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The Delta Seat Selection Guide

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Table of Contents

How Delta seat selection works

Delta seat selection fee, ticket types and seat selection rules, delta air lines seats for elite members, delta plane seating chart, how to pick seats on delta, final thoughts on selecting a seat on delta air lines.

Booking a Delta Air Lines flight and wondering about Delta’s seat selection? It’s no wonder — with differing benefits for elite members and strict restrictions on basic economy tickets, figuring out how and when to choose your Delta seat can quickly become overwhelming.

Here's a look at Delta seat assignments, how Delta Air Lines’ seating system works and the costs of choosing a seat.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Delta operates a variety of cabin classes on its aircraft, including economy, Premium Select, first class and Delta One seats.

Like most airlines, Delta will allow you to select your seat when booking, though the cost to do so and any upcharges will vary depending on the flight you’re taking. Those flying with families and wondering “does Delta seat families together?” are in luck. Delta does its best to seat families together, even after check-in.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United, which is best for you?

According to an analysis of airline fees by NerdWallet, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines charge the least for seat selection, while budget airlines Frontier and Spirit charge the most.

Delta sits in the middle, charging an average of $15-plus for each flight that you'd like to select a seat for. The cost will vary depending on the type of ticket you book with the airline — which we'll discuss next.

» Learn more: How to navigate costly airline seat selection fees

How much is seat selection on Delta Air Lines? That will depend on the ticket type you’re purchasing, be it basic economy, main cabin, Premium Select (premium economy), first class or Delta One.

Basic economy

Basic economy tickets have the most restrictions of any Delta ticket, and this extends to seat selection. Those who book basic economy tickets won't be able to select seats; instead, a seat will be randomly assigned to each passenger after check-in. This includes families and groups who are traveling together — expect to be split up when booking a basic economy ticket.

If you reserve a basic economy ticket, it’s possible to purchase a specific seat starting seven days before departure. Pricing for this varies by trip and is priced by segment.

Main cabin seating, also known as regular economy, includes complimentary seat selection. As a main cabin customer, you also have the option to purchase an upgrade to preferred or Delta Comfort Plus seats while remaining an economy class passenger.

You can also book upgraded economy tickets with additional seat selection perks:

Main Cabin Preferred: Main Cabin Preferred seats are functionally the same as regular main cabin seats. The difference lies in the seat location; Main Cabin Preferred seats are typically window and aisle seats nearer to the front of the plane, plus exit rows. These are the least expensive upgrades from standard economy seating.

Comfort Plus: When available, a Delta Comfort Plus ticket can be purchased directly while booking and the price will include seat selection. The cost to upgrade is higher than for a preferred seat in main cabin. Comfort Plus features more legroom than main cabin and offers passengers dedicated overhead bins. In addition, Comfort Plus guests will receive complimentary beer and wine on all domestic and short-haul international flights.

Main cabin passengers can also choose to upgrade to a Comfort Plus seat either before or after purchasing their ticket.

Premium Select

Premium Select is Delta’s version of premium economy, with larger seats and better recline, two free checked bags, earlier boarding and premium extras. Those who book Premium Select can choose any seat within the cabin for no additional fee.

Delta One and first class

Both first class and Delta One ticket holders can choose any seat within their cabin for free. These spacious seats come with two free checked bags, premium snacks and meals, priority boarding, and a dedicated flight attendant.

GET MORE MILES, MORE BENEFITS WITH A DELTA CARD

Regardless of where you sit once you're on the plane, a Delta-branded credit card can make your trip go a little smoother. Most include free checked bags and priority boarding, and some really stack up the perks. Among options:

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$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• Companion certificate (main cabin).

• Airport lounge access.

• Companion certificate ((first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).

• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , see this page .

Those who have joined the Delta SkyMiles program and earned Medallion elite status will receive seating benefits on their flights.

Main Cabin Preferred

When booking main cabin tickets, all four tiers of elite status members can select main cabin preferred seats for no additional charge.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to earning Delta SkyMiles

Comfort Plus

Platinum and Diamond level elite members (the two highest tiers) can choose Comfort Plus seats shortly after ticketing for free. Mid-tier Gold members, meanwhile, will be able to select these seats starting 72 hours prior to departure, and low-level Silver members can pick from available Comfort Plus seats starting 24 hours before departure.

Delta elite members will also receive upgrades on select first class and Delta One flights depending on their elite status.

You can find Delta Air Lines seating without needing to book a flight. To do so, you’ll want to first search for your preferred route on Delta’s website. On the search results page, you’ll find a variety of flights from which to choose.

Each flight presents a seat map, which you can preview by selecting "Seats."

Once you’ve picked "Seats," you’ll be taken to a new page that shows a live preview of your aircraft’s seats.

You’ll also be able to view the seat map during the booking process. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll be taken to another page prompting you to pick a seat.

How do I choose my seat on Delta?

During booking

The process for reserving a Delta seat is fairly simple. As we mentioned above, you’ll be able to pick seats when booking your flights on the website; Delta will automatically prompt you to do so before checkout.

You may not be able to select seats on codeshare flights, which are operated by Delta’s partners . In this case, you’ll want to go directly to the other airlines’ webpage to manage your seat selection.

After booking

If you need to choose or alter your seat after you’ve booked your flight, go to "My Trips" on the Delta homepage.

If you’re logged in already, you’ll be able to view all the trips you have booked with Delta. You’ll find seat selection options by going down to the "Passenger Information" section.

» Learn more: 6 ways to save on Delta flights

Delta has a variety of ticketing options available for every type of passenger. This includes the highly restrictive basic economy class ticket as well as main cabin tickets for those who prefer certainty with their seats.

Upgrading to Main Cabin Preferred and Comfort Plus seats offers better benefits for those in economy. Loyal members of Delta’s SkyMiles program can also expect to receive complimentary access to these seats and upgrades to higher classes depending on their level of status.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

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All About Delta Airlines: Airline Policies & More Important Information For Kids

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If you’re planning a trip with Delta Airlines , it’s important to know a few things about the airline and its policies for kids. Some families find traveling with kids to be very stressful, but we’re here to prove it doesn’t have to be! With different policies on lap infants, seat assignments, etc, picking the right airline can make or break your adventure. This is why Delta Airlines is often a go-to for traveling families. From early boarding to bassinets, the airline has special policies in place for families traveling with small children. In this article, we will cover some important information about the airline, including their policies on children traveling alone, baggage allowance, and more. By understanding these things before you travel, you can help make your trip go smoother and avoid any surprises. Keep reading to learn more! 

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Why Fly Delta Airlines with Kids?

Not every family has the same experience with a certain airline, however, many consider Delta Airlines to be a nice kid-friendly option. It has a good reputation for friendly customer service, making it a favorite among traveling families. Delta also offers a number of amenities and services to make your life easier when traveling with kids.

For example, they offer early boarding for families with small children, so you can get settled before takeoff. They also have a great selection of in-flight entertainment options for all ages, so everyone can stay entertained during the flight. Though flying with kids can be snug, Delta’s seats are more spacious and comfortable than the average economy seat. There’s also plenty of legroom, so hopefully you won’t have to worry about your kids kicking the seat in front of them or being cramped!

READ NEXT :  Travel Resources For Families: Where To Book Hotels, Flights, & More

Where Does Delta Airlines Fly Directly?

