young children given seats away from parents
#153
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 929
I think this thread touches a nerve for people who don't have children either by choice or because of the vagaries of fate. We're constantly looked upon with suspicion for being childless and never quite fit in amongst work peers, etc. We constantly witness parents having meltdowns at the gate over entire families demanding to be seated together, etc. We get lower priority when booking time off at work, we get the crappy guest room, etc etc. Okay I'm dipping a little into pop psychology, but I think this does sound very much like another situation where childless people are being asked to subsidise and accommodate kids.
#154
Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR/Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 551
I think this thread touches a nerve for people who don't have children either by choice or because of the vagaries of fate. We're constantly looked upon with suspicion for being childless and never quite fit in amongst work peers, etc. We constantly witness parents having meltdowns at the gate over entire families demanding to be seated together, etc. We get lower priority when booking time off at work, we get the crappy guest room, etc etc. Okay I'm dipping a little into pop psychology, but I think this does sound very much like another situation where childless people are being asked to subsidise and accommodate kids.
#155
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 929
There's civilisation, and then there's British Airways.
#156
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, Belgi
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,511
I don't think that this is even BA showing favouritism to families or discriminating against single travellers, although the result may cause some to think that.
Putting it bluntly, BA's main interest probably lies in not wanting to find itself having to defend a negligence claim in court should something happen to a child that has been separated from at least one parent against its own policy, and the guidelines of the CAA.
Putting it bluntly, BA's main interest probably lies in not wanting to find itself having to defend a negligence claim in court should something happen to a child that has been separated from at least one parent against its own policy, and the guidelines of the CAA.
#157
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 1,256
I think this thread touches a nerve for people who don't have children either by choice or because of the vagaries of fate. We're constantly looked upon with suspicion for being childless and never quite fit in amongst work peers, etc. We constantly witness parents having meltdowns at the gate over entire families demanding to be seated together, etc. We get lower priority when booking time off at work, we get the crappy guest room, etc etc. Okay I'm dipping a little into pop psychology, but I think this does sound very much like another situation where childless people are being asked to subsidise and accommodate kids.
#158
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Londinium
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 929
I've no problem with seating children next to one parent. I just think the fair approach should be if parent wants to be guaranteed this, parent should pay for his/her seat and then have the kids assigned adjacent to the paid seat. I would suggest BA change to this system. If you're not willing to pay for the adult seat then be aware that it will be more work to accommodate you.
#159
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
One parent will be put in an adjacent seat (might be across the aisle or behind/in front), and two parent/child pairs may be a long way from each other (e.g. 20B/C and 38E/39E or whatever, that kind of things) if you do not pay for advance seat assignment*.
But BA will do what they need to meet their legal obligations, which means at least each child will be seated in an adjacent set to one of their parent, but BA are not obliged to do more than that.
If you really want to seat the whole family together, then you'd need to pay for it in order to assure being seated together. However, it might happen that BA will seat all of you together anyway without fees. Of course, it's entirely possible that kind-hearted passengers** who notice you being separated may offer to swap on board so that you can all be seated together as well.
* In the absence of an appropriate OW status.
** There is a degree of self-interest in this as well, in that a family seated together tend to be quieter for those around them, as they won't be shouting to each other, moving around the cabin to spend time together, or kids missing one of the parents seated away from them etc, so don't feel too guilty if someone offers to swap
But BA will do what they need to meet their legal obligations, which means at least each child will be seated in an adjacent set to one of their parent, but BA are not obliged to do more than that.
If you really want to seat the whole family together, then you'd need to pay for it in order to assure being seated together. However, it might happen that BA will seat all of you together anyway without fees. Of course, it's entirely possible that kind-hearted passengers** who notice you being separated may offer to swap on board so that you can all be seated together as well.
* In the absence of an appropriate OW status.
** There is a degree of self-interest in this as well, in that a family seated together tend to be quieter for those around them, as they won't be shouting to each other, moving around the cabin to spend time together, or kids missing one of the parents seated away from them etc, so don't feel too guilty if someone offers to swap
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Dec 6, 2017 at 2:19 am
#160
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, Belgi
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,511
I've no problem with seating children next to one parent. I just think the fair approach should be if parent wants to be guaranteed this, parent should pay for his/her seat and then have the kids assigned adjacent to the paid seat. I would suggest BA change to this system. If you're not willing to pay for the adult seat then be aware that it will be more work to accommodate you.
#161
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,915
My thoughts exactly.
The OP asked a reasonable and relevant question, and yet somehow the thread is discussing the definition of a 'child'.
Threads like these SHOULD AND COULD proove invaluable for those seeking information, but instead it is littered with intimidating tones and unnecessary remarks.
I wish the OP a safe flight, and I'm sure BA will resolve the matter quite simply and easily either on the day, or just before.
Fortunately, the vast majority of travel passengers are instilled with decent human values; shame the same cannot always be said for those in the online community.
M
The OP asked a reasonable and relevant question, and yet somehow the thread is discussing the definition of a 'child'.
Threads like these SHOULD AND COULD proove invaluable for those seeking information, but instead it is littered with intimidating tones and unnecessary remarks.
I wish the OP a safe flight, and I'm sure BA will resolve the matter quite simply and easily either on the day, or just before.
Fortunately, the vast majority of travel passengers are instilled with decent human values; shame the same cannot always be said for those in the online community.
M
#162
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I've no problem with seating children next to one parent. I just think the fair approach should be if parent wants to be guaranteed this, parent should pay for his/her seat and then have the kids assigned adjacent to the paid seat. I would suggest BA change to this system. If you're not willing to pay for the adult seat then be aware that it will be more work to accommodate you.
Should have, could have, would have - it's all blather. Someone else will be shifted by BA as an 'operational requirement'. Fact.
#163
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 116
Has anyone mentioned that a parent flying with an under 12 doesn't need to pay (as per BAs clearly stated public policy) to be seated together yet :-)
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,351
I think this thread touches a nerve for people who don't have children either by choice or because of the vagaries of fate. We're constantly looked upon with suspicion for being childless and never quite fit in amongst work peers, etc. We constantly witness parents having meltdowns at the gate over entire families demanding to be seated together, etc. We get lower priority when booking time off at work, we get the crappy guest room, etc etc. Okay I'm dipping a little into pop psychology, but I think this does sound very much like another situation where childless people are being asked to subsidise and accommodate kids.
#165
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Manchester but from Yorkshire better known as Gods country
Programs: BA Gold, , Sandals plat
Posts: 839
we we could extend the unfair logic to all seat assignments. Using the same basis I could argue that the same applies to teavelling with a child aged over 12 or a very elderly family member who needs reassurance such as my 98 year old nana. Im lucky I have status but under the current BA seat selection policy some people are being discriminated on the grounds of being childless.