TUI- allocated seats, 7 year old seated on his own

zagfles

Pollycat wrote: »

And of course, parents can do their bit and ensure they are sat next to their children by paying the airline's fee to do so.

Paying "ensures" no such thing, as we've discussed time and time again here. Any more than CAA guidelines do. You pay to select a "preferred" seat which you have no guarantee of getting.

Of course most of the time you will - just like most of the time they won't sit a child apart from an adult.

zagfles

MallyGirl wrote: »

Could be worse - and I realise it is not flying - but I took my 7 yo to Euro Disney via Eurotunnel and we were allocated seats in different carriages! After spending the journey through Kent with me sitting in a luggage rack the 2nd train manager took pity on us and let us sit in his room for the rest of the journey. He even gave us the breakfast option as he was so cross with how we had been treated.

The rail equivalent of the CAA should produce some guidelines

interstellaflyer

humptydumptybits wrote: »

If everyone stopped paying for allocated seats the airlines would probably just seat groups together. I don't like paying for extras so don't pay for a seat, only take hand luggage, don't buy refreshments. Mind you I suppose the people paying for the extras are subsidising my cheap fare.

It depends whether you are doing independent or have booked a package, if you have booked a package with the usual operators, there are usually discount codes to be found, in fact TC and TUI are always sending me discount codes.

Pollycat

zagfles wrote: »

Paying "ensures" no such thing, as we've discussed time and time again here. Any more than CAA guidelines do. You pay to select a "preferred" seat which you have no guarantee of getting.

Of course most of the time you will - just like most of the time they won't sit a child apart from an adult.

Yeah, sorry, my bad choice of word 'ensure'.
But as you went on to point out, you do usually get the seats you've paid to choose. Unless there is a change of plane configuration.

humptydumptybits

interstellaflyer wrote: »

It depends whether you are doing independent or have booked a package, if you have booked a package with the usual operators, there are usually discount codes to be found, in fact TC and TUI are always sending me discount codes.

I've never been on a package so don't know about discount codes. If they send loads of codes what is the point of charging?

iwb100

It is a tricky one in that in the current system, if you don't pay there is a more than reasonable chance you will be split up. Asking people who have paid to move is IMO not really reasonable unless they are particularly willing to do so. I don't like paying to sit together, but it is something that currently you do, unless, you are prepared to not be sat together. As a couple this was fine, with our daughter however, this was not an option for us, given its hard enough as a couple let alone on your lonesome!

zagfles

iwb100 wrote: »

It is a tricky one in that in the current system, if you don't pay there is a more than reasonable chance you will be split up. Asking people who have paid to move is IMO not really reasonable unless they are particularly willing to do so. I don't like paying to sit together, but it is something that currently you do, unless, you are prepared to not be sat together. As a couple this was fine, with our daughter however, this was not an option for us, given its hard enough as a couple let alone on your lonesome!

It depends what airline you fly on. We've never paid for seat allocations and never been split up, nearly always right next to each other, worst a row apart. On most airlines check in early and they'll sit you together. On Ryanair you'll now likely be split, except if you have a child with you when one of you at least should be with each child. Even Ryanair try to follow the CAA guidelines.

So I wouldn't be worried at all travelling with a child. Of course, the airlines want you to worry...they like lots of businesses makes lots of money from the worried.

paul2louise

zagfles wrote: »

It depends what airline you fly on. We've never paid for seat allocations and never been split up, nearly always right next to each other, worst a row apart. On most airlines check in early and they'll sit you together. On Ryanair you'll now likely be split, except if you have a child with you when one of you at least should be with each child. Even Ryanair try to follow the CAA guidelines.

So I wouldn't be worried at all travelling with a child. Of course, the airlines want you to worry...they like lots of businesses makes lots of money from the worried.

Thank you.

budgetflyer

zagfles wrote: »

It depends what airline you fly on. We've never paid for seat allocations and never been split up, nearly always right next to each other, worst a row apart. On most airlines check in early and they'll sit you together. On Ryanair you'll now likely be split, except if you have a child with you when one of you at least should be with each child. Even Ryanair try to follow the CAA guidelines.

So I wouldn't be worried at all travelling with a child. Of course, the airlines want you to worry...they like lots of businesses makes lots of money from the worried.

You cant complete a booking with Ryanair without buying a seat if you have a child. Child is free seat selection, but at least one adult has to pay to sit next to them.

zagfles

budgetflyer wrote: »

You cant complete a booking with Ryanair without buying a seat if you have a child. Child is free seat selection, but at least one adult has to pay to sit next to them.

Yes, remember something about that now - think the adult gets the seat at a reduced price.