drink food purchased on board.

I was thinking the same, this has been done to death, I've only read to the end to see if anything that hasn't been posted many times before was said,

If you check in as soon as check in opens you will get seats together.

I have never paid and never not all been seated in a row. I have 4 kids and have flown a lot with easyJet and Ryanscare, though have not flown with the latter recently.

Always check in as soon as possible though.

I’ve never paid for my kids. I always hoped they’d be placed elsewhere so I could have a bit of peace, but no, they were always plonked right next to me.

(this is a joke, keyboard warriors! Seriously though I’ve never paid extra, never asked anyone to change seats, and I wouldn’t).

One of my besties and Ryanair hater says she would piss on the seat rather than pay to use the loo on the plane. TBH I don't think he would ever get away with denying people having their basic human needs met in that situation. Half the time MO'L is just shit stirring for the publicity!

I’m with you OP I think it’s a ridiculous, money grabbing policy that’s literally the only point of it. I won’t fly with cheap airlines who charge for this because it’s a fucking piss take and they don’t deserve my business. Call and ask them - I expect they legally have to sit you with your two year old. I expect they’ll try not to tell you a clear answer. x

Ok well you make your stand.

I’ll pay £20 on an annual holiday to sit next to my family.

People who don't agree with it always fly with low cost airlines

My youngest is the same age as your toddler, I'd pay to ensure everyone is sat together. We aren't moving because you are a cheeky chancer travelling alone with 2 kids, I'd 100% decline to switch with you. I assume you accept you might be sat behind your toddler, that counts as nearby in airline terms.

No.

Why should people pay for something they don't need or want, such as food, luggage space, a specific seat?

I love a la carte pricing. I buy what I want from the airlines and others are free to do the same. I don't purchase what I don't need.

Those who need a seat next to a family member, should buy it.

They sit under 12 DC with a parent

Oh just pay

Not this again?