Delta Prefered seats out of control
#31
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: RDU
Posts: 389
+1. When I briefly lost DL status, I found that less than half the seats were available to me. I would gladly have paid for a "premium" seat next to each crappy middle seat, but DL doesn't monetize at the time of booking. It drove my family travel to WN for the rest of the year (ironic, in light of the "moo" commercials).
#32
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: National Capitol Region
Programs: Delta Dirt Medallion,AA,USairways, WN Rapid Rewards, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3,912
+1. When I briefly lost DL status, I found that less than half the seats were available to me. I would gladly have paid for a "premium" seat next to each crappy middle seat, but DL doesn't monetize at the time of booking. It drove my family travel to WN for the rest of the year (ironic, in light of the "moo" commercials).
#33
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
My family could not fly together either - 6 and 8 y/old
It is really stressful traveling with kids, especially with Delta. I think it's terrible that Delta is following this profit only and insane strategy - I hope something happens (even a regulatory something). My story - booked a flight ATL-MCO (2 months in advanced) for May 24th departure, selected one window and one middle seat - for husband and 6 year old and another window and middle seat for me and 8 year old, towards the front - row 25 or so. 48 hours before the flight Delta switched my seat selection to window, middle, aisle, aisle about 10 rows behind my original selection. 24 hours before flight -when I received the it's time to check-in email - they changed my seats again:
22F, 24A, 25C, 33F - scattered in the plane. I was furious! I called customer service and talked to agent and sup - they said there is nothing they could do as they need to increase revenue. Arrived at the airport to check in and when my 6 year old asked if we were seating together and I said no, he started crying (how fun my Disney trip started thanks to Delta). At check in I paid $9 for an aisle seat close to me for my 6 year old so he can stop crying - so we ended up 24A, 24C, 25C and 22F. How is this better than what I have originally reserved? I had originally reserved 2 premium seats and 2 middle seats and I was happy about it and now Delta ended up giving me 4 premium seats - and I was not happy as my kids were not sitting by me bothering other passengers somewhere else. I am sure the passengers by my kids were not so thrilled either and we took 2 premium seats (aisles) that we did not want (2 middle seats for the kids work for us).
How can this make sense? how is it sane to think that kids are better of flying with strangers?
This is the second time that Delta does this to my family vacation. I am thinking that someone should step up for families - is it too unreasonable to want to flight with your kid by your side? what a terrible service we are receiving by this industry!
In the flight back they changed my seats too! again I booked window, middle row 24 and window middle row 32. Ended up window, middle, aisle, aisle row 32 - not so bad for me but is this really better for Delta (again 3 premium seats for me versus the 2 I requested)...
Flying again in July - booked 2 months prior - I am already stressed out about the sitting. This one is an International flight and the customer service rep told me that they will likely change my seats because I booked so early - it really does not make any sense to me. I booked early because I want to select seats that work for us - and Delta tells me that booking so early increases the chances of my seats being change...
any advice on my upcoming trip and the nightmare with the seating?
Terrible!
22F, 24A, 25C, 33F - scattered in the plane. I was furious! I called customer service and talked to agent and sup - they said there is nothing they could do as they need to increase revenue. Arrived at the airport to check in and when my 6 year old asked if we were seating together and I said no, he started crying (how fun my Disney trip started thanks to Delta). At check in I paid $9 for an aisle seat close to me for my 6 year old so he can stop crying - so we ended up 24A, 24C, 25C and 22F. How is this better than what I have originally reserved? I had originally reserved 2 premium seats and 2 middle seats and I was happy about it and now Delta ended up giving me 4 premium seats - and I was not happy as my kids were not sitting by me bothering other passengers somewhere else. I am sure the passengers by my kids were not so thrilled either and we took 2 premium seats (aisles) that we did not want (2 middle seats for the kids work for us).
How can this make sense? how is it sane to think that kids are better of flying with strangers?
This is the second time that Delta does this to my family vacation. I am thinking that someone should step up for families - is it too unreasonable to want to flight with your kid by your side? what a terrible service we are receiving by this industry!