Before planning a trip on Delta Airlines with kids , you may be wondering about non-stop flights. Delta Airlines flies directly to and from many destinations worldwide, including domestic and international locations. In fact, no matter where you want to go in the world, chances are good that Delta Airlines can get you there with a direct flight!

• Some of the places that Delta airlines fly non-stop to in the United States include Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle , and more.
• Delta also flies non-stop to numerous international destinations such as London, Paris, Tokyo, Beijing , and more.

For more information on planning your trip on Delta airlines with kids, check their website for a complete list of all the places they fly to both in the US and abroad. 

READ NEXT : All About American Airlines: Airline Policies & More Important Information For Kids

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Delta Airlines Policy for Kids

If you’re wondering about Delta Airlines’ policy for kids, you’re in the right place! When it comes to its travel policies for kids , Delta Airlines tends to be a favorite for a reason. Keep reading to learn more about Delta Airlines’ child policy!

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Early Boarding for Families

Delta Airlines policy provides priority boarding to all families traveling with strollers or car seats.

Delta Airlines Policies Specific to Infants, Toddlers, and Young Kids

There are a few policies specific to families traveling with babies, toddlers, and small children. Here is what you should know if you are flying with tiny travelers.

Lap Seat/Infant-in-Arms

Those traveling with babies will want to learn Delta Airlines’ infant policy. If you’re traveling with children under the age of 2, they can sit on your lap with an infant-in-arms ticket. Some gate agents may require a birth certificate for proof of age. We recommend packing one in your carry-on or personal item, just in case.

Additionally, families flying internationally should call the airline directly to book their flights to ensure all requirements are met for adding an infant-in-arms to an international American Airlines flight. Certain documents or fees may be required. You can find more details for adding an infant-in-arms to your ticket here .

Those traveling with infants under 20 pounds can also request a SkyCot (bassinet). SkyCots can be requested through Delta’s  Reservations  website before arriving at the airport (be sure to confirm everything with the gate agent at the boarding gate). Note, per Delta Airlines’ infant policy, they cannot guarantee SkyCots due to a limit of two SkyCots per aircraft and weight restrictions. Finally, SkyCots are only available on some international flights and depend on the aircraft.

When flying with children on Delta Airlines, there are a few extra perks you should be aware of. Depending on how long your flight is, baby care, such as bottle warmers or extra diapers, may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Delta Airlines Car Seat Policy

Per Delta Airlines’ car seat policy, FAA-approved car seats may be used onboard domestic and international flights. The window seat is the preferred location for an approved child safety seat. You can find more details about approved child safety seats and where to reserve those seats here , as well as which types of seats are not approved.

Jet Kids BedBox™

Delta Airlines has officially approved the use of the Jet Kids BedBox™. The Jet Kids BedBox™ is a compact travel bed that can be used on airplanes, trains, and automobiles. It comes with a built-in mattress, pillow, and comforter, and can be quickly set up and taken down. When flying with children on Delta Airlines, this is a great option for long flights!

Purchase your JetKids™ BedBox™ here directly through Stokke®!

Delta Airlines Child Fares

Children over the age of 2 must have their own seats and ticket, which is a standard fare. If you’re wondering, do babies fly free internationally on Delta, you can learn more about Delta Airlines child fares here .

RELATED :  Best Hacks & Products For Sleeping On Long International Flights With Kids

Unaccompanied Minors

Delta also has an “ unaccompanied minor ” policy for kids ages 5-14. With this policy, the child will be escorted by airline personnel from check-in, through security, to the gate, and finally onto the plane.

Baggage/Carry-On Luggage

Luggage allowance is a common question among parents. Thankfully, Delta has clear guidelines as to what is allowed for children :

• If children are traveling for free (lap seat/infant-in-arms), they do not have their own baggage allowance (in addition to what is allowed for their ticketed adult). Thus, any baggage for the child counts as part of the adult’s baggage allowance.
• Children traveling on their own ticket follow the standard baggage allowance, and are likewise allowed one carry-on/one personal item onboard.

Children’s strollers and child safety seats (car seats) are not counted as part of the standard baggage and can be checked for free at the ticket counter. Alternatively, they can be gate checked before boarding. Then, in addition to the standard one-bag carry-on allowance, passengers can also bring a booster seat, other infant seat, or bassinet on the plane as an additional free item (subject to carry-on size restrictions). A diaper bag or a breast pump and associated cooler bag are also not counted toward the one carry-on/one personal item rule for luggage onboard.

Food Policy

Kid-friendly food or snacks are available depending on which flight you book. TSA allows several baby items to go through security, as well; you can  check that list   here .

Special Toys and Games/Entertainment Options

Delta also offers a variety of entertainment options for children as part of the “SkyKids” program, such as in-flight entertainment loaded with games and movies.

Booking a flight for your family? Check out these 12 Best Airlines For Kids – International ! 

What Documents Do I Need to Fly with Kids?

While not strictly Delta Airlines’ policies for kids, you may still be wondering, do you need identification for a child or babies to fly ? There are a few different documents your children may need, as U.S. citizens, to travel (if your kids have different citizenship, please refer to the rules and regulations for their country of citizenship). Then, other types of child identification may also be needed for Delta Airlines, depending on the airline, destination country, transit country, etc.

What Documents Do I Need for US Domestic Travel with Kids

• Generally, no ID is needed : Babies and kids (or, those under the age of 18) do not need to present any identification for domestic travel within the United States (or its territories, like Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands).
• Birth Certificates : Some airlines, however, may require proof of age for lap-seat infants. In this case, we recommend packing a birth certificate for your children just in case.
• Child Travel Consent : If you are traveling without your child’s other parent, a letter of consent providing proof of permission to travel alone with your child may be useful. While this is not strictly needed for domestic travel, it may provide peace of mind for traveling parents in the event you are questioned by government or airline staff.

What Documents Do I Need for International Travel with Kids

Basically, babies and children need the same documents for international travel adults do, including:

• Valid US Passport : Regardless of age, children with U.S. citizenship need a valid passport for air travel to another country (even babies!). The application process for children under 16 needs to be completed in person. Both parents are required to be present. Children’s passports are valid for five years.
• Proof of Relationship to Child : While you may not be asked for it, we highly recommend that you travel with some type of document proving your relationship to your child (e.g., birth certificate, adoption certificate, etc.). Please note, some countries or airlines will require this type of document. It is your responsibility to know the documents needed before you depart for your trip.
• Child Travel Consent : If you are traveling without your child’s other parent, plan on bringing a letter of consent from the other parent to travel alone with your child. Some countries require letters to be notarized. This letter should contain the child’s basic information (e.g., name, gender, birthday, place of birth, passport number, etc.), both parents’ names and contact information, the traveling arrangements (flights, accommodations, other adults traveling in your party), and the destination.

Additional Documents You Might Need or Want for International Travel with Kids :

• A  visa for the destination country , or a transit country (a country where a layover takes place).
• Some countries require everyone to have  vaccination records  for specific vaccinations. Check the  U.S. State Department International Travel website  for information about your destination country.
• Each country has its own requirements (or recommendations) for documents needed to enter the country. Check the  U.S. State Department International Travel website  for information about requirements for your destination country.
• If you travel frequently, consider joining one of the  Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP ).

