AIBU to expect to sit next to my child on a 10 hour flight

[soimpressed]

This year I have booked my first ever package holiday. I booked with what I thought was a good company and the holiday cost a lot of money. I was told I could check in 7 days before the flight and tried to do so but the system wouldn't let me check in. I tried several times with no success. It took 3 emails before the company finally sorted the problem out. When I finally got to check in online I found that I wasn't sitting next to my child. Everyone else has obviously been able to check in and there are no seats left together. My only option is to pay £150 each seat to upgrade. My DS is in tears about having to sit next to strangers. The company are refusing point blank to help. AIBU or do I just need to shell out the £300?

[EBee57]

We travelled with Thomson last year with dd age 15, it was a European flight but we didn't bother paying to sit together as it was a short flight, and at 15 dd wasn't worried. The seats were allocated at the airport and we were given 3 together because we were told it was company policy not to seat children apart from their parents. Go early to the airport, smile (a lot) and have a great time.

[bishboschone]

So are you seated near your child? I can't believe any airline would allow an small child to sit without a known adult near them . My dh travels a lot and as a lone man he isn't allowed to sit near children .

[SnookyPooky]

But one seat in front of the other is considered as 'seats together'. This is why they are not budging, as far as they are concerned, you have seats together.
Also, it is only a CAA guideline that kids are not split from an adult. It is not law.
Almost all airlines work to this model these days, especially the LCCs and charter airlines, not just TOM. I worked in airports for many years and dealt with more complaints from pax about this than any other issue.
It has been discussed many times on MN.

[soimpressed]

I don't think I did anything wrong. I logged in and My booking came up but when I clicked on check in online there was an error message saying I couldn't check in online and would have to check in at the airport. I was only worried because I was also unable to add my API. I wrote to the company but all they did was keep sending the link to the log in page. It took me 3 emails and nearly a week for them to resolve the issue.

[thebody]

if I were you I would prepare ds for the fact that you may be behind him but let's face it you can chat easily.

get there early and explain to the staff.

every possibility the crew will help you sit together or someone will change.

if it's long haul he will probably be enjoying the entertainment and food too much to worry.

[Nomama]

No-one said you did anything wrong. Just that you were overthinking it.

It should be fine. Stop worrying, get there early and see what you get! Stewies do try to be nice and accommodating - it is almost the sum total of the job (according to DCousin, Stewie No1 on 2 airlines, now smile)

[tmae]

I am usually an if you don't pay, you won't necessarily get kind of person with flying (although I know it is just to make money) but in this case it is their fault as their system wouldn't let you book so therefore they should sort it. They are being outrageously bad with customer service.

[soimpressed]

Just read some reviews (knew I should have done that before) and it's clear this company are seriously shit. Never mind I will know better next time.

[DevlinMaccabee]

As I said earlier, I work for Thomson and don't think we're any worse than any other Tour Operator that owns their own airline.

The same would have happened with Thomas Cook, Cosmos and Jet2 etc if you chose not to pay to precook your seats together.

I've also said that you don't have to check in online, in fact I recommend that you don't as you will be stuck with those seats once you've printed your boarding passes out.

Don't write off the holiday, I bet you'll be fine and I'm sure the hotel you've chosen will be lovely. If you PM me booking reference and details then I'll put a note on your booking letting them know you're concerns.

[DevlinMaccabee]

Obviously I mean 'pre-book' and 'your'. Grrr

[purplebaglady]

l haven't read through all your replies so l may be missing something. For what it is worth l have been on many flights now with my children and the check in staff have seated us separately, as at that point they could do nothing. The staff on board the flight always try to seat young children and parents together. My last flight they offered free meals and drinks for the entire flight to anyone who would change seats, this has happened a few times. We always sit together. Small children unsupervised on a plane journey are a hazard. Don't worry, you will be seated next to your children.

[purplebaglady]

Thought l had better add it was Thomson and Easyjet l flew with, the cabin staff have always been wonderful at sorting out seating. l always seem to be the one with no seats. l have found the staff face to face much more helpful than the helplines.

[soimpressed]

I agree that the same would have happened with other operators. I could be wrong but I think Thomson are a little more expensive than some of the companies you mention. I certainly wouldn't expect all this before even setting out on my holiday when I have paid more than 3.5k for one adult and one child.

[missusmrs]

Honestly stop worrying! Happened to me lots with two DS under 5. Getting there early won't do anything, its the staff on the plane that will sort it with other passengers and if like my experience with little or no fuss! Believe me staff or other passengers do not want ' random' kids sitting parentless. Relax, ask for assistance and stay calm and it will all work it self out quickly.

[DevlinMaccabee]

Yes you have paid a lot for your holiday, and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Especially if going on the new Dreamliner.

I must say I am a little surprised that you decided not to pay just £60 more to have avoided all this worry.

[Forgettable]

Devlin that is a very kind offer, what a lovely person you are. Really impressed.

[withextradinosaurs]

Take bribes? Can you take a bottle of wine from the duty free to offer a kind person as a thanks for moving? There have been several threads on here from people disgruntled at being expected to move because they are solo travellers. Wine makes everything better.

[nannynewo]

I don't have much advice about the seating arrangements. But I wanted to add that I have used Thomson for several holidays and must admit they were brilliant. In fact my first time using them was also my first time flying and they were excellent. I have since flown a few times with them and they are just fab, always someone to meet you at the other end so that you are not all lost. And I know that myself and most people I know would give up a seat in order to let you sit with your DC. Don't let this stress you out and spoil your holiday, just relax and all will be fine.

[deakymom]

am i the only one who thinks it pathetic parents need to pay extra to sit by their own children? i mean flights are expensive enough why pay more to sit by your child? i did hear of a airline placing a one year old breastfed baby separated from mom on a long flight no one wanted to move till the baby started to cry then they ALL wanted to move and the hostess was abrupt about it they tried it on the return trip too mom told them she would travel with the child on her lap

im thinking if you book together you stay together? why is this not possible?

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Thomson? Bollox. It's no more seriously shit than any other bloody holiday firm. Grip needed. Or gin.

I've flown numerous times with them. They are ok. Not brill, not bad. Really, it doesn't mean anything to the rest of the holiday. Be a bit narky about the flight but that has no bearing on what you make of your holiday.

[Nomama]

Erm, hopefully yes.

Just because, really. A bum on a seat is a bum in a seat. It doesn't matter what age that bum is! As a parent you have to get that the whole wide world does not stop to provide the perfect solution for you and your precious bundle. Expecting it to leads to disappointments, as the one in the OP, when the solution is not exactly what you want!

And as for separating a 1 year old from its parent/mum, bollocks - Urban Myth or Daily Fail - mum would have HAD to have that 1 year old on her lap or in one of the baby seats that are reserved - even on the cheapy flights.

[DevlinMaccabee]

Thanks Forgettable.

I really will try and help if I can, even if I don't get a PM.

It won't take too long to search all flights to Cancun for a mother and her son travelling alone in the next few days.

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

£3.5k? Depends on what you chose. Doesn't lose or gain sympathy.