In the flight back they changed my seats too! again I booked window, middle row 24 and window middle row 32. Ended up window, middle, aisle, aisle row 32 - not so bad for me but is this really better for Delta (again 3 premium seats for me versus the 2 I requested)...
Flying again in July - booked 2 months prior - I am already stressed out about the sitting. This one is an International flight and the customer service rep told me that they will likely change my seats because I booked so early - it really does not make any sense to me. I booked early because I want to select seats that work for us - and Delta tells me that booking so early increases the chances of my seats being change...
any advice on my upcoming trip and the nightmare with the seating?
Terrible!
#34
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: United - PG, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,625
Flying again in July - booked 2 months prior - I am already stressed out about the sitting. This one is an International flight and the customer service rep told me that they will likely change my seats because I booked so early - it really does not make any sense to me. I booked early because I want to select seats that work for us - and Delta tells me that booking so early increases the chances of my seats being change...
any advice on my upcoming trip and the nightmare with the seating?
Terrible!
any advice on my upcoming trip and the nightmare with the seating?
Terrible!
As for your upcoming INTL flight, the seats are unlikely to be reassigned. How ever if you provide the aircraft type (date and flight if you feel comfortable doing so), you can likely get better information.
#35
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
[*]Even if you board the plane with nothing but middles, a polite plea to a neighbor along the lines of ("I know how horrible it is to ask you to switch to a middle, but this horrible airline sat me and my 5yo apart. Would one of you please be willing to switch with me?") will likely resolve the issue.[/LIST]
Besides, if noone moves, just stand there until someone does. They can't close the door until everyone's sitting, correct?
Yet all of that is dependent on your willingness to not take that flight.
#36
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Full time Nomad
Posts: 842
Is Delta really prepared?
Not all 100% of the passengers on a Delta flight are nice people, some, even, might be scary seated next to a child.
Will it take is one accusation of "inappropriate behavior" with a child sitting next to a stranger with no parent next to them to have them rethink this?
Even if one is willing to pay the additional fee for to be seated together, there will be occasions where there are no available seats together...No?
Is it REALLY over 5 as being considered as able to fly "unaccompanied"???
Will it take is one accusation of "inappropriate behavior" with a child sitting next to a stranger with no parent next to them to have them rethink this?
Even if one is willing to pay the additional fee for to be seated together, there will be occasions where there are no available seats together...No?
Is it REALLY over 5 as being considered as able to fly "unaccompanied"???
#37
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta frequent flyer Gold Medallion Status
Posts: 876
My daughter, son-in-law and 6 year-old grandson fly into Orlando several times a year to visit us. They do not have status and are never assigned seats together. My daughter just gets on the plane and puts my grandson in the center seat where he has been assigned. She just smiles at the passengers on either side and explains that Delta could not seat her next to her son. Passengers are never excited about having a six-year-old child as a seat companion.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Oh, c'mon, that's almost a perfect example of "who talks first". Point to the two rows of aisle/window and empty-middle, and say "if one of you four doesn't move to the middle of the other row, two of you are sitting with a 5yo in the middle seat".
Besides, if noone moves, just stand there until someone does. They can't close the door until everyone's sitting, correct?
Yet all of that is dependent on your willingness to not take that flight.
Besides, if noone moves, just stand there until someone does. They can't close the door until everyone's sitting, correct?
Yet all of that is dependent on your willingness to not take that flight.
