Paying for seats on a plane

spireman

I refuse to pay to select a seat on a plane and don’t mind not sitting with my wife for a few hours. What really annoys me is the cost to book such seats. This is usually around £11 per seat each way so for two people that adds £44 to the cost of a holiday. Imagine a family with several children and what it would cost them just to endure their children are not placed next to someone who may be undesirable or may not wish to sit next to a child. Especially if the child keeps wanting to go and see it’s parents. How are you supposed to buy drinks and snacks for people sitting around the plane? As I said I don’t mind and don’t pay but my last trip we were allocated seats apart despite the fact that there was an empty seat next to my wife. Was this just spite on behalf of the airline? I urge everyone NOT to pay for a seat unless you need legroom then maybe the airlines will make prices more reasonable. I would be willing to pay a tenner in total but not per seat each way. Grrr

Voyager2002

The airlines have to cover their costs one way or the other... if they could no longer rely on revenues from seat charges the fares would be higher, meaning that people like you (and me) would no longer be able to cut our costs by sitting whereever we are placed.

richardw

It isn't a 'cost' it's an 'additional revenue stream', businesses love these.

leylandsunaddict

I love it. It means people that care where they sit or who with can pay. Those that don't can keep their flight cost down. We willingly pay because we prefer to have 2 aisle seats.

You know when you book if sitting together is important so you factor that into the overall cost, just like with luggage, when you're comparing flight prices.

PompeyPete

From today's DM...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5012297/Holidaymaker-gets-flight-Jet2.html

I wonder if she paid in advance to reserve her seat?:)

Me and the cook have never paid to reserve, and never been 'forced' to sit apart. On easyJet, who we favour for short flights, we normally end up with window and middle, sometimes we get three seats between us. On long haul,you can often choose for free online when booking direct with the airline.

There's always the option if you check-in online, if you don't like the allocated seats, to pay and re-select.

maman

Nothing to add but your typos gave me a good laugh.:rotfl:


I'd certainly pay not to endure someone else's children?:D


If you're planning on paying exorbitant prices for snacks for people sitting around the plane I'd suggest you save your money on that and use it to have the seats of your choice.;)

PompeyPete

maman wrote: »

Nothing to add but your typos gave me a good laugh.:rotfl:


I'd certainly pay not to endure someone else's children?:D


If you're planning on paying exorbitant prices for snacks for people sitting around the plane I'd suggest you save your money on that and use it to have the seats of your choice.;)

How does that work?

littlereddevil

I pay to choose seats. When I didn't BA put me in front row Business class and my OH in the back row! Must have been deliberate. Luckily the guy in the back row with my OH was happy to come to the front row.

AubreyMac

I've never paid for an allocated seat, the last time I travelled with a friend (June 2016) it was the norm to be allocated seats together (if you booked together), though I have heard it's changed to encourage more bookings and therefore money. I'm not too fussed on seats as I don't like to travel long haul so I can usually just tolerate whatever for a couple of hours.


If my flight was anything more than 4 hours I would definitely just fork out and pay for extra leg room.

lea2012

Just to offer a different spin on things. We're a family of 3 booked to go to fuerteventura next year with Ryanair. We've paid to have seats together a day it only cost us £6 return in total! £3 each way but one adult and child are seated together for free so I think it's a bargain to guarantee we're all sat together.

lea2012

Sorry should say 'together and it was only £3' not sure where the '"a day" came from! ��