Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

Jayop · 29-07-2016 9:58am

Sorry but this is a complete unnecessary joke and as someone who has relentlessly defended Ryanair for years I'm very very pissed off. Since allocated seating has come in I've had the kids on loads of flights and never once had an issue with not being able to sit together. Check in as soon as the window opens and you're sorted. Also you can use the app while on holidays now so the need for a printer is redundant.

If Ryanair were so concerned they could have groups allocated seats together in the background because they know who's in groups at the point of boarding.

Really pissed off with this one.

Amouar · 29-07-2016 10:02am

Jayop wrote: »

Sorry but this is a complete unnecessary joke and as someone who has relentlessly defended Ryanair for years I'm very very pissed off. Since allocated seating has come in I've had the kids on loads of flights and never once had an issue with not being able to sit together. Check in as soon as the window opens and you're sorted. Also you can use the app while on holidays now so the need for a printer is redundant.

If Ryanair were so concerned they could have groups allocated seats together in the background because they know who's in groups at the point of boarding.

Really pissed off with this one.

The boarding pass on the app is not allowed in many airports, and I wouldn't rely on the phone if I have the option to print my boarding pass. https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Mobile-boarding-passes/Does-Ryanair-have-a-mobile-boarding-pass-service

Jayop · 29-07-2016 10:02am

All this will do is cost me more money and ensure that my group is split up because we'll pay for the seating for the one kid we have to and an adult and I bet they will be seated somewhere other than the other adult and teenager.

Jayop · 29-07-2016 10:03am

Amouar wrote: »

The boarding pass on the app is not allowed in many airports, and I wouldn't rely on the phone if I have the option to print my boarding pass. https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Mobile-boarding-passes/Does-Ryanair-have-a-mobile-boarding-pass-service

Many airports is a bit of a stretch.

I used the app and I screen shot the passes and send them to my wife so they are on 2 phones. That's more reliable than one piece of paper.

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:04am

Jayop wrote: »

All this will do is cost me more money and ensure that my group is split up because we'll pay for the seating for the one kid we have to and an adult and I bet they will be seated somewhere other than the other adult and teenager.

This is exactly our situation too
Actually we will have to pay 3 booking fees
2 adults 1 6 year old ( free ) 1 16 year old

29-07-2016 10:06am

Jayop wrote: »

All this will do is cost me more money and ensure that my group is split up because we'll pay for the seating for the one kid we have to and an adult and I bet they will be seated somewhere other than the other adult and teenager.

Only ONE adult needs pay. There will be no charge for kids. Read the links in full. "Under this new policy, one adult in every booking with children (U12) must purchase a reserved seat at the time of booking (which will cost €4) and then all children (U12) in the same booking will receive free reserved seats. - See more at: http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160729-ryanair-cuts-the-cost-of-reserved-seats-for-passengers-travelling-with-children-under-12-as-fares-fall-10-4-in-2016/?market=en#sthash.IxNsCXay.hni44WwW.dpuf"

Amouar · 29-07-2016 10:06am

Jayop wrote: »

Many airports is a bit of a stretch.

I used the app and I screen shot the passes and send them to my wife so they are on 2 phones. That's more reliable than one piece of paper.

That's a good tip!

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:07am

Jayop wrote: »

Many airports is a bit of a stretch.

I used the app and I screen shot the passes and send them to my wife so they are on 2 phones. That's more reliable than one piece of paper.

Slightly off topic but .........don't all passes have to be on separate phones ? I printed paper ones this year again as I thought I read that somewhere ?

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:08am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Only ONE adult needs pay. There will be no charge for kids. Read the links in full. "Under this new policy, one adult in every booking with children (U12) must purchase a reserved seat at the time of booking (which will cost €4) and then all children (U12) in the same booking will receive free reserved seats. - See more at: http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160729-ryanair-cuts-the-cost-of-reserved-seats-for-passengers-travelling-with-children-under-12-as-fares-fall-10-4-in-2016/?market=en#sthash.IxNsCXay.hni44WwW.dpuf"

One adult means all CHILDREN UNDER 12 receive free seats I.e. All others pay or sit randomly

29-07-2016 10:10am

km79 wrote: »

One adult means all CHILDREN UNDER 12 receive free seats I.e. All others pay or sit randomly

It means that one adult sits with the under 12s. Not what was originally feared. As others have said, check in early enough and there is rarely a problem.

