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Original poster

Easyjet - Upset re seat allocation

215 replies

BeaLola · 27/06/2025 11:10

Ok - I'm adding my big girl pants (literally) as I can appreciate not everyone will agree with me (this is fine) but please accept that Im embarrassed and upset about this....

So today I check in online for our holiday - thare are 4 adults going inc me &DH. I do not want to pay extra for extra leg rooms seats or to sit somewhere specific or even all together as we are not bothered - its a short flight - I ignore those options & let them alloacte me seats - the allocation I dont see until I checked the boarding passes - I have been allocated a seat in row 11. I checked on the website to see where seat is & the info blurb basically says you can't sit in that row if you need a seat belt extender which I will (I am larger but can fit seat just have a large stomach). I try to change seats but cannot as checked in so i go to the chat function.

The agent (real person) basically says I can move but I have to pay extra £ for a suitable seat. I say I dont want to pay any additional £ but he advises as its my choice I have to if I want to move - I do point out that the seat was randomly allocated to me and I happy to sit in that row but the regulatioons on the website wont allow me to. He says my only option is to pay. His other suggestion is that I swap with one of the other 3 in the party - but they are also in row 11. He then says staff will sort it when I board ... Im not happy with last suggestion because for one what if there isnt a spare seat & also its embarrasing & could delay tinhgs trying to switch nce on plane. Feel really upset :-(

OP posts:
countrygirl99 · 27/06/2025 11:15

Are you all on row 11? If not just swap with one of the others on your party.

IndigoBluey · 27/06/2025 11:17

i was going to suggest just swapping with one of the other three but if they are also in row 11 would that work if the extenders are not allowed in that row?

CRbear · 27/06/2025 11:18

The air hosts will have to sort it out. They can’t kick you off the plane. Just be confident and assertive.

lifeisacat · 27/06/2025 11:20

Just speak to staff in the day, they will sort it

AlohaRose · 27/06/2025 11:21

You have ended up in an exit row hence the prohibition on extenders. It's a bit bizarre because that is usually one of the rows with an extra charge. I think you'll just have to try and sort it at the airport from a check-in desk. Allow extra time. If their regulations stay that you can't have an extender in that row then they will have to sort it out.

Original poster
BeaLola · 27/06/2025 11:26

Thank you - no you cant sit anywhere in row 11 (& a few other places on plane if you need a seat extender) - all of us allocated to row 11.

I was only asking to move myself, not the other 3 people. It never occurred to me that randomly we would get this row as according to the seat diagram on website you pay a lot more for this row.

I was tryingto resolve a problem before I get on the plane - as soon as I ask for seat extender belt they will ask me to move bt I m worried it could be a full flight & then what be embarrased as they go around asking people to swap with me ?

OP posts:
HarrietBond · 27/06/2025 11:28

Someone will bite your hand off for a free exit row seat, and if one of your party swaps too, for a pair of seats, you’ll be able to run an auction. Don’t worry.

pengwing · 27/06/2025 11:28

thus is the danger when you don’t pay to choose your seats.

You either leave it til the day where they will potentially have to ask other passengers to move for you. Or you pay to perhaps move two of you to another row.

ExpertArchFormat · 27/06/2025 11:30

Not your problem. Don't pay a penny. Tell the onboard crew that you don't care where you sit or who with, but the seat allocation randomly gave you a seat that it's against regulations for you to use so it's up to them to sort out where you can sit, and you'll be happy to go anywhere they tell you to. While they are sorting it out just repeat that you don't care where you sit or who with and it's up to the airline to sort out where you sit.

Sounds to me like the airline has overpriced those seats. If everyone else on the flight booked chosen seats and no one chose the row that has restrictions as to who can sit there, they need to price row 11 cheaper to make it more attractive to the people who do meet the criteria. If there are other seats still available at the point when people are allowed to start checking in without having paid to choose their seats, the system needs to include some basic questions to check that someone meets the critera to be allowed to sit in restricted seats before assigning them. Either of these solutions will cost the airline money to implement so do not let them weasel out of resolving it - they will only bother to have more sensible policies in future if the solutions are 100% their problem to fix.

