Thomsonfly - 'Sitting together' option

Becles

I went to Barbados on honeymoon with my ex on our honeymoon. Coming back, we were missed off the airport collection so everyone in our hotel were left behind. The rep at the airport realised and a bus was sent to collect us, but it meant we were last to arrive. We checked in alongside a family of 3. My husband and me were split up and offered a seat in one row with the other sitting behind. However the family were all split up into odd seats. The lady wasn't happy about this, so I offered to swop our seats so she could sit behind her son. It meant husband was in the normal cabin, and as he was asthmatic, I had to sit in the smoking cabin. I destest smoking and had an awful flight home (was in the days when you could smoke aboard planes!).

Coming back from Mexico this year, our pick up coach was delayed so our hotel group were last at the airport. Although I had paid for group seating, it hadn't been recorded on the seating plans. Therefore we were only offered odd seats. I wasn't happy about my children sitting alone for 11 hours, so I kicked up a right stink both at the desk and on the plane. Thankfully the stewardess managed to move people, so we were able to sit together as I had paid for.

Due to 2 bad experiences, I would always pay for group seating so I know my children will be able to sit next to me.

i_love_it

As becles has said, it may take a bad experience to pay this extra. Please remember that check in staff dont give split seating to !!!! you off. On a full flight, not ever one travels for instance in groups for three (say there are 3 seats on each side of the ailse) or in groups of 2 4 2 another configuration. if the flight flight is full and you check in toward the end, then you get what is available, kick up all the fuss you like, why should others who checked in earlier or who paid extra move to accomodate you? Be reasonable. Families are a different matter slightly, and young children shouldn't be sat alone, but it will be down to the cabin crew and good will of the existing passengers to shuffle people to accomodate this and can cause delayed departures.

The rules are simple, if you have a large group or young children and haven't pre booked seats, get there early, abusing staff for your own shortfalls is unacceptable. They''l do there best, but its not a given...