Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I effed up our holiday

617 replies

poppysgalore · 15/10/2024 22:53

Flying out tomorrow on easyJet - family of five - first time on easyJet- had no idea we had to book our seats in advance. Just logged in and seen there's only random single seats left. Except for two rows that are near the fire exits so can't be allocated to under 16s. I'm gutted ! What do we do now , my youngest is 7 and the flight is 6 hours long. How could I be so stupid and not know this.

OP posts:
CheeseWisely · 15/10/2024 23:49

Foggytoppy · 15/10/2024 23:47

You need to check in.

I'm surprised at this tbh as Easyjet have always sat us together though, as we have teens, we don't bother prebooking. As others have said it's Ryanair that deliberately split you up and we pay for dc to sit together.

The problem here is as the flights tomorrow the vast majority of passengers have already checked in, so OP's family are left with the dregs of seats not already allocated to someone. Seats on easyJet are allocated as people check in (when not pre-booked).

Rafting2022 · 15/10/2024 23:50

Where does easyJet fly that’s 6 hours away?

Icequeen01 · 15/10/2024 23:52

Just googled and they fly to Egypt.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Flying Holidays
MysticCatLady · 15/10/2024 23:54

For future knowledge OP, easyJet let you check in a month in advance. We've never paid to be seated together, we always click skip seat selection and so far we've always been seated together. The difference is that I set an alarm on my phone to check in exactly 30 days before the flight.

CheeseWisely · 15/10/2024 23:54

Rafting2022 · 15/10/2024 23:50

Where does easyJet fly that’s 6 hours away?

Egypt?

Ivehearditbothways · 15/10/2024 23:55

Why didn’t you check in until today anyway?
Check in opening and the seat situation is all explained when you book.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 15/10/2024 23:58

I think if you say it to Easy jet crew at the desk and again at boarding it should be ok. Anyone that opted for random seating can be moved at the airlines request I would think. You shouldn't ask someone who chose a seat to move and obviously you won't have that info. It's ok to split the adults with one or two children each, you don't need to be all together. Make sure kids backpacks have what they need so there is no drama passing things along between the two groups.

crumblingschools · 16/10/2024 00:02

And remember next to each other can mean across the aisle or different rows either in front or behind

cherrysodas · 16/10/2024 00:05

I hope you have a lovely holiday. Time with family is so precious. Don’t let this one error overshadow the whole trip. Please let us know how tomorrow goes. I’m rooting for you.

BibbityBobbityToo · 16/10/2024 00:07

Take a note of how much it costs to pre-book seats and have the cash with you as people won't move if they paid extra for their seat and you can't pay them for the extra cost.

Happened to me once and when I explained I had paid extra for the seat and would move if they reimbursed me no one in the family had any cash on them.

FannyCann · 16/10/2024 00:08

Easyjet policy states that they will try and sit any children under 12 with or close to a parent.

Is it even legal to sit a child under 12 with strangers? Clearly a safeguarding risk and aside of that not on for people sat next to a random child. I just don't understand these seating policies (apart from being another way to screw money out of people).

Manxexile · 16/10/2024 00:08

poppysgalore · 15/10/2024 23:38

Yes we downloaded the app today and realised we had to book seats . My blood ran cold seeing those single seats 😭 how do people not book if they know ? Especially with kids.

Perhaps they're hoping to sit as far away from their kids as possible?!?!

😉

MissPeaches · 16/10/2024 00:11

poppysgalore · 15/10/2024 23:47

@Onlyonekenobe I think our best memories are ones we've all spent together , the airline is irrelevant ☺️

Says the person who's never flown Easyjet...

Koulibiak · 16/10/2024 00:16

In the nicest possible way, I think you’re worrying too much. I have flown with DCs many many times without being sat with them. The novelty of in flight entertainment/tv shows downloaded on a tablet with headphones/sticker books/lots of treats was all they needed to be happy. They will go along with it if you explain it’s normal and they know where to find you if they need you. But If they see you anxious you may make them anxious too.