Tips for Taking a Long Flight with Kids on Delta Airlines

When it comes to flying Delta Airlines with kids, we have a few tips that can make the experience more enjoyable for both parents and children. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Take advantage of the airline’s priority boarding process to get on the plane as quickly as possible. This allows you time to get every settled in their seats.
• Keep your child occupied with activities such as books, coloring, snacks, or electronic devices.
• We also recommend timing your flight around your child’s natural sleep schedule.
• Don’t be afraid to take a few breaks to walk around the cabin with them.
• Plan an active morning at the park or another activity to wear them out before the flight.
• Consider booking a window seat and bringing along a pillow and blanket to make them comfortable.
• Don’t forget to take advantage of the free Delta Sky Kids entertainment system!

If you’re traveling with a baby for the first time, check out our ten tips to prepare for your baby’s first flight.

Best Snacks for a Delta Airlines Flight with Kids

Kids love snacks, and there are plenty of great options to choose from when flying with Delta Airlines! Of course, it’s important to have snacks that are both nutritious and satisfying, since there’s nothing worse than being mid-flight and realizing you have nothing to keep your kids’ hunger at bay.

As a general rule, Delta recommends that you avoid bringing messy food on board that needs to be refrigerated or heated. Other than that, feel free to get creative and pack some new and exciting snacks your kids may like, as well as some reliable favorites. Some good choices include PB&J sandwiches, fruit snacks, yogurt, granola or energy bars, popcorn, cookies, pretzels, animal crackers, and so much more. Don’t forget the juice boxes or water! 

Search cheap flights by destination through Kayak here!

Best Products for Taking a Long Flight on Delta Airlines with Kids

There are a few essential products to bring along if you want to survive a long flight on Delta Airlines with kids. Here are a few to consider as you prepare for your flight:

• Firstly, you need a good travel pillow to bring along with you. We recommend The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow , The Sunany Inflatable Neck Pillow , or The Ultimate Travel Pillow ® .
• Parents and kids may also benefit from noise-canceling headphones like those from Purosound and Bose .
• If your kids need help sleeping, consider investing in an airline-safe travel bed, like the Jet Kids BedBox™ , Flyaway Kids Bed , or plane pal .
• A footrest like the Koala Kloud Travel Foot Rest may also come in handy.
• And for some products specifically for parents, don’t forget pillow spray for deep sleep .

Then, read more hacks and products for sleeping on long flights with kids in our article! 

RELATED ARTICLE : The Best Travel Accessories Families Can’t Live Without

Travel Resources For Families: Where To Book Hotels, Flights, & More

Happy travels .

We hope you liked this Guide To Delta Airlines Airline Policies For Kids! Whether you’re planning a short weekend away or an extended trip, it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with Delta Airlines’ child policy. Enjoy your next flight with the kids! 

IMPORTANT NOTE:   Airline policies are subject to change and may have been made without our knowledge. Check  Delta Airlines’ policies for traveling with children  for possible updated information.

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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The Ultimate Guide To Flying Delta Air Lines With Kids [2023]

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Where Delta Air Lines Flies

Elite status, delta air lines lounges, how to book delta flights, flying with a lap child, priority boarding for families, unaccompanied minors, snacks and beverage service, onboard amenities, inflight entertainment, delta air lines credit cards, final thoughts.

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Delta Air Lines is voted one of the best U.S. airlines year after year. So it’s no surprise that the airline offers a comfortable way to travel with your family, including kids. But as with other airlines — such as United Airlines , American Airlines , and Southwest Airlines — you want to know what to expect before booking your tickets.

In this guide to flying Delta Air Lines with kids, you’ll learn about the airline’s unaccompanied minor program, seating, amenities you can expect for yourself and your little ones, and more.

Delta flies more than 4,000 flights daily to almost 300 destinations worldwide.

Delta’s main hub is Atlanta (ATL) , but the airline has other hubs in Amsterdam (AMS), Boston (BOS) , Detroit (DTW) , Incheon (ICN), New York ( LGA and JFK ), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX) , Mexico City (MEX), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) , Paris (CDG), Salt Lake City (SLC) , and Seattle (SEA) .

Delta has many international hubs, making it a great airline for international travel. Its largest hub is ATL, which also happens to be the world’s busiest airport . Delta’s planes frequently connect through this hub on domestic and international itineraries.

Delta Air Lines’ main hub ATL is a very large airport. If you find yourself flying from, into, or transiting through ATL, leave plenty of time for security and getting between gates.

As a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance , Delta flyers can travel on codeshare flights with other airlines. You can also earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles with a number of those airlines as well.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Loyalty Program

Delta SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines’ loyalty program. You can earn SkyMiles by flying Delta Air Lines or partner flights, spending on Delta Air Lines American Express credit cards , shopping online , and dining out . You can redeem your SkyMiles for flights, upgrades, shopping, and other travel, such as hotels.

You’ll get to experience airline perks by earning elite status. Delta recently simplified how to earn Medallion elite status . You now only need to earn a certain amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD).

To reach status in 2024 for 2025, you’ll need to meet the following MQD requirements:

• Silver Medallion : $5,000 MQDs
• Gold Medallion : $10,000 MQDs
• Platinum Medallion : $15,000 MQDs
• Diamond Medallion : $28,000 MQDs

You can earn MQDs to get closer to status by spending money with Delta and its partner airlines, on Delta SkyMiles credit cards, and on Delta Vacations packages. You can earn MQDs at a 1:1 ratio with Delta and partner flights and vacation packages. You can earn 1 MQD per $10 or $20 that you spend with a Delta credit card.

Benefits of holding Medallion status include complimentary upgrades , waived same-day confirmed changes, and up to 3 complimentary checked bags (perfect for families traveling with more luggage!).

There are more than 50 Delta Sky Club locations worldwide, but only select travelers can access the lounges.

The easiest way to access Delta Sky Clubs when flying on Delta or a partner-operated same-day flight is to purchase a Delta Sky Club membership. Only Medallion members can purchase a membership, and an annual membership costs $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles.

Delta Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Medallion members can enter Sky Clubs under certain conditions. Access is granted to these status holders when flying Delta Premium Select internationally or Delta One domestically. The same goes for if they are traveling in the equivalent cabin on a partner airline. Unless you have purchased a Delta Sky Club membership, there is no entry when flying Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ internationally.

Select Delta credit cardholders get the following Sky Club access:

• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card receive complimentary access when flying same-day Delta-marketed and operated flights. There is a $50 per person fee to enter when flying a partner airline that is not a codeshare flight. Up to 2 guests are allowed for $50 per person or $25 per person for Grab and Go entries.
• Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Business American Express Card can access Sky Clubs for $50 per person only when traveling on Delta-marketed and operated flights. Up to 2 guests are allowed for $50 per person or $25 per person for Grab and Go entries.

Those with The Platinum Card ® from American Express , The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express , and Centurion ® Card from American Express will also get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on same-day Delta marketed and operated flights.

There are a lot of requirements to enter a Sky Club , and even with the right Delta credit card, it may not be feasible to try to enter if you travel with more than 2 other people. For example, a family of 4 can’t visit a Sky Club lounge using access from just 1 credit card. Consider a credit card that offers Priority Pass Select membership so you can visit other airport lounges.

You can easily book Delta flights online at delta.com or on the Delta app .

