I think the parents should have been more proactive. Once the OP and the Crew both made contact about the problem the parents should be embarrassed enough to get their kids inline.
As for selling 2 seats to 1 person: I'm sure not all airlines do this but Many do. Swiss, BA, United (Continental) are just a few examples of airlines that will do this. Domestically SouthWest have a rather generous program for this. It is similar in a way to buying a seat for a large musical instrument. It is suggested/practically mandatory that you contact the airline to make sure they put remarks in the PNR about the seats being for 1 person and when checking in & boarding both seats are done.
Originally Posted by
CrazyCelt
LOL! I think the FAs should have been more helpful and perhaps creative... (Maybe the threat of incarceration of the entire family with the animals in the very cold below decks area - hehehe!)
But I'd heard about booking two EC seats, and privately didn't actually believe you could do that... Do all airlines do this?