Advice needed on plane seating with children for last minute holiday

[Lilo22]

I have been looking at last minute half term holidays for us and our two children (10 and 8), lots of whole countries with no availability as it’s such short notice.
After much looking we found a trip to Menorca from 27-31st May that looked perfect. The holiday is with Jet2 and we booked it last night, 10 days before departure.
I didn’t even give the seating on the flight a second thought, we usually book our holidays ages ahead and choose seats.
As the holiday is only 10 days away we went straight to online check in, looked at the available seats and realised our error. On the flight there we can kind of get seats near each other, e.g me one seat in front of the 8 year old and hubby 2 seats ahead of 10 year old.
However it’s the flight home that is the real problem, when we went to choose the seats the only available ones on the whole plane were single ones, one in row 14, one row 20, one row 24 and one row 33. We had no choice but to choose them.
I cannot sit that far away from 8 year old (he is autistic) 10 year old would be fine I think. Does anyone have any experience of this? I hate the idea of causing fuss on the plane, had a sleepless night last night and almost wishing I hadn’t booked now. Is there anything I can do in advance or just try and speak to staff on the day?

I'd be bringing it up at every opportunity

You didn’t check this BEFORE booking?

I didn’t, I really regret it now. We are usually booking seats when the whole plane is nearly empty, my only excuse is by the time of booking we had spent hours looking for holidays and it just didn’t occur to me.

You can't check before you are actually making the booking.

I don't know what to suggest except email jet2 and ask if there is anyway you can be sat together. Tell them you are happy to pay the fee. Ask them to put notes on the booking etc.

At least you have time to prepare the kids and it isn't a shock on the day if you aren't moved. Tell them it's an adventure. Show them the seat plan. Make sure they have their small bag with whatever will keep them happy in it.

Arrive at the check in early - ask again about being sested together. (Say even if it's just 2 of you). Good luck.

I also would struggle with this and would feel similar to you. You may get lucky and someone is willing to kindly switch with you, especially if you offered to pay or something. Otherwise, if you do still want to go, you may just have to prepare the children for it - 20 and 24 are fairly close still and it isn't a very long flight so perhaps with entertainment and snacks they will be okay. The rows make it seem further, but really it is still pretty near.

Alternatively, could you look at changing the flight back?

They will move you, you can’t be that far away from them as per Jet2’s regulations for under 12s.

Thanks, that is really helpful, I’ll email jet2customer services and explain
Good idea about prepping the kids, I think the 10 year old will be fine with it all, he will have some tech to occupy him, I can load him up with snacks and he is a happy confident young man so able to talk to the staff, follow instructions and find us if needed.
The 8 year old however would struggle with some of that

But don't expect seats next to each other.

Jet2 might be one of the airlines that hold sests back, just in case.

The biggest issue could be half term means lots of families. They cant split another family for yours.

The definition is usually one away in any direction or across the aisle which OP seems ok with.

I’m maybe wildly hoping that some people on the flight have checked in and been assigned a seat, but had not chosen the seat and paid for it specifically, so in theory those people would be able to be rearranged at airport.
Just dreading the idea of being that person on the plane that causes fuss so hoping we can get it sorted before then

Yes definitely fine with that, just that the 8 year old being able to see me or shout to me would be ok

There’s an almost identical thread here which might help. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5529166-jet2-last-minute-booking-no-seats-with-child-any-experience?page=1

Yes but if all those people are families with children too then they won’t be able to be split. I’d go to the airport early and speak to check in staff. Ask about your 8 year old specifically and tell them he’s autistic. They’ll more likely be able to help with 2 seats next to each other than trying to rearrange for all of you.

Here’s my post from the other thread. The captain actually said we are not Ryanair and we will fulfill our legal obligation of children sitting with an adult travelling companion.

We flew with Jet2 over Easter and they moved someone so that a family could sit together. I don’t think he was too happy about it and was very rude to the crew. The captain then made an announcement to say that they do need to do things like this from time to time to ensure children are sat with their family and for passengers to be respectful if they are asked to move. There were then a few more comments from the moved passenger (he had been moved to an aisle extra leg room seat.)
Anyway next thing we know the stairs are back and the passenger is removed (and his partner/wife decided to go too). We were delayed over an hour, but think this shows Jet2 do prioritise children sitting with their parents.

Also to add people were judgemental of the person kicking up a fuss about being moved. No one mentioned the family, in fact it was done so discreetly I’m not sure many knew who they were.

So someone who booked a full price holiday prebooked his seats paid all in advance should get moved for someone who booked a late cheap deal ?

@JustAnUdea

Jet2 might be one of the airlines that hold sests back, just in case

If you mean some airlines might block seats from being reserved prior to check-in to help with reshuffles, then maybe, don't know.

OTOH I don't think many airlines, if any, would keep seats actually unsold so have some handy spares.

They dont appear on the booking charts.

For example we booked a Tui flught the night before, and the four seats, the last four on the plane, were together.

We’ve just done the same! I think they will sort at the gate especially for the really young ones. Some people are happy to swap as they will also be in random seats.

I'd expect an adult to understand. It's a low cost scheduled flight, not first class on Emirates. I'm unbothered about sitting with my partner on a flight, but fully understand parents with kids need to. Tbh I'd rather that than have the OP's DS shout to her during the flight.

Good for you, Captain Hindsight 👍

OP do you use special assistance at the airport for your 8yo? We did a Jet2 package holiday a couple of years ago and the set-up coming back from Palma was excellent. Appreciate it’s a different airport (and we had seats booked together) but our first point of contact was a Jet 2 employee so they might have something similar where you are who might be able to help
if you don’t manage to get it sorted beforehand?

Hopefully they will be able to allocate closer seats at the airport. However, I’d advise you to ensure the children are sitting in front of you and DH rather than behind you. That way you’ll be able to keep an eye on them all the time rather than having to keep turning round.

How do you know any of that was true about the man who was moved? Maybe he also booked a cheap deal, just a little while before the family he was asked to help.

Regardless, he was moved to a better seat. He’s an arse to cause a fuss about helping a child when it actually benefitted him.

Yes, that’s what could happen. They would get the money back though that they paid for pre booking the seats.