Who knows about Qantas family seating policy on international flights?

[mimimi70]

Did you know that Qantas now charges AUD20 per seat per leg for a family to book to sit together? My husband is returning Madrid to Brisbane with my kids aged 11, 9 and 7 so the total cost of the "privilege" is an additional AUD480. What's others views on this???? If you don't believe me, here is the travel policy: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...lobal/en#jump6

[CluckySC]

Oh my God. How ridiculous. Was planning on flying with them to the US next year but that's just silly isn't it?

[RaryGirl]

Seven years ago returning from Fiji they seated my 5 year old eight rows away from me. Flight attendants didn't give a toss and head office were just as helpful when I complained upon the return. No charge at the time to sit together, just no guarantee. Looks likes they've gone one further and are now profiting from parents wanting to keep their children safe.

[GlitterFarts]

I had the same experience as pp, with out dd. I spoke to a lady that was sitting next to her, that unless she feels like dealing with her tantrums and crying the whole way from America back to Australia, she's welcome to it... lol. She didn't even hesitate, we swapped seats and they were happy with it. it's pathetic. I had the same on a Lufthansa flight from Germany. I found a seat, stood my ground and refused to move.

[AndrewTheEmu]

I didn't read the policy but from your post I think it's ridiculous!

We flew Darwin to Brisbane to Sydney last year with DD who was about 16mnths at the time but had her own seat.. what do they expect children to do? Especially on long flights?

Why charge extra for them to sit with their parents? Surely it's easier on everyone if the parents are supervising them rather then yelling down the plane?

[Dannielle]

OMG , I had no idea. We haven't been on a plane since before the kids. Is that just a Qantas thing or does everyone charge?

Can I ask a dumb question? How do you ensure you are seated together? We are thinking of going somewhere January 2014 (when DH can get school holidays off) but there is no way the girls would cope if they aren't sitted right next to us. They are all quite frightened of the thought of flying.

[FluffyDucks]

OMG , I had no idea. We haven't been on a plane since before the kids. Is that just a Qantas thing or does everyone charge?

Can I ask a dumb question? How do you ensure you are seated together? We are thinking of going somewhere January 2014 (when DH can get school holidays off) but there is no way the girls would cope if they aren't sitted right next to us. They are all quite frightened of the thought of flying.

It's just for international flights that you pay. For domestic it's complimentary.

[Grebbeci]

You can complete your online check-in within 24 hours of the flight leaving and can choose your seats for no additional cost but advance seat selection which allows you to choose your seats more than 24 hours before the flight leaves costs you extra. So I guess if you can be organised and jump onto the site as soon as that 24 hour window opens (which is difficult with kiddies) then you could most likely still book seats together.

[Pawzette]

And THAT is why i refuse to fly with qantas

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[Just*Ace]

Disgusting! We are hoping to go overseas in a year or 2 and if it wasn't for how much it would traumatize my daughter I would let them sit her elsewhere and have her scream the whole flight! Maybe then they would reconsider this greedy move! I noticed a few years ago flying with jetstar they would always invite families with young children to board first, now you have to pay extra to get that 'priority' boarding and if you don't pay that you get stuck getting on with the pushy rude people!