Cheap airline seating

Pollycat

claretjay said:

I booked in online very early in the morning the day before traveling both outbound and the return. This is what I normally do, previously without issues, we have always been allocated seats ‘together’ normally a 2 and a 3 in a row, sometimes 4 in a row and one behind or in front. 

Yes I am saying they deliberately separated us. I would suggest Flymaybe have incorporated the Ryanair rules of pay for your seat or we are going make it awkward.

I think the staff (and passengers) on the plane were great, yes, however I feel very frustrated with Flybe.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else has had similar issues as we did recently. I expect to see more reports like mine in the summer months when more families travel, that’s if Flybe are still around in the summer, I hope they are.

They won't be.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51746564

UK airline Flybe has gone into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk, after a bid for fresh financial support failed.

Tbag

Save at least some of the seating charges on Ryanair by not checking in until night before you leave. Accept the allotted seats.  I have found they allocate extra leg  room seats or an aisle  seat in allotted seats when there are few left though still split the passengers up.  My husband was given exit seat half way up plane and I was front row.  I just check if there is a seat next to one we are given and choose to pay for one seat next to the other one that has been allocated choosing whichever is cheaper.  We recently both ended up with extra legroom seats in middle exit but only paid for one seat. 

Pam50

Qatar Airways is not free seat sekection in Economy until OLCI.

stev_e

Would love to know how to book Virgin seats for free ahead of check-in as their website states "When flying in Economy Light, Economy Classic, or Economy Delight, you can pay to select your seat in advance, or select your seat for free at check in"

Pollycat

stev_e said:

Would love to know how to book Virgin seats for free ahead of check-in as their website states "When flying in Economy Light, Economy Classic, or Economy Delight, you can pay to select your seat in advance, or select your seat for free at check in"

Has someone told you this is possible?
The website seems clear.
Either pay to book seats in advance or wait until check-in opens and don't pay.

Just to point out that this thread was started almost 6 years ago so if you've read something up-thread it may not still be valid.

jimi_man

stev_e said:

Would love to know how to book Virgin seats for free ahead of check-in as their website states "When flying in Economy Light, Economy Classic, or Economy Delight, you can pay to select your seat in advance, or select your seat for free at check in"

If you want to select your seats ahead for free, then Virgin - like a lot of airlines - allow you to do this if you have status with them in their Flying Club. Silver status allows you to select your seats seven days ahead (just for that person). Gold allows it anytime for the whole party. Otherwise you need to pay if it’s important enough to you. 

MSE_Laura_F

Hello,

Has anyone ended up paying a lot extra to reserve a seat/s in recent years? £40 or more per seat reservation, for example?

Thank you.

MSE Laura F

eskbanker

MSE_Laura_F said:

Has anyone ended up paying a lot extra to reserve a seat/s in recent years? £40 or more per seat reservation, for example?

I've always associated the seat-charging model with low-cost carriers but was surprised to be expected to pay about £100 to choose a seat in advance when flying long haul with BA in Club World (without Exec Club status) last year, so declined to do so!

Havanesepup

Hi, I paid for allocated seats on 3 Qatar flights and wasn’t given the seats I had paid for on any flight. The aircraft had not been changed on any flight. The representative at the gate showed me the screen which indicated that seats I had paid for had been sold again to someone else. I have emailed Qatar dozens of times. I have a case number but they will not respond. It is well over the 60 days that they are supposed to respond. How do I get a refund? 

jimi_man

eskbanker said:

MSE_Laura_F said:

Has anyone ended up paying a lot extra to reserve a seat/s in recent years? £40 or more per seat reservation, for example?

I've always associated the seat-charging model with low-cost carriers but was surprised to be expected to pay about £100 to choose a seat in advance when flying long haul with BA in Club World (without Exec Club status) last year, so declined to do so!

BA have done this for many years and it’s fairly common. It rewards their loyal customer base rather than rewarding the lowest price ticket. 

Depending on the plane/seating arrangement it can make little difference. In your case if you are in the newer Club Suite then all the seats are pretty much identical in terms of choosing and there are no bad choices.