A few times I have done something similar for my wife and I by opening two copies of my browser, and logging in to the airline site as two people. I then selected the flights for each of us, and bought them one immediately after the other. I don't recommend this as it is too easy to pick different flights (there are often multiple flights listed, and you have to check carefully that all legs are on the same planes, and other people are on line at the same time as you, so what you select may no longer be available when you get to the purchase step.

As for paying, I would just have one of you buy both tickets, and the other reimburse the buyer. It is the simplest way. When I buy tickets for my wife and I, and the airline has to make an adjustment, they give half the adjustment to each of us, as though we had each paid for our own ticket.

I know the airlines charge a small fee when you buy by phone, but that would probably be the most economical way to get just what you want. I would suggest you get together and make the call. Have your passports with you, as booking using the name on your passport, and your actual birthdate, can prevent some problems when you get to the airport.

I wouldn't recommend a travel agent. There are some good ones, of course, but many are not as familiar with airline ticketing as one would wish, as they no longer earn commissions from the airlines for selling tickets.

I've done this many times. You buy your tickets online seperately for the same flights. Then you call the airline and have them link your reservations together. That way if there is any change in schedule or a flight is cancelled and rebooked automatically, you both will get the same new flights. You can choose your seats when you call the airline. Easy.

I do this often but in the US and with airlines that give you the option of holding a reservation for 24 hours without payment. I don't know if it works for flights originating in Canada.

Why don't you look online and see what flights are offered and how much different options will cost? I am not an expert but there are many here who can give detailed explanation and can answer additional questions. Good luck.

Do it all the time. Don't use different tabs or windows of the same browser. Use separate browsers for each person. Like Explorer for Passenger A and Firefox for B. Or two computers.

Just find seats that are next to each other after booking. Link the two reservations by calling airline if you feel more comfortable, but not necessary.

Thanks everyone, great advice

It's easy to get yourselves on the same flight. That's truly no problem. You may not be able to get seats together (just depending the airline, if they let you get seat assignments in advance, how full the plane is, etc.). To me that wouldn't be a big deal, as long as you're on the same plane.

rkkwan - Linking the reservations is important in case there is a significant change to the routing. Sometimes an airline will take 3 flights and combine them into 2 or something like that - by linking the reservations, you ensure that both passengers will be rerouted onto the same flight.

I've linked reservations when the itineraries are identical, but I wonder if it would work in this case where the itineraries differ.

What is the reason for not using two tabs on the same browser? I used to do this regularly at the Continental site using Sea Monkey.

clevelandbrown, the only time I encountered problems with two tabs was on Southwest website trying to get boarding time.

It confuses the server which log-in I am using if using two tabs. Definitely the case with IE, which I just tried a second ago. Logged in as myself in one tab. Logged in as my mom in another. When I did a search on "my tab", the log-in switched in that window to my mom when the result came back. Big problem trying to use two credit cards on two seperate bookings.

As for linking reservations, it's just cross-referencing in the airline's system. If they want to switch you, with all the bugs and holes in many airlines' systems, I hardly expect they'll successfully switch both to same flight. They're supposed to, but I'd rather keep a close eye on the reservations myself.

Ok, we will definitely be calling the airline to link our reservations! And so, is it possible to book our flights online separately and still get onto the same airplane? How do we ensure that we are booking flights on the same plane, does it tell you exactly which airplane you'll be on when you book? Or do you get on the same airplane by linking the reservations?

We would like to sit together if possible, but getting on the same airplane is our main goal. However, when I call to link the reservations, is the seating arrangement something I would bring up at that point?

Again, thanks for all the helpful advice. You can probably tell I'm a little anxious about this as it all seems a bit complicated! You've all already made me feel much better about it, though

I'd start by finding the best flight (route/date/cost) for the trip.

If you look on sites like Kayak/Expedia you will see different options. Write down flight numbers and other information. Airline name and flight number determines which airplane you'll be getting. You can go to the airline's website and book directly with them. Same for your friend except for different return.

Book the same airline, same flight number, same date.