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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:
ErrolTheDragon · 27/06/2025 13:13

notimagain · 27/06/2025 12:39

This isn't a case, as some posters seem to think, of an airline or airlines generating their own awkward regulations.

The rule causing the problem for the OP comes from the regulator..(possibly sub para c in the link below).

What does seem to be the problem is the way Easyjet are managing the situation...not great.

https://regulatorylibrary.caa.co.uk/965-2012/Content/AMC%20GM%202/AMC1%20CAT%20OP%20MPA%20165%20Passenger.htm

Edited

They’re very sensible regulations. And I note they start:

The operator should make provisions so that:
^^
ie the onus is clearly on the operator to make sure the exit seats are appropriately occupied. Their allocation of these seats shouldn’t be random; they need to amend their booking system so that they have adequate information for the sake of everyone’s safety.

AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 13:15

Kbroughton · 27/06/2025 12:53

I am going against the grain here - you have specific requirements that mean you cant have just any old seat. So should you not have booked a seat? I always book seats because I have to have my child with me. I also have claustrophobia, so I cant sit in a window or middle seat. Again, I dont expect the airline to know that. And i don't gamble that I will be allocated an aisle seat. I know you are embarrassed, and you shouldn't be, but you do have specific needs that sadly mean that you need to book a seat regardless of how how short or long the flight is. The airline will be able to give you the seat you need, by swapping, but if you want to avoid the embarrassment of that bit, you will have to book.

You haven't grasped the issue. OP does not have specific requirements and is willing to sit in literally any seat on the plane with a seatbelt extender except CAA regulations don't allow her to sit in the emergency exit row if she needs an extender. This is not OP's "special requirement" - it's the CAA's and hence the airline's.

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:17

murasaki · 27/06/2025 13:13

The OP is fine with being moved as long as it's done discreetly. And would prefer it to be sorted in advance, but if that's not possible, then on the plane with dignity intact.

I'm sure the cabin crew have seen it all before.

Edited
Show quote history

The OP is fine with being moved as long as it's done discreetly.

Nowhere has OP said she is fine with being moved discreetly on the plane.

But yes, the cabin crew would be discreet about seating her and they have seen it all before, OP has nothing to be embarrassed about.

onehorserace · 27/06/2025 13:18

I would call again hoping I get someone more helpful and if they can't ask them to speak to their manager. If no joy then discuss at check in desk. If no joy there then it will be up to the cabin crew. I'm sure this isn't the first time this situation has arisen.

TheBig50 · 27/06/2025 13:19

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.

Haha this just reminded me of when I booked DD (then 10) and I extra leg room with Ryanair - the row behind the kitchen galley, so no age limit.

A husband waved bye to his wife and 2 girls a couple of rows back. Settled himself in with a tee hee...

Well it was a 6am flight, I nodded off, woke up and glanced over to DD in middle... She's sparko, mouth wide open. ..dribbling... With her head on this blokes shoulder 🤣🤣

I was Omg I'm so sorry let me move her! He was lovely about it and said no, it serves me right. I looked backed to his wife and his daughters (similar age to mine) and she was cracking up!

But anyway, adults only row 11 will be different - sell it!!

ErrolTheDragon · 27/06/2025 13:19

YouSaidSomething · 27/06/2025 13:07

As far as I understand, people with physical disabilities can't sit on exit rows either. How would the airline handle this situation if OP were disabled? The policy seems to discriminate against age and disability given that it seems only the able-bodied and those in a certain age (and weight) bracket can avail themselves of the free seat allocation.

Yes, the logical conclusion of what some posters are saying is that only people who would be able to use an exit row should be allowed not to book a seat. Confused

AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 13:22

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 27/06/2025 12:52

Would you be such a twat over this if the OP had a broken leg? or a disability that meant she could not sit there? Maybe with a baby on her lap?

Show quote history

Yes, she would, she really would. She's had an empathy bypass. She wrote that comment just three comments below OP's post which stated: "I'm sorry that I have been ill - I didn't want to be and I don't like the side effects of medication but I am incredibly happy to be alive and have the chance to go on holiday with my family which a lot of other people don't." I honestly have no idea how some people can be so vile.

AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 13:24

sonoonetoldyoulifewasgonnabethisway · 27/06/2025 12:56

I would try calling them, they will be more sympathetic over the phone than an online chat. I am really surprised you all got sat together TBH, I think the flight is probably not full so there should be additional seats

OP did call them and spoke to a male operator - which she told us in her opening post.

