Basic Economy for family
Jun 21, 2019, 2:19 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
I don’t know why people think the airline should be responsible for making sure your child is Sakely Cedar. They did not tell you to have the child, they are not raising the child for you. You need to make a decision based on your wrist tolerance as to whether you could handle your child being seat away from you. If you can’t buy the more expensive ticket. I was flying back-and-forth to places at that age on my own, so I could’ve been said anywhere on the plane and been just fine.
But clams the airlines discriminate against person by offering you an option they don’t like just makes no sense. They are not the ones who forced you to Reproduce. . You made that decision when you had the kid . Do you get free groceries because you have to buy more food than you did when you didn’t have a kid? Is the grocery store discriminating against you by making you pay more to feed the child? I don’t understand the entitlement that appears to be an existing with airline seats.
But clams the airlines discriminate against person by offering you an option they don’t like just makes no sense. They are not the ones who forced you to Reproduce. . You made that decision when you had the kid . Do you get free groceries because you have to buy more food than you did when you didn’t have a kid? Is the grocery store discriminating against you by making you pay more to feed the child? I don’t understand the entitlement that appears to be an existing with airline seats.
Jun 21, 2019, 2:38 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,227
From WaPo:
"There is an exception for when such a seat assignment would require an upgrade to another cabin class or a seat with extra legroom or seat pitch, for which additional fees generally are required."
"There is an exception for when such a seat assignment would require an upgrade to another cabin class or a seat with extra legroom or seat pitch, for which additional fees generally are required."
Jun 21, 2019, 2:47 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Yes they will almost certainly be seated together. Dont have info for delta but many airlines (including lcc) have policies requiring it and in years of flying with or without kids i have never seen a young kid seated separately involuntarily. Airlines do not want any liability possibly associated with that.
Jun 21, 2019, 3:15 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Jun 21, 2019, 3:26 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,227
Actually found the text from the bill (below). It's rather vague. "To the maximum extent possible" could include asking pax to swap onboard. If they won't/don't then I suppose it rises to the "Maximum extent possible" test.
I wonder if the secretary reviewed it and found it "appropriate"?! Nothing like making a decree as long as someone reviews it and finds it "appropriate"...
(d) Family Seating.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and,
if appropriate, establish a policy directing all air carriers
to ensure that, if a family is traveling on a reservation
with a child under the age of 13, that child is able to sit
in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family
member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent practicable,
at no additional cost.
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and,
if appropriate, establish a policy directing all air carriers
to ensure that, if a family is traveling on a reservation
with a child under the age of 13, that child is able to sit
in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family
member over the age of 13, to the maximum extent practicable,
at no additional cost.
Jun 21, 2019, 4:27 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I also don't buy BE seats and never would. However, I'm thinking about the family of five who takes the once a year trip to see grandma. Buying main cabin seats instead of BE for five people could easily be a $300-$400 difference, or more. If you are a family who is strapped for cash, as so many American families are, that's a pretty crappy choice that the airline has just presented you with, especially if your kids are really young.
Jun 21, 2019, 4:47 pm
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I'm not advocating for that, but it would be a quick and dirty way to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Actually found the text from the bill (below). It's rather vague. "To the maximum extent possible" could include asking pax to swap onboard. If they won't/don't then I suppose it rises to the "Maximum extent possible" test.
I wonder if the secretary reviewed it and found it "appropriate"?! Nothing like making a decree as long as someone reviews it and finds it "appropriate"...
https://www.congress.gov/crec/2016/0...-PgS1876-3.htm
Actually found the text from the bill (below). It's rather vague. "To the maximum extent possible" could include asking pax to swap onboard. If they won't/don't then I suppose it rises to the "Maximum extent possible" test.
I wonder if the secretary reviewed it and found it "appropriate"?! Nothing like making a decree as long as someone reviews it and finds it "appropriate"...
https://www.congress.gov/crec/2016/0...-PgS1876-3.htm
There are all manner of proposals floating out there regarding family seating, but they are not law and the fact that some Senator proposed something means absolutely nothing.
For those who suggest that DL should not sell BE fares for those <13, that is simply silly. Plenty of 12 YOA and a good deal younger are capable of and want to be seated "alone" (not fly alone, but simply not be seated immediately next to a parent).
Jun 21, 2019, 4:48 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 28
I also don't buy BE seats and never would. However, I'm thinking about the family of five who takes the once a year trip to see grandma. Buying main cabin seats instead of BE for five people could easily be a $300-$400 difference, or more. If you are a family who is strapped for cash, as so many American families are, that's a pretty crappy choice that the airline has just presented you with, especially if your kids are really young.
Should I be entitled to a FC seat at a regular economy fare? Of course not. There's a reason one is cheaper and the other more expensive.
Jun 21, 2019, 5:17 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Wrong. As countless FTers regularly point out, BE fares use to be just the lowest regular economy fares. Delta did not introduce a cheaper fare. Delta removed amenities that they used to provide for that price point.
Jun 21, 2019, 6:11 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
Buy the fare you want. If you want an assigned seat, please DON’T buy BE. Don’t make me give up my seat for your kid because you were too cheap to pay the extra $20, fly southwest, take Amtrak, drive, use a dromedary, etc. Not my problem.
Jun 21, 2019, 6:44 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,945
BS. 9 year olds should be seated next to at least one parent. Period.
Jun 21, 2019, 8:22 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Delta doesn’t allow Passengers of Size to purchase BE fares because they can’t guarantee adjacent seating. Same should go for kids. Or they should allow EXST purchases of BE fares and guarantee 2 seats together.
Jun 21, 2019, 8:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
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Posts: 4,945
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ic-economy.jsp
Jun 22, 2019, 2:14 am
#45
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Posts: 100,413
I agree with your first statement. BE customers should assume that they will be assigned middle seats. This is what not being entitled to pick or change seats means......Alternatively families using BE fares could be required at purchase to check a box saying that they understand that kids can have seats alone and the parent(s) vouch that this is acceptable as the kid is mature enough.