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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay for seats?

188 replies

benetint · 05/04/2015 19:56

We've booked to go to Spain tomorrow with Dh, Ds (2) and Dd (5) to see my Dad.

Monarch charge £8 per seat to book in advance, which on top of the cost of the trip is a bit much for us. (£72 extra both ways)

Do you think there's any way we could be separated from each other if we don't buy allocated seats? Or would monarch not let that happen? Do they give priority to young children? As long as one of us is with dd and one is with ds I'll be happy.

Or do you think I'm being right risking it

OP posts:
Original poster
benetint · 05/04/2015 19:57

*tight risking it

OP posts:
yeahokthen · 05/04/2015 19:59

I'm sure they'll at least sit one DC per adult but you might not all be together.
I'd risk it.

BitchBags · 05/04/2015 19:59

Yep you will probably be separated although they usually will seat the children with an adult so you could each be sat with one dc each. If you want to be sat together you will need to pay for that peace of mind.
I completely understand how you feel op but just to warn you these threads font usually go too well on here.

paxtecum · 05/04/2015 20:00

Benetint, you will get loads of very nasty comments on here.

I would happily swop with you but loads of people will refuse to.

The advice usually is to get to the airport really, really early and be at the beginning of the check in queue.

Good luck.

Mumster786 · 05/04/2015 20:00

I think you will be fine. I am sure nobody wants to sit next to a 2 or 5 year old who isnt with a parent so worst case scenario you might have to swap seats.

Littleturkish · 05/04/2015 20:02

Don't rely on swapping seats! Just pay it.

PHANTOMnamechanger · 05/04/2015 20:02

but if others have bought the allocated seats, how could the airline accommodate you in anything but whatever seats are left available, except by making other people move from their booked seats, that they have paid for? I think you need to factor this into your budget TBH!

Disclaimer - I don't fly so don't know really!

Spotifymuse · 05/04/2015 20:03

I wouldn't swap because I pay for seats to ensure I'm beside my kids. I've witnessed a family hold up a flight because only one parent could sit with both children and that wasn't acceptable to them apparently.
Just pay for the seats and save yourselves and everyone else the stress.

emotionsecho · 05/04/2015 20:03

Do Monarch do on line check in like Ryanair and at that point allocate you a seat if you haven't chosen and paid for one in advance?

JeanSeberg · 05/04/2015 20:05

£64 not £72 but I'd risk it and make sure I was one of the first on. Easily done.

diggingforvictory · 05/04/2015 20:07

I did this once. Never again. We got to the airport there really early only to find that almost all the seats had been prebooked. We ended up with Dh and Dd sat together near the back, and me and 4 year old Ds at the front with seats across the aisle. It was awful.

HookedOnHooking · 05/04/2015 20:07

Sorry. I wouldn't swap as I pay extra to sit with my family. I think you are being incredibly selfish and stingy expecting others to give up seats for you.

Islanegra · 05/04/2015 20:09

Just pay it. Smile

sparklingsea · 05/04/2015 20:09

I fly frequently with my children and never pre book seats and never had a problem. It is just me and two children and I was under the impression that children must be accompanied therefore they can't separate a child from a parent? I do try and check in online where possible. Enjoy your trip!

Original poster
benetint · 05/04/2015 20:10

Thanks for your messages everyone. I think I'll pre book the seats tonight then.

I wouldn't expect anyone to swap with us, I was more thinking if we got there early we'd have more choice.

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 05/04/2015 20:12

They will shot children with an adult. Don't book seats. No one should be asked to swap seats with you, they will allocate them automatically when you book (though won't tell you this in the hope that you'll shell out for pre booked seats.

NotOnMyWatchOhNo · 05/04/2015 20:13

I never pay the extra rip off charge and have always been sat with my dd age 3 and now age 8. You might not all 4 be sat together but Im sure they'll sit one dc with each adult. Btw I've never asked to sit with my dd they just automatically did it at check in.

PtolemysNeedle · 05/04/2015 20:13

I wouldn't risk it in the school holidays when there's likely to be a lot of children, especially to a popular destination like Spain. I think if it came to it they'd try not to separate you from a two year old, but a five tear old could well end up alone. It does happen.

ProudAS · 05/04/2015 20:21

Can you check in online?

I read a thread on here where the OP had severe anxiety, carefully selected and reserved the seat where she would feel least anxious, got booted out so that two children could sit with their mum and suffered a panic attack as a result.

I suggest you pre-book. I've heard stories of Monarch messing up but you will have more of a leg to stand on if you have booked.

itsmeitscathy · 05/04/2015 20:21

I wouldn't swap with you - if you want to sit together, pay for it. Otherwise take your chances but don't rely on others who have paid/got there first to move for you just because they don't have kids.

vez123 · 05/04/2015 20:26

I have flown on a budget airline with my 4 year old and baby without reserving seats. When we came to the checkin they were only able to give us seats in two rows, not next to one another. Luckily we were able to swap seats with another passenger but the airline had us sort this out ourselves, rather than doing it for us. I wouldn't risk it but I have to say 8 pounds per seat is very cheeky !

TenerifeSea · 05/04/2015 20:28

I know you've said you'll book, OP but be aware that people don't read and you'll still get a flamed arse.

Airlines will usually always allocate seats "with" your child. However, this does not mean next to your child and you may be an aisle away or behind them. I have, however, heard of incidences when parents and children have been properly separated which is horrible for all involved.

MidniteScribbler · 05/04/2015 20:29

I would pay top rebook, so therefore refuse to swap for you. If you book a budget airline, then you need to budget for their little extras.

intlmanofmystery · 05/04/2015 20:32

Just pay it. We took a similar approach with Alitalia a few years ago and all 4 of us were given seats all over the aircraft (kids 5 and 2 at the time). When we explained that the children were young the staff just shrugged and said not their problem. Much negotiation (in very broken Italian) on the plane got us 2 + 2 but now I always pay even though it pisses me off enormously

Coconutty · 05/04/2015 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.