Genevieva · 27/06/2025 13:25

The algorithm for seat allocation is not sophisticated enough for this. It excludes children from the emergency exit row, but not obese adults. I’m afraid you’ll be moved on the day and will just have to put up with it. Most oriole travel in pairs, so ask if they can move you with your husband. It is one flight. It won’t kill you to be alone.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 27/06/2025 13:26

Insidelaurashed · 27/06/2025 12:35

OP I fly a lot and I promise you, you can just say to the cabin crew 'I wouldn't be able to deal with the door, I tried to ask your call centre to move me but they wouldn't, can you help?' and they will happily move you. You don't need to mention the seatbelt extender. A lot of health conditions, invisible ones, mean you can't sit there any no one will care why, they will just say okay cool, and ask someone else to sit there.

Yes just do this.

Magnoliasunrise · 27/06/2025 13:30

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:08

You are the one having trouble understanding so let’s put into easy bullet points for you:

  • OP doesn’t want to pay to select a seat
  • OP has been put in a seat that she doesn’t think will be appropriate because you can’t sit in that seat in you need a seat extender
  • OP can therefore board the flight and be placed in an appropriate seat by cabin crew where she can use a seatbelt extender
  • OP doesn’t want to do this because she doesn’t want to be moved on the plane

Therefore, back to my point that the airline can’t just accept that OP needs a seat extender and therefore needs to move seats. That’s up to the cabin crew to implement. Otherwise everyone would be asking for a free seat exchange.

Show quote history

Your last bullet point is incorrect. The OP said she is happy to sit anywhere on the plane.

Original poster
BeaLola · 27/06/2025 13:30

Thank you for the genuine replies

I am concerned about leaving it to the actual day of departure because I don't want to cause any delays at all - that would be even more embarrassing - as I'm going to a popular destination in school holiday time I'm thinking it's likely going to be a full flight so staff may be limited as to where they can move me if indeed there is a spare seat - whilst they're trying to sort it it may cause a delay and we could miss take off slot - if there's no space worst case scenario apart from my own upset about being removed from plane everyone on plane would have to wait whilst they also removed my baggage

I do take the point helpfully made that people will ge queuing up to have my extra leg room seat so hopefully that's the case

As to calling EasyJet if anyone has a contact number to get me through to a real person in the right department that would be amazing

I guess in my naivety I thought I would get a cheap plain old seat not one that people long /kill to pay extra for.

Perhaps the belt will be long enough and I'm worrying for nothin - although as I can't get a swimsuit to fit tummy that then doesn't gape from bust area I think I'm grasping at straws

OP posts:
Original poster
BeaLola · 27/06/2025 13:31

• OP doesn’t want to do this because she doesn’t want to be moved on the plane*

I do t mind at all being moved on the plane just really concerned it may not be possible/ will delay everything for everyone else on board (who will then be giving me evil looks)

OP posts:
HarrietBond · 27/06/2025 13:31

ErrolTheDragon · 27/06/2025 13:03

Of course there’s a realistic way of knowing if someone is able to use an exit row or not. Just add a tickbox when you book ‘are you able to use an exit row seat’, followed by a list of the exclusion criteria.

Show quote history

I don’t know if Easyjet do this as I have never paid for a seat with them (yes, I know, I am that awful) but when I was able to choose seats for free on BA and got the exit row it would indeed ask whether there was any reason you wouldn’t be able to sit there, and listed them. There’s no reason why a simple box like that couldn’t be added to the initial booking process to minimise the chances of this happening.

Original poster
BeaLola · 27/06/2025 13:33

It won’t kill you to be alone.
I am not asking for DH to be moved - were flying within Europe it's a short flight (& he will be asleep as soon as we take off)
I am more than happy to sit surrounded by strangers (in fact may even be quite nice for a change)

OP posts:
AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 13:40

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:08

You are the one having trouble understanding so let’s put into easy bullet points for you:

  • OP doesn’t want to pay to select a seat
  • OP has been put in a seat that she doesn’t think will be appropriate because you can’t sit in that seat in you need a seat extender
  • OP can therefore board the flight and be placed in an appropriate seat by cabin crew where she can use a seatbelt extender
  • OP doesn’t want to do this because she doesn’t want to be moved on the plane

Therefore, back to my point that the airline can’t just accept that OP needs a seat extender and therefore needs to move seats. That’s up to the cabin crew to implement. Otherwise everyone would be asking for a free seat exchange.

Show quote history

Ah, now I understand why I didn't understand your argument - because it's fatuous.

