How to Ensure Your Family Sits Together on a Plane

How to Ensure Your Family Sits Together on a Plane

October 9, 2024 | General

Traveling by plane can be an exciting part of a family vacation, but ensuring that everyone sits together during the flight can sometimes be a challenge. Whether you’re dealing with crowded flights, complicated seat maps, or unexpected last-minute changes, it’s important to take steps to secure seating arrangements that keep your family close. Fortunately, there are several strategies to make sure your family gets to sit together on a plane.

A Comprehensive Guide Traveling by plane

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process and increase your chances of sitting together during your next flight.

1. Book Early for Best Seat Selection

The earlier you book your tickets, the better your chances of securing seats together. Airlines release their seating charts when tickets go on sale, and families who book early will have the best choice of seats.

  • How to do it: When booking your flight, immediately check the seating map and choose seats that are together. Many airlines offer free seat selection at the time of booking, but some may charge for this service. If sitting together is a priority, it may be worth paying the extra fee to guarantee adjacent seats.
  • Pro tip: Use airline alerts or travel apps to notify you when flights for your chosen destination open up for booking.

2. Choose Airlines That Allow Free Family Seating

Not all airlines handle family seating the same way. Some airlines prioritize seating families with young children together, while others may charge for seat selection, even for families. Before booking your tickets, check the airline’s seating policy for families.

  • Look for family-friendly policies: Some airlines, like Southwest Airlines, offer family boarding for passengers traveling with children under a certain age, which can help you get seats together without pre-booking.
  • Consider low-cost carriers carefully: Budget airlines may have lower fares but often charge for everything, including seat selection. Factor in these extra costs when comparing airlines, as paying for seat selection could negate the savings from booking a cheaper flight.

3. Pay for Seat Selection if Necessary

While some families might try to save money by skipping the seat selection fee, it’s a risky move if you want to ensure you all sit together. Many airlines charge for advance seat reservations, especially in economy class. However, this is often the best way to guarantee that your family is seated in a group.

  • How to do it: During the booking process, opt to pay for seat assignments. Choose seats that are together for all family members, and confirm your choices before completing the booking.
  • Pro tip: If paying for seats is too expensive for everyone in your group, consider at least paying for seats for one adult and one child to ensure they sit together. You can try to ask the airline or fellow passengers to move closer to one another later.

4. Check Seat Availability Regularly Before Your Flight

If you’re unable to secure seats together at the time of booking, don’t lose hope. Airlines often release blocked or unassigned seats closer to the departure date. Regularly checking your reservation for available seats can help you snag a group of seats together as the flight approaches.

  • How to do it: Log in to your airline’s website or mobile app periodically to check for seat availability. Some seats may open up as other passengers cancel or change their reservations.
  • Pro tip: Set reminders for yourself to check seat availability 48 to 24 hours before the flight, as this is when many travelers make last-minute changes.

5. Check In Online as Early as Possible

Online check-in typically opens 24 to 48 hours before the flight. By checking in as early as possible, you may have another opportunity to select or change your seats if better options have become available.

  • How to do it: When the online check-in window opens, log into your reservation and review the seat map. If seats are available together, make changes to your seating assignments right away.
  • Pro tip: Set an alarm for the exact moment online check-in opens to get the best seat options before they’re taken.

6. Arrive Early at the Airport

If you still haven’t secured seats together by the time of your flight, getting to the airport early gives you the best chance of resolving the issue with airline staff. The earlier you arrive, the more options the airline may have to accommodate your request.

  • How to do it: Arrive at the airport early and head straight to the airline’s check-in counter. Politely ask the staff if they can adjust your seating to ensure your family is seated together. Airport staff are often more willing to help when you approach them early and calmly.
  • Pro tip: Be prepared to explain your situation. If you’re traveling with young children or elderly family members, mention it. Airlines tend to prioritize seating changes for families with small children.

7. Talk to the Gate Agent

If you haven’t secured seats together by the time you reach the gate, don’t panic. Gate agents have the ability to move passengers around to accommodate families. It’s common for them to handle seating requests right before boarding, especially if there have been no-shows or cancellations.

  • How to do it: Arrive at your gate early and speak to the gate agent as soon as possible. Let them know your family needs to sit together and politely ask if there are any seats available to make it happen.
  • Pro tip: Be flexible and patient. If the flight is full, the agent may not be able to move everyone, but they might be able to seat at least some of your group together.

8. Ask Fellow Passengers to Switch Seats

If all else fails and you board the plane with seats scattered around the cabin, you can always ask other passengers if they’re willing to switch seats. Most travelers understand the importance of keeping families together, especially when children are involved.

  • How to do it: Be courteous and explain the situation. Offer to trade seats for an equivalent or better spot. For example, a middle seat in exchange for a window or aisle seat can be an appealing offer.
  • Pro tip: Approach passengers after the boarding process is complete, when everyone is seated, and it’s clearer where there might be room for adjustments.

9. Upgrade to Premium Seating on a Plane

If seating together is a top priority and none of the standard economy seats are available, consider upgrading to premium seating. Many airlines offer premium economy or extra-legroom seats that are often less crowded. Upgrading may not be cheap, but it’s an option if you absolutely need to sit together.

  • How to do it: Check your airline’s website or ask at the airport about premium seating availability. Sometimes, last-minute upgrades are offered at a reduced price, making this option more affordable than expected.

Ensuring that your family sits together on a plane requires a bit of planning and flexibility, but it’s definitely possible. By booking early, paying attention to seating policies, checking in promptly, and being proactive with airline staff, you can increase your chances of sitting together.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your flight knowing that your family is all in one place, ready for the adventure ahead!