Koulibiak · 16/10/2024 00:19

Also if you want to ask people to move, offer them better seats than they currently have (further to the front, aisle/window) and be prepared to pay.

JesusOnAYamaha · 16/10/2024 00:21

Don't worry OP. The flight is a really small part of the holiday and usually the least fun bit of it anyway. Sure the crew will find someone to swap with you. Loads of people don't pay to select seats (I never do, a seat's a seat and if I'm on the plane I know I'm going to get one 🤷‍♀️ ) so airline staff can see from their records who hasn't paid and ask a couple of them to swap. Enjoy your holiday!

Original poster
poppysgalore · 16/10/2024 00:24

I've checked in ! I skipped seat selection because it was giving me random seats and it's given us those random seats anyway... I've managed to find ok seats for the return flight , across the aisles from each other etc. so just need to sort this mess tomorrow hopefully !

OP posts:
meeeeeee1234 · 16/10/2024 00:25

MuggleMe · 15/10/2024 23:18

You've not effed it up ❤️ that would be losing a passport or showing up the day after your flight.

Chances are people will be happy to move, warn your children they may have to start away from you but likely to be seated together. There might be empty seats where people don't arrive.

What a lovely positive message....

ISeriouslyDoubtIt · 16/10/2024 00:25

Ivehearditbothways · 15/10/2024 23:46

Just remember that this is your error, not the other passengers. So, don’t be horrible to people about swapping with you. They’ll have paid for their seats together, or checked in early enough that they could choose seats together. Both of which you had the option to do, and are made very clear more than once when you’re booking.

I absolutely hate it when parents start being rude to others or guilting them or stomping about the plane because people (who paid extra for the seats) won’t swap.

If they don’t want to swap, don’t be rude. You’ll just have to manage.

Exactly this. I wouldn't want to move my chosen seat because someone didn't read all the info given when booking or wanted to save a few quid, I don't care whether their children sit near them or not( and yes I'm a parent and grandparent). If I was to swap I'd expect a better seat and compensation too.

gokartdillydilly · 16/10/2024 00:26

Ahh it's horrible when you eff up on flights. I accidentally put Mr Dillydilly's first name as his shortened version on our booking and he had to get it changed at the gate for a £60 fine fee that worked out to be approx £20 per letter.
If it's any consolation to you, I would willingly swap seats and not expect payment in return. But people can be not so accommodating (especially and understandably) if they've paid in advance. Hope you're not too stressed on your flights.

SpiggingBelgium · 16/10/2024 00:27

Rafting2022 · 15/10/2024 23:50

Where does easyJet fly that’s 6 hours away?

How is that relevant to the thread?

gokartdillydilly · 16/10/2024 00:28

... if I was asked nicely, that is. Any stompiness or petulance from an adult would have me feigning sleep in MY seat

Genevieva · 16/10/2024 00:42

poppysgalore · 15/10/2024 23:28

@notatinydancer I did not see that message ! Im not saying it wasn't there, only that I probably booked it when someone was asking me about homework or dinner or a million other things and I just didn't pay attention. If I had seen it I would definitely have booked the seats.

I feel for you. I hate hide booking websites. I accidentally booked the wrong month once and it cost me £80 per person to adjust the dates online just minutes after completing the transaction. I find the pages are too busy and it is easy to miss what’s going on.

Berlinlover · 16/10/2024 01:00

I always pay for my seats and would never move seats for anyone.

EdithBond · 16/10/2024 01:17

Oh no! Flying’s so different now, with online check-in. Easy mistake to make.

Don’t worry. Worst case scenario, a 7 year old should be fine if they have a device and headphones. Activity books. Bottle of drink and snacks bought before you board. Chewy sweets for take off/landing. An aisle seat will make it easier to get to each other and for them to go to the loo.

But I’m sure it won’t come to that. No doubt the airline staff will do their best to at least sit you in two groups, so no young child is alone or far away: seat in front or behind would be OK. And I’m sure passengers will offer to swap.