Money Saving Expert (MSE), the consumer finance website founded by Martin Lewis, has published advice for airline passengers seeking to sit alongside their travel companions without incurring additional charges for seat selection. With many airlines, particularly budget carriers, now charging extra for specific seat assignments, the tips aim to help holidaymakers save money on their trips abroad.
According to MSE, the primary strategy for those wishing to avoid seat fees while still hoping to sit together is to check-in online as soon as the service becomes available. This typically gives passengers a better chance of being allocated adjacent seats before the flight becomes fully booked and fewer options remain. However, the site acknowledges that this method offers no guarantee, as seat allocation policies vary significantly between airlines.
The guidance highlights that some airlines, such as Ryanair, explicitly state that if passengers do not pay for seat selection, their seats will be assigned randomly. This means there is a distinct possibility that members of the same booking party could be separated, even if they check in early. For those for whom sitting together is a priority, MSE suggests that paying the fee might be the only guaranteed option with such carriers.
For families travelling with young children, there is often a different set of rules. Many airlines have policies in place to ensure that children are seated with at least one accompanying adult, often without an extra charge. This is a crucial consideration for parents planning holidays, as it can alleviate some of the stress and cost associated with seating arrangements.
Ultimately, the advice from Money Saving Expert encourages passengers to weigh up the importance of sitting together against the cost of seat selection. For some, the potential saving outweighs the risk of being separated for the duration of a flight. For others, particularly on long-haul journeys or when travelling with vulnerable individuals, the certainty of pre-booked seats may be a worthwhile expense. The publication also suggests that if sitting together is non-negotiable, comparing flight prices across different airlines, including the total cost with seat selection, could be beneficial.