We booked a last minute trip (booked 2 weeks back) for a 4 day trip to Florida leaving this Friday. ONLY going because my brother (who lives in Europe) is going there to visit my parents with his new baby. Would rather fly to Florida than Europe was my thought. My husband is backing out of going. Doesn't want to take the time off work or be around all of my extended family (aunts, uncles, grantparents will be there). Both of which I sort of get, but totally think he needs to take one for the team. He was up in the air on the whole trip, so I just booked him a ticket and said it's there If you want it and if not, we are out the money. Assumed he would cave and just go with us. He is an AWESOME father and husband and has said over and over he does not want to have a 4 days without us, but he has VERY limited vacation time and it's only March. I am stressing about the whole thing. Parking at the airport, flying alone with the kids (although, they are GREAT on the plane), but most of all, NONE of us have seats together and the plane is FULL!!!!
Any suggestions on how to handle the seating on the plane? I have a 3 and a 5 year old and the flight is ~3 hours. I CANNOT imagine not sitting with them. And it's not like we are all in aisle seats behind one another. We are rows apart and on both sides of the plane. I plan to get to the airport 2 hours early and HOPE they can help change our seats, but if everyone else has printed boarding passes, I am screwed. Any one ever been in this situation? Any tips?
I just called Delta and they put us in 4 seats together on the way down AND on the return trip!! How AWESOME!! I am so, so, so happy! Thanks for all the feedback! HUGE help!!
I bet someone will change seats with you. No one is going to want to sit next to unattended kids, so they will likely change seats with you. Usually things like this can be worked out. Good luck!
Have you tried calling the airline? I cant see them allow children that young to sit alone even with you on the flight. Or is there another flight that day that you could switch to so you can sit together? That would be such a long flight.
Good luck
ask the people at the ticket desk if there is anything that they can do for you. If they can't help then ask people once they get on the flight to switch seats with you. Do not worry, someone will switch with you! I have flown several times (alone and with my husband and we were flying from Switzerland) where none of us have been seated together. Someone always switches. No one wants to sit next to a kid without their parent! Good luck and have a good trip!
I'm in this situation all the time. They probably won't be able to do anything at check-in. It's whoever's at the gate check-in desk who has all the power in these situations, I've learned. When you get to the gate, tell him/her your situation. Considering the age of your children, they will do EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY CAN to get you seated together. Be super nice and appreciative, don't go in with the "I NEED you to change our seats!!" demanding attitude. Of all the times my kids and I had seats far apart, we've NEVER actually had to sit far apart. The magic of the gate attendant took care of it every time!
I'm wondering why someone would sell you tickets that were not together with kids that young.
But you should be able to get them to change your seats when you get to the airport.
I'd also call the airline and tell them the situation.
Whoever is sitting next to your child will jump at the chance to move so that you can sit there. Believe me. I'm sure your kids are great, but the other passengers won't know that.
I agree - fix at the gate or have the flight attendant make an announcement.
It would be nice if your husband would go but maybe your family is a little overwhelming! I think he should at least drive you to the airport so you don't have to deal with parking hassles or costs. Otherwise, look into taking an airport van or even having a driver take you - there are services as well as individual people who make money driving families to the airport and it will be cheaper than parking for 4 days, most likely. Being dropped at the curb and having them check your bags right there is a time saver.
Make things easier by not inadvertently packing things that will get pulled at security. Wear slip-on shoes, no belts, and no extra jewelry (just your watch). If you can, carry on the kids' shoes and put them in slippers once inside the airport so you aren't tying sneakers after they go thru security. Give each kid a small backpack to carry their own activities & snacks. You'll have to buy drinks once you go through security but that's the way it goes.
Enjoy!
I have been on flights where they announce that we have a mother with 2 young children who are not seated together... is anyone willing to switch seat so that they can sit together. The flight attendants will help you out, and hopefully some nice people on your flight will be willing to move. Good luck!
I am SURE that someone will trade seats so they don't have to sit with your 3 year old and your 5 year old. I know I certainly would.
Don't freak. Just go to the check-in desk at the gate and explain your situation. They will help you.
LBC
I know I've been on flights where I was asked to trade seats with someone so they could sit with their children. Just go to the gate and ask the person there if they can ask some people to switch seats so you can sit with your children. They're not going to make you sit rows away from your young children.
Don't fret, plenty of people will be willing to switch seats.
Also, we don't pre-print boarding passes. If for some reason you cannot make the flight, CALL the airlines and let them know. The $$ is good for 1 yr to same location, etc with minimal fees. SW has no fees.
If boarding pass is printed....you've checked yourself in, therefore posssibly losing the chance to recoup any $$ if needed.
We fly a lot and this is something most people who don't fly as much are not aware of.
Other responses are right. If they can't fix it at the gate, the flight attendants will make an announcement asking for help arranging three seats in a row. I've been on both sides of this one. You'll be surprised by how many people will offer to switch seats to make it work for you. There's plenty of stress involved with traveling alone with two children--don't let this be part of it.
We had this issue (minus the kids) on our flight to and from Vegas last year. We got to the gate a little early (like 30 minutes prior to the "2 hour rule") and just asked the attendant if there was any way we could have our seats switched so we were together. She switched us on that flight and the returning flight at the same time. No harm done.
I've been in a similar situation and it was not a problem. The airline can always move someone around. And, like another poster said, nobody else wants to sit next to your kids--since they're so young. I would call the airlines and get there 2 hours early. Sometimes seats look booked, but they're not. You'll be fine!