Bob24 · 29-07-2016 10:13am

Jayop wrote: »

Sorry but this is a complete unnecessary joke and as someone who has relentlessly defended Ryanair for years I'm very very pissed off. Since allocated seating has come in I've had the kids on loads of flights and never once had an issue with not being able to sit together. Check in as soon as the window opens and you're sorted. Also you can use the app while on holidays now so the need for a printer is redundant.

If Ryanair were so concerned they could have groups allocated seats together in the background because they know who's in groups at the point of boarding.

Really pissed off with this one.

I think the problem is that some people want a discounted price but don't want to accept the strings attached. For organised people like yourself there is not issue. But I can understand families who don't plan in advance and then expect to get sorted at boarding time are an issue for Ryanair. On the one hand they expect an extra service which clashes with Ryanair's business model (which involves very quick boarding and not pre-allocating seats too early because they want to charge people for them), and on the other hand you cannot reasonably tell them to get lost and have their 4 years old sit 10 rows away from there parents.

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:17am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It means that one adult sits with the under 12s. Not what was originally feared. As others have said, check in early enough and there is rarely a problem.

This is my reading of it
BEFORE
Book in our family of 4 the full 7 days in advance and we all sit together for free
NOW
Pay one adult and that adult and child get to sit with each other . The other adult and teenager /adult will then be randomly assigned seats most likely somewhere else unless both pay the fee too

Am I wrong ?

Amouar · 29-07-2016 10:20am

km79 wrote: »

This is my reading of it
BEFORE
Book in our family of 4 the full 7 days in advance and we all sit together for free
NOW
Pay one adult and that adult and child get to sit with each other . The other adult and teenager /adult will then be randomly assigned seats most likely somewhere else unless both pay the fee too

Am I wrong ?

That's how I understood it aswell.

29-07-2016 10:22am

km79 wrote: »

This is my reading of it
BEFORE
Book in our family of 4 the full 7 days in advance and we all sit together for free
NOW
Pay one adult and that adult and child get to sit with each other . The other adult and teenager /adult will then be randomly assigned seats most likely somewhere else unless both pay the fee too

Am I wrong ?

You are right. But even at €4 a head, it is still much cheaper than other carriers. I have to say that in 30 odd years of travelling with my children from when they were infants, I've never had any problem getting seats together. People tend to see problems where, with a bit of organisation on their own behalf, none exists.

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:24am

Amouar wrote: »

That's how I understood it aswell.

TBH having read it again it seems it may be as low as 4euro each way
So for 24 euro I can book 30 days in advance and pick seats right at the back near exit and toilets and also not have to worry about checking in for return flight out there
So it's not TOO bad I suppose !

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:25am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You are right. But even at €4 a head, it is still much cheaper than other carriers. I have to say that in 30 odd years of travelling with my children from when they were infants, I've never had any problem getting seats together. People tend to see problems where, with a bit of organisation on their own behalf, none exists.

I actually thought it was 8 euro each way
It's not as bad at 8 euro total
Of course the cheaper seats will go first so the disorganized will pay more at least !

spurious · 29-07-2016 10:31am

Amouar wrote:

Simple solution: Always check in as soon as check in window opens, and you're guaranteed to sit together. Don't wait until the last day to check in, especially when you travel with kids.

In other words, organise yourself.

Amouar · 29-07-2016 10:31am

km79 wrote: »

TBH having read it again it seems it may be as low as 4euro each way
So for 24 euro I can book 30 days in advance and pick seats right at the back near exit and toilets and also not have to worry about checking in for return flight out there
So it's not TOO bad I suppose !

Can you select any seat? or only the "standard" ones? If we can select any seat than it's not too bad indeed.

SteM · 29-07-2016 10:37am

Yes, people should check in as soon as the window opens, but it's obvious that many people just don't bother doing this when they're going on holiday. Ryanair can't control this and rather than have their staff go through the regular hassle of having to move people when they're already in seats they're forcing people with children to pay. Not a big deal imo.

nhunter100 · 29-07-2016 10:39am

No, family holiday to Italy in May, 5 boarding passes on one phone. No problem.

km79 · 29-07-2016 10:41am

Amouar wrote: »

Can you select any seat? or only the "standard" ones? If we can select any seat than it's not too bad indeed.

prices vary. cheapest toward the back 8 euro return
get dearer as ya move toward middle and dearest at very front 26 euro return

SteM · 29-07-2016 10:42am

venomousfrog wrote: »

Me and my wife and 2 kids are due to fly out on the 17th of August with Ryanair, we didn't prebook our seats but I would be very pissed to see my youngest, who is 6 years old be told he has to sit on his own....... he has never been on a plane and I know he would be very scared if he had to sit beside a stranger and not me or his mum.

