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

I've never paid and it's always been fine. Just check in nice and early.

I would not pay. But checking in early is a good idea.

The algorithm doesn't look at age. If there are seats available together you'll get them together when you book in, if there are only single seats left, you'll be separated. Most uk airlines, easyJet, tui, jet2 operate like this. Ryanair do not.

I actually think it shows you the seats when you check in and you have the option at that point to accept them or choose to pay to swap. Main thing is, check in early.

Honestly if you can afford to fly somewhere I would pay the £20. The £20 may be unnecessary - until it isn't. But your risk - if it works great but it is something of a risk I think.

I never pay but usually end up sat with who I'm travelling with. But it's not guaranteed.

I can't believe the people saying they wouldn't move! I'd rather sit on a wing than next to a stranger's 2 year old for a flight.

Not true of easyJet. They allocate seating together by booking, unless you're the very last to check in and there's only single seats left.

Budget airlines want you to pay for the extras so if anything they would be more likely to seat you separately to force you to pay the twenty pounds.

I would pay to ensure I was seated next to my child, much as I would have liked to pay to not be seated next to my children when they were 2.

I’ve risked this with 5/6YO a few times and we’ve occasionally got over the aisle or row in front, not easyjet but United, American and Ryanair. We’re happy with that though, she’s flown a lot and if she has her snack, ipad and drink she’s silent for hours. With a 2YO though no way would I risk it. x1000 with a baby because getting up to help them will be so much more difficult.

YABVVVU. You have to factor this in now with almost every airline. If you can’t afford it then you need to find the money elsewhere or not go.

If you can afford to fly you can afford to sit with your toddler. Just pay and pick your seats.

Please don't be THAT parent.

I’d just pay, avoid the extra stress

It's a shame they don't price with the 'sit together' price and then a group has to actively opt out and a single person gets an automatic discount.

With Ryanair when you check in for random allocation there is an option after to book seats together and pay if you don't like the allocation. Easyjet might be the same?

easyJet are fine and allocate seating sensibly (unlike money grubbing Ryanair).

Unless you're checking in last minute the chances are high you'll be allocated together.

The company I work for books thousands of easyJet flights a year and it's vanishingly rate that people aren't allocated together, unless as above they're checking in last minute.

Check in opens a whole month before, do it as soon as possible and in the unlikely event that you're not seated together (you'll know from your boarding passes) then call them.

Just pay it. I am not a good flyer, so always pay to book specific seats that I’m comfortable with and so I can sit next to people in my travelling party. I would not be moving because somebody was too tight to pay £20. It is frustrating having to pay for these extras, but that’s how budget airlines operate unfortunately.

There was a huge kick off on the last flight I was on because a family had checked in late for a flight, hadn’t paid for seats next to each other and so the entire flight was disrupted until they managed to seat them together. They were incredibly rude and demanding and basically made a fuss until they got their own way. I personally wouldn’t risk it with a child as young as 2.

No - it's pot luck.

By all means don't pay, but then you risk that your 2yo will end up behind you, across the aisle from you, diagonally from you or in front of you.

It's only £20. Just pay it.
I wouldn't move for someone who hadn't paid and I did.

For the reassurance of knowing your together surely it’s best to just pay?

I think £20 for peace of mind makes it completely necessary tbh! Why try and save £20 and risk not being sat with your toddler? Honestly just book it and have the peace of mind you're all sat together where you want to be.

EasyJet let you check in 30 days before the flight. Last time I was in this situation (with 2 5-10 yr olds) I didn’t pay, checked in early and could see they had seated us together. The flight was 1.5 hours and I would have been happy with one across the aisle, but if I hadn’t been happy I am sure I could have paid to choose within that 30 a day window.

All airlines except ryanair will automatically sit you together on check in (next to or across aisle) however that's only if seats are available when you check in. If the only seats available at check are single seats you'll be separated. For this reason check in as soon as it opens, usually 28 days in advance I think, don't leave it till you get to the airport! I've been on flights where parent and child were separated and tbh I found it unreasonable that they expected someone else (who may have paid for their seat reservation of be sat with their own party) to move because they didn't pay or plan properly to ensure they were together.

It is annoying that the airlines charge to select seats….but they do. It’s not going to change so we have to get on with it.

and if every family on your flight has paid to sit next to their young dcs, there may not be anywhere to move you to and you risk being placed near but not next to your dc.

just think of it as an extra - a bit like if you pay an extra £2 for a booster seat at the theatre. Yes I know that’s not the same. But the principle being someone with an older child will in effect get their seat for £2 less.

if you are travelling as a single person or other adults then you may benefit from not wanting to purchase the extra. so your seat will be cheaper. consider that as the absolute basic lowest price. anything else you want or need (extra luggage, snacks or choice of location) - you pay an extra fee.

Yes, you want it, you pay.