Easyjet - Upset re seat allocation

[BeaLola]

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 :-(

The cabin crew are much better trained in safety regulations and practices than the admin people. They actually are the best people to handle the situation.

12.34 OP said "I would willingly sit in any seat that doesn't have any restrictions"

Thank you for everyones help.

Im not going to look at anymore posts today as Im upset about whats happened - Im not usually so emotional but I was really excited about going away and checking in felt one step nearer until I came across this issue - I do have some health issues and this just upset me and made my cry - just felt like I was trying to be helpful in identifying issue now but Easyjet treated me like I was trying to get a better more expensive seat for free which I absolutely wasn't trying to do.

I guess I ned to diet before next holidyay, hope my medication changes and lets be frank just be glad Im well enough to go away - a problem lots would like to have

@HotCrossBunplease @murasaki I don't know why I'm surprised by shit customer service these days, but it really is astonishing, isn't it? You'd think they'd jump at the chance to take back an extra legroom seat they could then charge someone £30.99 for.

We were discussing the opening post. In the OP at 11.10am, she said “He then says staff will sort it when I board ... Im not happy with last suggestion”

Call back at a different time and tell them you are disabled AND pregnant!. They can't see you and can't challenge it and since it is against their regulations they are more likely to move you without fuss.

If you get hung up again then just wait to you can speak to cabin crew discreetly when you board. Honestly it won't be a problem, especially of DH is prepared to move to and a couple can replace you both. Happens all the time.

Also I'd go onto X/Twitter or their website and report this as it's clearly a problem they don't have decent customer service to sort out their own mistake and you can't be the first person caught by this. Surprising how quick things get actioned when stuff goes public. Or write to the CEO.

I'm really sorry OP, it's terribly poor customer service. 😔

Ime it’s really common for people who don’t choose specific seats to be allocated the exit row. I guess they are more expensive so people don’t choose them so much. My youngest ds has had it about 4 times and been moved as he is too young to open the emergency door. Dd1 has been moved for extreme shortness and randomly dh was almost moved alongside an absolute stranger (who was either too small or too young) if the same ethnic group as the staff made an assumption that he was her dad and they had paid to sit together. They are always moving exit row people.

I'm sorry this is making you feel like this, OP. If you are still reading, many of us on this thread share your frustration.

If it helps at all, I had to try to resolve what appeared to be an admin error with KLM before flying with them earlier this year. I spent hours on chats with customer service people, getting nowhere - at one point they were trying to charge me for their error. I was so stressed. In the end, it was all resolved within seconds at baggage check with zero fuss. I'm absolutely sure if you make contact with a member of ground staff at check in they will get this sorted for you quickly, without any worry that you'll cause an issue at boarding.

I wouldn't be too sure about that ....... Whilst the staff certainly would not do this, I witnessed a situation with similarities and the resulting commotion was "awkward" So I completely get why the OP is trying to get things resolved before she gets on board.

OP, they'll just move you.
I often purchase an exit row seat. Though because they are more expensive they are often the last to sell and people are randomly allocated to them.

In March I was on a flight to Madrid and a larger man came to sit in the exit row, he needed a seatbelt extender. The flight attendant just said unfortunately he couldn't it there due to needing a seatbelt extender. They moved him and 2 minutes later someone else came along who had obviously agreed to swap.

It won't be a problem. You can mention it at the check in desk or at the gate.

They ask you if you're comfortable with being on the exit row. Just say you're not and someone will glad swap with you for the extra legroom.
Just relax and look forward to your holiday.
We flew on the exit row when my son was just 16 - he'd been waiting patiently to sit there. The cabin crew did ask his age.
I've also been on flights where the exit row was entirely empty so they just ask people sat around that row who is willing to sit there.

OP you're making a mountain out of a molehill. If indeed you cannot have a belt extender in that seat, all that will happen is the staff will make you switch with someone on the day. Really no big deal. Maybe you feel emotional about the extra weight but don't let that get to you so much.

I'm aware of that 😉..but the lack of apparent effort doesn't really help the CC out on the day, especially if they are struggling with slots etc.

I suspect what's happened is the OPs request is slightly unusual, off script and no-one in the call centre is willing to sanction a seat change without payment.

I don't think I've ever found myself in the emergency exit row, but I've certainly overheard, many times, the cabin crew asking those in that row "are you happy to operate the door in the event of an emergency" (or words to that effect), so swapping passengers around must be entirely normal, given that someone must occasionally say "No". Nothing else needs to be considered.

They sort it very discretely in advanced once boarded - had this while pregnant

That is bullshit! They are wrong on so many levels.

For a start there should be something on their booking form to make it known if you are using and extender. That way they could automatically allocate you a different seat.

Also, to make you wait till you get on the plane is awful. You should take this up with their management.

if you don’t get any joy and want to start a petition about they way they treat larger people I will gladly sign it.

Oh? I take back my rant then!

As soon as the row is seated and the aisle is clear enough an attendant comes up asks if there is anyone unable/ not confident to be there, before explaining what to do, if you have a reason they'll quietly ask the closest rows. This is all done before belt checks and while everyone else is getting seated / organised

Yes, just do this

I would wait and see, perhaps the plane allocated to your journey isn't one with emergency exit on row 11.

Sorry you’re feeling upset @BeaLola , you’ve clearly been having a rough time of it recently with your health.

The easyJet website says they will move anyone in this situation on board. This is a screenshot from their website about restricted seats. If you look at the bottom they quite clearly say they will move you so there really shouldn’t be a problem.

They asked DS1 to move to an exit row seat when he flew with Whizz air to make way for someone who wasn’t able to sit there. He was absolutely over the moon.

I’m so sorry Easy Jet are being so awkward about it at this stage, though. Don’t let it ruin the run up to your holiday. 💐

Not a bad shout to be honest, they should do that.

It’d make everyone’s life a bit easier. Of course the cabin crew would still need to check, someone might have hurt themself after booking etc.