Should I pay to sit with my 4 year old

zagfles

scotsman4th wrote: »

Checked in 7 days prior to our holiday, and again on our departure day for the return flight. All 5 of us in one row.

Same here. Never paid the "family tax", always been seated together anyway :cool:

The weather was terrible on the way out with wind and driving rain. Boarding took an age as they were only allowing around 20-30 on the plane at a time, front door only.

The 2 folks in row 1 were like frozen snotters by the time we all got on.

£110 saved, and a wee chortle at the pair in the £15.99 seats.

Happy Days.

Or the "speedy boarders" where that just means they get on the bus first, and those last on the bus are generally near the doors so get off it first, and onto the plane first

gettingtheresometime

Actually I right naffed off with MSE .....so its ok for families to be sat together but other passengers in groups can fork out this 'tax'?

If I go on holiday in a group booking then I expect, if possible, to be sat with that group - not be expected to pay for the privilege.

PeacefulWaters

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Actually I right naffed off with MSE .....so its ok for families to be sat together but other passengers in groups can fork out this 'tax'?

If I go on holiday in a group booking then I expect, if possible, to be sat with that group - not be expected to pay for the privilege.

Any group that avoids checking in at the last minute is likely to be able to organise seats together for no charge 95% of the time.

gettingtheresometime

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Any group that avoids checking in at the last minute is likely to be able to organise seats together for no charge 95% of the time.

my point is why make families a special case.

its just like the general election - unless you have young children or an oap then none of the parties are interested (or so it seems!) in you

ferf1223

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

my point is why make families a special case.

Agree. And I guess my husband and I ≠ 'family'.

And yeah, I get that there is a distinction, but I'll pay to select seats if the airline requires and I want to be certain about it. I know I could take the risk and probably be OK, I choose not to take the risk (though I haven't paid to book seats in ages, I would if it was the only way to pre-select seats at the time of booking and yes, I know that they are not guaranteed). I don't see why others (other than those with status with the airline) should have the fee waived just for opting to procreate and to fly with their offspring.

Rolandtheroadie

The fees aren't "waived" because I've kids, They're "waived" because I choose not to pay them.

Pollycat

scotsman4th wrote: »

The fees aren't "waived" because I've kids, They're "waived" because I choose not to pay them.

But MSE are 'demanding' (yes, really :rotfl:) that the fees are 'waived' for people with kids:

MoneySavingExpert.com is demanding that airlines scrap a 'family tax' that pushes worried parents to fork out an extra £15 each per flight just to guarantee they can sit next to their children.

'Family tax'?
It's a chargeable optional extra.

silvercar

Safety concerns. If you need to evacuate a plane you want everyone moving towards the exit, not parents trying to move against the flow to retrieve children 10 rows back. (assuming plane is not in air). Same if the oxygen masks are needed - you want everyone to remain in seats, not trying to check on kids.

Poppy9

I've booked return flights with Virgin. On the return leg the flight is operated by Delta on behalf of Virgin. On my return journey I have selected our seats for free. On the outward journey, on a Virgin plane, it's £25 each. While we do prefer to sit together as it's a long flight we are not prepared to pay £75 so will have to wait for online check in 24hrs prior to flight for seat selection.

If my DD was younger we would have paid for 2 seats together so she was with one of us as it would reduce pre holiday stress for £50 but as 3 adults we can find a better use for the money!

zagfles

silvercar wrote: »

Safety concerns. If you need to evacuate a plane you want everyone moving towards the exit, not parents trying to move against the flow to retrieve children 10 rows back. (assuming plane is not in air). Same if the oxygen masks are needed - you want everyone to remain in seats, not trying to check on kids.

Indeed. Interesting table at the bottom of the article showing the different airlines' attitudes to this - it seems Easyjet and Thomas Cook guarantee to sit children and parents together without a fee, and Thomson/First Choice practically guarantee it.