With multiple airlines making you fork out an extra fee to sit where you want on the plane when you go on holiday, more passengers are trying their luck when they get on board the aircraft – and breaking flight rules in the process.
If you have not reserved a seat in advance and end up allocated to a less than favourable spot on the plane as a result, it may be tempting to switch seats to be in a better position or closer to friends or family members. However, airlines are typically very strict when it comes to avoiding so-called ‘seat squatting’ and sitting in your assigned spot due to important safety reasons.
Sticking to the seating plan means that crew can make sure everyone is accounted for more easily in the event of an emergency, while seats are also assigned in order to ensure the weight of the aircraft is balanced. An organised flight where everyone is where they are supposed to be can also speed up boarding and disembarking times – with this in mind, here are the seat booking rules worth knowing for all the UK’s major airlines, The Mirror reports.
Ryanair
Ryanair provides travellers with two seating choices: either opt for a pre-booked reserved seat or go with the free allocation given at check-in. For those who don’t mind where they sit, the ‘random seat allocation’ allows check-in from 24 hours to two hours before the flight without any cost.
For passengers wanting a specific spot on the plane, reserved seats can be bought at booking, during check-in, or up until the flight, with prices varying based on the seat’s location. Without a reserved seat, Ryanair will assign a random one for free upon check-in – but as the airline’s website warns, this doesn’t guarantee sitting next to your travel companions.
In addition, customers have the option to purchase an extra seat for added comfort by booking two full-price tickets. The Ryanair website instructs: “Book the first ticket in your name. Then for your second ticket, enter ‘EXTRA’ as the first name and ‘COMFORT SEAT’ as the last name. ‘EXTRA COMFORT SEAT’ will then be added to your reservation. When checking in online, the same travel document details will be added for you and your extra seat.”
Once booked, reserved seats are non-refundable and cannot be removed from the booking, Ryanair warns.
Jet2
For Jet2 flights, travellers have the option to secure their preferred seats by pre-booking them online when they buy their plane tickets. They can also reserve their seats post-booking by accessing the ‘Manage My Booking’ feature, although seat prices may vary based on location and route.
Should a passenger opt not to pre-book a seat, one will be assigned to them during online check-in or at the airport, operating on a first come, first served basis. Jet2 also offers extra legroom seats, which are clearly indicated on the seating maps during the booking process and are typically situated towards the front and middle sections of the plane.
The airline also aims to ensure that children and infants under 12 years of age are seated next to their accompanying adults.
easyJet
Passengers with easyJet can choose where they would like to sit on their flight for an extra fee. Seats can be chosen at the time of booking, or at any time before check-in, via Manage Bookings on easyJet’s website or mobile app.
The easyJet website explains: “On bookings with more than one passenger, allocated seats must be selected for all passengers on the booking otherwise we cannot allow any allocated seats to be purchased.”
EasyJet offers three types of seats: standard seats which are free for easyJet Plus cardholders and customers who have purchased a FLEXI fare, up front seats which are free for easyJet Plus cardholders and customers who have purchased a FLEXI fare and are located in rows two to six and extra legroom seats, which are also free for easyJet Plus cardholders and discounted for customers who have purchased a FLEXI fare.
TUI
If you’re flying with TUI or any of its chartered airlines, passengers can pay extra to choose where they sit on the aircraft. And like other airlines, if they do not select a seat they will be automatically allocated a seat when they check in online.
The airline makes sure that children under the age of 12 are sat with at least one adult in their party.
If an individual has paid for a seating product, such as ‘Select Your Seat’, ‘Seats with Extra Legroom’, ‘Seats with Extra Space’ or ‘Premium’ – but have not chosen their seats at least 14 days before their holiday, TUI will automatically allocate seats to them. On long-haul flights passengers are also given the option to upgrade to a ‘Premium’ seat.
British Airways
On British Airways flights, the fare you choose and the cabin you choose to travel in changes whether a passenger’s seat selection will be free or come at an extra cost. Passengers can choose their seat for free from 24 hours before their departure time, when check-in opens, unless they have booked a Basic ticket, which is usually economy with hand-baggage only, as for these tickets passengers’ seats will be allocated.
If a passenger has a basic ticket, they can still pay to choose a seat from when they book until check-in opens. For individuals flying with children, the airline recommends booking seats in advance. British Airways also lets passengers buy an extra ticket to keep the seat next to them free.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/ryanair-jet2-easyjet-seat-rules-30929379
