Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

A Dub in Glasgo · 09-10-2014 8:00pm

I have always got the same row for 4 either A, B, C, D or C, D, E, F although I have always checked in about 5-6 days before (about 6 flights now). You were checking in for the weekend for 5 so there is a higher chance you would have been split up.

I think the price was €10 for a premium and €5 for a regular so you must have chosen premium seats and you would have been unlikely to get them for free for a party of 5

lismore7 · 09-10-2014 8:06pm

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

I have always got the same row for 4 either A, B, C, D or C, D, E, F although I have always checked in about 5-6 days before (about 6 flights now). You were checking in for the weekend for 5 so there is a higher chance you would have been split up.

I think the price was €10 for a premium and €5 for a regular so you must have chosen premium seats and you would have been unlikely to get them for free for a party of 5

Premium seats were €15 and rest €10.
My first time using this new seat system from Ryanair, so suppose it was my fault not checking in earlier this week. 3/4 of the plane was already full by today when i checked in, so i booked our seats, only to realise the folly of my actions afterwards...
Feel a tad aggrieved !! but alas seems to be my fault

Murray007 · 09-10-2014 8:28pm

My recent experience on a trip to budapest. The three of us had two bookings as one was not returning.

Going out we checked in 24hrs before, one a double checkin and the other a single but done straight after each other. We got 15 C D E. Two aisles and a middle beside each other.

Ten days later the two returned and got 2A and B, window and middle but also had priority boarding.

All random, non paid for.

languagenerd · 09-10-2014 10:30pm

Murray007 wrote: »

My recent experience on a trip to budapest. The three of us had two bookings as one was not returning.

Going out we checked in 24hrs before, one a double checkin and the other a single but done straight after each other. We got 15 C D E. Two aisles and a middle beside each other.

Ten days later the two returned and got 2A and B, window and middle but also had priority boarding.

All random, non paid for.

I think the first 2 or 3 rows get priority boarding by default. Probably to get them boarded quickly so that the whole queue doesn't get halted right inside the door as the people in those put their bags up?

My friend and I checked in quite late once and got 1C and 2B iirc. Free priority queue for both of us but the person in 1C gets repeated elbowed in the head as everyone else boards...

xalot · 04-11-2014 12:16pm

Quick question, I will be checking in four people on two different bookings, (3 on one booking, solo traveller on the second).

I dont want to have to pay for seats for four people over two flights so was thinking of using the automatic free selection for the first booking and then paying to book a seat for the second booking once I know where the first three people have been placed.

The flight looks to be very quiet, does anybody know whether you can select to pay for a seat if you dont like the one you've been randomly allocated?

Gatica · 04-11-2014 12:49pm

as far as I know you're not given your seat number until you check-in if you're doing auto-allocation. Once you check-in you cannot change your seat...
You basically elect to do one or the other and cannot change after.

Note with the single booking it'll take even longer to get the right seat, as they'll allocate double and triple seats to sit them together so there will be lots of single spaces to fill in if your 3 seats are further along the booking.

Fred Swanson · 04-11-2014 3:22pm

This post has been deleted.

Scarinae · 24-11-2015 12:42pm

My boyfriend and I are flying together in a few weeks on a Ryanair flight. I was just wondering if someone could advise on how likely it is that our seats will be together if we don’t pay to choose our seats? We are travelling on the same booking, but it says that they ‘can’t guarantee’ we’ll sit together if we go for the randomly allocated seats – I don’t know if this means that it’s likely we’ll be together unless the plane is very full, or if it means we definitely won’t be put together and should pay.

I fly quite often but I’m usually by myself so I haven’t encountered this before! Obviously I know it depends on how busy the flight is, but I thought that other people who frequently travel with others might have a better idea than I would. Thanks in advance for any advice!

kerry4sam · 24-11-2015 1:18pm

If you don't purchase seats then you can check-in between 7 days and up to 2 hours before their scheduled flight departure time.

I'd advise checking in online moments after each other. If that doesn't allocate your seats together then you can ask them either online or at check-in desk at airport if there is any chance you can have seats together.

I've seen ^^^ at the airport before where the check-in clerk moved other people around to allow people sit together who ask to be.

Hope that helps,
kerry4sam

murpho999 · 24-11-2015 6:37pm

If you check in on time, and do both together then you'll have no hassle getting a seat togeher

Done it loads of times and never had an issue.

