1965

On the news last night I heard that airlines may start charging extra for aisle and window seats so families will be paying extra to sit together. I was doing kitchen stuff so missed some of the details. Did anyone else hear this report? Do you know the details?

tenthumbs

I read it in the newspaper. From what I read, it's American Airlines, and they plan to charge extra for the aisle and window seats~forcing families to either pay extra to sit together or sit scattered about the plane in middle seats. When you go to book online, the color-coded seat availability shows all the middle seats (presumably at the price you selected) as "available," while the window/aisle seats state "available for extra fee."

MarnieWDC

I think this is a delightful plan for those traveling with toddlers...have a stranger sit next to them and tend to them. Best way to get a rest when travelling with young children and babies.

This would likely lead to policy modification, don't you think ?

Rastaguytoday

I was sitting next to a 6 and 8 year old unattended male children.

I had to babysit them the entire trip. Nothing like crying and wanting their mother.

The FA, who ignored the kids the entire trip, told me at the end that I deserved a free drink. The guy behind me said loudly, "he should get a free ticket for what he put up with".

In retrospect, pretty funny.

LEANNA

To me this is child abuse in one form or another ...let alone adult abuse!!

I'm quite sure someone will think the same thing and airlines are gwanna be sued!

Huzzah!

alanRow

<i>I was sitting next to a 6 and 8 year old unattended male children.

I had to babysit them the entire trip.</i>

Just be lucky some "concerned citizen" didn't report you

1965

Do you know if the parent was anywhere on the plane? For attending those children you deserve much more than a drink-sainthood comes to mind.

CarolA

I have asked Fodors to remove the above post because it somehow got corrupted when I hit "submit"

But the main point remains.....

The airline is not raising kids you are. So when you don't pay for the seat then you can't get hysterical....and sue???? Really!!!

Only in The USA do YOU decide take the risk and expect others to pay for your decisions.

LEANNA

This should not even be a situation a parent has to face. It should just be considered common sense that a parent would need and want to sit near their child/children.

A parent should not be pushed into paying extra for this.

gail

I am ambivalent about this. First, I do not like all the fees for various things that airlines have tacked on - it is a result of us all demanding unreasonably low fares. I would rather pay 10-20% more for some leg room, luggage checking, etc.

But if included in this menu of fees is an aisle or window seat, then not sure families should be exempt from paying. Of course it is unreasonable to have free range kids scattered thruout the plane - but there are all sorts of etra costs associated with having kids that we all have to pay.

And I just know that sometime if I pay extra for an aisle seat I am going to have to choose between sitting with a bored, lonely and scared stranger kid next to me or cramming myself into a middle seat so they can have a parent with them. (I would move, but that is not fair either)

1965

Sounds like we're going to need to accept this new fee just like all the other new fees if we want to keep flying. I suppose I'll adjust and pay more so my husband and I can sit together on long flights. We've adjusted to new baggage fees by getting by with carryons. We take snacks with us so we don't have to buy them on the plane. We no longer request the exit row for more leg room due to extra cost. We take our own ear buds because now they cost extra. Still, I won't give up flying as long as I'm able. Too many great places to see in the world.

hpeabody

It looks like it has now started as well on Delta. I went to check in for my flight tomorrow and sure enough aisle and windows are being sold for $29.00 US. My seat is good (aisle - forward in coach) So I did nothing. There are some good seats to get though. (Those seats had been held back, btw) I think this is horrible what the airlines do to us with all these FEES and we have no choice but to take it or not go. Very unfair that the paying traveling customer has no recourse in this

1965

hpeabody-You mentioned that you have an aisle seat. You picked it before the new fees went into effect?

LEANNA

1965...you are right. Too many great places to see in the world...so I too will keep flying.

But I do try to fly directly out of the country on foreign airlines which do not have such fees and also....if I must fly in the US....I use SW.

I try!

hpeabody

1965, Yes I selected my aisle seat when I booked the ticket about 10 mos ago. I actually have all my seats selected for this years vacation flights, 3 more trips this year. A good thing This new fee won't get me until next year

CubFanAlways

I was thinking of a few scenarios and welcome your comments.

1) I paid for an E+ seat on United. What happens if I get asked to move to accomodate a family who did not pay the fee? Do I get the E+ fee I paid back? Keep in mind my boarding pass will not reflect this change, assuming this is done mid-flight. How am I going to substanciante this occured, not to mention the hassle of trying to get the upgrade fee back. (Of course, this assumes I'm actually willing to move, another matter. Would I have a choice?)

2) You are seated in front of the eight year old. The seat back is constantly being kicked, tray table shaken, headrest pulled on, they are slapping the back of your head and drooling in your ear. You turn around and scold me. Hmmm...sorry, ain't my kid!

3) The kid needs to know where the bathroom, how to close the door etc. Maybe I can help or send them to their parents, but why is responsibility placed upon me?

Of all of the fees being added, I think this one will backfire.

Cranachin

Delta reserves aisle and window seats in the forward portion of the economy cabin for Medallion-level FF members and full-fare ticket-holders. They still let you select aisle and window seats in the rest of economy without a fee.

If "preferred" seats are still available 24 hours before the flight, anyone can purchase them. The fees depend on the length of the flight.

anyegr

For a short trip (max two hours) I want a window seat so I can lean against the wall. For a longer trip I want an aisle seat so I can get to the toilet without climbing over someone else. If I have paid extra for a window or aisle seat I am not going to move to a middle seat.

I am not going to take responsibility for someone else's child. I have made the choice to remain childless for a reason. I have NO patience at all. Max five minutes of bad behaviour, then I will call a flight attendant to deal with the problem.

I am certainly NEVER taking someone else's child to the bathroom.

CubFanAlways

A quick note of clarification: When I say I could "help", I mean, "The washroom door is there, be sure to close the latch." I'm with you anyegr, no way am I taking someone else's child to the toilet!

alanRow, can you give some details on how you babysat? I'm curious as to how much attention you felt you had to give, what happened, and so forth.

Meanwhile, lots of chatter about this on Overhead Bin

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...re-to-pay?lite

hpeabody

Me again... Flew yesterday. terribly uncomfortable totally packed plane. I was unfortunately behind one of few ALL THE WAY MAX recline people. So rude!. I had the seat behind an economy comfort seat, although I could not tell that when I reserved my seat as it just showed reserved. Space ratio feels like he gets 10 feet, I get 2 feet, something not fair about that. He got to have a nice comfortable flight while I was miserable. He had no clue either. I just hate that trapped in, head in my face, can't breath for 5 hours feeling. The bad thing I have the same seat on the same plane (It's a turnaround) on my return. Dreading it. I officially hate flying now