Cheap airline seating

blaggy

Hi
Regarding seat allocation with Tui and special needs.
We have a 27 yr old son who has learning difficulties and have always been seated together for free after phoning the Tui special assistance team

HOPE THIS HELPS

Nick_C

I think most airlines will be helpful for people with special needs.

My OH broke his (left) foot last year a few days before flying on Ryanair. They were brilliant. We called them to explain his problems. They gave him a window seat on the left hand side of the plane so no one would accidentally hurt his foot. They blocked the seat next to him. And they placed him two rows from the back of the plane so he could board last and leave last, and not hold up other passengers.

bradders1983

Without wanting to sound crass, how do TUI know someone has special needs? Surely anyone can claim it down the phone and get seats allocated for free?

steve1500

bradders1983 wrote: »

Without wanting to sound crass, how do TUI know someone has special needs? Surely anyone can claim it down the phone and get seats allocated for free?

Pretty sure this is flagged on the system, so the staff at the Airport, know that they have a passenger with special needs, wheelchair or whatever

bradders1983

steve1500 wrote: »

Pretty sure this is flagged on the system, so the staff at the Airport, know that they have a passenger with special needs, wheelchair or whatever

Yes but the poster a couple up (Blaggy) said they just rang up and they got them allocated free of charge (no mention of needing airport assistance either), nowhere near the airport stage and no mention of a physical disability needing a wheelchair/buggy either,, my question is whats stopping others trying to do the same? Obviously its morally not right but wont stop people trying it on to save a few quid, surely.

M124nda

Not always the case. We flew TUI, back from Bulgaria. We had checked in on line, had all the paperwork, got to the physical check in and were told that there were no seats together and our check in seats were not valid. My daughter was 3. Still makes me get emotional thinking of this situation. We spent the next 2 hours in a high state of stress.
Boarded the plan to find another family, 3 children (a baby, a 3 year old and a 6 year old autisic child) all split up as well.
The Steward/ess were amazing and did at least get my seated with my daughter but TUI have never been able to tell me why it happens - all they say is " it is illegal" yet they did it.


I have sinced booked with First Choice (only to find out they are partnered with TUI :-( )
I asked to reserve my seat only, my thinking, they can't split myself and daughter up. No, the whole booking including a 4 year old, has to pay to reserve seats there and back.


Thankfully, due to major flight changes, I managed to get a full refund and not travel with them.


Would just like an honest answer to why they do this but they seem unable to do this. I have promised myself, that if they ever do this again, I will (very painfully) put my daughter in her seat, making sure a steward is watching, ask them to watch her and inform them that they have split us up AGAIN.

Pollycat

M124nda wrote: »

Not always the case. We flew TUI, back from Bulgaria. We had checked in on line, had all the paperwork, got to the physical check in and were told that there were no seats together and our check in seats were not valid. My daughter was 3. Still makes me get emotional thinking of this situation. We spent the next 2 hours in a high state of stress.
Boarded the plan to find another family, 3 children (a baby, a 3 year old and a 6 year old autisic child) all split up as well.
The Steward/ess were amazing and did at least get my seated with my daughter but TUI have never been able to tell me why it happens - all they say is " it is illegal" yet they did it.


I have sinced booked with First Choice (only to find out they are partnered with TUI :-( )
I asked to reserve my seat only, my thinking, they can't split myself and daughter up. No, the whole booking including a 4 year old, has to pay to reserve seats there and back.


Thankfully, due to major flight changes, I managed to get a full refund and not travel with them.


Would just like an honest answer to why they do this but they seem unable to do this. I have promised myself, that if they ever do this again, I will (very painfully) put my daughter in her seat, making sure a steward is watching, ask them to watch her and inform them that they have split us up AGAIN.

It's not illegal.

Families, children and infants

The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.

'should be the aim', 'should ideally' and 'make every effort' is not the same as 'illegal'.

https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/On-board/Seating-allocation/

bradders1983

Of course, you could avoid it happening by pre-booking a seat, rather than turning up at the airport expecting it and then watching as the airline turf people out of pre-booked seats to fulfil your whims.

jmu04298

Hi,

After having just flown back from Miami, on a BA co-share flight with American Airlines, I can confirm you do indeed get to choose your seat for free at check-in with American Airlines (24 hours before).
Unfortunately, American Airlines appears to charge for all aisle and window seats. Therefore the group of 4 travelling were able to choose which of the middle seats on the plane we wished to occupy for free but were unable to sit together.

I do understand why the budget short-haul flights do this, I am perfectly willing to accept sitting apart from the others in my party for a 1-3 hour flight. But after already paying several hundreds of pounds to fly trans-Atlantic it would be nice if you were not asked for even more money to sit next to your family for 9+ hours.

Nick_C

American Airlines allow you to select seats free of charge at the time of booking. You can even select seats before confirming the booking. (I used to chose flights based on seat availability!) A wide range of seats are available, including window seats.

On planes that don't have Premium Economy, about a third of the seats are "main cabin extra", giving 5" of extra legroom. You have to pay to select these seats.

A further third of the seats, towards the front of the economy cabin, are designated as "preferred location", and you have to pay to select these seats.

Over 100 seats at the back of the plane are free to select.

If you wait until check in to select your seats, you won't be left with much choice.

Unlike BA, AA allows you to select seats free of charge when you book, even if you have no status.

Some seats are designated as "preferred location"