Comments on: British Airways adds a "fly next to your children" fee http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 08:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: mcn http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597252 mcn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597252 I would totally pay $150 (in your denomination of choice) to guarantee I'm not near and/or minding someone's kids on a flight. I also will totally swap seats for free to allow a family to be together - particularly if it means I'm not next to the 2 year old, and I bet Reflex's suggestion is right on for most people. Adults, passengers won't usually move for - but under-18 people, we usually will. I would totally pay $150 (in your denomination of choice) to guarantee I’m not near and/or minding someone’s kids on a flight. I also will totally swap seats for free to allow a family to be together – particularly if it means I’m not next to the 2 year old, and I bet Reflex’s suggestion is right on for most people. Adults, passengers won’t usually move for – but under-18 people, we usually will.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597256 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597256 According to this site, the fee will not apply to those travelling with "young children." http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20090925/british-airways-charge-pounds-seat-selection-service.htm I'm sure they could be held liable for all sorts of potential problems if kids are separated from parents! According to this site, the fee will not apply to those travelling with “young children.”
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20090925/british-airways-charge-pounds-seat-selection-service.htm
I’m sure they could be held liable for all sorts of potential problems if kids are separated from parents!

]]> By: SkullHyphy http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597514 SkullHyphy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597514 Motherflyers! Motherflyers!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597262 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597262 Air Canada has been doing this for some time now. And yes, if you don't pay to pick seats, they will gladly scatter your family all over the plane. Air Canada has been doing this for some time now. And yes, if you don’t pay to pick seats, they will gladly scatter your family all over the plane.

]]> By: arkizzle / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597264 arkizzle / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597264 "<i>I've been working more than 16 years in different airlines and the check-in agents always do their best to accomodate children next to their parents.</i>" I haven't checked-in, or seen a check-in agent, in years.. do they still do that? “I’ve been working more than 16 years in different airlines and the check-in agents always do their best to accomodate children next to their parents.”

I haven’t checked-in, or seen a check-in agent, in years.. do they still do that?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597276 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597276 After six weeks traveling with friends, I bribed the ticket agent in Delhi to claim that they had to seat me at the far end of the plane. After six weeks traveling with friends, I bribed the ticket agent in Delhi to claim that they had to seat me at the far end of the plane.

]]> By: ackpht http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597022 ackpht Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597022 Airlines are public transportation. A very elaborate form of public transportation, but public transportation just the same. Airlines are public transportation. A very elaborate form of public transportation, but public transportation just the same.

]]> By: Cicada http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597028 Cicada Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597028 Perhaps a fee to make sure you're not sitting next to someone else's children? <br>60 quid sounds reasonable for that...cheap, even. Perhaps a fee to make sure you’re not sitting next to someone else’s children?
60 quid sounds reasonable for that…cheap, even.

]]> By: arkizzle / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597029 arkizzle / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597029 Cicada +10 Cicada +10

]]> By: ChibiR http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597031 ChibiR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597031 Coming next: A fee to ensure that your luggage will actually be on the same plane as you are. Coming next: A fee to ensure that your luggage will actually be on the same plane as you are.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597288 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597288 I think if people are having kids and flying enough for this to be an issue, maybe they ought to think about their carbon footprint a little. I think if people are having kids and flying enough for this to be an issue, maybe they ought to think about their carbon footprint a little.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597033 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597033 When booking online, Air New Zealand allows you to select your seat(s). For free. And again at check in. If I don't want to, I don't have to deal with a single person at any stage of the ticketing/check in/boarding process with Air NZ. Isn't that the norm with air travel these days?! No, I don't work for Air NZ, just shocked at BA charging for information handling in the computer age(+40). When booking online, Air New Zealand allows you to select your seat(s). For free. And again at check in. If I don’t want to, I don’t have to deal with a single person at any stage of the ticketing/check in/boarding process with Air NZ. Isn’t that the norm with air travel these days?!

No, I don’t work for Air NZ, just shocked at BA charging for information handling in the computer age(+40).