They don't let this happen - other people that have pre-booked (some may have paid for their seat) will be moved so either you or your wife can sit beside your son.

But, this is all within your control anyway. Just check in as soon as you're allowed to and this won't be an issue for you.

yqtwqxqm · 29-07-2016 10:57am

Jayop wrote: »

All this will do is cost me more money and ensure that my group is split up because we'll pay for the seating for the one kid we have to and an adult and I bet they will be seated somewhere other than the other adult and teenager.

I bet they have a rule where if one person in the group buys a seat, then all have to buy one.

29-07-2016 11:00am

yqtwqxqm wrote: »

I bet they have a rule where if one person in the group buys a seat, then all have to buy one.

Try reading the links provided. Only ONE adult needs pay €4 to book a seat. As already pointed out "Under this new policy, one adult in every booking with children (U12) must purchase a reserved seat at the time of booking (which will cost €4) and then all children (U12) in the same booking will receive free reserved seats. - See more at: http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160729-ryanair-cuts-the-cost-of-reserved-seats-for-passengers-travelling-with-children-under-12-as-fares-fall-10-4-in-2016/?market=en#sthash.IxNsCXay.hni44WwW.dpuf"

Dodge · 29-07-2016 11:03am

Deleted User wrote: »

Try reading the links provided. Only ONE adult needs pay €4 to book a seat. As already pointed out "Under this new policy, one adult in every booking with children (U12) must purchase a reserved seat at the time of booking (which will cost €4) and then all children (U12) in the same booking will receive free reserved seats. - See more at: http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160729-ryanair-cuts-the-cost-of-reserved-seats-for-passengers-travelling-with-children-under-12-as-fares-fall-10-4-in-2016/?market=en#sthash.IxNsCXay.hni44WwW.dpuf"

The €4 is only on certain seats. The price can rise depending on where you sit

Jayop · 29-07-2016 12:15pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Try reading the links provided. Only ONE adult needs pay €4 to book a seat. As already pointed out "Under this new policy, one adult in every booking with children (U12) must purchase a reserved seat at the time of booking (which will cost €4) and then all children (U12) in the same booking will receive free reserved seats. - See more at: http://corporate.ryanair.com/news/news/160729-ryanair-cuts-the-cost-of-reserved-seats-for-passengers-travelling-with-children-under-12-as-fares-fall-10-4-in-2016/?market=en#sthash.IxNsCXay.hni44WwW.dpuf"

Yes but up to now when you choose seating or priority boarding for one in a group you have to do it for everyone. It's unclear if this will change and I suspect it will not. Regardless, it still brings me to the same problem that I will have to pay for me and my son to sit together and either I pay for the two other in the party to sit with us or they will be assigned seats elsewhere.

Bottom line this is going to cost me more and be a bigger inconvenience. My wife can't reach the overhead compartments so if she's not with me she can't put her own bag in. She carries the small additional hand luggage with books and games for the kids so now I'll have to carry a man bag too.

Honestly, it's a pure pain in the hole.

Also to answer the questions about the app, you have one person with all the passes and they check everyone in through that by scanning the passes and skipping to the next one. It's also by a mile the easiest way to check in for the return flight. Literally took me a boy 30 seconds while sitting in a bar in Spain last week to return check in. Lovely.

Eponymous · 29-07-2016 4:41pm

namloc1980 wrote: »

You must be very unlucky for this to happen on every single holiday flight you go on. Never been on a Ryanair flight held up for this reason and I travel a fair bit (holiday and other destinations).

That's my experience of it. Yours may vary and I won't question that.

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-07-2016 4:54pm

I have always got seats together (family of 4) on Ryanair without paying for a seat. It is easy to do! You can even check if the next allocation is to your liking by choosing the select seat option and see what is left. It looks like the organised have to pay for the lazy again

Jayop · 29-07-2016 4:58pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

I have always got seats together (family of 4) on Ryanair without paying for a seat. It is easy to do! You can even check if the next allocation is to your liking by choosing the select seat option and see what is left. It looks like the organised have to pay for the lazy again

Exactly. The whole thing is farcical. If you leave your reservation to the last minute and there's not 4 seats left together then you still won't be able to get them regardless of paying for them, so the people who would benefit by this, e.g. disorganized people, are still going to be a problem because they still won't book seats till the last minute.

