Sitting next to children when flying

[neg213]

The Civil Aviation Authority recommends (not too sure how enforceable they are) that children should be seated next to accompanying adults when flying, how does it work when flying with airlines that don't allocate seats, anyone got any experience?

[curidys]

I have a feeling that even low-cost airlines have small children board first with parents??? Can anyone confirm this. You could ask the airline. Also, I can't see them going against CAA recommendations, they would be liable in case of accident. But this is just my opinion.
I will be doing the same thing in July with a baby and a child under 5 so will look out for answers!!

[gazzawazza]

We've flown with easyjet quite a few times lately and whilst they don't allocate seats beforehand they definitely did have phased boarding like curidys suggests. It was disabled travellers and their parties and families with children under the age of 12 (I think) first.

[mrs_overall]

When some airlines brought in the ridiculous charge for prebooking seats so that people travelling together had to pay to sit together, I rebelled against it.
My youngest child was a toddler at the time. We pitched up at the airport and the snooty woman on the check in desk did much tutting and said she wasn't sure if she could allocate us seats together.
I simply smiled sweetly and said I would quite happily leave the (screaming) tot with her and hold the airline responsible for his safety and wellbeing until we arrived at our destination. It worked a treat.

If you're flying with an airline that doesn't allocate seats and they try to make you sit apart fom the child, point out to the staff that you will hold them personally responsible for the child. You could also mention that the child is prone to something nasty....like projectile vomitting...when flying.

[kira000]

I'm afraid that on low cost carriers, they will permit families to be split up. It is free for all boarding for a reason. Occassionally they may allow disabled pax onboard first, and even more occassionally children, but it is usually done as first checked in, first allowed on, so allowing all the families on first would negate that.

They usually try to get round it by asking people on board to move seats so kids can sit with parents, but you do get A&*holes who refuse. In which case, i totally endorse the reminding of these people that your child will be crying and may wet themselves if you arent there to take them to the loo.

Unfortunately, the contract you have with the airline os for them to get you from point A to point B. As long as they do that somehow (and it doesnt have to even be by plane or on the same day!), they are not obliged to seat you togther, even if you have children, so CAA recommendations are unenforceable.

Which is why if you really want to sit with your kids, its better to fly with a decent airline that offers preallocated seats, usually preseating families with kids before you even come to the airport.

[pinkcowprint]

we went to portugal last october with a 4month old baby,we were the last ones to check in(with jet2.com)so thought we'd get rubbish seats but we had a spare one,row of 3,and on the way back we asked for legroom as we had a baby and she said we automatically get a free seat because of baby!!would reccommend going with jet2 just for that reason!they dont tell you that though do they!