As a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, you have a few other options to book Delta flights as well. Booking Delta flights with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a great way to save on award flights. Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue are transfer partners of several major credit cards, whereas Delta SkyMiles is only a transfer partner of American Express .

Flying With Kids on Delta Air Lines

Delta requires a ticket for all passengers, including children younger than 2 years old flying as a lap infant. Lap infants fly for free on domestic flights and for a reduced rate (usually 10% of the adult fare) on international flights. A lap infant must be younger than 2 years old at the time of travel, even on the return leg of a roundtrip ticket.

To add a lap infant to your reservation, you can add the infant after purchasing your ticket online or by calling Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 . When adding a lap infant online, go to Special Service Requests under the My Trips page. Choose Open under Infant in Arms and click the plus (+) sign to add your infant to your reservation.

Be sure to click confirm before closing your browser.

Delta allows those traveling with car seats and strollers to board early after Delta One customers, Diamond Medallion members, and Delta Premium Select customers. Delta Comfort+ and Sky Priority (those with elite status with SkyTeam partner airlines) board after.

Like other airlines, you can check your car seat and stroller at the gate for no extra charge.

Children between the ages of 5 and 14 can fly alone as part of Delta’s unaccompanied minor program. The fee is $150 each way for up to 4 children and includes a Delta employee escort and special amenities. Kids between 15 and 17 can also request to fly with this service.

Children 5 to 7 years old can only fly on nonstop flights.

Delta gives unaccompanied minors a wristband with a barcode for tracking purposes and allows access to Delta Sky Zones, kids-only lounges in select airports, during layovers.

Unlike United, Delta doesn’t have an airtight policy that guarantees families will be able to sit together . In this case, it’s important to find flights with seats next to each other and secure those seats at check-in.

If you’re unable to find seats together, Delta recommends contacting Reservations at 800-221-1212 to review the available seating options.

Kid-friendly meals are available under special meals on international flights to all classes of flyers and first-class flyers on domestic flights .

Kids’ meals include a French toast breakfast and cheese tortellini with marinara sauce for lunch and dinner. All meals are served with fruits and vegetables.

In addition to special meals for its youngest flyers, Delta offers complimentary sodas, juices, coffee, and tea to all guests, along with a small snack. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase to Main Cabin customers and complimentary for those flying in Delta Comfort+, first class, and Delta One.

Aside from kid-friendly meals, Delta Air Lines does not offer additional children’s amenities onboard.

Delta continues to increase the number of its planes that have free Wi-Fi .

Your kids can look forward to plenty of movies and TV shows just for them on select aircraft. Entertainment includes Disney and Pixar hits like “Luca” and “Encanto,” as well as cult classics like “The Karate Kid (1984).” TV series include “Peppa Pig” and “Mickey Mouse Funhouse.”

No guide about Delta Air Lines would be complete without discussing its many Amex co-branded credit cards.

There are 4 personal and 3 business Delta credit cards. In order from basic to premium, starting with the personal cards, they are as follows:

• Delta SkyMiles ® Blue American Express Card ( rates & fees )
• Delta SkyMiles ® Gold American Express Card ( rates & fees )
• Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum American Express Card ( rates & fees)
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card ( rates & fees )
• Delta SkyMiles ® Gold Business American Express Card ( rates & fees )
• Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Business American Express Card ( rates & fees )
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card ( rates & fees )

The annual fees on each of these cards vary from $0 on the Delta Blue card to $650 on the Delta Reserve card.

Like any credit card, consider how often you plan to fly with this airline to take advantage of perks like free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, and priority boarding. Other considerations are whether or not access to Sky Club lounges is important to you and your family when you travel.

The Delta Reserve cards offer complimentary access for the primary cardholders and 2 1-time guest passes per year. But if you travel with more than 2 other people more than twice a year, this may or may not be worth it to you.

On the other hand, a card like the Delta Gold card is great for those who fly Delta but aren’t interested so much in the luxury or premium perks. This card earns 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants worldwide and takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. It’s a card for the casual Delta flyer who is more likely to make lifestyle purchases than big-ticket travel purchases.

To make it easier to decide which Delta Air Lines credit card is right for you and your family, check out our guide comparing the airlines’ portfolio of Amex credit cards .

Delta Air Lines is a top-rated airline; it was even named the most on-time airline in 2022. That’s something parents can appreciate on hectic travel days. We hope this guide answers all your questions about what to expect about flying Delta Air Lines with kids.

The information regarding the Centurion ® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles ® Blue American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles ® Gold American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles ® Gold Business American Express Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What does delta do for kids.

Delta does not offer child-specific amenities on board, but the airline has kid-friendly meals for order where a full meal service is available. Its unaccompanied minor program is available for kids 5 to 14 years old traveling without a parent or guardian.

What do kids need to fly on Delta?

Kids flying on Delta may be required to show proof of ID such as a birth certificate when flying domestically. A passport is required for all travelers regardless of age when flying internationally.

Does Delta require car seats for kids?

Delta Air Lines does not require that children fly in car seats. However, the FAA strongly encourages that all children travel in FAA-approved child restraint systems.

Does Delta let kids board first?

Delta doesn’t let kids and families board first. Families traveling with strollers or car seats are welcome to board after Delta One customers, Diamond Medallion members, and Delta Premium Select customers.

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About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

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How to Prevent Being Seated Separately From Your Kids on a Flight

By Taryn White

It’s a situation that’s becoming more and more commonplace: a family books airline tickets on the same reservation, only to find out at the airport that they’re seated separately from one another. This issue—particularly problematic for parents with young children —has escalated in recent months, as air travel in general has felt more unpredictable.

Indeed, the recent patterns of jam-packed planes, delayed or canceled flights, and last-minute aircraft switches can complicate airline family seating arrangements. The situation became so bad over the summer that federal officials issued a notice “urging U.S. airlines to do everything in their power to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger are seated next to an accompanying adult with no additional charge.”

Even after the federal warning, I was separated from my two kids on a multi-leg flight to Hawaii. Even though I had purchased my family’s seats under the same online reservation, we still ended up in separate seats. Our itinerary was to fly from Washington, D.C., to Maui via a connection in Chicago. A few weeks before the trip, our flight from Chicago was canceled, and we were rerouted through Denver on a different plane—and delayed flights made matters worse.

Here’s how to prevent this from happening to your family—or address it if it does.

Always check in online prior to your flight

Most airlines allow passengers to check-in online at least 24 hours before the flight, and you should do so as soon as it’s possible. Not only does online check-in allow you to access your seat assignments and other available seating options, but on some airlines it also offers a better chance of being placed in an earlier boarding group. Of course, you can always access your entire flight details, including seat assignments, on the airline’s website using your last name and booking reference.

Normally, I would have checked in online and reconfirmed our seat assignments, but the day before my kids and I were to fly from Chicago to Maui, we were in jeopardy of not even making it to Chicago—a route we took through Chicago because of a flight deal .

Our feeder flight from Washington’s Reagan National Airport was delayed four hours. Eventually, we did board our scheduled flight, arriving in Chicago around midnight local time. Sleepy and exhausted, I didn’t check in online or check the seats for our 8 a.m. flight the next morning.

Arrive at the airport early

Arriving at the airport early will give you more time to address any seating and other issues. You can check your flight’s seat map using the airline’s kiosk and change your seat assignments, if needed.

