Airline Seating Allocations - single parent, 2 children

mr_stripey

Just reaching out for some general advice (whilst understanding there probably won't be an absolute answer) 

I'm looking to go to New York with my kids (15 and 12) in October. Have found flights with Virgin Atlantic and BA which are more or less comparable price wise but both have a hefty add on to book seats in advance.

I see various comments on the web that airlines will (usually) try to allocate a child next to at least one parent. So in the case of one parent/two kids would it follow that generally speaking we would be seated together? 

Pollycat

I'd look at both Virgin & BA websites to see what they say about children being seated with parents.

I think you may find that your children are not actually classed as 'children' by both airlines.

mr_stripey

Pollycat said:

I'd look at both Virgin & BA websites to see what they say about children being seated with parents.

I think you may find that your children are not actually classed as 'children' by both airlines.

ha yes I did wonder that. The 15 year old barely speaks to us anyway so probably wouldn't make much difference if he sits on his own!

The websites aren't totally clear - but i guess they are geared up to try and get you to pay for something which you might get included anyway.

Pollycat

I thought both websites were pretty clear on who was classed as children and therefore whether they will be seated next to/adjacent/in front/behind their parents.

And this MSE article clarifies that too:
Airline seating: How to sit together for free on BA, Virgin and more – MSE (moneysavingexpert.com)

British Airways, Tui and Virgin Atlantic all guarantee that children under 12 will be seated with at least one adult from their booking – although the rest of the group might be split up. British Airways also lets you choose your seat for free if you're travelling with a child under two. Tui and Virgin warn children may be seated behind their parents, or be separated from them by an aisle.

TELLIT01

It would seem that if you choose not to pay for assigned seats both children could be seated away from you.

Brie

double check what the websites actually say.  I know that when I book with Air Canada I can pay to get an allocated seat.  Or I can wait and then 24 hours before the flight I can pick a seat and am only charged if I pick something special (like one with extra leg room).  Lots of people do this and it's never been an issue to get a seat I like and there's always plenty available next to each or in close proximity should it be a number of people travelling together.

Alternative is to take pot luck and then when you board ask if someone is willing to swap.  I've been asked a few times and have been happy to do so if it's like for like (aisle seat to aisle seat) or gives me something better.  I am aware though that not everyone is so accommodating. 

daveyjp

Some airlines automatically pre allocate seats together where a child is part of the booking.

The problem is a child can be u12, u16, or u17 depending on the airline.

jimi_man

Hi. With BA (can’t speak for Virgin) the chances that you would be seated away from your ‘children’ are very small indeed. Assuming you’re not on a Hand Baggage Only fare you can check in 24 hours before and choose your seats together. But even on an HBO fare where you cannot choose seats then it’s highly unlikely that you’d be seated apart. 

Bigphil1474

Personally, I'd take the risk and hope my teenager is sat near some other poor soul. 

CKhalvashi

With BA, on all but the cheapest fare buckets, you can select seats together for free at check-in.

I can't speak for Virgin.

tightauldgit

I've travelled a lot as a single dad with my daughter on many flights and always been seated together despite never booking anything. I think it's probably a legal requirement to seat kids with a responsible adult. She has been under 12 though until this year so I don't know at what point it cuts off. Be interesting to see if it continues. 

If we were seated apart I'd just ask someone to switch - most people wouldn't have a problem with it.