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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have been on plenty of flights where people have been asked to move, but those were mostly southwest where there is no assigned seating (though some were assigned, it just didn't work out for the family when they booked). For example, two kids seated together but away from parents, or one parent away from the remaining family when there was more than one young child.

I was also thinking that you could have the same issue when flying with:
- the elderly 
- mentally disabled/special needs 
- a friend or relative who needs mental/emotional support while flying due to a phobia

So it would be really, really difficult to set a standard that is fair for everyone, since there are so many reasons why you could justify seating people together.[/quote]

I have to agree with this, unfortunately.  Having kids costs more money, it's just a fact.  You have the option to pay the fees and sit together, so if you choose not to I kind of think that's on you.[/quote]

But aren't the fees ridiculous to begin with? Even if there is no need, you should be able to seat with those with whom you are flying unless space is truly limited. Airlines are really being a-holes to try to charge for something so basic. We should not just accept such fees as a given. [/quote]

Airlines are a business--and a not-always-profitable one at that. Window seats, bulkheads, etc. are preferable to passengers so they are willing to pay for them.  We've gotten used to getting these things for free but that doesn't mean they have no economic value, and it doesn't mean airlines are assholes for charging money for something that has value. When you go to a concert or the theater, you pay more for better seats, right? This is no different.

Once you understand that it's not unreasonable for airlines to charge for better seats, it is very hard to come up with a system that would allow an exception for families. Some people book months in advance, or they have status on the airline, or, as a PP pointed out, they may have other types of special needs that would make it important to sit next to someone.  Nobody is in a gracious good mood while flying and they're not going to take it well if they're booted out of the seat they paid for. If airlines want to stay in business they have to keep business travelers and loyal customers happy. Families are way down the list.

This doesn't make airlines assholes, it makes them businesses, who by the way have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders to maximize profit and stay in business. It's absolutely shitty to be separated from your family but maybe it's your responsibility to make sure you sit with them, by booking early or paying more, rather than the airline's responsibility to give away a seat that they could have charged for, or your fellow passenger's responsibility to give up a more comfortable seat.

One thing I do think airlines can fairly do is seat families as close together as possible without screwing anyone else over. For example, mom and kid are both in middle seats but mom is directly behind kid. Or perhaps they can sit together in the back row that nobody wants. But this requires families to book very early, and of course you don't want to give up your right to comparison shop for ticket prices or plan a last-minute getaway. [/quote]

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