Ryanair new seating trick

globetraveller

Where are people getting the idea that most airlines allow you to select your seats for free?

Nick_C

globetraveller wrote: »

Where are people getting the idea that most airlines allow you to select your seats for free?

I haven't seen anyone saying that. Not on this thread anyway.

DoaM

Nick_C wrote: »

Most airlines choose to provide their passengers with a reserved an allocated seat.

Isn't this a requirement now rather than a choice? Previously the likes of Ryanair used to have a "turn up and run onto the plane to grab your seat" boarding policy. I seem to remember reading that this had to change for HSE or security reasons.

Nick_C

DoaM wrote: »

Isn't this a requirement now rather than a choice

I don't know. Is it? That's not the reason Ryanair gave when they made the change.

"This return to allocated seating is Ryanair’s response to the enormous demand from our customers in recent weeks via Ryanair’s “Tell MOL” customer feedback initiative."

parkrunner

Do any airlines guarantee sitting together if seats haven't been pre-booked?

Nick_C

parkrunner wrote: »

Do any airlines guarantee sitting together if seats haven't been pre-booked?

I don't think any airline guarantees anything!

Pollycat

parkrunner wrote: »

Do any airlines guarantee sitting together if seats haven't been pre-booked?

Airlines don't even guarantee you'll get the seats you've paid for.
For example, in the event of a change of plane with different configuration.
And I've read on Tripadvisor that some people have had trouble getting that fee refunded when they haven't have their selected seats.

parkrunner

parkrunner wrote: »

Do any airlines guarantee sitting together if seats haven't been pre-booked?

Nick_C wrote: »

I don't think any airline guarantees anything!

Pollycat wrote: »

Airlines don't even guarantee you'll get the seats you've paid for.
For example, in the event of a change of plane with different configuration.
And I've read on Tripadvisor that some people have had trouble getting that fee refunded when they haven't have their selected seats.

That's what I thought, so why does Ryanair get picked on for doing the same as others?

Nick_C

parkrunner wrote: »

That's what I thought, so why does Ryanair get picked on for doing the same as others?

Because Ryanair isn't doing the same as the others. Allegedly, they are deliberately splitting people up so those people will pay to sit together next time. Other airlines will try to seat people together when check in opens.

Many airlines allow people to select their own seats, or change the pre allocated seats, free of charge when they check in on line.

Bogof_Babe

When I last flew with Ryanair about five years ago only people paying for priority boarding got the first choice of seats. The rest of us got on the plane and sat in whatever seats were available, and the earlier you joined the gate queue the better chance you had of decent seats.

Shame this isn't the system any longer, although it did cause a few delays while people jostled for luggage space in the overhead lockers.