young children given seats away from parents
Dec 5, 2017, 1:55 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: BG
Programs: BAEC Silver, TK Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 827
But its stated that they don't have to pay on the website. Whether you agree with this or not, it is stated. Some of us have status or full Y tickets and don't pay for selection, there are many exceptions and a child sitting next to an adult is just one of them.
Dec 5, 2017, 1:59 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 116
The years of flying with my children under 12, not once did I pay for seat selection - why would I if BA policy is to seat children next to parents. never had a problem, generally BA get it right - they know who the under 12s are and who they are flying with and pre-allocate accordingly. You get the seat you are given, might be windows and aisles, might be aisles and middles but that's the lottery if you choose not to pay
As to what happens if for whatever reason allocation goes wrong, I've seen it happen to others twice and Adult Pax will be moved to accommodate (once notified in the lounge and the other on board, and it was a fait a complis not a request).
As to what happens if for whatever reason allocation goes wrong, I've seen it happen to others twice and Adult Pax will be moved to accommodate (once notified in the lounge and the other on board, and it was a fait a complis not a request).
Dec 5, 2017, 2:01 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Programs: EK,BA,QR
Posts: 547
This is a hypothetical situation in all reality. I very much doubt it will happen.
However, to avoid stress, worry and anguish, really, I'd pay for the seats for more or less complete peace of mind for my family's sake. It's not worth the worry otherwise. Yes, BA should etc etc. - but I'd want to be in control of what I do and not leave it to BA. After all, none of us is actually guaranteed pretty much anything on a flight, not just parents with children.
However, to avoid stress, worry and anguish, really, I'd pay for the seats for more or less complete peace of mind for my family's sake. It's not worth the worry otherwise. Yes, BA should etc etc. - but I'd want to be in control of what I do and not leave it to BA. After all, none of us is actually guaranteed pretty much anything on a flight, not just parents with children.
Dec 5, 2017, 2:03 am
#80
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 930
So if I pay for my seat am I then made to feel like a heel if I don't want to move so a parent and child can sit together?
Dec 5, 2017, 2:03 am
#81
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
I feel like the relevant information from BA is
From https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ving-your-seat
So, contact BA a few days before your flight departs if your children are not yet allocated seats near (according to the BA definition) the adults. Implicitly, they will not allocate you such seats more than a few days before departure.
Much of the posturing and aggression in above posts is not needed.
If you don’t reserve your seats in advance, we’ll do our best to seat your family together a few days before your flight departs. However, the seat selection may be limited at that time and your seats may be split across different rows or the aisle. We will make sure each child under 12 years sits next to an adult from your booking but children over 12 years are booked as an adult in our system and may sit separately.
So, contact BA a few days before your flight departs if your children are not yet allocated seats near (according to the BA definition) the adults. Implicitly, they will not allocate you such seats more than a few days before departure.
Much of the posturing and aggression in above posts is not needed.
Dec 5, 2017, 2:15 am
#82
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,830
Regarding the 4 seats in a row- my comments relate to the fact that it would be better on the other people flying if kids are in the middle pair with an adult either side so the kids have a floor space and are not infringing on anyone else’s space/isle. This doesn’t make my flight easier was more thinking of the other passengers around us.
Dec 5, 2017, 2:25 am
#83
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,981
I feel like the relevant information from BA is
From https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ving-your-seat
So, contact BA a few days before your flight departs if your children are not yet allocated seats near (according to the BA definition) the adults. Implicitly, they will not allocate you such seats more than a few days before departure.
Much of the posturing and aggression in above posts is not needed.
From https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ving-your-seat
So, contact BA a few days before your flight departs if your children are not yet allocated seats near (according to the BA definition) the adults. Implicitly, they will not allocate you such seats more than a few days before departure.
Much of the posturing and aggression in above posts is not needed.
Dec 5, 2017, 2:33 am
#84
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,512
Originally Posted by BA website
Sometimes we may need to change reserved seats, even after you have boarded the aircraft. Although we will do all possible to prevent this, it might be unavoidable for a number of reasons including a change of aircraft due to operational, safety or security reasons, so we cannot guarantee your reserved seat.
If you’ve paid to reserve a seat, and we're unable to offer you that seat or a suitable alternative when you board your flight, you can claim a refund.
Dec 5, 2017, 2:45 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
According to your profile - you don't - according to that - you are firmly in the list of people who don't pay.
There are a long list of exemptions to having to pay for seat selection - including (but not limited to): Gold, Silver, Bronze (and all their one world equivalents), disabled people, group bookings, corporate bookings where free seat selection is thrown in ...
Are you begrudging everyone on that list who wants to sit together with someone else but not pay ... this is all operational procedure after all?
And let's not forget we're talking about CW here ... 1 CW return and a semi-cheap domestic or European short haul and you've got free seat selection at 7 days out.
There are a long list of exemptions to having to pay for seat selection - including (but not limited to): Gold, Silver, Bronze (and all their one world equivalents), disabled people, group bookings, corporate bookings where free seat selection is thrown in ...
Are you begrudging everyone on that list who wants to sit together with someone else but not pay ... this is all operational procedure after all?
And let's not forget we're talking about CW here ... 1 CW return and a semi-cheap domestic or European short haul and you've got free seat selection at 7 days out.
Dec 5, 2017, 3:17 am
#87
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 141
we are spread across rows 13,14 and 15
Dec 5, 2017, 3:21 am
#88
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,992
Dec 5, 2017, 3:32 am
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 141
rather not share online- suffice to say they do not meet requirements.
Been an interesting read. All I can say is if we are left with these seats then I feel sorry for whoever gets the 3yo as a neighbour and for the FA trying to instruct him to put on his seat-belt/stay seated.
I really do not think it is being unreasonable to expect to be sat next to a child below the ages of 12 as per BAs terms.
Been an interesting read. All I can say is if we are left with these seats then I feel sorry for whoever gets the 3yo as a neighbour and for the FA trying to instruct him to put on his seat-belt/stay seated.
I really do not think it is being unreasonable to expect to be sat next to a child below the ages of 12 as per BAs terms.
Dec 5, 2017, 3:35 am
#90
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,981
rather not share online- suffice to say they do not meet requirements.
Been an interesting read. All I can say is if we are left with these seats then I feel sorry for whoever gets the 3yo as a neighbour and for the FA trying to instruct him to put on his seat-belt/stay seated.
I really do not think it is being unreasonable to expect to be sat next to a child below the ages of 12 as per BAs terms.
Been an interesting read. All I can say is if we are left with these seats then I feel sorry for whoever gets the 3yo as a neighbour and for the FA trying to instruct him to put on his seat-belt/stay seated.
I really do not think it is being unreasonable to expect to be sat next to a child below the ages of 12 as per BAs terms.