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

SnooksNJ

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

The better question is why didn't the Ryanair seating allocation program seat the father away from the family rather that the three year old child, the airline already knows the passengers ages, it's completely unnecessary for this sort of thing to happen.

I'd hate to be the airline whose emergency evacuation was held up by parents trying to reach their children, I don't imagine the CAA would be taking any prisoners.

I think most people sitting next to the child are going to assist the child in case of an emergency.
We were talking about parents not sitting next to their kids the other day. What legal responsibility does a non parent have when sitting next to a child? If you ever see Air Crash investigation it's hectic getting out of a plane in an emergency. If the child gets injured getting out is the helpful adult going to find themselves in civil court?
I don't know in the UK but in the land of hope and change your name would be underneath the airlines in a civil lawsuit.

Crispy_Ambulance

REB75 wrote: »

Paying a premium to sit with your family is a cash cow for the airlines - however, if the airlines were at all sensible the could just charge adults travelling with adults who'd just like to sit together, as that would surely be a choice, not a necessity - For those travelling with children (as the pre-flight safety recording suggests) you are responsible for their safety. If the airlines want to sit minors away from their parents/guardians - they assume other passengers have agreed to take care of that child in the event of an emergency or even just during a turbulent flight! Where movement around the cabin is prohibited. This is far from acceptable. Surely placing children with those that are responsible for them on flights makes travelling by air a far better prospect for the child-free traveller, the cabin crew staff and the families, just not a premium. But until things change begrudgingly I'll have to pay the extra because I want my kids with me.

I agree. Surely everybody on the plane is going to be a lot happier if children are sitting with their parents and other people don't have to look after them.

Have I missed something or isn't it just easier to fill up the plane with the groups of people that have booked together, like a game of Tetris? Then all the single travellers would be allocated in a block as well?

fightrights

I booked for 7 people yesterday on 7 day free system, Scattered us all over plane. This confirmed my guess that ryanair deliberately spread people to ensure they pay extra in future. Also having to book return in middle of 2 week holiday is another arm twist. Last time on ryanair if I can find sensible alternative in future.

catnicex

Shame on Ryanair, did the same with us in March... I got a front row with my 1y son and my wife was 23 rows behind with my 4y old daughter yet at two opposite windows... Worse, before taking off, I had to go and change my son's nappy and while in the toilette my seat was given away and I was forced to move to the last row with all the baby stuff left in the front. Obviously both kids cried for the whole flight. Shameful.

jonesy1000

Possibly because not everybody is so needy that they have to be sat next to a partner for a short flight (Ryanair only fly short haul)

How condescending. Perhaps some people actually like their partners enough that want to sit next to them.

Pollycat

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I couldn't agree more.....if I've paid to on holiday with my OH then I'd expect to sit with him on the plane without having to pay for the privilege.

Then you need to choose an airline that allows you to choose seats without having to pay for that 'privilege'.

Otherwise your expectations will not be met.

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Why should ANYBODY who have booked together have to pay to sit together

I believe this started when airlines unbundled components of flights to allow people to choose what they wanted to pay for such as hold luggage, meals etc.

Pollycat

jonesy1000 wrote: »

How condescending. Perhaps some people actually like their partners enough that want to sit next to them.

Then if they have booked a flight on an airline that charges for 'seats together' they have to pay.

I believe Duchy meant that for some people (me and OH included) sitting next to each other for 2, 3 or 4 hours is not such a priority that they'd pay for it, especially when they are maybe going to spend 24 hours a day in each other's company for maybe 2 weeks.

jonesy1000

I believe Duchy meant that for some people (me and OH included) sitting next to each other for 2, 3 or 4 hours is not such a priority that they'd pay for it, especially when they are maybe going to spend 24 hours a day in each other's company for maybe 2 weeks.

I know exactly what he meant, but there was no need to to be an !!! about it.

Pollycat

jonesy1000 wrote: »

I know exactly what he meant, but there was no need to to be an !!! about it.

Welcome to MSE.

elsien

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I couldn't agree more.....if I've paid to on holiday with my OH then I'd expect to sit with him on the plane without having to pay for the privilege.

Why should ANYBODY who have booked together have to pay to sit together

When I travel with my mother, I prefer to be sat elsewhere. She spends most of the flight asleep and we both want aisle seats. Just because you're travelling together doesn't mean you need to be glued at the hips.