Delta does need to do a better job of sitting families together. Maybe what they should do is have the last couple rows of a plane blocked out and only bookable for people flying with younger children. It would help ti insure parents and their kids sit together and wouldn't PO many frequent flyers since the back of the plane isn't that desirable of seating.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
My daughter, son-in-law and 6 year-old grandson fly into Orlando several times a year to visit us. They do not have status and are never assigned seats together. My daughter just gets on the plane and puts my grandson in the center seat where he has been assigned. She just smiles at the passengers on either side and explains that Delta could not seat her next to her son. Passengers are never excited about having a six-year-old child as a seat companion.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
I have been on southwest flights before where they had late connects and only middle seats were open and the FA's had luck getting passengers to switch to a middle seat in exchange for drink coupouns. One time they got two people to move and I can't remember if it was in exchange for free dirnks the entire flight or a book of four drink coupons. If I wasn't a frequent flyer, and flew once or twice a year, four free drinks or unlimited drinks on a chicago to vegas flight may be enough to encourage me to switch to a middle seat
Delta should just block out the last few rows from being booked and only allow them to be booked by people travelling with young children. It would save them a lot of hassle from trying to sit kids and a parent together and wouldn't tick off their loyal customers since those aren't desirable seats anyway and it would make deplanning a lot faster having the small kids in the back as well.
#40
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Oh, c'mon, that's almost a perfect example of "who talks first". Point to the two rows of aisle/window and empty-middle, and say "if one of you four doesn't move to the middle of the other row, two of you are sitting with a 5yo in the middle seat".
Besides, if noone moves, just stand there until someone does. They can't close the door until everyone's sitting, correct?
Yet all of that is dependent on your willingness to not take that flight.
Besides, if noone moves, just stand there until someone does. They can't close the door until everyone's sitting, correct?
Yet all of that is dependent on your willingness to not take that flight.
Now I agree if Delta moves a family that was originally seated together then Delta should fix the mess.
If however, family said "we don't want to pay for seat assignements" then... all bets are off.
(and as for ag30075's post... I have read it three times. Not a clue what seats they have and what they want...)
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Delta does need to do a better job of sitting families together. Maybe what they should do is have the last couple rows of a plane blocked out and only bookable for people flying with younger children. It would help ti insure parents and their kids sit together and wouldn't PO many frequent flyers since the back of the plane isn't that desirable of seating.
#42
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: United - PG, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,625
My daughter, son-in-law and 6 year-old grandson fly into Orlando several times a year to visit us. They do not have status and are never assigned seats together. My daughter just gets on the plane and puts my grandson in the center seat where he has been assigned. She just smiles at the passengers on either side and explains that Delta could not seat her next to her son. Passengers are never excited about having a six-year-old child as a seat companion.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
Our grandson has never flown without a parent next to him. Someone always elects to take daughter's middle seat rather than flying across the country with a six-year-child. On her flight last week she put grandson in center seat and said to the adjoining passengers that grandson was quite cranky and she was glad that Delta did not require her to sit next to him. Both passengers gave their seats to daughter and son-in-law.
I do agree, however, that Delta could do more to help families sit together. Occasionally a gate agent will do that for my daughter, but only about 50% of the time.
#43
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
+1 - I really like this idea. And if these seats don't fill with families, then that'll be where the E-fares sit, which seems appropriate for the lowest fare class. I can even see the case for reserving the back three or four (or more) rows for this purpose on the leisure heavy routes like those to MCO.
However, the reality is that airlines are going to treat customers who are either frequent fliers or people who pay more than a T fare better than those who fly once or twice a year on a T or E fare from now on.
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
As a PM, I would have an issue being asked to change an aisle seat to a middle seat. One of the perks of having status is access to a better seat. Unless I SDC, I almost always have a Exit row (or now the EC has been rolled out I may chose those seats as well) so I don't have that worry if I am in an exit row at least seeing children can't sit there and if I am in EC, seeing there is a charge for those seats if you don't have status, I shouldn't have a p roblem there either.
Delta does need to do a better job of sitting families together. Maybe what they should do is have the last couple rows of a plane blocked out and only bookable for people flying with younger children. It would help ti insure parents and their kids sit together and wouldn't PO many frequent flyers since the back of the plane isn't that desirable of seating.
Delta does need to do a better job of sitting families together. Maybe what they should do is have the last couple rows of a plane blocked out and only bookable for people flying with younger children. It would help ti insure parents and their kids sit together and wouldn't PO many frequent flyers since the back of the plane isn't that desirable of seating.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745