No Reservation? No Problem: Tips to Get Your Group Seated Together
Jackie Reddy June 26, 2018
Group travelers who haven’t pre-booked their seating assignments needn’t panic, USA Today reports. From speaking to check-in and gate agents – as well as offering to swap seats with fellow passengers – the outlet offers multiple strategies for those looking to secure a block of group seating.
Whether pre-booked or assigned at the gate, airline seating is a hot-button issue among those who fly. The likes of Ryanair have aroused both fury and wholesale confusion over their seat reservation policy for those traveling in groups, but, as USA Today reports, those who haven’t pre-booked their block of chosen seats need not necessarily panic.
For passengers who have neglected to reserve their spots, communication can play a major role in potentially securing group seating. The outlet advises speaking to a member of the airline’s staff either at the check-in desk or, even better, at the gate just prior to boarding. Nina Thomas, author of How to Be Your Own Travel Agent, says that this is a tried-and-true method for obtaining group seating.
“There have been multiple times where we’ve told the gate agent that we don’t have seats together but would like to, and they’ve been able to make it happen,” she says.
For those unable to alert the gate agent to their request, the next strategy, of course, is to speak directly to crew members themselves who might be able to offer a separated group a block of seats together.
If that doesn’t work, the final rung is to speak to fellow passengers. For those employing this strategy – and indeed, for any mentioned above – it helps to be polite and, if possible, to offer up a gesture of goodwill to show gratitude. A drink or even a little cash, the outlet says, could go far for those who need a bit of help in securing their seats.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
I thankfully have never been asked to switch seats. I pay the fare levels allowing me to select my seats in advance. My position is that any and all last-minute requests to change seating should be addressed to airline employees only. I also don't think much of news outlets suggesting that passengers should be asking each other to switch seats.
I have little sympathy for families / groups that want to sit together, too cheap to pay for pre-reserved seats. I typically pay for my preferred seat (often in first/business), or pre-reserve a preferred seat based on my status, find offers of a drink or comments like "you were a kid once" insulting.