Page 8 | Plane seats - refused to swap

Feelinglost10 · 26/08/2025 18:10

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:40

I really don’t mind paying and DH has faults but he definitely wouldn’t skimp on paying extra to sit together all other times we have always sat other this has never happened. I was shocked they would actually sit kids away from parents. I genuinely think it was an error on the computer.

Edited

It’s not an error at all. Seats are given to people who pay and you get whatever is left over!

Leedsfan247 · 26/08/2025 18:07

Normally airlines are as accommodating as possible (sometimes not the case with the likes of Ryanair). Explain the situation at the gate ASAP

Jamandtoastfortea · 26/08/2025 18:05

Up to 8 they will sit you together, but together can mean adjacent / in front etc. Only way to guarantee for return is to call airline or go online and pay now to do this - if avail. You will need booking ref though, so you will have to get this off hubby. If it’s a package maybe speak to rep in resort. If you put it all together you will need to do this yourself. My children would be very distressed alone so I always pay now, but every child is different. So sorry your hols started like this, f do not worry about being upset - travelling is stressful and things going wrong make even v calm people upset! Enjoy the break and hopefully you get sorted for the way home. Xx

Julietta05 · 26/08/2025 18:04

You can book the seats at the point you booked the trip! That is how I do it to make sure I sit next to my kids. Depending on the airlines- but usually you can log in and book the seats in meantime.

CrazyAboutFurBabies · 26/08/2025 18:04

Which airline is this? When we flew to America me, my partner and my mum and step dad all bought our seats next to each other on the same row and when we checked in they had moved all of our seats to seperate ones to accommodate a family with 2 small children who hadn’t paid for the seats but under 11’s couldn’t be sat on their own without a parent… well you can imagine how livid we were.

Brokeandold · 26/08/2025 18:03

I booked with Ryanair to fly up to Edinburgh from Bournemouth, me and our 15 yr old DD, it looked a great price initially-then realised we wouldn't be sat together, didnt want that so paid for allocated seating , the cost shot up,
I hadn't flown for 26 years so it was a steep learning curve for me,
On the flight a family with young children asked to be sat together, a lady moved for them straightaway, I would move if I was on my own.
Hope the flight back works out for you.

justteanbiscuits · 26/08/2025 18:03

I have bladder issues. I pay to have an aisle seat. I also pay to sit with my family as I like that.

So no, I am not moving because you didn't want to pay for your seats. Sorry. If there was an issue and you were moved flights or what ever, I would swap for another aisle seat, but if it was purely down to your husband refusing to book seats like everyone else, then that isn't my problem.

Sometimessmiling · 26/08/2025 18:02

Your cheeky. Pay for the seats, which you would have if you were so bothered. Stop asking people to help you out. You deserved it but not the husband who sounds awful

justteanbiscuits · 26/08/2025 18:01

MellowPinkDeer · 25/08/2025 16:40

Just pay the hundreds of pounds to book the seats like the rest of us do.

I paid £8 each for me and DS's last time we flew. That's hardly "hundreds of pounds"

Toooldtopretend · 26/08/2025 17:59

Lovelynames123 · 25/08/2025 16:42

Which airline is it? Ive never been separated from my dc, sometimes I've paid, other times not (usually if we book last minute I can't book seats together but we've been allocated new seats on check in at the airport)

I'm surprised any airline is separating any young kids from parents, not my experience at all

This was my thought too, I’ve never paid for specific seats and have no issue being sat away from my DH. I’ve always found that they sit a child with a parent - I’m sure the airline don’t want the safeguarding risk either.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 26/08/2025 17:57

neighboursmustliveon · 26/08/2025 17:53

It’s not that much. We are travelling with our 16 and 18 year olds but it’s their first time flying. Dd wanted to sit with me, ds and DH not bothered however jet 2 wouldn’t seem to let me only choose 2 out of 4 seats so ended up paying for all of us and if was only £106 for both flights. Not too bad really.