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-07-2016 5:08pm

Jayop wrote: »

Exactly. The whole thing is farcical. If you leave your reservation to the last minute and there's not 4 seats left together then you still won't be able to get them regardless of paying for them, so the people who would benefit by this, e.g. disorganized people, are still going to be a problem because they still won't book seats till the last minute.

I think Ryanair will force the adult to select the seat during the booking process rather than the check in process so unless it is a couple of days before departure, they should get seats together during the booking process.

Jayop · 29-07-2016 5:10pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

I think Ryanair will force the adult to select the seat during the booking process rather than the check in process so unless it is a couple of days before departure, they should get seats together during the booking process.

I thought you were forced to buy the seat during booking but still couldn't select the seat until check in time 30 days before flight.

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-07-2016 5:14pm

Jayop wrote: »

I thought you were forced to buy the seat during booking but still couldn't select the seat until check in time 30 days before flight.

Not sure, I assumed you can select the seat at booking. I have not reserved a seat for any flight so have no experience of using it. If it is only within the check in window, then yes the lazy / disorganised will wait til the last minute to check in. It must reserve space otherwise it will not work

Masala · 29-07-2016 5:16pm

so ... will a party of 3 consisting of

1 x Adult
+ 10 yr old
+ 16 yr old

get to sit together if father books the 10 yr old a seat??
So - 3 seats in a row if they available.

Jayop · 29-07-2016 5:16pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Not sure, I assumed you can select the seat at booking. I have not reserved a seat for any flight so have no experience of using it. If it is only within the check in window, then yes the lazy / disorganised will wait til the last minute to check in. It must reserve space otherwise it will not work

Surely the simplest thing would be for them to arrange the seating into groupings in the back ground at the time of booking and if there's 10 groups of 4 allow to have them all together and if a few people want to pay for better seats let them pick the best of the ten groupings.

Jayop · 29-07-2016 5:17pm

Masala wrote: »

so ... will a party of 3 consisting of

1 x Adult
+ 10 yr old
+ 16 yr old

get to sit together if father books the 10 yr old a seat??
So - 3 seats in a row if they available.

I don't think there's a guarantee that the 16 year old will be with you unless you also reserve a seat for them, which is probably their thinking.

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-07-2016 5:17pm

Masala wrote: »

so ... will a party of 3 consisting of

1 x Adult
+ 10 yr old
+ 16 yr old

get to sit together if father books the 10 yr old a seat??
So - 3 seats in a row if they available.

It would appear not, only if you buy a seat for your 16 year old as well

Masala · 29-07-2016 5:22pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

It would appear not, only if you buy a seat for your 16 year old as well

So.... booking 2 'kids' seats will get all three seating together - in effect the adult get his seat FREE.

Bit unfair on a party of 3 x Adults... they need to book 3 seats to guarantee to sit together.

A Dub in Glasgo · 29-07-2016 5:25pm

Masala wrote: »

So.... booking 2 'kids' seats will get all three seating together - in effect the adult get his seat FREE.

Bit unfair on a party of 3 x Adults... they need to book 3 seats to guarantee to sit together.

The seat selection for the 16 year old will be standard pricing so it is 2 seat selections for 2 adults and 1 child. It is only unfair on the 3 x adults if Ryanair start introducing mandatory seat reservation for everyone

Spanish Eyes · 30-07-2016 8:02pm

Don't have kids, so is it only €4 per adult with accompanying kids?

OMG. Think of the stress saved for a few quid all the same.

And think of all the moolah you will spend when you get there that just disappears into the ether.

Sorry, I just do not understand this saving a few bob to cost a lot in the end!

Jayop · 30-07-2016 8:40pm

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Don't have kids, so is it only €4 per adult with accompanying kids?

OMG. Think of the stress saved for a few quid all the same.

And think of all the moolah you will spend when you get there that just disappears into the ether.

Sorry, I just do not understand this saving a few bob to cost a lot in the end!

This is adding stress to me, not removing it.

Strumms · 30-07-2016 9:47pm

At the end of the day if you are organised and have your **** together and go by the booking process then you will be fine.. the problem occurs when the self entitled 'but but but but I HAVE KIDS' brigade hold up the process and expect the cabin crew with all their other duties to move heaven and earth and piss off passengers who have done no more then book, check in, turn up on time and sit in the seat they selected and often payed for.

