TheBOSman

Why would they not charge a premium for a middle seat that has extra legroom? It is indeed a premium seat. There are people who would be more willing to sit in a middle with extra legroom than an aisle or window without extra legroom. All of the available middle seats without extra legroom are available without upcharge or elite-reserved, excepting 17B and the last row (blocked until airport assignment on most AA flights I've had that I can recall).

rjw242

I'm not saying they shouldn't. I'm just saying it's notable that non-elites can't book two seats without extra legroom together in advance. The options are pay for both (and get extra legroom on both), or roll the dice on the back of the plane.

TheBOSman

It is notable indeed.

I'd roll the dice, why ever pick two middles? You truly can't be given two worse seats than the current options available to non-elites. If you let AA assign two seats, it is impossible for AA to give you anything worse than what is available.

This is one major advantage of the WN cattle call as long as you're in the front two-thirds or so, you'll be almost guaranteed 2 seats together.

cova

The blocked seats is not unique to the JFK to SFO and LAX routes. Most AA flights block seats (except the middle) - except the last few rows.

The JFK flights only have 72 Y seats so AA needs a premium for those seats.

Unless you have an AA credit card - you need to pay up to get seats together. That is just the cost of traveling. Pay up now or likely sit separately in middle seats.

That $400 ticket gives you a middle seat (only). And don't assume you can ask someone to swap seats after boarding so you can sit together. I know I would not swap my aisle seat.

The cost of the ticket is the base fare ($400) plus a seat charge for non-middle plus a baggage charge if you want to check a bag. (unless you are elite or have a credit card).

Also - people with kids need to understand that their ticket cost is more than base fare - if they want to sit with their children. And don't ask people to move for your children, as others either paid for the upgraded seat or have status that allows them to get it.

ijgordon

Which credit card gives non-elites access to premium seats or main cabin extra for free?

I think what will happen is that the middles will ultimately fill up over the next few weeks with single travelers or those who don't know better. So OP has a good chance of getting windows and/or aisles either at OLCI or at the airport. Then it'll probably be easy to swap with whoever is in one of the middles to end up with 2 seats together.

HomerJay

The idea that parents should have to pay a premium to sit next to their small children is so wrong on so many levels. If that is the case, is it the job of the stranger sitting next to the child to comfort the frightened child, or to take him or her to the lav? Or is that the job of the FA?

<redacted>

The ADA requires airlines to make reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities, and that includes special handicapped seats and an seat for their escort or caregiver at no extra charge. That should also be the case for small children, who also often cannot care for themselves.

jaimelannister

Why should parents get premium seats for free when someone traveling solo has to pay? That doesn't make much sense to me, and apparently not to the airlines, either.

Catbert10

Because you probably aren't going to pay to sit the the "premium" seats. I use quotes, because there isn't anything premium about them other than them being aisle or window. Most solo travelers will roll the dice knowing that they have a good chance of getting one of these "premium" seats. For people traveling together, though, the airline has forced them into the privilege of paying extra for sitting together.

rjw242

I'm surprised that this needs to be said, but:
1. Nobody is forced to fly
2. Nobody is forced to fly AA
3. Nobody is forced to pay extra to sit together while flying AA.

RogerD408

AA (and the other airlines) has a chance to groom their future flyers. Forcing families to either pay higher fares or other airlines to be able to sit together is not wise. Culling out the window and aisle seats to be more expensive is just a money grab. Adults can/should be able to tend to themselves, but children should have a caretaker next to them. And to have someone start their adult life with EXP status can be a big plus for the airline!

Just like they don't verify you are actually sitting in the seat listed on your BP (for parties travelling together), they do not need to check if the child is actually in the "premium seat". But should they cancel the child's rez, then the "premium seat" can go back into inventory for someone else to pay for or allow a standby to make the flight. If a habit of cancellation appears then AAudit can "have a chat" (just like they do with hidden city offenders).

Catbert10

Given that the chances that there will be seats together at check-in on the flight example given above are only slightly above nil, please show me how a family could travel together without paying extra.

And sadly, AA isn't the only airline doing this.

ehallison

If someone is starting their adult life with EXP status, then they are flying enough to earn Plat along the way, and thus able to choose the aisle/window seats with no charge.

RogerD408

I think the point was no one is forced to fly together and payment is only required if you choose. The fact that you must pay more if you want to keep your child near you is not a concern to anyone traveling alone or with an adult.

Imagine the uproar if AA chose to force single travellers to sit in the back of the plane and only those with two or more on the PNR allowed to select the first ten rows prior to T-24? I am not anxious to have a child next to me (especially one without a parent/guardian at hand), but this limitation is a bit ridiculous to me.

aamilesslave

And Gold before that.

Catbert10

I think the solution is not that families be allowed to fly in MCE for free, it's that families be allowed to get seats together by unblocking the "premium" seats for them. Again, there's nothing premium about them other than they are windows and aisles.

And sitting away from your minor child is not really an option, or at least not an acceptable one. It's bad for the parents, the kids, the fellow travelers, and potentially the airline.