The important thing is to remember this is not your fault, not a situation of your making and you have no cause for embarrassment. If they have to ask people to swap that's because of their cockup. Not yours.

wrackmybrain · 27/06/2025 11:30

HarrietBond · 27/06/2025 11:28

Someone will bite your hand off for a free exit row seat, and if one of your party swaps too, for a pair of seats, you’ll be able to run an auction. Don’t worry.

This, definitely!

AnSolas · 27/06/2025 11:33

If its a seat with extra leg room there will always be people will jump at the chance.

I would say it to who ever is checking the pass and ID at the door of the plane rather than going to the seat. That way you can stand to one side and get the staff to find you a seat swap as everyone is getting seated.

minnienono · 27/06/2025 11:34

They will swop you, happens all the time

Flossflower · 27/06/2025 11:35

You are in an exit row and believe me many people on the plane will offer to swap with you because of the extra legroom.

murasaki · 27/06/2025 11:36

You've got a prime piece of real estate there. Swapping won't be a problem, I'd jump at the chance.

mysecretshame · 27/06/2025 11:36

Ryanair almost always allocate my 15 year old that row, where you have to be over 16/18 - despite the fact that two adults are travelling with him and never get that row!
DH always swaps, he loves that row, but the first time it happened, he sat down unknowingly and the stewards sorted it out (as we were enjoying the random allocation of being about 4 miles away from him and each other).

Isobel201 · 27/06/2025 11:37

I'd try it first, you might find the normal belt fits you anyway.

camrose · 27/06/2025 11:39

You may also find that you don’t need an extender anyway - I find it varies between different aircraft.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/06/2025 11:39

How idiotic for them not to ask upfront if anyone has issues which preclude them from having an exit row seat. It’s their fault entirely, you certainly shouldn’t have to pay extra.

GuevarasBeret · 27/06/2025 11:39

BeaLola · 27/06/2025 11:26

Thank you - no you cant sit anywhere in row 11 (& a few other places on plane if you need a seat extender) - all of us allocated to row 11.

I was only asking to move myself, not the other 3 people. It never occurred to me that randomly we would get this row as according to the seat diagram on website you pay a lot more for this row.

I was tryingto resolve a problem before I get on the plane - as soon as I ask for seat extender belt they will ask me to move bt I m worried it could be a full flight & then what be embarrased as they go around asking people to swap with me ?

You can check whether the flight is full by starting the purchase a ticket process.

Cocomelonhauntsme · 27/06/2025 11:40

Also, I don't think you'll have a problem as it sounds like you are on an extra leg room exit row. People mind if they are asked to swap for a worse seat (aisle to middle, front of the plane to back) they rarely mind if they get a better seat.

Userengage · 27/06/2025 11:46

When you ask for a seatbelt extender they will swap out with some other exceptionally willing passenger.
They’re not going to holler down the plane “OH YOU’RE TOO BIG FOR THIS ROW LADY, WOULD SOMEONE SMALLER LIKE THIS SEAT?”

notimagain · 27/06/2025 11:48

CRbear · 27/06/2025 11:18

The air hosts will have to sort it out. They can’t kick you off the plane. Just be confident and assertive.

I'd honestly be a bit wary about that line of thinking and really digging the heels in because at the end of the day they can kick you off....

Hopefully however it will solved with a voluntary seop....

Wheech · 27/06/2025 11:54

Userengage · 27/06/2025 11:46

When you ask for a seatbelt extender they will swap out with some other exceptionally willing passenger.
They’re not going to holler down the plane “OH YOU’RE TOO BIG FOR THIS ROW LADY, WOULD SOMEONE SMALLER LIKE THIS SEAT?”

Agreed and people will assume you're not keen to sit in an exit row. In fact you could simply say you don't feel you'll be able to operate the exit door if there was an emergency. They always ask. I always go for exit rows if I can and got booted off one for being pregnant once, they don't take chances.

Bobnobob · 27/06/2025 11:57

Well you either pay or turn up and they will have to sort it for you. Seems fine by the airline. Depends on if you will feel anxious and embarrassed having to talk about needing a seatbelt extension… don’t be. Everyone can see your size, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Own it.

Mrsttcno1 · 27/06/2025 12:00

If you want a specific seat you pay for it.