Got sick of the number of times I have been asked to move to accommodate famalies or even boarded to find a family of three who had accommodated themselves into my row when they had only 2 of the 3 seats booked.. not any more..I pay extra for a seat closer to the front and at the window .. when I have been asked by cabin crew if I'd move I just politely but defiantly explain that I paid for the seat, that I won't be moving, thanks and continue to look out the window... because people have kids and or can't get their **** together doesn't entitle them to anything more then anyone else on any given flight. If you need to pay the extra to sit together .. do so if it's going to bother you... if you don't want to pony up then just don't be an arsehole and expect everyone else to suffer your lack of planning and or cheapness..

Fred Swanson · 30-07-2016 10:12pm

This post has been deleted.

Ghekko · 30-07-2016 10:16pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Likewise and I have kids! Hate the sense of entitlement of some people.:mad:

Jayop · 30-07-2016 10:23pm

I honestly have nit once been asked to move or seen anyone else being asked to move on countless flights since allocated seating came in.

A Dub in Glasgo · 30-07-2016 10:25pm

Neither have I although I mainly travel Ryanair Glasgow to Dublin and Glasgow to Stansted so maybe it is just the bucket and spade routes

Mr rebel · 30-07-2016 10:43pm

Jayop wrote: »

I honestly have nit once been asked to move or seen anyone else being asked to move on countless flights since allocated seating came in.

I haven't either, but if I was asked to move I would take the "Strumms" approach as I always pay for a specific seat in advance.

Strumms · 30-07-2016 11:14pm

Jayop wrote: »

I honestly have nit once been asked to move or seen anyone else being asked to move on countless flights since allocated seating came in.

I travel a lot for work , using Ryanair maybe three out of every four flights so over time you tend to see and experience most of the idiosyncrasies that comes with flying Ryanair.

The straw that broke the camel's back was on a late night flight from STN to DUB where I boarded as one of the first passengers only to find said family of three taking up the whole row. I pointed out politely that I had prepaid for the window seat which 'little Johnny' was happily gazing out of on the company dollar... you could tell by the reaction that it was all a pre-planned maneuver and the usual 'ohh well we were hoping to sit together', 'ohh sorry'.. 'ohh well little Johnny was hoping for a window seat' kinda rubbish but no offer to move of course. I relented as I had on the odd occasion as I didn't see the gate area as being that busy so expected the flight not to be. The flight ended up pretty much full and I ended up sitting in the last row, aisle seat beside the toilets and with a flea in my ear from the cabin crew for not taking my assigned seat and clogging up the place as I eventually was pushed further down the plane against a two way tide of passengers.. :rolleyes:

So hence going forward, if you have kids, kids with no legs, kids who just buried the pet parrot / dog / cat / pony / pet grandmother... I don't really care.. sort your **** out like everyone else and get the **** out of my seat...

now.. anything good on TV ?

Bob24 · 31-07-2016 7:35am

^
|

I think it is exactly why Ryanair is introducing that policy. A family who wants to go the for cheapest possible option (Ryanair AND not booking seats) but doesn't accept the rule of the game (you need to be organised and check-in early) and doesn't care if their non-acceptance means someone who did pay for a service doesn't receive that service. The problem in the situation described above is that realistically there is nothing the passager or the Ryanair staff can do without looking uncivilised, even through it is 100% the family's fault in the first place and that passenger is getting screwed by them.

The other options for Ryanair to address it were to automatically assign free adjacent seats to families (but free add-ons is not what they do), or to start enforcing assigned seats even if it means moving families (probably a mess in the cabin and a PR disaster, not an acceptable option).

CelticRambler · 31-07-2016 8:51am

'Tis all well and good in principle ... but the workaround is simple: book the children as adults, no additional fee necessary. :cool:

I've been a Ryanair customer for more than 25 years, a happy Ryanair customer for the first 20 of those, and an increasingly disgruntled one as they (and their website) become progressively more like the dinosaur airlines, trying to "enhance" my user experience by taking out the attributes that made it attractive in the first place, like free seating.

Boarding for all my recent flights has been chaotic because of allocated seating, with people in row 15 trying to get past others in rows 5 and 10 still standing in the aisle putting their stuff away (and ditto from the other end). :mad:

A Dub in Glasgo · 31-07-2016 8:56am

CelticRambler wrote: »

Boarding for all my recent flights has been chaotic because of allocated seating, with people in row 15 trying to get passed others in rows 5 and 10 still standing in the aisle putting their stuff away (and ditto from the other end). :mad:

This happened with unallocated seating as well

Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

Comments