MSE News: 'Family tax': Dad's outrage as Ryanair tries to seat 3yo away from family

polegate

my grouse is with Virgin airline, Florida to Gatwick, I was taken ill in u s a, in wheelchair at airport,I wanted my Daughter to sit with me on plane but no, she was seven rows in front, I passed out on plane had to ask stranger for help. I complained when I got home heard nothing,I would not travel with Virgin ever again

Pollycat

The number of airlines that people are complaining about relating to seating issues is growing.

Jinnyjinny

When we got moved out of our paid for seats to accommodate families who hadn't paid we did not get a refund. Just got told they'd see if they could seat us near each other. I agree don't fly if not prepared to pay.

Pollycat

Jinnyjinny wrote: »

When we got moved out of our paid for seats to accommodate families who hadn't paid we did not get a refund. Just got told they'd see if they could seat us near each other. I agree don't fly if not prepared to pay.

Were you asked to move or instructed to move?

Did you point out that you'd paid to reserve your seats? Were they specific seats e.g. 12A & 12B or 'seats together'?

If it were me I would have produced my invoice and suggested cabin crew move somebody who'd not paid for seats.
AND I would have retained my boarding card and requested a refund.
I know airlines don't guarantee the seats you've paid for and in a case of aircraft change that's understandable, but to move passengers who've paid to accommodate those who haven't is clearly wrong.

diggingahole

Until 5 years ago I had been an Aircraft Dispatcher for 14 years at Gatwick, handling many airlines including Ryanair.
Passengers have a choice,
1) pay for seats together when booking.
2) turn up for check in early and get seated together.
Clearly this family done neither and expected to be accomodated by delaying the departure and moving other passengers who had already boarded.

richardw

Moto2 wrote: »

A serious amount of new posters on this thread.

I'd be suspicious if I could figure out a plausible reason for suspicion

It's top of the list on the right and in the e mail.

diggingahole

Jinnyjinny wrote: »

When we got moved out of our paid for seats to accommodate families who hadn't paid we did not get a refund. Just got told they'd see if they could seat us near each other. I agree don't fly if not prepared to pay.

There must be more to this, if you have paid for and reserved seats then check in can not book another passenger into that seat as it will be blocked in system, and check in do not have authority to over ride this.
What Airline was it? my problem as a experienced Aircraft Dispatcher was airline reps interferring and possibly over riding seating restrictions, some due reserved seats paid for by passengers or restricted by myself for weight and balance issues which reps did not understand.

Lewie

We were on a flight back from Malta.
Around ten of us at the back of the plane.
Two of us had a spare seat between us.
The steward came and asked us to move as there was a medical 'emergency'.
We moved to the new seats and a couple came to ours and the woman lay down.
We were sat next to a very young (10 ish) girl who was visibly upset.
We chatted to her and asked if she was ok.
She explained that the couple were her mom and step dad and that this wasn't the first time they had 'needed' to move as the woman suffered from panic attacks when flying!!
First, if it was genuine she shouldn't put the rest of the passengers at risk of having to divert.
Second, why would you put your child through such upset just to have a lie down?
As for pre booked seats, it would be great if we all just went back to the old days, first come first served.

Lewie

Pollycat wrote: »

I agree is not a 'tax'. It's an optional chargeable extra that anyone can choose or not choose to pay.

We do all have the option not to pay but if you went online and saw a plane with ten seats not yet pre booked and you wanted to sit next to your partner/family, does that really leave you with a choice?
In real terms, yes, for peace of mind, I don't think it does.

Pollycat

Lewie wrote: »

We do all have the option not to pay but if you went online and saw a plane with ten seats not yet pre booked and you wanted to sit next to your partner/family, does that really leave you with a choice?
In real terms, yes, for peace of mind, I don't think it does.

As you say, in real terms it does leave you with a choice. Pay or don't pay.
It's an individual's choice whether to pay to sit next to a partner or risk it.
It's not a tax.