Once you arrive at the airport, tell the desk attendant your situation and see if someone with a seat near you would mind changing seats. If not, can you sit w/ the 3 year old and let the 5 year old sit alone (I only suggest that because of the ages).
People on the plane will switch with you. I promise- no one wants to sit next to an unattended toddler or preschooler. All you have to say is... "My 3 yr old was booked in this seat and I'm two rows back, would you mind switching?" They will. Then... "would you mind switching seats with my son? He's only 5 and he's three rows back. I don't want to bother you each time I get up to check on him."
We fly frequently and people shuffle seats to accommodate families all the time.
People will change seats with you. The people sitting next to your kids will not want to feel responsible for them so they will be willing to change. The Flight Attendents will help you as well. Just let then know when you board that you all will be separated. 3 hours is a long flight to have kids crying because they miss Mommy. I can understand your worry. Good luck!!
I am sure someone will trade seats with you. Ask the flight attendant for help in asking.
I have never been able to book seats with me and kids together and can tell you right now that somehow people switch at the time of the flight to allow is to be near each other.
If you call the airline right now before people start checking in, I'm sure they'll be able to move you to seats next to each other. Many people fly who don't care where their seats are and you have special circumstances. The airlines are usually VERY accommodating for situations like this. When I was pregnant they moved us to first class just so I would have more room on one flight. They're usually really helpful. Good luck.
Dear M.
We just came from International flight and our seats were apart too. My 3 year was with me but the 9 year old girl and dad was apart. She is 9 but nowadays you worry who will be next to you and for 9 hours journey. But we requested after we went into the plane and people adjusted. She could be near her dad.Try to talk to the flight attendant and often there are single people flying.
Have a nice trip and your decision to meet your family is good too. Life is short .
C.
First, I think your husband should go anyway if he can take the time off work. Sounds like it is family reunion. I can't imagine why he won't go. My brother did this same thing once. My parents took ALL of us on a cruise a few years ago. My sister-in-law just couldn't stand to go on a trip with all of us so his whole family skipped it. The trip was wonderful. It gave us all an opportunity to be together in a totally different environment. No one had to cook, clean or do anything but have fun and spend time together. As far as the seating on the plane...it sounds like you would have been separated anyway, husband or not. It is a good idea to go to the airport early and get a supervisor at the check in to help you. Certainly the airlines have some sort of rule about kids sitting alone. There are probably people on the flight that won't mind switching seats to help you out. Anymore, most people book online and do not have seat assignments until they actually get their boarding pass anyway. OR, have you called the airline and asked them? Maybe it can be changed before you go.
When you get to the airport, INSIST upon sitting with your children. They are not going to deny you this...i would be surprised if they would even let a 3 and 5 year old sit by themselves because they aren't old enough to fly unattended anyways.
Get there 2 1/2 - 3 hrs early and talk to the attendants. Just because the flight is full, does not mean that everyone has printed their ticket. The attendants can switch things around. Who knows, they may be able to fix it so that the 3 of you are sitting together. They will want your kids next to you as much as you want your kids next to you. Its a safety issue for them to fix.
M.
Call the airlines and tell them your situation. Most likely, they will suggest talking to the people when you check in to see if those sitting near your kids would be interested in switching. I'm sure they will. I don't believe you're screwed - I think people will WANT to move, especially if you take the least "attractive" row to them. Good luck!
Call the airline- just because the seats weren;t available when you booked doesn't mean they aren't if you call. I have done it with great success (of course my kids are 2 and 3.5 though -- and not old enough to be alone really at all). I am SURE people will switch you seats if the airline cannot do something for you -- no one wants to be responsible for your kids sitting beside them :) ha! People have generally been very accomodating! Best wishes and enjoy!
Don't stress about the flight. I'm sure the flight attendant can get people to switch around so you can sit with your kids - I've done that before for other people - after you get on the plane. It will all work out!
Best wishes!
Just so you know the airlines will not pre assign the entire plane. I think most airlines will leave 25 % of the plane for airport check in only, for this reason only. They have to have the flexibility to move people around.
There will be plenty of people who'll change seats to accomodate you & the kids. There are plenty of people flying who are parents themselves, and others who won't want to sit next to a 5 yr old who is not next to mom...
As for the whole airport thing without your husband, - yes it will be tricky - but you can handle it. I'm sure you go to the grocery store without your husband. Make sure you tell your kids in advance what to expect of the airport and how important it is to stay connected to mom. Bring an umbrella stroller - there will always be one kid who wants to sit and another who wants to walk. Tell your 5 yr old how you know you can go on this trip becuase he/she has grown up so much in the last year and will able to hold on to the stroller as we walk, etc. Explain that since he's so grown up he'll get a special something as a reward for being so great. make sure he knows that you expect him to act gorwn up - tell him you know he can do it - even though sometimes he'll be tempted to run to look at something, etc. Tell him how much you love him and don't want to lose him in this big giant airport, etc.
Kids rise to our expecations.
Final consideration - since you've already bought and paid for your hsuband's ticket, see if you have a firend who would be willing to take the trip with you and help on the flight in order to get a free flight to Florida (she's have to pay the small fee to change the name on the ticket)... you never know!
They will work with you - that am sure of, they will not allow kids of that age to sit without their mother.
On a recent flight to GB, (10 hours) We all had seats seperately, we got to the gate early and asked for seats together, and they gave them to us. That is the key, get there early!
