Can I use the seat I have bought for someone who is not travelling?

PurlySu

I have paid for three non-refundable long haul flights. One of my group can no longer travel. Can I check them in so that the remaining two can have three seats to themself? Would be good for a long haul flight, particularly as I have paid for the seat.

bagand96

You are not entitled to the extra space if the passenger doesn't board.  The airline may have passengers on standby, and may re-allocate that seat.

Checking in online may reduce the chance of the seat bring reallocated somewhat, but at the end of the day the airline will know if someone has boarded or not.

Darkslider

If you check in online isn't that going to delay take off while they wait for a passenger who isn't arriving? 

Ballard

If they can't make it they should be able to reclaim the tax although I understand that airlines often charge a fee for this so it mightn't be worth it. As has been said, the airline have the right to re-sell that seat. 

Caz3121

Most airlines overbook their flights as they are aware that some passengers will fail to turn up. When a checked in passenger fails to board a flight then they are offloaded from the system and seats become available for any other/standby passengers. Possible slim chance of having extra seat on outbound flight if there are fewer standby passengers than seats. 
By not showing for the outbound flight the return flight will automatically be cancelled so won't be able to check them in for that/use seat.

antenna

For all my europe flights with  Easyjet i i always check in online the non flying passenger and have a empty seat next to me...this works both ways

Caz3121

Easyjet don't sell return tickets they combine one-ways so you can miss a leg without the subsequent legs being cancelled

joncombe

Darkslider said:

If you check in online isn't that going to delay take off while they wait for a passenger who isn't arriving? 

No. Your boarding pass must also be scanned at the entrance into security screening at the airport. So if that hasn't been done the airline will know that the passenger isn't going to board and won't delay the flight for them. The cut off is usually about 45 minutes before scheduled flight departure.

NoodleDoodleMan

Don't airlines classify passengers who don't appear as "no shows" ?

leylandsunaddict

Airlines overbook. If you cancelled the non flyers seat you could save someone from being bumped off the flight. That would be the right thing to do. The potential of keeping that seat is low. Even if it's empty on take off someone could move their during the flight, or the cabin crew could move someone to that seat. 

leylandsunaddict

antenna said:

For all my europe flights with  Easyjet i i always check in online the non flying passenger and have a empty seat next to me...this works both ways

Your post makes it sound like every flight you take with EZY you have a non flying passenger! 

Easyjet overbook flights, so I hope your actions have never got someone bumped off the flight.