I think you should automatically get to choose at time if booking and then if you are not bothered where you sit you can untuck and get a reduction. I think if people see it more as a saving to not choose, rather than a cost to choose, it might change people’s mindsets about it.

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You know, the other thing that fucks me off is having to select hold luggage or no hold luggage for everyone in your group. We're flying long haul next year and I wanted to have just two hold bags between four of us, but it was four or none. When I tried to find out how much it would cost to just add two hold bags to the booking later I went round the houses with their chat bot before concluding that it wouldn't save us any money. So we've paid for two hold bags we won't be bringing because our 3 and 5 year olds won't be able to carry their own luggage anyway.

Miaminmoo · 26/08/2025 17:56

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:43

Sorry I don’t think I’m being clear. We would have been able to choose our seats when we checked in but he couldn’t complete it online. There was an error on the system as it’s booked via 3rd party. He’s done it before and I’ve seen him 24 hours before we check in and choose our seats but this time there was an error which he didn’t tell me about

We choose our seats when we book, leaving it until 24 hours before is very risky as what if everyone else has checked in and there are actually no seats left together anyway by the time you check in? If you are this upset about it you need to get your husband to help you sort it for the way home. I wouldn’t want to sit away from my kids either but then I’ve always pre-booked my seats well in advance of checking in so………

Doverboy · 26/08/2025 17:55

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:28

please bear with me, I really need to vent but I need advice too.

Holiday with DH, 8 year old DD and 5 year old DS. Our seats were allocated away from each other. Not even on same aisle literally scattered on different parts of the plane. DH books and sorts checking in and I don’t usually get involved. He tried to apparently check in 24 hours before the flight but there was an error (he didn’t tell me), he was unable to check in and was advised online chat to see a member of staff at airport when we were flying, we get to check in on day of flight and lady says she can’t sit us together. I pleaded with her to at least let there be one of us sat with each child, no problem about all 4 of us sitting together.

She said to ask people when we get to the seat if anyone will swap with us. When we got there everyone refused, which I don’t really blame them as they checked in and chose their seats we didn’t or couldn’t.

I got very emotional as my 5 year old was crying about not sitting next to me DH as usual was unbothered and was just standing around looking unfazed. I’m really embarrassed about my reaction but he said it’s fine and I said it’s not fine “I’m not having my kids sat in between strangers”. It wasn’t as dramatic as I’m making out as it was over very quickly as the cabin crew we spoke to on boarding were able to allocate 2 seats together. Myself and my 5 year old took it and DH sat 2 rows In front of DD who was sat inbetween 2 men, DH was also sat between 2 guys so made no difference where I put her.

I was upset the entire flight and kept asking DH to keep an eye on DD, DH kept rolling his eyes and ignoring me. I felt like a bad mother leaving my child sat there with strangers. I feel embarrassed incase anyone videoed me at the start asking/pleading with people to please swap seats to allow me to sit next to my 2 kids. I only asked about 2 people and they avoided eye contact and ignored me, again I get it.

advice: DH is old fashioned (or should say a complete knob) he won’t share the booking details of flight with me as he’s worried I will mess up the booking, like I’m a stupid child! So I need advice please how can I make sure I am sat next to my kids on flight back home? I will need a booking reference I know which I will have to keep asking him for but the holiday was booked via Expedia and I think that’s what messed up when was trying to check in online 24 hours before. How can I check in if flights were booked with Expedia? I will call them if he doesn’t share booking ref but I doubt they will speak to me due to data protection. Any advice please?

Please be kind and don’t make me feel worse than I feel. Can anyone at least relate with me about how upset I was about DD sat alone? I am a survivor of childhood SA so my feelings might be out of place but I also read a news article literally a few days before flight if a 15 year old girl getting assaulted by a fellow passenger during a flight do these things do happen.