While it helps if your family is booked on the same reservation, if your family is booked on different reservations, you can try asking to be placed on the same record or asking that your reservations be linked. (You can also call the airline customer service number to request this ahead of time, too.)

Lately, airlines have been selling out most planes, making any seat-swapping a trickier proposition. If your family is not seated together and you can’t change your seats at the kiosk, you should seek assistance from airline agents at the ticket counter or gate. In general, airlines give priority to helping families who request to sit together.

Ask for a flight attendant's help right away

I couldn’t solve my family’s seating issue at the kiosk or ticket counter. So as soon as we boarded the plane for our connecting flight in Denver, I immediately flagged a flight attendant , who informed me that he would talk to the passengers seated next to my kids. While our seats were on the same row, I was in a window seat and my kids were in the middle section of a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a 3-4-3 configuration. Due to the plane’s layout, I couldn’t see my kids from the window seat on the same row. After about 15 minutes of problem-solving, two of the flight attendants shuffled around other passengers, and we were seated together.

File a complaint

If you are not granted seats together with your family on a flight, you can file an air travel service complaint with U.S. Department of Transportation. Officials will initiate a review of airline policies and all consumer complaints filed with the department, including sending the complaints to the airline, which must respond to written complaints.

No matter what, don’t assume that your flight details won’t change. Checking and rechecking your itinerary, the type of aircraft, and your family’s seat assignments before your trip can help eliminate any surprises before you arrive at the airport. But if a last-minute seating debacle occurs, don’t panic—airline staff will likely do whatever they can to ensure your family ends up together on board.

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Infants & Children   

Helpful Hints For Infant (Less Than 2 Years Old) Travel  

Infants In Arms

Infants and children less than 2 years old may travel for free within the U.S. if an adult (18 years or older) holds the infant in arms or places the infant in an FAA-approved child restraint during take-off and landing.

Infants and small children must be accompanied by someone who is at least 18 years old, or is the child's parent or legal guardian. The adult and the child must travel in the same cabin. If traveling with a newborn, please review  Delta and Delta Connection® Carrier requirements  for an approval letter from a physician saying it's all right for the newborn to fly.

International Flights

If a customer is traveling with an infant and their travel destination requires a passport and/or travel visas, the customer will need to secure a  passport  for the child.  If a customer is traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or notarized written consent from the other parent. Check with the  embassy at foreign destination  before traveling.

Adding Infant Name and SSRs to a PNR – Sample GDS Entries

Infant Name Field:  NM1CORE/ALAN MR (INF/WILLIAM/04JUN07)

Adding Infant on adult ticket already issued: 2/(ADT) (INFMILLER/TIMOTHY/21OCT10)

• If the Infant Passenger Type is specified within a name element, the system automatically creates Infant SST elements to be sent to the appropriate airlines
• If the Infant Passenger Type has not been specified in a name element, add an Infant SSR element manually. Infant SSR elements must be passenger- and segment-associated

Note: At least one air segment must be present in the PNR before the INFT SSR element can be added. 

For an infant not occupying a seat, use the format: 

SRINFT-JONES/THOMAS04JUN10/P2

SYSTEM RESPONSE: 

10 SSR INFT LH NN1 JONES/THOMAS 04JUN10/S2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Travelport (Apollo, Galileo and Worldspan)

1.       Create Name Field  -WALL/JOSEPH/SUSAN*ADT/INF

2.       Sell the space only for the non-infants

3.        Add the SSR  3SAN1.1INFT-2.1/01SEP09

Please note: 1.1 is the adult passenger, 2.1 is the infant / the date of birth of the infant

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 1 : Add the Infant Name

• Add a single infant name field not occupying a seat: -I/(last name)/(first name)
• Add multiple infant names not occupying a seat:  -I/(number of infants)(last name)/(first name)/(first name)/(first name)   
• Add a single infant name field occupying a seat:  -(last name)/(first name)   
• Add multiple infant names occupying seats:  -(number of infants)(last name)/(first name)/(first name)/(first name)  

Step 2: Add the Infant SSR Message

• Add the Infant SSR message for an infant not occupying a seat:  3INFT/(infant's last name)/( infant's first name)/(date of birth:DDMMMYY)-(adult's name field)
• Add the Infant SSR message for an infant occupying a seat: 3INFT/(infant's last name)/( infant's first name)/(date of birth: DDMMMYY)/OS-(infant's name field)       

Step 3 : Add the Infant SSR Secure Flight details

• Add the Secure Flight SSR message for an infant not occupying a seat: 3DOCS(assume all segments)/DB/(date, month, year of birth:DDMMMYY)/( infant gender code)/(mandatory last name)/(mandatory first name)/(optional middle or second name, or initial)-(PNR name number)              
• Add the Secure Flight SSR message for an infant occupying a seat: 3DOCS(assume all segments)/DB/(date, month, year of birth:DDMMMYY)/(regular gender code)/(last name)/(first name)/(middle or second name, or initial)-(PNR name number for passenger)     

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The entries above are subject to change without notice. Please check with your GDS Help Desk if you find the above ticketing entries are incorrect. Delta is not liable for incorrect ticketing and any applicable debit memos associated with an incorrect ticketing entry.

For additional information or questions regarding the GDS entries above, please contact the appropriate GDS Help Desk for assistance.

Ticketing Requirements

A zero value ticket is required for travel on/after December 12, 2017, when:

• The infant is less than two years old, AND
• There is an accompanying adult at least 18 years old or the infant's legal guardian, AND
• Travel is within the U.S. or travel is between the U.S. and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands

A purchased ticket is required when:

• A child is age two or older.
• The child is to sit in a seat in order to travel in an approved restraint.
• A customer is traveling with a second child, regardless of age, and has a lap-child
• A customer wants child to earn SkyMiles.
• A customer will be traveling between countries regardless of whether or not the child occupies a seat.

NOTE: Number of Infants per Adult—a limit of two infants, less than two years old, per adult may travel together.

International Taxes & Fees—For infants under the age of two and held in the adult's lap, the cost is usually about 10% of the adult fare plus any international taxes and surcharges, which can be significant.

Child Fares & Special Discounts  

Travel within the domestic u.s..

Delta does not offer discounted infant or child fares for travel within the domestic U.S.

Travel between countries

Discounted child fares may be available when traveling outside the U.S. or when traveling between certain countries. The price of the ticket will depend on the age of the child. Taxes & fees may also apply to infants held in the adult's lap.

Seat Assignments

Traveling with an infant restricts a customer’s ability to occupy some seats due to FAA regulations. To make sure both customer and infant are safe and comfortable during the flight, review  Infant and Child Seating and  Aircraft Types and Layout  for more information.

Infant Baggage

Review the  Infant and Children’s Baggage  section for specific information on carry-on items such as child restraint seats, strollers, and diaper bags. During security check-in, the TSA will usually make a special provision for items such as medications and baby formula.

Approved Child Restraints

All child restraints have labeling that shows whether or not the restraint meets certain safety requirements. The label has a circle surrounding the letter "e" followed by the distinguishing number granting approval, and will indicate the seat's category and mass group.

Labeling Specifics

If a restraint was manufactured within the U.S. after 2/25/85, it needs to have the following labeling to be approved for Delta flights:

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards
• Is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.

