I effed up our holiday

[poppysgalore]

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.

I can see why that would make sense when it comes to using the emergency exits.

How likely is it to happen?

Ask Airbus! 🫢

@YellowphantGrey @StarlightLady

You need to open the image links within this link to see the idea.

https://www.recaro-as.com/en/press/press-releases/details/recaro-aircraft-seating-unveils-new-seating-solution-to-increase-cabin-efficiency-on-airbus-aircraft.html#:~:text=The%20first%2Dof%2Dits%2Dkind%20overwing%20exit%20seat%2C,EASA%20%26%20FAA%20requirement%20for%20passeway.&text=The%20X%2DTend%20Seat%20targets,configurations%20for%20narrowbody%20Airbus%20aircraft.

My point was that had the couple checked in before our group, Ryanair could have say them together because two seats would have been free next to each other. Same if we had checked in first.

I fully accept there is a good chance parties may be split if they don't pay for allocated seats. Why I object to is an airline deliberately splitting groups up when seats are available next to each other at the point they check in.

Not sure how that constitutes wanting something for free?

I refuse to pay for seats

Because at some point there won't always be free seats in a row or even together but you will expect to people to move to accommodate you

I absolutely do not expect anyone to move for me.

Run along now.

I'm sorry but where do these 'upgraded' passengers go on a Ryanair flight?
Are they in the cockpit with the pilot? Ryanair is a low cost budget airline and they don't generally do upgraded seats. They would probably want to do away with seats altogether except the FAA demands for safety reasons that passengers are seated during a flight and not standing around like you might see on a bus for example.

They were moved to the Over 16's seats, which is generally the emergency exit row - and if I had specifically paid NOT to sit in those seats, I'd be very pissed off if because of someone else not booking their seats, I was forced to move to them. I don't want the extra responsibility of sitting in them.

The emergency exit seats have more legroom. I expect they cost more to book which is why they were still available. The moved passengers benefitted from extra space (and the added safety bonus of being first out of the plane if an emergency occurred).

There's no extra responsibility being in those seats, they just want the people in them to be adults so they can get themselves out of the plan independently and fast if there was the need.

Ref emergency exit row seats and:

There's no extra responsibility being in those seats, they just want the people in them to be adults so they can get themselves out of the plan independently and fast if there was the need.

I’m being a tad pedantic I know but there actually is a bit of genuine extra responsibility.

If the exits involved are the standard 737 overwing self help ones the passenger adjacent to the window very much has the responsibility for opening the exit in an emergency. Also as Ryanair themselves point out they “may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation.”

At at least some airlines the above used to be pointed out to overwing exit row passengers after the main safety brief and on a couple of occasions (not at Ryanair) I’ve seen passengers decline to a move into those rows because they don’t feel up to performing those tasks in the highly unlikely event they would actually need to.

help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12892330000913-Can-anyone-sit-in-an-emergency-exit-row

Jet2 Easyjet and RyanAir have always spoken to me when sat there to ask if I'm comfortable to assist in an emergency.

It happens on the last row aisle seat too

It’s when you are next to a loo and they ask you to assist in the toilet you really worry 😀.

Went on a Ryanair flight recently and as part of the safety announcement they ask those sitting near exits to make themselves aware of opening exit procedures during an emergency - make es total sense as cabin crew might not be able to assist and try getting to every exit uf passengers are anxious to vacate.

Sad for OP us tget genuinely didn't know about paying for seats, but it's been a thing for quite a few years. We pay for seats together as its the start of our holiday together, also I get travel sick if I'm too far back, so no way would I be moving.

How is it beating the system? I don’t pay because I don’t mind where I sit, this means if I’m asked to move/swap I’m likely to agree. That’s lucky for the people that get to sit next to each other by swapping but it no way guaranteed. You pay if you want it guaranteed.

Then it doesn't apply to you does it? It's people who refuse to pay because they are happy to insist other people to accommodate them, despite whether those other people have paid and then they crow about how pointless it is to pay because they are happy to pressure people into moving, regardless of whether people have paid or not

Children can fly unaccompanied from the age of 5, on some airlines. Lots of children under 12 get a bus on their own?

I agree.
I’ve been allocated those seats twice and been reminded of the associated responsibilities by the cabin crew. The laminated onboard safety instructions include the information, too. Yes, I always read them and watch the drill, every single flight. The first occasion was check-in at the airport - they must have thought I looked capable 😳 - and the second was random seat selection online check-in. It’s a big responsibility and I know I would have risen to the occasion - no matter how worried or frightened I may feel, I am able to rationalise, jump into action yet appear calm and collected when necessary - but I was so relieved when the plane landed, more so on the the second flight, as it was a very bumpy flight indeed. On each flight, I found myself checking out ‘the terrain’ in my vicinity - where elderly and children, the more vulnerable - and those who were enjoying several inflight drinks, were sat - I was casing the joint in readiness! I wouldn’t want those seats again, to be honest. I think I’ve fulfilled my duties to mankind in that respect!

I am settled. I bought 36 bags at a little tesco.

Haha lol wrong thread