How to Ensure You are Seated with Your Children on an Airplane

In the news in recent years, there have been many horror stories from families separated from their children while they travel on airplanes. Many airline companies will not guarantee that children will be seated with their parents. However, there are some small steps you can take to ensure you and your children will be seated together on an aircraft.

First, ask the airline about preferred seating options when you purchase your tickets. Many airlines will have options for choosing seats ahead of boarding. These may vary depending on the class you board in. First class passengers may have more options than economy travelers. If an airline does not have seating options for your particular flight, there are still more options for you.

Find out if fees are placed or associated with guaranteed seat placements. These prices may be expensive per person, but if you are genuinely concerned about the safety of your child on a flight, you may see the price worth it.

On “first come, first serve” airlines, ask if you can board early with your children. Be sure to arrive at the gate early, so you are prepared to go as soon as possible. Be sure, before they even begin to call for boarding, that your children’s toys are packed away and all of your documentation and tickets are available.

If an airline attempts to separate you from your children, let them know you refuse to be separated, and that they must find a solution that is acceptable, and will allow you all to stay together. Be assertive, and refuse to take no for an answer.

If your airline refuses to move seats to allow you to sit with your children, ask other travelers at the gate if they would be willing to trade seats with you once on the plane, so that you may sit with your children. Additionally, you can ask people when you get to the plane and before you take off, if they would be willing to trade seats with you or your children so that you may all sit together. Many people, parents or not, will be willing to trade in order to ensure that you can sit with your children to keep them calm and keep your family together.

Additionally, you can tell an airline you will file an official complaint with their superiors should they not permit you to sit with your children. In many cases, this will work to ‘scare’ airline employees into allowing you and your young children to sit together. Many employees will be understanding of your concern, even if you cannot be seated together, and will try to move you around once all the passengers are seated.

In recent times, traveling by air has become increasingly hectic. You can, however, reduce the stress that occurs while traveling by plane, by making sure that you and your children are seated together on the plane, so you can keep your eye on them and ensure your entire family has a safe trip.