If a restraint was manufactured outside the U.S., it needs to have the following labeling to be approved for Delta flights:

• Has the approval of a foreign government
• Was manufactured under standards of the United Nations (UN).

Child Restraints that are Not Permitted

Delta does not permit the following types of car seats:

• Booster seats-even if they bear labels indicating they meet U.S., UN, or foreign government standards.
• Vest and harness-type child restraint devices other than the FAA approved  CARES restraint device.

Aboard The Aircraft

A customer may place an infant in an adjacent unoccupied seat after taxi, take-off, and landing if the seat remains open and the customer is using an FAA-approved child restraint. However, Delta can't guarantee that the adjacent seat will remain open. The customer will need to pay for the seat to ensure that it's available.

Seating for a Child Restraint (CRS)

The window seat is the preferred location for an approved CRS; however, an approved CRS may be used in any seat as long as it does not block other row occupants from accessing the aisle, except for the following:

• Any seat in an emergency exit row
• Any row immediately forward or behind an exit row
• Any seat facing towards the back
• Any bulkhead seat when the car seat base is from a combination car seat/stroller
• Flat-bed seats: All types of child restraint devices (CRS) – including the CARES harnesses – are never permitted in flat-bed Delta One and First Class seats

For a three-seat configuration, if a child is placed in a restraint and occupies the middle seat of a single-aisle aircraft, the accompanying adult must sit in the window seat, unless the window seat remains vacant throughout the entire flight, then the accompanying adult may sit in the aisle seat. This leaves the aisle seat open for other customers, allowing easier access to the seat and to the aisle.

Similarly, if a child is placed in a restraint occupying the middle seat of a dual-aisle aircraft, the accompanying adult has to sit next to the child in such a way that other passengers can easily access the aisle.

A row may contain more than one child restraint device if the children are from the same family or travel group.

Take-Off and Landing

An adult may hold an infant or place the infant in a FAA-approved child restraint during take-off and landing.

Child Restraint Systems and Adult Responsibilities

The accompanying adult has the following responsibilities when using a child restraint during take-off and landing:

• The adult has to make sure that the child restraint seat meets  FAA guidelines (see Approved Child Restraints).
• The adult has to make sure that the child restraint seat functions properly and is free of obvious defects.
• The adult has to secure the child according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• The adult has to make sure the child does not exceed the restraint's weight limit ..
• The adult has to make sure the child restraint is secured to the aircraft seat using the aircraft seat's safety belt.

Our flight attendants will check with the accompanying adult that the child is properly restrained and the child's seat is properly secured to the aircraft seat. However, the ultimate responsibility falls to the accompanying adult.

International Documentation and Restrictions

South africa – to/from: accompanied minors.

Minors (under the age of 18) are required to present additional documentation to enter or depart the Republic of South Africa.  

If both parents are traveling with the minor, they must present:

• In addition to a passport for the minor, parents need an original stamped or sealed birth certificate or certified copy
• English translations of all travel documents required if not originally in English

If one parent is traveling with the minor, the parent must present:

• Affidavit  verifying consent from the non-traveling parent listed on the birth certificate for the minor to enter/depart South Africa
• Court order indicating full parental responsibilities/rights and legal guardianship to a sole parent traveling with a minor
• Death certificate for the other parent who is registered as the parent on the birth certificate, when applicable

If an adult is traveling with a minor who is not their biological child, the adult must present:

• In addition to a passport for the minor, certified copy of the minor's birth certificate
• Affidavit from both parents or legal guardians of the child confirming the minor has permission to travel with the person
• Copies of the identity documents or passports of both parents or legal guardian(s) of the minor
• Contact details of both parents or legal guardian(s) of the minor

Exceptions:

• Domestic South Africa travel: The law does not apply to children traveling domestically in South Africa (e.g., between Johannesburg and Cape Town).
• School tours: In the case of school tours, the parental consent affidavit may be replaced with an affidavit from the school principal confirming that all consent letters are held by the school. Upon producing this affidavit, immigration officers at ports of entry and South African missions abroad would not require any additional documents from individual scholars such as parental consent, unabridged birth certificates, death certificates, court orders or copies of the passports or identity documents of the parents and of the person receiving the child in South Africa. This special dispensation applies to all schools registered with the Department of Basic Education and its equivalent abroad.   Download the suggested format for this affidavit here .
• Transiting South Africa: Birth certificate and additional documentation are not required for those transiting South Africa (i.e., traveling through but not remaining in South Africa, such as a connecting flight to an onward destination outside of South Africa).
• For more information, see  http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/traveling-with-children

Brazil – Departing: Accompanied Minors

Brazil citizens under the age of 18 who are traveling without both parents are required to present additional documentation to depart Brazil.  The following also applies to minors with dual nationality or minors born in Brazil who are not Brazilian citizens.

If only one parent/legal guardian is traveling with a minor:

• In addition to a passport, the parent/legal guardian must have a notarized affidavit from the non-traveling parent or legal guardian of the minor confirming permission to travel.
• If the minor resides abroad, the affidavit is not required provided residency is confirmed by a residency affidavit issued by a Brazilian consulate.
• If the parent/legal guardian has sole custody, the parent/guardian must present a court order or birth certificate indicating full parental responsibilities/rights and legal guardianship. If the other parent listed on a child's birth certificate is deceased, the parent/guardian responsible for the minor must present a death certificate for the other parent.

If an adult traveling with a minor is not the child's parent/guardian:

• In addition to a passport, the adult must have a notarized affidavit from both parents or legal guardians of the child confirming that the minor has permission to travel with the non-related adult.
• If the notarized permission is from a sole parent or legal guardian, the traveling adult also must have a court order or birth certificate indicating that parent/guardian's full legal responsibilities and rights.

Mexico – Departing: Accompanied Minors

Mexican citizens or residents under age 18 departing Mexico with at least one parent must present:

• Proof of the parent/child relationship (for example, a birth certificate or court document such as a custody decree)
• Photocopies of both parents' government-issued identification cards
• Valid passport

Mexican citizens or residents under age 18 departing Mexico without at least 1 parent must present:

• Child's name
• Parents' names
• Name of anyone traveling with the child
• Notarized signature of the absent parent(s)

    The U.S. State Department also recommends the permission letter include:

• Travel dates
• Destinations
• Brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel

Attention: This regulation does not apply to a minor with dual nationality if the minor is departing Mexico using the passport of the other nationality.

Air France/KLM

Information about traveling with an infant or a child on an Air France or KLM flight is available on the agency website Business Solutions .

Virgin Atlantic

Information about traveling with an infant or a child on a Virgin Atlantic flight is available on  virginatlantic.com .

Information about traveling with an infant or a child on an Aeromexico flight is available on  aeromexico.com.

Information about traveling with an infant or a child on an Korean Air flight is available on  koreanair.com .

February 28, 2023

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Airline Family Seating Dashboard

A parent who purchases airline tickets for a family should receive a guarantee from the airline that it will seat the parent and child together without fees or a last-minute scramble at the gate or having to ask other passengers to give up their seat to allow the parent and child to sit together. On February 1, 2023, Secretary Buttigieg announced the Department's plan to launch a dashboard that displays which airlines guarantee family seating. Since then, some airlines have stepped up to guarantee adjacent seats for young children traveling with an accompanying adult at no additional cost. While this represents significant progress, USDOT is not stopping here. Secretary Buttigieg recently submitted to Congress a legislative proposal to require that airlines provide fee-free family seating .

