Arlines Charging For Families For Sitting Together

[toenail]

(I wonder if Air Asia has figured out this one yet)

http://news.yahoo.com/senator-asks-airlines-drop-seat-fee-kids-101349663.html

Great, let some stranger sit next to my runny noses, undisciplined, screaming kid while I relax alone.

[LucidLucifer]

That is an appalling practise on the part of the airlines, and I hope it backfires and costs them dearly in lost revenue.

[beano2274]

The one thing I hated recently was BA, can only book seats 24 hours in advance of flight, luckily enough we were travelling together (3 of us) and three seats were kept available for us. But it could mean that a family might not be sat together, not a nice situation in my opinion.

[madmitch]

OP, Air Asia were one of the first to figure this out, along with the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair.

Unfortunately a practice started by the low-cost carriers is now being introduced by more and more full-service airlines. I have recently had to pay 500 baht each (each way, so that is 2,000 baht in all) for myself and my six year old daughter to guarantee sitting together on a KUL-LHR-KUL flight. I am not sure how long they have been charging for this. I didn't bother with the Phuket to KL return legs, even at a bargain 200 baht.

[FarangBuddha]

The one thing I hated recently was BA, can only book seats 24 hours in advance of flight, luckily enough we were travelling together (3 of us) and three seats were kept available for us. But it could mean that a family might not be sat together, not a nice situation in my opinion.

Within the same class, people will generally switch seats so a family can be together (as long as you're not asking an aisle/window seat holder to take a middle seat). Sometimes, you can even "upgrade" your middle seat to an aisle or window during the switch.

[mrclough]

Yep, Air Asia have been ripping people off with this for ages now.

Same if you ask for an emergency exit seat, extra 500 baht I think.

I think there was recently an Air Asia flight grounded as nobody was sat in the emergency exit rows and everyone they asked to sit there refused unless they were paid 500 baht to do so.

[SantiSuk]

I like the charging for seats policy. If I'm travelling with the family I pay. If I'm travelling with my wife we don't need to sit together on a short journey.

Why should single travellers or those who don't care subsidise the ones who want to sit in groups and cause the airlines to spend money on seat allocation sytems and check-in staff time. I guess you can be grumpy about it if you think that all the seat premiums are just added to the airlines profits and their ability to reduce the headline price has no affect on reducing prices overall to the consumer.

Anyhow, "what part of no-freebies do you lot not understand - now F***-off"

Best wishes

MK O'Leary

[toenail]

I like the charging for seats policy. If I'm travelling with the family I pay. If I'm travelling with my wife we don't need to sit together on a short journey.

Why should single travellers or those who don't care subsidise the ones who want to sit in groups and cause the airlines to spend money on seat allocation sytems and check-in staff time. I guess you can be grumpy about it if you think that all the seat premiums are just added to the airlines profits and their ability to reduce the headline price has no affect on reducing prices overall to the consumer.

Anyhow, "what part of no-freebies do you lot not understand - now F***-off"

Best wishes

MK O'Leary

*****************************************

The way MK O"Leary sounds (see above) I think his wife would be happy not to sit next to him.

[doggie888888]

I like the charging for seats policy. If I'm travelling with the family I pay. If I'm travelling with my wife we don't need to sit together on a short journey.

Why should single travellers or those who don't care subsidise the ones who want to sit in groups and cause the airlines to spend money on seat allocation sytems and check-in staff time. I guess you can be grumpy about it if you think that all the seat premiums are just added to the airlines profits and their ability to reduce the headline price has no affect on reducing prices overall to the consumer.

Anyhow, "what part of no-freebies do you lot not understand - now F***-off"

Best wishes

MK O'Leary

Well, you might change your mind if a parent allows the airline to dump the devil-child on the seat next to you!

In any event, all it takes is for one child to be "handled incorrectly" either by the airline or by a child fiddler (we are talking of strangers after all) and for the subsequent lawsuits to pile up...then we'll see the end of the policy. After all, if you were an airline, would you want be be responsible for your passenger's children as well? I am surprised the flight attendants' unions have not kicked up a fuss yet for the extra responsibilities that such a policy may bring.

[rodentwarrior]

I think anyone who takes a child under 5 on a flight should be made to pay FULL fare for the seats either side, in front and behind.

Ghastly crying/noisy children on a long haul flight are everyone's worse nightmare if you are in earshot.

[PattayaParent]

Yep, Air Asia have been ripping people off with this for ages now.

Same if you ask for an emergency exit seat, extra 500 baht I think.

I think there was recently an Air Asia flight grounded as nobody was sat in the emergency exit rows and everyone they asked to sit there refused unless they were paid 500 baht to do so.

When I've flown Air Asia without having made a prior seat booking they have automatically assigned me an emergency exit seat at check in.

[WilliaminBKK]

United Airlines,American Airlines & USAirways changed their boarding policy and will not allow a family with children to pre-board.

http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/25/more-airlines-bid-adieu-to-family-pre-boarding/

Imagine the chaos in Orlando at boarding time............get ready for more fees.

[FarangBuddha]

I'm all for families sitting together... preferably on one of the wings.

[BrianCR]

I think anyone who takes a child under 5 on a flight should be made to pay FULL fare for the seats either side, in front and behind.

Ghastly crying/noisy children on a long haul flight are everyone's worse nightmare if you are in earshot.

I bet you were a perfect child? How do you like children now - grilled with chilli?

[madmitch]

I think anyone who takes a child under 5 on a flight should be made to pay FULL fare for the seats either side, in front and behind.

Ghastly crying/noisy children on a long haul flight are everyone's worse nightmare if you are in earshot.

I used to think the same, until about seven years ago, and still do when I travel alone.

I have mentioned Malaysian Airlines previously but I believe that the economy section of the upper deck of their new A380 Airbus which is shortly to begin operating to Heathrow is to be child-free. The whole of the lower deck is economy so it's not a huge part of the plane but a great idea.

[surangw]

Probably have software on their system to make it happen and charge more.

[Semper]

Yep, Air Asia have been ripping people off with this for ages now.

Same if you ask for an emergency exit seat, extra 500 baht I think.

I think there was recently an Air Asia flight grounded as nobody was sat in the emergency exit rows and everyone they asked to sit there refused unless they were paid 500 baht to do so.

When I've flown Air Asia without having made a prior seat booking they have automatically assigned me an emergency exit seat at check in.

You should have asked for 500Baht.