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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not book reserved flight seats for us and the kids?

731 replies

LittlePudding1 · 18/06/2013 16:47

Hi, I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old and was under the impression that even if we weren't all sat together together on a plane they would sit me with 1dc and dh with the other but a couple of people have told me they can sit you anywhere. Surely they wouldn't sit a 3 year old away from a parent and next to a random stranger, would they?

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 18/06/2013 22:24

On a tube or bus you wouldn't have been rooked of an extra £60+ for the myth that you could choose your own seat, nicetabard.

ophelia275 · 18/06/2013 22:24

Sorry but I think this is selfish, irresponsible and tight. Why should someone else who has paid to reserve their seats have to move because you don't want to pay out a bit extra and make a fuss? I also think it is unfair on your children to potentially put them through the stress of possibly having to sit apart from you. On Easyjet it cost £3 to prebook a seat (just done it), so hardly a fortune for peace of mind.

twilight3 · 18/06/2013 22:28

that's beyond the point ophelia.

LtEveDallas · 18/06/2013 22:34

Its not just cheap airlines. After paying £3.5k for a holiday it grips my shit to have to pay another £75 to sit next to my family, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take.

I was separated from DH on our flight to Cuba (pre-DC). It was a horrible flight and I spent the full 12 hours in a state of near panic. The thought of the flight home ruined the last few days of our holiday. In the end we paid a 'bribe' to the guy on the check-in desk to seat us together.

That was 10 years ago and I'm afraid I've paid ever since. If I wasn't a shite flyer maybe I wouldn't care, but I am so it's up to me to 'manage' the risk. I cannot expect other to do that for me, it is my choice.

Suzieismyname · 18/06/2013 22:38

Another one agreeing with Nice. Mind boggling...

I wouldn't move if I was travelling with my DDs (2 and 4) but would if I was travelling alone or just with adults.

itchychin · 18/06/2013 22:42

I was on a flight once which was delayed as a couple wanted to be seated together (Emirates or BA from Dubai to London). There was a resigned announcement from the pilot to the effect that "a couple in business really want to sit next to each other" cue lots of 'aahhs' " so we are asking for one person in economy to be upgraded to business so they can sit in economy together" after a short pause "or they are threatening to refuse to fly and we will have to identify their luggage and remove it from the plane which will result in a lengthy delay". I think there were slow hand claps and boos as they relocated into economy!

Not suggesting this as an option btw. Just adding my story!

SuperiorCat · 18/06/2013 22:46

Kilmuir I agree, unfortunately there are only cheap airlines that fly where we want to go as they priced the likes of BA out, who didn't charge extra for a meal, hold luggage, pre-booked seats etc etc.

If you go with a low cost carrier you do get what you pay for...hopefully.

LtEveDallas · 18/06/2013 22:46

Oh and twilight, the Families Flying Together Act hasnt been passed yet. There is a US senator trying to get it passed, but it is not legislation anywhere is the world - yet. Great if it happens, but the airlines have no legal requirement to follow. Their own policies (across the board) are that it is a 'nicety' or 'best practice' but they cannot be forced to comply.

Whilst all airlines are cutting services and saving money wherever the can, I cannot see them giving up this moneyspinner without a fight.

impecuniousmarmoset · 18/06/2013 22:47

To those who say 'I wouldn't move, it's your problem you didnt pay extra'. Surely if you are sitting next to my unaccompanied two-year-old, he rather becomes YOUR problem?! If I were you, I'd certainly not want to hear him screaming for three hours, eating your food and smelling of poo, because I wasn't around to change his nappy? If I encountered someone who refused to move, I'd say 'ah fine, I'll have a peaceful read of my book over here then'. I reckon it would take them about 40 seconds to change their minds...

EmmelineGoulden · 18/06/2013 22:49

I think airlines should be legally obliged to seat young children next to the responsible adult they are flying with.

I would (and have) move seats for a party where children were separated from their parents providing it wouldn't separate me from mine. I'd also do this for honeymooners. Though it's happened rarely and if it was every flight I'd probably stop.

I think people talking about the economics are missing the fact that this didn't come about because of airlines trying to make people pay to stay together, it came about because of airlines getting people to pay for aisle, window and extra legroom seats, which flyers consider premium. In many ways I kind of agree with this. The middle seat sucks and getting that seat for less than other people are paying does seem fair to me, perhaps instead of allowing airlines to charge for the premium they should make them give out as a cash bonus to those stuck in the middle once you board.

