Ah, the joys of flying with kids—where every moment is a gamble and seating assignments are the wild card. Recently, a little traveler found himself 11 rows away from his dad on a Delta flight, and to top it off, the airline charged his father a whopping $88 to change the seat at the airport. It seems absurd that an airline would let a young child fly solo, but it turns out this is a common nightmare for many parents. In the comments section of the article discussing this incident, several parents recounted similar tales of woe. It’s unfair to put the onus on unsuspecting passengers to switch seats just to accommodate families.
Lesson of the Day:
Never assume airlines will seat you next to your child. Always book your tickets well in advance if possible.
Take the case of Jack Thompson, who recently traveled to visit his mother with his daughter. When he booked their tickets, he noticed they weren’t seated together, so he figured he would simply ask the ticket agent for help at the airport. Nope! The agent informed him that he’d need to cough up $88 to sit together. After spending $1,200 on tickets, Jack boarded the plane only to see plenty of empty seats. Talk about frustrating! He even blogged about his experience to vent his frustrations.
Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be next to an unattended four-year-old, and I’m a parent of one myself! This seating arrangement doesn’t benefit anyone: the fearful toddler, the anxious parent, or the unfortunate seatmate who suddenly becomes a default babysitter. When airlines fail to accommodate families, it puts parents in the awkward position of having to solicit seat changes from strangers. Not ideal for anyone involved.
If you’re flying with little ones, booking in advance isn’t always an option, and if you can’t secure seats together, your best bet is to reach out to the airline directly. Don’t leave your seating arrangements up to fate, hoping for a kind ticket agent. That’s a gamble that rarely pays off!
Airlines are often aware of children traveling with families, as they usually ask for details like date of birth when you book. It shouldn’t be a circus act for parents or anyone traveling with companions who have special needs, yet that’s the reality. To avoid a flying fiasco, make sure you clarify seating arrangements before you board.
For more on navigating the complexities of parenthood, check out this article from our blog. And if you’re curious about home insemination, Make A Mom is an excellent resource for learning about the process. For additional tips on pregnancy and related topics, WebMD offers great insights.
Summary:
When flying with children, don’t assume airlines will seat you together. Always book in advance and contact the airline if you run into issues. This will save you from the awkwardness of asking other passengers to switch seats.