Don't book through 3rd party vendors, check the price and then book through the airline. While booking, pick your seats. Might cost a bit more but you won't be begging or looking for a hug on social media

Overnightoatsareyummy · 26/08/2025 17:53

DontBeADick11 · 26/08/2025 16:19

I am seriously losing faith in humanity reading some of these comments 🤦‍♀️

💯

neighboursmustliveon · 26/08/2025 17:53

Thelondonone · 25/08/2025 16:37

Generally, to sit next to your kids, you pay through the nose.

It’s not that much. We are travelling with our 16 and 18 year olds but it’s their first time flying. Dd wanted to sit with me, ds and DH not bothered however jet 2 wouldn’t seem to let me only choose 2 out of 4 seats so ended up paying for all of us and if was only £106 for both flights. Not too bad really.

I think you should automatically get to choose at time if booking and then if you are not bothered where you sit you can untuck and get a reduction. I think if people see it more as a saving to not choose, rather than a cost to choose, it might change people’s mindsets about it.

alwaysthepessimist · 26/08/2025 17:52

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:28

please bear with me, I really need to vent but I need advice too.

Holiday with DH, 8 year old DD and 5 year old DS. Our seats were allocated away from each other. Not even on same aisle literally scattered on different parts of the plane. DH books and sorts checking in and I don’t usually get involved. He tried to apparently check in 24 hours before the flight but there was an error (he didn’t tell me), he was unable to check in and was advised online chat to see a member of staff at airport when we were flying, we get to check in on day of flight and lady says she can’t sit us together. I pleaded with her to at least let there be one of us sat with each child, no problem about all 4 of us sitting together.

She said to ask people when we get to the seat if anyone will swap with us. When we got there everyone refused, which I don’t really blame them as they checked in and chose their seats we didn’t or couldn’t.

I got very emotional as my 5 year old was crying about not sitting next to me DH as usual was unbothered and was just standing around looking unfazed. I’m really embarrassed about my reaction but he said it’s fine and I said it’s not fine “I’m not having my kids sat in between strangers”. It wasn’t as dramatic as I’m making out as it was over very quickly as the cabin crew we spoke to on boarding were able to allocate 2 seats together. Myself and my 5 year old took it and DH sat 2 rows In front of DD who was sat inbetween 2 men, DH was also sat between 2 guys so made no difference where I put her.

I was upset the entire flight and kept asking DH to keep an eye on DD, DH kept rolling his eyes and ignoring me. I felt like a bad mother leaving my child sat there with strangers. I feel embarrassed incase anyone videoed me at the start asking/pleading with people to please swap seats to allow me to sit next to my 2 kids. I only asked about 2 people and they avoided eye contact and ignored me, again I get it.

advice: DH is old fashioned (or should say a complete knob) he won’t share the booking details of flight with me as he’s worried I will mess up the booking, like I’m a stupid child! So I need advice please how can I make sure I am sat next to my kids on flight back home? I will need a booking reference I know which I will have to keep asking him for but the holiday was booked via Expedia and I think that’s what messed up when was trying to check in online 24 hours before. How can I check in if flights were booked with Expedia? I will call them if he doesn’t share booking ref but I doubt they will speak to me due to data protection. Any advice please?

Please be kind and don’t make me feel worse than I feel. Can anyone at least relate with me about how upset I was about DD sat alone? I am a survivor of childhood SA so my feelings might be out of place but I also read a news article literally a few days before flight if a 15 year old girl getting assaulted by a fellow passenger during a flight do these things do happen.

How old is your daughter - I wouldn’t be happy with my 13 year old sat on her own between 2 men, a friends son a few years ago on a transatlantic trip got assaulted by someone sat next to him - because of that I’ve always paid up front for seats together - I wouldn’t risk it.

as for your husband - he’s a prick I’m afraid. Next time you take control of the situation and don’t leave him to do it.

id also have had the same response at the airport.

hugs op

Jello64 · 26/08/2025 17:52

You need to pay for seats when booking. If you leave it until 24 hours before, you are accepting that you will be seated randomly. It’s you and your partner that will need to sort this out.