Leitrim96 · 12-12-2015 12:44pm

Hi, I'm checking in for my flights in January however I'm stuck on the page about seat allocation. It seems to be prompting me to pay for my seats i.e. 5Euro for standard seats and 15Euro for business class. My question is how do I just ask for a random seat that will be free of cost as I can't seem to find the option. Thank you all.

Bolloxology · 12-12-2015 12:48pm

Leitrim96 wrote: »

Hi, I'm checking in for my flights in January however I'm stuck on the page about seat allocation. It seems to be prompting me to pay for my seats i.e. 5Euro for standard seats and 15Euro for business class. My question is how do I just ask for a random seat that will be free of cost as I can't seem to find the option. Thank you all.

You don't.
Check in closer to time and you'll be allocated one.

fineso.mom · 12-12-2015 12:48pm

I think you have to wait til closer to the date of travel. I booked in online in October the day before my flight and didn't have to pay for the seat. I'd tried a few days earlier and couldn't do it without paying.

edeldonlon · 12-12-2015 12:54pm

It will be free of charge 7 days before the flight

Sundew · 03-02-2016 12:23pm

We will be flying with our little one in a few months time for the first time and am not entirely sure about seating options for her. She will be just 2.5.

I have been reading about the cares harness, but conflicting information is saying that she will be too old for it.
Will she be ok with the standard Ryanair seatbelt or do we need another secure option? She is on the tall side .

Anybody flown with a 2.5 year old?

January · 03-02-2016 1:20pm

She is fine with the ryanair seatbelt.

Eponymous · 03-02-2016 2:39pm

You'll have to pay for a seat for her, however when you're boarding you can decide if the belt on her seat is too loose and ask the cabin crew for a baby restraint and have your daughter sit on your lap for take off and landing.

We did this just after our first child turned two, but she was just so happy to have her own seat for the first time (on our lap every other time prior to this).

If I recall correctly the seatbelt on the seat wasn't all that loose on her, she just looked tiny in the seat!

Sundew · 03-02-2016 4:31pm

Thank you both! We already had booked her a separate seat for our flight to Mallorca. If the adult seat belt will do then I will just ask for the child one for take off. I had been considering hiring the cares harness at the airport instead of buying it, but if it's not required then I will leave it.

xalot · 03-02-2016 4:40pm

We flew Ryanair with our two year old in September and he was fine in the seat by himself, no need for the harness.

Would recommend bringing something for her to chew when taking off. Our little fella went bananas on take off and a very nice lady on the opposite seat give me one a lolly for him which went down a treat.

Normally I'm terrified of them choking on lollies at that age but I kept a close eye on him and it seemed to calm him big time.

Sundew · 03-02-2016 5:16pm

xalot wrote: »

We flew Ryanair with our two year old in September and he was fine in the seat by himself, no need for the harness.

Would recommend bringing something for her to chew when taking off. Our little fella went bananas on take off and a very nice lady on the opposite seat give me one a lolly for him which went down a treat.

Normally I'm terrified of them choking on lollies at that age but I kept a close eye on him and it seemed to calm him big time.

Thanks Xalot...that's confirmed it for me so. First time flying with little one so obviously we are trying to do our homework early.
We are concerned about the ears as when she screams....can be heard in Space so will pack plenty of " sucky sweets" :-)

Fagashlil · 11-02-2016 1:55am

A lap belt can only be safely used until 24 months, any child not booked as an infant won't (and shouldn't) be given a lap belt.

The AMSAFE is fantastic, and I wish more people used it. It can be used up to 40kg.

Another option could be a Forwad facing car seat. Once it's certified for use on board an aircraft, and states on the tag either FAA/CE approves and fits within the armrest dimensions, there's no charge for bringing it on board, and you have to purchase a seat anyways as the child is over 24 months.

Sundew · 11-02-2016 10:59pm

Fagashlil wrote: »

A lap belt can only be safely used until 24 months, any child not booked as an infant won't (and shouldn't) be given a lap belt.

The AMSAFE is fantastic, and I wish more people used it. It can be used up to 40kg.

Another option could be a Forwad facing car seat. Once it's certified for use on board an aircraft, and states on the tag either FAA/CE approves and fits within the armrest dimensions, there's no charge for bringing it on board, and you have to purchase a seat anyways as the child is over 24 months.