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597036 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597036 I love that the top story in the "SEE ALSO" column for that article is "<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8177647.stm">British Airways makes £148m loss"</a>. Wot relationship between customer service and performance?!? I love that the top story in the “SEE ALSO” column for that article is “British Airways makes £148m loss”.

Wot relationship between customer service and performance?!?

]]> By: ljelondon http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597037 ljelondon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597037 The CAA's rules state that airlines' procedures <i>should take into account the following factors:</i> <i>Children, accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. In wide-bodied aircraft, children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.</i> <i>Seat allocation procedures for family groups and suitable seating arrangements for large parties of children should reflect the above criteria.</i> <i>Whenever small numbers of infants and children are travelling together, the airline should make every effort to ensure that they are allocated seats where they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adult in both normal and abnormal conditions.</i> How does this fit with BA's new policy? The CAA’s rules state that airlines’ procedures

should take into account the following factors:

Children, accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. In wide-bodied aircraft, children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.

Seat allocation procedures for family groups and suitable seating arrangements for large parties of children should reflect the above criteria.

Whenever small numbers of infants and children are travelling together, the airline should make every effort to ensure that they are allocated seats where they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adult in both normal and abnormal conditions.

How does this fit with BA’s new policy?

]]> By: asuffield http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597044 asuffield Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597044 BA's new policy says nothing about children specifically, so I'd imagine they will continue to seat them with their accompanying adults like they always have. Groups of adults may get split up, however. De-sensationalising Cory's spin a little, it's a "fly next to your girlfriend" fee. BA’s new policy says nothing about children specifically, so I’d imagine they will continue to seat them with their accompanying adults like they always have.

Groups of adults may get split up, however. De-sensationalising Cory’s spin a little, it’s a “fly next to your girlfriend” fee.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597300 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597300 Some airlines in US also do this. We traveled via Airtran recently and they have this policy. So we did not pre-book the seats at all. Moreover, at the check in counter we made clear that we did not care if the toddlers were seated with someone else :) They put all of us in the same row anyway :( Some airlines in US also do this. We traveled via Airtran recently and they have this policy. So we did not pre-book the seats at all. Moreover, at the check in counter we made clear that we did not care if the toddlers were seated with someone else :)
They put all of us in the same row anyway :(

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597047 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597047 Willie Walsh ruined Aer Lingus and is now turning BA into Ryanair Willie Walsh ruined Aer Lingus and is now turning BA into Ryanair

]]> By: drew3ooo http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597048 drew3ooo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597048 You know, as a parent who does fly with his 1.5 year old on occasion, there are some great possiblities here. A) don't pay it and hand the nappies over to the lucky passenger who gets to hang out with my kid for the 9-hour flight over the Atlantic. B) Turn around to the person standing behind me during check in and ask them if they'd like to pay £10-£60 to guarantee that they won't be the person minding my kid. I do empathize with fellow passengers who may not want to put up with my kid for that long in confined quarters. Perhaps a section of the plane could be considered as for families so that more childless passengers could do without the kicking and interesting odors? But then, a little planning doesn't always maximise profits. Another example of how the market doesn't necessarily lead to better service. You know, as a parent who does fly with his 1.5 year old on occasion, there are some great possiblities here. A) don’t pay it and hand the nappies over to the lucky passenger who gets to hang out with my kid for the 9-hour flight over the Atlantic. B) Turn around to the person standing behind me during check in and ask them if they’d like to pay £10-£60 to guarantee that they won’t be the person minding my kid.

I do empathize with fellow passengers who may not want to put up with my kid for that long in confined quarters. Perhaps a section of the plane could be considered as for families so that more childless passengers could do without the kicking and interesting odors? But then, a little planning doesn’t always maximise profits. Another example of how the market doesn’t necessarily lead to better service.

]]> By: Cicada http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597053 Cicada Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597053 I'm amused by the assumption that the person sitting next to the kid is going to take care of it, rather than just hitting the flight attendant call button to complain about disruptive behavior. <p>Your kid, your problem, no matter where the wee thing's located. I’m amused by the assumption that the person sitting next to the kid is going to take care of it, rather than just hitting the flight attendant call button to complain about disruptive behavior.

