Getting Seats Together on a Flight

I really enjoy the posts in the Air Travel Forum that I receive from readers of the site, particularly when it's something I can answer! Getting seats together on a flight is of particular concern to those traveling with infants; with someone requiring special assistance; or with a child/children.

A recent post in the Air Travel Forum reminded me of this, and I thought it a good question to blog, as it is something I encounter a lot at the airport.

Poster mcros wrote the following: "Anyway, my 6 yr old son and I are flying for the first time. I am quite scared of the fact that we will be separated on the plane. The flights have assigned seats and they are fully booked. Our departing flight has our seats assigned together. Our return flight does not, we are sitted in front of each other. With the holiday weekend coming up, am I right to be so worried?"

Included in my replies to mcros: "This time of year, it's inevitable that seats aren't always going to be together.

You have a few options:
- check in as early as possible online and you may be able to change seats
- ask at the gate - say that you are willing to wait until final call as you are aware that seats may possibly be released if passengers nosho the flight (don't show up)
- mention it to the in-charge flight attendant who should be able to reseat - particularly if of the two seats at least one is a window or aisle

Between 15 and 25 percent of seats are usually held back for the airport (check in, and online check in), so that there is sometimes room to make changes." i would try in the above order - asking on board when the other options are exhausted. try not to worry, unfortunately this happens pretty much every day, but luckily can often be resolved before you get on board.

A few other resources for air travelers:

• Family Air Travel - Flying with Infants, Children, Pregnant, Seniors
• How To Survive Plane Rides With Small Kids
• Learn About Accessible Travel

image courtesy of Arlene Fleming