We definitely WONT be hauling a car seat on holidays with us, We have decided to hire the Amsafe at the airport as I couldn't justify paying over €70 for something which will just be used once. Can't understand why airlines won't provide them ( even at extra cost when booking!)

bcoppard · 24-03-2016 1:04pm

Having always purchased the extra legroom seat for €10 each time I fly, imagine my joy when I saw that Ryanair was advertising a 50% reduction on seats.

I should have known better though. When I went in to purchase my seat, I found out that it had gone UP by 50% from €10 to €15.

The reduction only applied to the 'cheaper' seats.

Quite annoyed really considering that the 50% reduction is plastered all over the seat allocation page!

LouiseMcNulty · 27-03-2016 11:29pm

I have been allocated a seat with Ryanair. I know that you have to call their call centre if you want it changed but does anyone know what price they charge? Thanks.

athtrasna · 05-04-2016 11:23pm

Will be checking in later this week for flights. Four of us travelling, two separate bookings, two people on each. Short of paying to choose our seats, what are our best hopes for getting seats together?

LouiseMcNulty · 05-04-2016 11:28pm

athtrasna wrote: »

Will be checking in later this week for flights. Four of us travelling, two separate bookings, two people on each. Short of paying to choose our seats, what are our best hopes for getting seats together?

I'm just back yesterday my friends and I all booked separate and didn't reserve we all got separate ones although I manage to randomly be seated by two of my friends that had booked together. You could ask the person would they mind swapping when on the plane one lad did on mine but it's just a lot of hassle

Gatica · 06-04-2016 9:48am

I consult this site: flights-blog.lowcostroutes.com/2014/04/how-to-get-a-free-seat-on-ryanair/

They've been updating Ryanair's allocation scheme as they've been changing it. Means you just need to check regularly when your desired seating area is next for booking. Of course if there's 2 and 2 of you, it may make it more difficult cos you'd need to wait for someone else to book in between your two check-ins and the risk is of course that you miss booking your seats together or someone decides to pay for the seats beside you. It's your best bet, but certainly no guarantee.

munchkin_utd · 06-04-2016 9:53am

Gatica wrote: »

I consult this site: flights-blog.lowcostroutes.com/2014/04/how-to-get-a-free-seat-on-ryanair/
<snip>

good website, and it does mention that they try and cater for familes.

I'm travelling next month with wife and 2 kids, and don't give a damn where we sit so long as kids are beside one of us. We will wait to get off until the plane is nearly empty so having a seat for quick exit is no addition, and getting an exit row isn't possible anyhow .

Shibby89 · 28-05-2016 11:11pm

I will soon be travelling with ryanair on an approx 2 hr flight with my busy 3 year old son and my husband. We have pre booked our seats. Id like to spend as little time as possible on the plane as my son will get bored very quickly and i fear he will get agitated if sitting on plane for too long with nothing happening.
So im planning on being one of the last to board the plane as we've pre booked seats. Im ok with the possibility of any hand luggage going into the hold but apart from that are there any other disadvantages of boarding at the end?

sillysocks · 28-05-2016 11:19pm

Flew with Ryanair and my two kids lately, aged 5&3, and almost by accident we ended up one of the final people to board on the return flight (although we hadn't caused any delay or anything!).
It was great, had very little time to wait before take off and just shaved maybe 15 mins off the time we'd to keep the kids quiet! Didn't really see any disadvantage to it and the bags we had were quite small so they weren't taken off us.

I think once you've allocated seats It's fine!

Fred Swanson · 28-05-2016 11:20pm

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Spanish Eyes · 28-05-2016 11:21pm

Shibby89 wrote: »

I will soon be travelling with ryanair on an approx 2 hr flight with my busy 3 year old son and my husband. We have pre booked our seats. Id like to spend as little time as possible on the plane as my son will get bored very quickly and i fear he will get agitated if sitting on plane for too long with nothing happening.
So im planning on being one of the last to board the plane as we've pre booked seats. Im ok with the possibility of any hand luggage going into the hold but apart from that are there any other disadvantages of boarding at the end?

None that I know of.

I do that all the time. Couldn't care less if hand luggage is put in the hold either.

Matter of fact, I wish they would ask us if we want to put luggage in the hold for FREE!

But I suppose they are factoring in costs of unloading and etc. and won't do it unless they have to.