Your kid, your problem, no matter where the wee thing’s located.

]]> By: stevecopley http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597059 stevecopley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597059 If you read the story closely you'll see that reservations can be made for free during the 24hrs before flying. In the past, on most of the BA flights I've taken, you've only been allowed to reserve seats during this period anyhow. So there's still a good chance that you'll be able to book seats together - you'll just need to be online the day before you fly. If you read the story closely you’ll see that reservations can be made for free during the 24hrs before flying. In the past, on most of the BA flights I’ve taken, you’ve only been allowed to reserve seats during this period anyhow.

So there’s still a good chance that you’ll be able to book seats together – you’ll just need to be online the day before you fly.

]]> By: eAi http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597061 eAi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597061 Yeah, if you'd read the story properly, you'd have seen they're just charging to book before the 24 hour window you can normally book in. Not many people will do this, so it won't really affect most people. It's just a way of milking the rich/picky a bit more! Yeah, if you’d read the story properly, you’d have seen they’re just charging to book before the 24 hour window you can normally book in. Not many people will do this, so it won’t really affect most people. It’s just a way of milking the rich/picky a bit more!

]]> By: Itram http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597068 Itram Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597068 This is nonsense. I've been working more than 16 years in different airlines and the check-in agents always do their best to accomodate children next to their parents. I recall very few situations when a family had to be split as the aircraft was nearly full. Even the computer check-in system kept empty seats until the last moment next to families with babies who didn't have a right to a seat so if the plane wasn't full, they could use the empty seat for the baby. All this was considered normal procedure for all airlines and now they try to explain us that we have to pay extra for something we've always had... This reminds me of a weird situation in the late eighties when mostly Dutch charter airlines offered what they called "half-seat". That is, you only paid half the fare or less for your kid... but he/she shared the seat with another kid. Usually they did this in the middle seat. If you had two children you could have them together, but if you only had one, the other half seat was given to the kid of another family... Last time I recall this was in 1989, I think with Martinair and/or Transavia. This is nonsense. I’ve been working more than 16 years in different airlines and the check-in agents always do their best to accomodate children next to their parents. I recall very few situations when a family had to be split as the aircraft was nearly full.
Even the computer check-in system kept empty seats until the last moment next to families with babies who didn’t have a right to a seat so if the plane wasn’t full, they could use the empty seat for the baby.
All this was considered normal procedure for all airlines and now they try to explain us that we have to pay extra for something we’ve always had…

This reminds me of a weird situation in the late eighties when mostly Dutch charter airlines offered what they called “half-seat”. That is, you only paid half the fare or less for your kid… but he/she shared the seat with another kid. Usually they did this in the middle seat. If you had two children you could have them together, but if you only had one, the other half seat was given to the kid of another family… Last time I recall this was in 1989, I think with Martinair and/or Transavia.

]]> By: alisong76 http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597069 alisong76 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597069 Actually, I think this is a splendid idea. I work for a rail co and all that ever happens is that by the time the train departure date gets close, it's full of people who have all demanded window seats which means...GUESS WHAT? When someone books with a child we can't seat them together because there are no pairs of seats left! Charging these people for seat assignment preference may actually curb the problem and allow families with children to sit together. Actually, I think this is a splendid idea. I work for a rail co and all that ever happens is that by the time the train departure date gets close, it’s full of people who have all demanded window seats which means…GUESS WHAT? When someone books with a child we can’t seat them together because there are no pairs of seats left! Charging these people for seat assignment preference may actually curb the problem and allow families with children to sit together.

]]> By: alisong76 http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597070 alisong76 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597070 Cicada, I'd pay that. In fact, I reckon I'd pay an extra $50 to be guaranteed a flight with no children on it at all. Airlines, are you listening? Cicada, I’d pay that. In fact, I reckon I’d pay an extra $50 to be guaranteed a flight with no children on it at all. Airlines, are you listening?

