Booked flights but couldn’t choose seats

[Anonymous]

Just booked flights with United and we didn’t get the option to choose our seats. We have 3 young kids. Will they seat us together or will we just have to hope and pray? Kids are under 8 years old.

FWIW we also booked flights recently with American Airlines and we were able to select seats. Not sure why United doesn’t let us.

[Anonymous]

Did you choose the cheapest ticket option? These days you have to pay for the right to pick your seats. Please call the airline and make appropriate arrangements, including payments if needed.

[Anonymous]

Did you book basic economy? There are no seat assignments (and you can’t change your flights - don’t book basic economy, ever)

Or are there only premium seats left, like economy plus and premium (shows as white seats with a little hash)? If this is the case, call and they’ll likely assign you premium seats for free. Those are the same as regular just closer to the front.

[Anonymous]

Op - we are already paying over $650 a person to fly to Florida! I can’t believe we have to upgrade our seats just to make sure we can sit next to our kids.

How airlines allow this to continue is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Airlines are pretty transparent today about the class of tickets and what you get (or dont’ get) with each fare class. You didn’t have to buy the tickets but if you did, please don’t complain that you didn’t do your research before spending more than $3000 on airfare. I believe you have 24 hours to cancel a ticket so go ahead and do that if you now decide to do your research.

[Anonymous]

The time that I booked a flight and couldn't choose a seat it was because I was traveling with my child and they only had exit row seats left. The gate agent asked for someone with two non-exit row seats to trade with us, and pretty much immediately got a volunteer. It was really stressful though because it wasn't clear what the issue was until I spoke to the gate agent.

[Anonymous]

Great column in the post about why it’s only fair that airlines charge to pick your seats.

https://wapo.st/3SwahEl

[Anonymous]

Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

[Anonymous]

If you do not know why seats were not available - why are you posting?

Maybe the flight was full.
Maybe your husband went the cheap route and purchased the class of ticket where you can not be select seats.
Maybe your husband flaked and did not see the button.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

So what should the airline do for you right now? Boot someone who purchased tickets earlier that you did and paid for a seat out if it to make space for your family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

So what should the airline do for you right now? Boot someone who purchased tickets earlier that you did and paid for a seat out if it to make space for your family?

Op - no I guess we just see what happens. Hope someone likes sitting next to a screaming 4 year old for 3.5 hours.

[Anonymous]

We booked 1st class to ensure we had seats together. It cost a fortune but it was the only option left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

What if that young girl got assaulted because her parents were too cheap to pay for a seat selection? Those parents would be considered monsters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

So what should the airline do for you right now? Boot someone who purchased tickets earlier that you did and paid for a seat out if it to make space for your family?

Op - no I guess we just see what happens. Hope someone likes sitting next to a screaming 4 year old for 3.5 hours.

There is no need to be obnoxious. Call the airline and see if you can get at least a few seats together. It's not like your hands are tied. If you can't get any seats together (you don't really need 5 in one spot). you have the option of canceling and getting a flight where you can watch your screaming 4 year old.

Please don't expect people who paid extra money for seats give up those seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op - to be honest I have no idea what seats were available or not. My husband booked them. He just said he couldn’t choose. It wasn’t an option. So maybe the flight was full and there weren’t 5 seats close together.

Why anybody would want to sit next to a 4 year old by themselves is beyond me. Older kids could theoretically sit by themselves but won’t really like it.

I feel like it is just a lawsuit waiting to happen if a young girl gets assaulted on a flight because they couldn’t sit next to their parent. I have a friend who was sexually assaulted on an over night flight. But of course airlines are only interested in making more money.

So what should the airline do for you right now? Boot someone who purchased tickets earlier that you did and paid for a seat out if it to make space for your family?

Op - no I guess we just see what happens. Hope someone likes sitting next to a screaming 4 year old for 3.5 hours.

You are ignoring the advice in this thread. So let me spell it out since you have no idea what you are doing:

Step 1: are they basic economy tickets? If yes and it’s within 24 hours, cancel and rebook regular economy so you can pick seats

Step 2: if not basic economy, call or chat with United. They’ll likely put you in premium seats (not economy plus) for free to keep you together. They also typically have rows blocked off that appear full but are open to agents.

So yeah, good luck with your lawsuit.