They are very good at finding space for overhead bags in my experience. So since I am not the first on, and not worried about being last off, I don't really care what bin the bag goes into as all my valuables are with me in my seat.

Anyway, I hope you have a great time.

meeeeh · 28-05-2016 11:48pm

I don't think so. Ryanair now allocate numbers to everyone. I never bother pre-booking seats because you can't sit next to emergency exit and for some reason they always give seats to families together. I was hoping somebody else will end up sitting next to our kids but no luck so far. They are also very eager to put you on priority boarding for some reason. If you are not bothered about luggage then I would stick to the back of the que because there is a chance people at the front will be stuck standing on the staircase waiting for plane to be ready for boarding. Those staircases can be a pain if you have to juggle carry on luggage and a child.

At three your son should be past the stage when pulling the hair of passengers in front is best fun ever. Just do whatever you swore you will never do and download a game or cartoons on your phone and get him some crisps or some other rubbish that can't be eaten in one gulp. Try not to offer going to the toilet too early because they figure out very quickly it enables them to run up and down the isle.

ted1 · 28-05-2016 11:50pm

Non, it's designated seats, you'll be grand. In future no need to pay extra for selecting your seats . They won't separate young kids from adults ( and if they do, happy days!! But really they'll get people to move )

clogher71 · 29-05-2016 9:20am

ted1 wrote: »

Non, it's designated seats, you'll be grand. In future no need to pay extra for selecting your seats . They won't separate young kids from adults ( and if they do, happy days!! But really they'll get people to move )

Hi

Have you first hand experience of this? I have two small kids and took a chance on not pre booking seats (save costs etc ) and just intended being at the airport to be nearly first in the que for check in. If most seats are allocated then people might not like to move. Then again on a flight to the sun there should be a few more families also....

athtrasna · 29-05-2016 9:25am

clogher71 wrote: »

Hi

Have you first hand experience of this? I have two small kids and took a chance on not pre booking seats (save costs etc ) and just intended being at the airport to be nearly first in the que for check in. If most seats are allocated then people might not like to move. Then again on a flight to the sun there should be a few more families also....

If it's Ryanair (and this is a Ryanair thread) you'll need to check in online if you have an EU passport. The fees to check in at the airport are prohibitive.

clogher71 · 29-05-2016 9:46am

athtrasna wrote: »

If it's Ryanair (and this is a Ryanair thread) you'll need to check in online if you have an EU passport. The fees to check in at the airport are prohibitive.

Hi

Yes it is Ryanair and I will check in on line, do they allocate the seats when you check in on line?

athtrasna · 29-05-2016 9:48am

clogher71 wrote: »

Hi

Yes it is Ryanair and I will check in on line, do they allocate the seats when you check in on line?

They do

johny33 · 29-05-2016 9:55am

Do your check in 7 days before the flight if you want to sit together. Later it will be bigger chance that you be separated. However, they always sort you out in the plane.

meeeeh · 29-05-2016 11:39am

I don't want it to be taken as a rule but we never got seats apart without booking. I'm sure airlines don't want to deal with a three year old sitting away from their parents. I usually do check in a day or two before departure and the flights we take are usually very full.

ted1 · 29-05-2016 11:52am

meeeeh wrote: »

I don't want it to be taken as a rule but we never got seats apart without booking. I'm sure airlines don't want to deal with a three year old sitting away from their parents. I usually do check in a day or two before departure and the flights we take are usually very full.

As above

billie1b · 29-05-2016 12:00pm

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

None that I know of.

I do that all the time. Couldn't care less if hand luggage is put in the hold either.

Matter of fact, I wish they would ask us if we want to put luggage in the hold for FREE!

But I suppose they are factoring in costs of unloading and etc. and won't do it unless they have to.

They are very good at finding space for overhead bags in my experience. So since I am not the first on, and not worried about being last off, I don't really care what bin the bag goes into as all my valuables are with me in my seat.

Anyway, I hope you have a great time.