NiceTabard · 18/06/2013 22:49

flogging and ophelia you both illustrate my point very nicely.

Floggingmolly · 18/06/2013 22:54

I woudn't actually refuse to move if there was a two year old involved, NiceTabard, but I wouldn't be remotely happy about it. Why should I be?

TheDoctrineOfAllan · 18/06/2013 22:59

OP:

Which airline?
Will you be able to check in online both on the way out and on the way back?

GColdtimer · 18/06/2013 23:03

Am absolutely amazed at the amount of people who wouldn't move so a toddler or young child could sit next to their parent.

Concreteblonde · 18/06/2013 23:05

Am flying with Thomson in a weeks time and although it boils my pee to have to pay for allocated seats I have done so. I have actually just checked the seat planner thingy and see that there are quite a few random seats not yet reserved. Will I move to accomodate someone elses family ? Erm no Hmm
It is shit that airlines can be so exploitative but that's life.

Alisvolatpropiis · 18/06/2013 23:07

I would move,but if the airline had made reserving seats an option I'd be annoyed about it.

If the airline didn't then I'd just move.

It's the entitled attitude of "I won't take advantage of the option because I have to pay but damn well expect somebody who may well have paid" to move I don't like.

GColdtimer · 18/06/2013 23:08

Concrete, I can understand that if you have young children. If you don't and wouldn't move so a scared toddler could sit with their parent then I think that is awful.

Original poster
LittlePudding1 · 18/06/2013 23:11

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think it might be best for me to prebook. As tempting as the idea is to be sitting on my own reading my book, realistically it is not an option as I think it would be a nightmare for the kids if they were sat on their own!

Am flying with Thomson.

OP posts:
Concreteblonde · 18/06/2013 23:13

My children are still young enough to need to be seated beside me. So I pay for them to be able to do so. If you care so much about YOUR 2 year old, then it would be 'awful' if you risked them being scared because your massive sense on entitlement means that you refuse to ensure they remained close by you.

RikeBider · 18/06/2013 23:14

Obviously if you are already seated with your children no one would expect you to move.

But I am surprised that adult parties would rather look after a random child on a flight than swap with the child's parent.

NiceTabard · 18/06/2013 23:15

No the AIRLINES should ensure that small children are seated with an adult they know as that makes sense from a logistical, safety and customer satisfaction POV.

The reason they do not is to create anxiety so as to generate funds.

Amazed that anyone is defending this.

NiceTabard · 18/06/2013 23:17

RikeBider they wouldn't necessarily look after the child, even in emergency situation, as per previous posts.

And they shouldn't be expected to.

Which is why I am surprised that the low cost airlines follow this line, even though it makes them money, come the first emergency they're gonna be fucked.

RikeBider · 18/06/2013 23:21

Unless you could literally just blank a small child, you'd end up doing some looking after/being disturbed. Things like seatbelts, retrieving dropped items, opening food packets, getting assistance if the child is sick or needs the toilet.

GColdtimer · 18/06/2013 23:22

But you are assuming that the person who didn't pre book had a massive sense of entitlement. A poster earlier said she didn't know/understand. What if you booked late and there were no seats together. Don't just presume that the 2 year old us on their own because the parents had a sense of entitlement.

And why are you saying "your 2 year old". I don't fly with my dcs yet because I travel a lot with work and see the pretty abysmal "me,me,me" way most people behave on flights and cannot be doing with the stress. I have often moved for families who are always really grateful.

BlueSkySunnyDay · 18/06/2013 23:26

Am absolutely amazed at the amount of people who wouldn't move so a toddler or young child could sit next to their parent. That will be because we care enough to pay to sit near ours - feel free to judge me, I am judging you for caring more about making a point to the airlines than for your small child's wellbeing

I agree with Ophelia "I also think it is unfair on your children to potentially put them through the stress of possibly having to sit apart from you"

I don't think a child under 4 would be seated separately from its parent but if it were next to me (nervous flier) I will have my headphones on with eyes shut, thinking calm thoughts so I wont notice (the children nudge me if they need me to rummage in my bag for their stuff)

Of course I will accept the £8.50 in cash from you if you are desperate and H doesn't mind dealing with the children on their own.