United allowing families to sit together for free

[EACarlson]

So again, in your scenario, a parent will purchase a middle seat basic economy ticket for themselves, and then they are gifted a window seat for their child at the same price as basic economy?
Therefore, you are financially harmed because there are now less window seats available, so to secure a window, you’d have to pay for one?

That's not following the restrictions of the fare type purchased. The parent knowingly purchased a fare type that did not allow advance seat selection, and specifically says in multiple places that you most likely will not be seated with others on your reservation.
If United implemented this policy for Main Cabin only, and made "preferred" seats available for free to those with children under 12 I'd have no issues with it. I'm not upset with any parent that chooses to utilize this, but it will push United to fourth on my list of airlines I'm choosing from.

 

[Marrila]

That's not following the restrictions of the fare type purchased. The parent knowingly purchased a fare type that did not allow advance seat selection, and specifically says in multiple places that you most likely will not be seated with others on your reservation.
If United implemented this policy for Main Cabin only, and made "preferred" seats available for free to those with children under 12 I'd have no issues with it. I'm not upset with any parent that chooses to utilize this, but it will push United to fourth on my list of airlines I'm choosing from.

I purchase my seats and keep an eye on them. Equipment changes, schedule changes, weather...flying can be challenging.
I hope there isn't a lot of drama when families who were given the unusual BE reserved seats find out they aren't available that day. It was good United has committed to getting them onto other flights, but most flights are pretty full these days.
I will also put United at the bottom of my choices.
I hope eventually they do away with BE.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I purchase my seats and keep an eye on them. Equipment changes, schedule changes, weather...flying can be challenging.
I hope there isn't a lot of drama when families who were given the unusual BE reserved seats find out they aren't available that day. It was good United has committed to getting them onto other flights, but most flights are pretty full these days.
I will also put United at the bottom of my choices.
I hope eventually they do away with BE.

I don't really like to fly United either and avoid them but how they handle it may be how other airlines look to do it as well so it's something to watch I agree.

I never really liked Basic Economy either. I'm totally okay with Spirit or whatnot who are a dressed down airline but having a separate fare class like that got introduced and then rapidly it seemed like adopted by other airlines was always a recipe for disaster. They never really have stuck to what it was introduced as, never really making that hard line and it just fueled people to abuse it.

 

[bfost87]

If that's the movie theater's policy, then the people who don't like the policy don't need to go there. See how that works? Isn't that better/easier than doing business with a company and then complaining because the company is following their posted policy?

THAT'S been my issue all along. I don't care whether you get a discount or not. I *DO* care when someone agrees to a policy (purchasing a ticket that says your seat will be randomly assigned) and then complain when the company does EXACTLY what it said it would do.

Airlines change their policy so kids sit with adults? Fine. I really don't know or care how much the person sitting next to me paid for their seat.

Imagine… complaining about an airline’s policy. Just like everyone has been doing on this thread for days. United’s new policy is to seat children under 12 with A parent (or guardian, etc) regardless of fare type. That’s their policy.

Why is it okay for you to complain about an airlines policy, but not for other people?

 

[bfost87]

In fact - can we just lock this thread? There is nothing constructive being discussed here, just throwing shade back and forth.

 

[Marrila]

In fact - can we just lock this thread? There is nothing constructive being discussed here, just throwing shade back and forth.

It's easy enough to move onto other threads if one finds a particular discussion triggering.
This is a timely thread. For many, itwill be interesting to see how the new program will be rolled out.

 

[Tink3815]

In fact - can we just lock this thread? There is nothing constructive being discussed here, just throwing shade back and forth.

I disagree, I am interested in the outcome and hearing experiences of travelers as this policy rolls out.

 

[easyas123]

In fact - can we just lock this thread? There is nothing constructive being discussed here, just throwing shade back and forth.

Ironically enough, considering this thread...you have a choice to read/participate.
But you want it locked because instead of just not reading it because you don't care for the comments you'd rather prevent everyone from continuing their conversations????????????

 

[Jimsig]

In fact - can we just lock this thread? There is nothing constructive being discussed here, just throwing shade back and forth.

Best thing about internet message boards and things like Facebook is if you don't like or care about a particular thread or status is you can scroll right by or not click on it. Crazy how that works.

 

[SL6827]

Wonder if other airlines will follow suit?

 

[MarBee]

Wonder if other airlines will follow suit?

Frontier already has

 

[Tink3815]

Wonder if other airlines will follow suit?

Southwest was testing at the end of last year to change their family boarding policy.

 

[sam_gordon]

Southwest was testing at the end of last year to change their family boarding policy.

To what?

 

[aokeefe]

To what?

In between boarding groups A and B, Southwest now allows 2 parents to board with a child 6 and under.

 

[Lewisc]

To what?

In between boarding groups A and B, Southwest now allows 2 parents to board with a child 6 and under.

No.
Southwest is testing letting the families board early, not sure if it's before or right after per-boards. Families boarding under that procedure aren't allowed to sit in the first 15 rows.

I have no idea if the test is considered a success or failure.

not 100% if it's the first 15 or first 12 rows.

 

[Tink3815]

No.
Southwest is testing letting the families board early, not sure if it's before or right after per-boards. Families boarding under that procedure aren't allowed to sit in the first 15 rows.

I have no idea if the test is considered a success or failure.

From the Points Guy Website https://thepointsguy.com/news/southwest-airlines-expanded-family-boarding-policy/

 

[aokeefe]

No.
Southwest is testing letting the families board early, not sure if it's before or right after per-boards. Families boarding under that procedure aren't allowed to sit in the first 15 rows.

I have no idea if the test is considered a success or failure.

Sorry for the misinformation; just flew SW this past week so that was the current family boarding info. I forgot about the new testing of the first 15 rows.

 

[sam_gordon]

In between boarding groups A and B, Southwest now allows 2 parents to board with a child 6 and under.

Thats the "current" policy, right?

 

[Lewisc]

Thats the "current" policy, right?

Current, unless your flight is selected as a test flight

 

[EACarlson]

Also significant to point out that Southwest is exempt from the proposed DOT regulations as they don't have assigned seating.