If you get to the boarding gate and wish to put your hand luggage in the hold for free, just ask any of the boarding staff at said gate and they'll have no problem tagging the bag for you, there's no extra costs in unloading or loading the free tagged bags as the cost is already factored in for the ground crew to be there to do that exact thing

Mink · 30-05-2016 1:49pm

ted1 wrote: »

Non, it's designated seats, you'll be grand. In future no need to pay extra for selecting your seats . They won't separate young kids from adults ( and if they do, happy days!! But really they'll get people to move )

I read several posts on another thread (to do with travelling with wee ones) and there are definitely cases where either of 2 things happen on a busy flight

a) the flight is delayed because the stewardess has to go asking people to move and often they are reluctant as they have their own kids beside them and went to the trouble & expense of paying for allocated seating.

b) No one will be found to move and the child just has to stay where they are - definitely seems to happen on occasion.

My flight's not til September but I've paid for the pre-allocated seating (6 euro each at the moment - cheaper in advance). I probably would have gotten us altogether if I waited til the 7 day in advance check-in period but there's just no way I'm taking the risk.

For keeping him busy - just pull whatever tricks out of the bag - Leap pad, downloaded cartoons, DVD player with a favourite or new movie, sticker/activity books, lollies (good for ear popping as well because of the sucking motion), books, anything you can find that he might be interested in that's fiddly and time consuming for him!

billie1b · 30-05-2016 2:06pm

Mink wrote: »

I read several posts on another thread (to do with travelling with wee ones) and there are definitely cases where either of 2 things happen on a busy flight

a) the flight is delayed because the stewardess has to go asking people to move and often they are reluctant as they have their own kids beside them and went to the trouble & expense of paying for allocated seating.

b) No one will be found to move and the child just has to stay where they are - definitely seems to happen on occasion.

My flight's not til September but I've paid for the pre-allocated seating (6 euro each at the moment - cheaper in advance). I probably would have gotten us altogether if I waited til the 7 day in advance check-in period but there's just no way I'm taking the risk.

For keeping him busy - just pull whatever tricks out of the bag - Leap pad, downloaded cartoons, DVD player with a favourite or new movie, sticker/activity books, lollies (good for ear popping as well because of the sucking motion), books, anything you can find that he might be interested in that's fiddly and time consuming for him!

The plane is not allowed to dispatch with any kids under 12 sitting by themselves, they will always find seats for adults to sit with their kids, whether it will be 1 adult with 1 child or 1 adult with 2 kids and a lone adult by themselves etc etc. Why people worry about delaying an aircraft by a couple of minutes is beyond me, these small things are the part of the dispatch process and are accounted into the timing of things and believe it or not the aircraft can be delayed due to this, the delay code is named 'pax convenience'

Mrs OBumble · 30-05-2016 2:37pm

clogher71 wrote: »

If most seats are allocated then people might not like to move.

If the option is moving, or sitting next to your unaccompanied bratty child, then trust me, most people will move faster than you thought possible!

Fred Swanson · 30-05-2016 3:06pm

This post has been deleted.

meeeeh · 30-05-2016 3:08pm

Mink wrote: »

I read several posts on another thread (to do with travelling with wee ones) and there are definitely cases where either of 2 things happen on a busy flight

a) the flight is delayed because the stewardess has to go asking people to move and often they are reluctant as they have their own kids beside them and went to the trouble & expense of paying for allocated seating.

b) No one will be found to move and the child just has to stay where they are - definitely seems to happen on occasion.

My flight's not til September but I've paid for the pre-allocated seating (6 euro each at the moment - cheaper in advance). I probably would have gotten us altogether if I waited til the 7 day in advance check-in period but there's just no way I'm taking the risk.
!

Is that from before or after Ryanair went to allocated seating? I'm sure algorithm that allocates the seats is built in the way it causes minimal work to plane crew and seats kids next to their parents. Before allocated seating I would book seats on busier flights but since then I don't bother. We were on three trips with kids (4 flights each) since then and we never booked seats. Every time we were allocated four seats on the same row, three on one side and one on the other. Because I usually have to book four flights that saves around 100 Euro per trip.

meeeeh · 30-05-2016 3:12pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I've been on a flight where a big man booked security exit seat and was ordered to move for safety reasons. Staff were apologetic but they would not let him stay on that seat.

Fred Swanson · 30-05-2016 3:13pm

This post has been deleted.

meeeeh · 30-05-2016 3:19pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Which is fine if it's two adults and two kids. I have a short fuse (usually early mornings and lack of patience) so I usually sit on my own and partner deals with kids. I could care less if I was seating couple rows away from them. In fact it would be quite welcome.

Ryanair - New reserved seating structure(s)

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