Commitment for Fee-Free Family Seating

Please click this link for an alternative text version of the dashboard .

Limited Conditions

* When using an airline that assigns seats, the airline can condition its guarantee on each of the following:

• Child and accompanying adult are on the same reservation;
• Adjacent seats are available at the time of booking in the selected class of service;
• Aircraft is not substituted for smaller aircraft;
• Adult either chooses seats for the entire reservation or skips seats for the entire reservation, and does not make changes to seat assignments once assigned to them; and
• It is physically possible based on seat layout to seat the number of young children traveling next to the accompanying adult(s).

If the conditions are satisfied, airlines that assign seats and guarantee fee-free family seating will provide adjacent seat assignments to the adult traveling with a child age 13 or under no later than on the day before the flight.

* When using an airline with an open seating policy, the airline can condition its guarantee on the following:

• Child and accompanying adult are on same reservation;
• Accompanying adult notifies gate agent of need for adjacent seats prior to start of boarding; and

DOT is not satisfied with airline statements that they will "make efforts" to seat families traveling with children together at no additional cost. The Department urges all airlines to guarantee family seating. DOT will update the dashboard above to provide air travelers clear information about the airlines that commit to providing adjacent seats for a young child and an accompanying parent and those that do not.

The dashboard will serve as a bridge to help families while the Department advances a rulemaking to ensure airlines seat young children adjacent to a parent or other accompanying adult. In addition, the President has called upon Congress to fast track the ban on family seating fees so that DOT can take action to stop those practices more quickly than through a rulemaking.

Tips for Families

The Department provides families practical tips that families may use before, during, and after air travel and links to airline websites with information applicable to family seating .

If you are dissatisfied with an experience related to family seating, you can file a complaint with the airline or DOT. Click here to file a complaint with the DOT.

See below for detailed information about airline customer service commitment plans.

Airlines' Customer Service Plans

• Alaska Airlines
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• Hawaiian Airlines
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Though I saw the restrictions with this fare class, my thought was "we don't need to pick seats". It didn't leap out at me that my party might not be seated together. Of course, now that I'm thinking about it, I am realizing that my son might very well be seated in a row separate from me. My husband can sit elsewhere - I just don't want my son to be with strangers.

I already booked the tickets, so I cannot change. Has anyone experienced Delta with this fare class and traveling with a minor child? Are they amenable? Does their seat assignment bot reference traveler age when assigning seats?

Please, I've already had the "its your fault for not paying more for the ticket" lecture. Yes, I know. I am a parent and should absolutely be forced to pay a premium to guarantee my reservation allows me to sit with my child. My fault. Note this on my Mother of the Year Award application assessment. At this point, I would gladly pay for a seat if it were an option, but unfortunately I cannot add that to the existing fare, and $200 change fees per ticket are not realistic. I just want to know if I need to bring two Nordstrom Giftcards to give to someone in the hopes they will switch with me.

Delta does not set forth any requirement or right on your part to be seated "next to" or "with" your child. DL only addresses the fact that a person under the age of 15 will not be accepted on an UNaccompanied basis unless they are traveling with a parent/legal guardian or person who is 18yrs or older and in the same cabin (note that this section does not mandate any specific seat the adult be seated -- only that it be in the same cabin)

http://www.delta.com/content/dam/delta-www/pdfs/legal/contract_of_carriage_dom.pdf

Therefore, from a technical basis, no, Delta has no obligation to insure that you are seated next to or near your child and I do not find any part of their Contract that gives you this as a right (and US federal law does not provide for such either)..

Now, from a practical basis - most carriers and their front-line staff will **try** to get you with/near/next to your child -- but that may require you (or both of you) to take seats that may not be to your optimal preference (like a middle, non-window, etc) While I think not applicable to you, but you (as the adult) also would be ineligible for an emergency exit seats, under the wording of FAR 121.585 section 7(i) due to the "child"

http://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part121-585-FAR.shtml

I think the best bet here is to arrive early at the airport, check-in or contact gate or airport-based staff and see what can be done. I'd be very surprised if they didn't at least make some effort to get you either next to or near your child -- that's how most all carriers and front-line staff work from a real-world basis.. but do remember as far as DL goes, this is not a right and you may have to be flexible.

Travel Safe,

Don't make that assumption. I fly that route often and it's typically MD 88/90 or even a 757 at times.

OP, show up early and put on your happy face. :). You'll likely be able to work something out. More than likely.

I think probably someone would switch with you if asked, but I wouldn't count on it. I think people are less and less likely to do so if they have paid for seat selection (or paid a higher fare so seat selection would be included).

Check with an agent at the airport. And no gift cards necessary. I wouldn't accept it. Most people are friendly and help each other. Don't worry.

Also bear in mind that you have three seats to play with, not just yours. As long as you can be flexible and are willing to offer the most desirable seat out of the three you have, it's likely you will find someone willing to swap.

Call Delta and ask.

Thanks, everyone. Delta customer service is no help. I am kicking myself right now for doing this!

I am going to guess it was an "E" class ticket and no, Delta will not help as it is very clear you can not pre-select seats in that class.

As was suggested, get there early or hope someone will change.

Agents on phone may not have ability to do any change right now, but the agents at airport will, if possible and if they want to.

there are still passengers out there who are kind.

But now you know.

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Only 3 airlines guarantee parents can sit next to their children for free, new DOT dashboard shows

• The DOT released a new dashboard Monday tracking which airlines offer family-friendly seating.
• Alaska, American, and Frontier guarantee children under 13 can sit next to an accompanying adult for free.
• It's the agency's latest attempt to name and shame airlines over their customer service policies.

The US Department of Transportation on Monday published an online dashboard that specifies which airlines guarantee that children under the age of 13 can sit next to an accompanying adult for free. 

The new resource is the agency's latest effort to push airlines to improve their commitments to passengers in light of the widespread travel chaos that has plagued the industry since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Parents traveling with young kids should be able to sit together without an airline forcing them to pay junk fees,"  Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement . 

Alaska, American, and Frontier are the only US airlines that currently guarantee parents can sit next to their children without paying extra fees, according to the tracker. 

To receive a "green check" on the dashboard, the airline must guarantee that parents can sit next to their kids for free if adjacent seats are available during booking and they must include that guarantee in their customer service plan.

Delta, which was marked as not meeting the DOT's family seating standards, told Insider it does not charge family seating fees and works with customers on a case-by-case basis to ensure parents can sit next to their children. 

United recently improved its family seating policies to make it easier for families to sit next to children under the age of 12. If adjacent seats are not available, customers can switch to a flight to the same destination with adjacent seat availability in the same cabin without being charged additional fees or for the difference in fare price. 

Related stories

Sonya Padgett, an Allegiant spokesperson, told Insider that the DOT dashboard is "misleading," noting that the airline only received six family-seating complaints out of 17 million passengers in 2022. 

"When customers with children check in for their flights, they are almost always assigned seats together. If they're not, they can mention it at the ticket counter and an agent will adjust their seats," Padgett said. "If a family happens to board and they're not seated next to a parent, our flight attendants will move passengers to ensure they are."

A spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines to Insider that the carrier has "always had robust processes in place to ensure that families are seated together" and noted that families who book Main Cabin Basic fares will not have access to seat selection at the time of booking, but can request adjacent seats or alternative flights on the day of travel. 