GoldenGail · 26/08/2025 17:49

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:40

I really don’t mind paying and DH has faults but he definitely wouldn’t skimp on paying extra to sit together all other times we have always sat other this has never happened. I was shocked they would actually sit kids away from parents. I genuinely think it was an error on the computer.

Edited

Why would it be an error? If your husband didn’t check in until 24 hours before the flight the airline didn’t know until then you were coming and almost all the seats would have been allocated. Do you expect them to move people from chosen seats??? 100% blame here lies with your dickhead awful husband

CheshireDing · 26/08/2025 17:46

I remember trying to check in online with a certain Irish airline years ago and because middle child was under a certain age the online check in would not let me check him in. It would let me check the rest of us in though, so I didn't check in on line because it wouldn't include him. We got to the airport, got to the front of the check in queue and they said 'oh you will have to come out of the queue and check all of you in directly with the airline at their desk in the airport'. We did that for the cost of £150 (we had to pay because we hadn't checked in on line). Then we went back to the check in queue to be told we had 'checked in late' so they couldn't guarantee there was enough seats for us and that we would have to ask again at the gate.

So we asked again at the gate, they said we have enough seats but you won't be together.

Once on the plane they did seat us together but the whole thing was so unnecessary and such a performance just because their computer system wouldn't let a young child be checked in on line.

It took about 18 months but the airline refunded us the £150.

If it is a definite error with the booking system I would pay and then chase a refund once you are home OP.

SabrinaThwaite · 26/08/2025 17:39

BuildbyNumbere · 26/08/2025 17:34

You usually pay to sit together when you book the flight, not wait until check in.

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Depends on the airline too - with BA if you don’t pay for seats on booking they may send you special offers to tempt you, and you can go back into your booking to add them. SeatGuru is useful for choosing seats.

BuildbyNumbere · 26/08/2025 17:34

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:43

Sorry I don’t think I’m being clear. We would have been able to choose our seats when we checked in but he couldn’t complete it online. There was an error on the system as it’s booked via 3rd party. He’s done it before and I’ve seen him 24 hours before we check in and choose our seats but this time there was an error which he didn’t tell me about

You usually pay to sit together when you book the flight, not wait until check in.

JTBB33 · 26/08/2025 17:32

Annoyed321 · 25/08/2025 16:40

I really don’t mind paying and DH has faults but he definitely wouldn’t skimp on paying extra to sit together all other times we have always sat other this has never happened. I was shocked they would actually sit kids away from parents. I genuinely think it was an error on the computer.

Edited

It’s not an error. if everyone else paid for their seats there simply is nothing they can do

ruprect2003 · 26/08/2025 16:58

Some airlines will automatically seat you next to children so you dont. For example Tui so I never bother paying. I begrudge it as the price of travel is extortionate anyway. If you check in early there us more chance of you getting seats together but I've never had a problem. I think its a sad indictment of humanity that no one would move seats for you..surely there would be people on thar aircraft who hadnt paid for seats and it wouldn't be that big of a deal to move. Honestly it's everyone out for themselves these days. I like to think I would have moved if asked. I don't really care where I sit if the kids aren't with me.

TicklishMintDuck · 26/08/2025 16:53

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 26/08/2025 10:30

No wonder. You should definitely ask for a refund.

we sat on a plane for 20 mins last year as a dad travelling with his two kids (looked about 8 and 10) hadn’t booked and were sitting separately. They just stood in the aisles saying someone has to swap. Eventually the cabin crew found a single traveller from the passenger list, and asked her to move. She said, well, doesn’t look like I have much choice does it?

I honestly don’t know how people have to cheek to expect others to move for them.

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I travel solo quite often and if I’ve paid for my seat, I wouldn’t want to move. It’s not fair to single out solos!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 26/08/2025 16:47

ParmaVioletTea · 26/08/2025 16:29

But not untypical for Delta ... I try to avoid them in the US, but sometimes one just has to fly through Atlanta.

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I book through Air France/KLM but unfortunately the US leg always ends up being operated by Delta.