https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 08:42:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2197045 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:29:44 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2197045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never had a problem getting a whole row on Southwest -- there are a couple strategies. 1) check in exactly 24 hours in advance and get an A boarding pass, which is one of the first 60 people to board; 2) pay to upgrade to business select and get to be one of the first 15 to board; 3) do family boarding, which is between A and B groups so you'll be like the 65th person to board and won't have a problem getting a row to yourself; 4) do pre-boarding if the gate person is nice and will let you or if you have a need (although this is different than family boarding)(they let me pre-board when I was super pregnant). I honestly have never had a problem getting a full row on a Southwest flight with our son. </p> <p>I also have also flown Virgin America and Hawaiian with him and they are great too, but don't have all the destinations we like with Southwest (at least from California). </p> <p>Good luck mama, it'll be fine :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2197043 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:26:03 +0000 yoursilverlining 2197043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: thanks for the tip - I'll have to check them out then because it's definitely been more than a year than I last flew delta, but jetblue isn't always available so good to have a decent backup! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2197042 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:25:04 +0000 anonysquire 2197042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nevermind, no going with jetbkue. On my travel dates they only have flights with a stop and on the day we want to go back home they only have 1 flight the whole day and is at 6am. No! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2197039 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 17:20:01 +0000 anonysquire 2197039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, so I'm going to check jet blue. Is that the one with warm cookies haha? Maybe not. We are leaving in 100 days, so should I buy the tickets today to guarantee a seat? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196993 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:27:40 +0000 PurplePumps 2196993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I remember correctly, all the large major airlines (delta, united, AA) allow you to select seats when purchasing. I've never selected a seat and NOT gotten the seat I picked. You can go through all that on any website before buying. Some budget airlines (Airtran maybe) may make you pay an extra $5-10 for each seat you pick when you buy the ticket. I've never paid, and usually pick at check in (then it's free) and have never been split up from my husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196954 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:48:29 +0000 plantains 2196954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Go back to Delta, over the last year they have completely overhauled! Like night and day from what it was. Still not as comfortable seating wise as Jet Blue or Virgin America, but amazing pre boarding lounges now and spectacular customer service. Maybe this is just unique to Delta Shuttle between NYC and BOS though. I sound like a Delta employee or something but I was stunned by all the changes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196948 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:39:51 +0000 looch 2196948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I have, ymmv, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196944 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:37:59 +0000 looch 2196944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: no, like economy plus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196817 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:53:45 +0000 bunnylove08 2196817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my husband and I were separated when we flew jet blue. I asked if we could sit together so he could help with DD and they accommodated us. If you get split up I would suggest asking and do online check in when it opens. </p> <p>We love jetblue you can assign your own seats </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196811 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:51:26 +0000 yoursilverlining 2196811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love JetBlue, and fly them whenever possible. I avoid United, Delta and US Air as they are all pretty mediocre generally. Southwest was fine, but nothing special. </p> <p>JetBlue has extra-room seats for an additional fee, which is much cheaper than going 1st class. The extra space is really, really, really handy when you are traveling with kids. You can also pick your seats in advance (as you can do with pretty much any airline, except Southwest which has general seating). When you reserve your seats online with JetBlue, you’ll be able to see if it’s a row of 3 or 2 seats and pick your seats accordingly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196805 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:45:26 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2196805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: JetBlue is my absolute favorite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196794 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:40:56 +0000 magnolia 2196794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on jetblue RIGHT NOW and it's awesome. Free WiFi, unlimited snacks, tv, friendly stewardesses. And you can choose your own seats when you buy your tickets. They don't ever over book flights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196783 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:38:28 +0000 danda 2196783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just book on any major airline well ahead of time to pick seats in advance. The only time the airline will change them is if your airplane is changed to a different one (for example I once was booked on a plane that seats 270 passengers and the airline had to switch it to a 180 seat flight when the first one had to be taken out of service for maintenance) - I don't think you can plan to avoid that though, it's just a rare random thing that happens. One note of caution - on smaller planes/regional airlines - sometimes there is less space. We intentionally got bulkhead seats on a small plane so my daughter's car seat would have plenty of room to rear face, but on that plane there were arm rests that don't raise on the bulkhead seats so a car seat can't go in those seats. </p> <p>Another tip independent of airline...Gogobabyz Travelmate Mini is amazing for getting a convertible car seat through the airport. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196782 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:37:51 +0000 Madison43 2196782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think most airlines let you choose your seats? We've travelled a lot and have never been split up. I was going to caution against southwest because of it's general admission style boarding, but it sounds like others have had a good experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196759 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:28:16 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2196759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's also going to depend on where you're leaving and going to....not every airline flies all routes.