  • OP doesn't want to pay for a specific seat because she doesn't care where she sits
  • OP doesn't think the seat she's been allocated is inappropriate and would be happy to sit in it - it's the CAA regulations that preclude this
  • True
  • True

So, your "point" is that people who need a seatbelt extender and don't care where they sit on a plane (as OP doesn't), upon discovering they've been randomly allocated a seat for free that they would have had to pay £30.99 for had they wanted that specific seat (because it's a desirable one with extra legroom), would phone up the airline and pretend they need a seatbelt extender so they could be moved to a less desirable seat? OK then ... 🙄

angsty · 27/06/2025 13:41

@Genevieva what do you mean it won't kill her to be alone? She explained that she doesn't care about that at all.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 27/06/2025 13:45

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.

Edited

This.

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:47

Magnoliasunrise · 27/06/2025 13:30

Your last bullet point is incorrect. The OP said she is happy to sit anywhere on the plane.

Show quote history

Read the OP again, she doesn’t want to be moved on the plane by cabin crew.

sonoonetoldyoulifewasgonnabethisway · 27/06/2025 13:49

@AngelicKaty Spoke to a human over a chat function - I read the OP

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:50

BeaLola · 27/06/2025 13:31

• OP doesn’t want to do this because she doesn’t want to be moved on the plane*

I do t mind at all being moved on the plane just really concerned it may not be possible/ will delay everything for everyone else on board (who will then be giving me evil looks)

You absolutely will be found a seat on the plane.

The terms and conditions on everyone’s tickets say if the staff ask you to move, you have to move.

Just as you’re prepared to move due to the restriction on seat belt extenders in extra leg room seats, someone else will move when cabin crew tell them to.

The staff have said they will sort it, trust them. You won’t cause the flight slot to be missed.

ExpertArchFormat · 27/06/2025 13:54

BeaLola · 27/06/2025 13:30

Thank you for the genuine replies

I am concerned about leaving it to the actual day of departure because I don't want to cause any delays at all - that would be even more embarrassing - as I'm going to a popular destination in school holiday time I'm thinking it's likely going to be a full flight so staff may be limited as to where they can move me if indeed there is a spare seat - whilst they're trying to sort it it may cause a delay and we could miss take off slot - if there's no space worst case scenario apart from my own upset about being removed from plane everyone on plane would have to wait whilst they also removed my baggage

I do take the point helpfully made that people will ge queuing up to have my extra leg room seat so hopefully that's the case

As to calling EasyJet if anyone has a contact number to get me through to a real person in the right department that would be amazing

I guess in my naivety I thought I would get a cheap plain old seat not one that people long /kill to pay extra for.

Perhaps the belt will be long enough and I'm worrying for nothin - although as I can't get a swimsuit to fit tummy that then doesn't gape from bust area I think I'm grasping at straws

This is why you need to remember - this is not you who created the situation. It is not you causing the delay. It is not your problem at all. Easyjet made this mess. Please do not feel embarrassed.

Are you 100% sure you will need the extender? I wear size 22 clothing and am definitely obese but the easyjet seatbelt extended to maximum still does up ok. Especially if it's your tummy that is the problem - its a fat bum and fat thighs that make the most difference to a lap belt.

ForestDad · 27/06/2025 13:55

Hi, if you understandably don't want this to be an issue at boarding, speak to the staff at checkin, they should have the power and ability to sort this for you at no cost. You will then get a boarding pass with an appropriate seat. If the checkin staff won't do it then tell the gate staff/despatcher who have a vested interest in you going on time.

The onboard staff will thank you if they don't have to sort it after boarding but if all else fails they will do it.

nomas · 27/06/2025 13:55

AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 13:40

Ah, now I understand why I didn't understand your argument - because it's fatuous.

  • OP doesn't want to pay for a specific seat because she doesn't care where she sits
  • OP doesn't think the seat she's been allocated is inappropriate and would be happy to sit in it - it's the CAA regulations that preclude this
  • True
  • True

So, your "point" is that people who need a seatbelt extender and don't care where they sit on a plane (as OP doesn't), upon discovering they've been randomly allocated a seat for free that they would have had to pay £30.99 for had they wanted that specific seat (because it's a desirable one with extra legroom), would phone up the airline and pretend they need a seatbelt extender so they could be moved to a less desirable seat? OK then ... 🙄

Show quote history

People do try everything they can to move seats.

The specifics (such as which seat you are allocated), are unimportant, it’s this airline policy, they have to apply it based on the facts they have. Another airline may be more flexible.

For someone who claims to be a frequent flier, you don’t sound very clued up.

AngelicKaty · 27/06/2025 14:00

sonoonetoldyoulifewasgonnabethisway · 27/06/2025 13:49

@AngelicKaty Spoke to a human over a chat function - I read the OP

Edited

She said it was a real person but she didn't say it was on their chat service (although I can see from a more recent post that she's asking if anyone knows a phone for Easyjet so we can infer this. 😊)