]]> By: bigvicproton http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597071 bigvicproton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597071 Its not what the story says, its what it means. They are just softening their passengers up to accept the future possibility that you WILL have to pay to get the seat you want no matter when you check in. And how obnoxious would it be to choose and pay for two seats then get on a half empty plane and find whole aisles with nobody in them? Will they not let you move around anymore? Im sure some weasel at BA corporate is already working on software to intentionally break up known booked groups so as to make them pay in the future. BA is the worst "big" airline outside of the US. They seem to enjoy annoying not only their customers but their workers. If the place I want to go to is only served by BA then I dont go there. I would, and sometimes do pay more, just to avoid that airline and its confirmed agitation and stress, as well as assured delays. Its not what the story says, its what it means. They are just softening their passengers up to accept the future possibility that you WILL have to pay to get the seat you want no matter when you check in. And how obnoxious would it be to choose and pay for two seats then get on a half empty plane and find whole aisles with nobody in them? Will they not let you move around anymore? Im sure some weasel at BA corporate is already working on software to intentionally break up known booked groups so as to make them pay in the future. BA is the worst “big” airline outside of the US. They seem to enjoy annoying not only their customers but their workers. If the place I want to go to is only served by BA then I dont go there. I would, and sometimes do pay more, just to avoid that airline and its confirmed agitation and stress, as well as assured delays.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597073 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597073 A number of bnudget airlines already do this - BMI babuy for example. So it's just another way of giving a cheap price up front and then racking the price up once you've decided to fly..... A number of bnudget airlines already do this – BMI babuy for example.

So it’s just another way of giving a cheap price up front and then racking the price up once you’ve decided to fly…..

]]> By: Captdrastic http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597332 Captdrastic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597332 Give me a 6-pack of two year olds seated randomly around the plane, and a 6-pack of Mountain Dew, and I'm pretty sure we could get this fee overturned in a matter of days. Give me a 6-pack of two year olds seated randomly around the plane, and a 6-pack of Mountain Dew, and I’m pretty sure we could get this fee overturned in a matter of days.

]]> By: airshowfan http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597081 airshowfan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597081 Whatever happened to asking people to switch seats with you so that you can sit next to your friend/relative? I have seen situations on airplanes where friends/relatives were seated apart, and they always succeeded when they asked their neighbors (or, failing that, any two or three people on the airplane) to swap seats with them so they could sit together. It may be unreasonable to ask someone to give up a window seat for a middle seat, but as long as it's the friend/relative who is "downgrading" in seat position, what's the problem? Whatever happened to asking people to switch seats with you so that you can sit next to your friend/relative? I have seen situations on airplanes where friends/relatives were seated apart, and they always succeeded when they asked their neighbors (or, failing that, any two or three people on the airplane) to swap seats with them so they could sit together. It may be unreasonable to ask someone to give up a window seat for a middle seat, but as long as it’s the friend/relative who is “downgrading” in seat position, what’s the problem?

]]> By: Shannon http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597082 Shannon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597082 My daughter has been flying on her own internationally (Toronto to LAX) regularly since she was five -- and enjoys the experience and independence greatly. So certainly from that age and up there's no reason why kids can't sit on their own. Below that age though, I'd be really really shocked if the airline staff didn't move people to ensure that you're sitting next to your kid. I can't imagine there wouldn't be liability issues otherwise, whether you paid the fee or not. My daughter has been flying on her own internationally (Toronto to LAX) regularly since she was five — and enjoys the experience and independence greatly. So certainly from that age and up there’s no reason why kids can’t sit on their own.

Below that age though, I’d be really really shocked if the airline staff didn’t move people to ensure that you’re sitting next to your kid. I can’t imagine there wouldn’t be liability issues otherwise, whether you paid the fee or not.

]]> By: Liassic http://boingboing.net/2009/09/25/british-airways-adds.html#comment-597086 Liassic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-597086 So BA are just going the ancillary revenue route. If you can't beat Ryanair then join them. Pretty soon BA will be offering flights for nothing just like Ryanair knowing they're going to get you on all the "extras". So BA are just going the ancillary revenue route. If you can’t beat Ryanair then join them.
Pretty soon BA will be offering flights for nothing just like Ryanair knowing they’re going to get you on all the “extras”.

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