</p> <p>I wouldn't really bother with first class....it's going to be thousands of dollars unless you have points. </p> <p>You book your tickets and pick your seats on most airlines. I've never had a problem being seated in the ones I chose. In fact, I think I was asked to move away from my husband once to accommodate a family to sit together (I could have said no) but I said yes because I don't need to sit next to DH but people obviously need to sit next to their children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196716 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:10:09 +0000 Smurfette 2196716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I have never flown when I didn't get the seat that we picked when the tickets were booked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196714 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:09:07 +0000 plantains 2196714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always fly Virgin America or Delta. If you go ahead and select your seats right when you book, you will not be split up don't worry. I also find those airlines to be extremely family friendly, you can gate check strollers and carseats and the staff are super helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196712 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:08:11 +0000 Anagram 2196712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: There are seats on most airlines with "more legroom" but still in coach, for $25-$35 more per seat.</p> <p>When we fly with LO, we just book early so we have our choice of seats. Then we do the online check in as soon as it opens (usually exactly 24 hours in advance) so we have the best boarding zones/first choice to confirm seats. Haven't had a problem on any flight yet (probably 6 flights?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196711 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:07:33 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2196711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A vote for Southwest. I haven't travelled with Lo yet, as she is still on the inside, but we have a trip planned when she will be 8-10 weeks old. All my friends say Southwest is their favorite when they have the kids, and I like them without too, so it was easy. I have friends who.Have flown United and we're forced to move from their seats with lap infants, splitting the family, due to "balance " reasons, and Spirit was just rude and not accommodating to another friend with a 12 week-old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196697 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:01:54 +0000 anonysquire 2196697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: so first class? </p> <p>This might sound desperate, but I am willing to pay anything to make sure this flight goes smoothly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196693 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:00:04 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2196693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My favorite airlines are SW, Alaska Air, and JetBlue </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196671 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:50:37 +0000 Alivoo01 2196671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I've flown with them a few times, but the very first time, I traveled alone with DS when he was just a few months old without a stroller. So lugging the carry-on bag, him, plus his infant seat through the airport was a workout as is. When they started calling for boarding, all the other fliers were so nice and were like go ahead and go to the front honey! You have a baby!!</p> <p>I said thanks and dragged everything up to the front only to have the ticket taker tell me family boarding is after Group A boards so please walk back to the back of the line up and wait my turn. :shocked: Can I at least just wait here until then instead of walking back with all my stuff and walking back up, again?? Nope. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196670 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:50:22 +0000 Ra 2196670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always fly Southwest for the simple fact that baggage fees pile up when you have kids! Whatever you do, do not fly United. They are horrendous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196662 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:47:18 +0000 Anagram 2196662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: I don't like that, either! I flew with LO on SW once and it stressed me out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196655 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:45:32 +0000 looch 2196655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In a 3 seat configuration, there are 4 oxygen masks. That's why you can't have more than one lap child per set of 3 seats. </p> <p>Most airlines will allow you to select when you buy the tickets, but it isn't a guarantee that you will actually be seated together when you board unless you buy the premium seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196654 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:45:22 +0000 anonysquire 2196654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: well you can only have 1 lap infant in a row I guess. Idk, I haven't flown in years due to my severe anxiety and now I'm over thinking everything and freaking out. I just don't want to be split up with my babies!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196651 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:43:49 +0000 Anagram 2196651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I've seen moms flying alone with two babies (well, one a toddler in their own seat) before, so it must be okay for them to all be in one row. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196647 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:41:11 +0000 Alivoo01 2196647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: I don't like SW's priority boarding is after Group A has boarded. That's a lot of people man! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196644 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:40:38 +0000 Alivoo01 2196644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can see what type of aircraft you'll be flying in so you'll know how the seating arrangement is. I also know some airlines like AA will let you see what seats are available. If you book your tickets together, I think the airlines do a pretty good job of keeping families together, if possible. Otherwise, the day of travel, I would talk to the people at the check-in desk and see what they can do. They'll move singles around to accommodate families with children. They've done this for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-suggestion#post-2196639 Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:38:56 +0000 avivoca 2196639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have only flown Southwest and I like that you can choose your seats. I think they also have priority boarding for families. </p>