Southwest maintains an "open seating policy" that allows passengers to choose any available seat once they are onboard the aircraft. The airline does not charge seat assignment fees and boards passengers based on their time of check-in. 

"To assist families with sitting together, Southwest offers Family Boarding, which occurs after the "A" group has boarded and before the "B" group begins boarding," a Southwest spokesperson told Insider. "Up to two adults traveling with a child, or children, six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding to select their preferred seats. For families with children ages 7 and older, parents can seek assistance from a Flight Attendant for help with finding a seat adjacent to their child."

Spirit and JetBlue did not respond to requests for comment. 

The dashboard strategy

With a lack of federal legislation protecting the rights of passengers, the DOT has turned to naming and shaming airlines over their customer service policies, including offering hotel vouchers during delays and reimbursing passengers for canceled flights. 

The tactic appears to be working so far. As of a month ago, no major US airline guaranteed fee-free family seating, the DOT says. Before the dashboard's launch, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Frontier Airlines each adjusted their policies to ensure parents can sit with their children free of charge, according to the agency.

After the DOT released its first dashboard in August highlighting airlines' varying flight reimbursement policies , multiple carriers changed their existing policies, as Insider previously reported.

"Prior to [Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's] urging, none of the 10 largest U.S. airlines guaranteed meals or hotels when a delay or cancellation was within the airlines' control, and only one offered free rebooking," the agency said in a statement . "Now, all 10 airlines guarantee meals and rebooking, and nine guarantee hotels when an airline issue causes a cancellation or delay."

Watch: Here's what airlines legally owe you if you're bumped off a flight

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Getting Seating With Your Kids on Delta

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: January 24, 2013

Share this!:

A few months ago, I blogged about the terribly family-unfriendly seating policies of American Airlines .  When I booked a last minute trip on Delta earlier this week , I was faced with what looked like a similar problem… an airplane with lots of empty middle seats and no two seats together available to book anywhere on the plane.  I called Delta immediately after booking my reservation to see if they could manually obtain two seats together at any location so that my 3 1/2 year old could sit next to me.  The representative I talked to let me in on a great tip… call back within 7 days before your flight, as that is when “family seating” is released by Delta’s system.  These are seats that Delta blocks off near the back of the plane to be able to seat parents and children together.

I’m happy to report that I called back today and got two seats together.  These were seats that were unavailable to me to book online, so don’t be afraid to call within the 7 day window if you find yourself in a similar situation with Delta.  I must admit that the seats I received weren’t great (they are in the next to last row of the plane), but this is totally acceptable for a situation where I knowingly booked last minute travel with my child.  It is mainly just nice to have the peace of mind that my daughter will be sitting with me rather than worrying how I will sort this problem out on the day of travel at the airport.  A cautious thumbs up for Delta.

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Friday Blog Roundup: Best of the Family Travel Blogs, October 31, 2014

Friday 31st of October 2014

[…] on your next flight.  It is harder than you might think!  (Read my tales of woe on American and Delta, and my happier experience on Alaska).  The bottom line — you have to be proactive at every […]

Unexpected Airline Fees: How Families Can Avoid Excessive Charges | Trips with Tykes

Tuesday 2nd of July 2013

[…] right way to handle this dilemma, but see my posts on my own personal experience with American and Delta.  I try to get at least two seats together (usually near the back of the plane where there may be […]

Getting Seating with Your Kids on Alaska Airlines | Trips with Tykes

Friday 12th of April 2013

[...] be separated from us.  After my woes with American’s kid-unfriendly seating policy (and my ultimately-successful but nevertheless stressful experience with Delta), I was not thrilled at the prospect of having to monitor these reservations continuously in the [...]

Jenny Oliver

Saturday 26th of January 2013

That's fabulous to know! Thank you for the info. I find myself in the same situation all of the time. I'm glad Delta blocks out a family area in economy. I'm sometimes so desperate(I'm usually traveling internationally on looooong flights) I upgrade my ticket to economy plus and there is more of a chance for us to get our seats together. And hey, I'm sure the person that is flying next to your 3 1/2 year old son will move. People are usually nice on the plane to families. Especially if you have an aisle seat :). The last time I flew on United from Australia to the US I sat next to a mom of 5. They sat all of her kids in all different parts of the plane!! What a nightmare. I'm glad it all worked out for you. Good luck on your flight.

Friday 25th of January 2013

Interesting. We fly on Delta often with our kids and have never had a problem booking seats together, it sounds like we are lucky. So glad it worked out, I know some people have issues with Delta but I always find them pretty accommodating.

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How Delta Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together

The airline rolled out a feature — just before the pandemic — that blocks off certain rows on a seat map in the main cabin so only groups of three or more people traveling together can book them.

Delta Air Lines is making it easier for families and larger groups to sit together with dynamic seat maps that block certain rows for larger parties, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure .

The booking feature, which the airline started rolling out prior to the pandemic in 2019, blocks off certain rows on a seat map in the main cabin so only groups of three or more people traveling together can book them. To see these seats as available at the time of purchase, the group must be traveling together on the same reservation.

"Being a customer-centric brand means we're constantly working to offer optimal experiences across travel," a spokesman for Delta , told T+L. "Taking a dynamic approach with our seat map displays is one way of doing that by providing preferred seating choices in all cabins – at the time of booking or at the gate when working with an agent – for customers traveling alone or with a group."

The number of rows that are blocked off will vary from aircraft to aircraft and is based on historical booking and seat assignment data, the spokesperson noted.

However, while most individuals or smaller groups would not be able to book those rows at the time of purchase, top elite SkyMiles members — those who have platinum or diamond status — are able to choose those seats, regardless of the number of people on their booking.

Delta has made changes to its SkyMiles program in recent months, allowing travelers to earn points on everything from groceries with Instacart to car rentals with peer-to-peer car-sharing service Turo . In December, however, the airline stopped allowing passengers to earn SkyMiles or elite status on basic economy fares .

And in January, Delta extended its eCredits and will allow anyone who purchases any new ticket in 2022 to rebook that ticket through the end of 2023 and travel in 2024.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Airlines, just let families with children sit together for free already!

As a kid-free frequent flyer who's often traveling for work these days, I'll admit that I'm not always thrilled when a family with a brood of boisterous young children boards a flight I'm on. This is especially true in business or first class.

However, flying families are a fact of life. The vast majority of kids taking to the skies are, of course, well-behaved little angels, and their parents are just trying to get from point A to point B without bothering anyone.

I became much more tolerant of toddlers on trips after traveling with my own young nephews and niece a few times. When a kid decides they want to throw a tantrum in the middle of the aisle…there's not really much you can do about it but try to mitigate the collateral annoyance.

These days, I simply smile at passing tykes as they board, put on my headphones and settle in for a podcast.

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I was doing precisely that the other day when I noticed a mother with three young daughters in tow walking down the aisle, looking at their boarding passes in anxious consternation. She pointed the two eldest, who looked to be about 11 and eight years old, to one row of seats where they took the window and center places together.

Then the mother directed her youngest, who looked to be about five or six, to the middle seat in one row and said that she would be in the middle seat one row back. As you might imagine, the little girl looked like she was doing her best, though not quite succeeding, at holding back tears.

The prospect of sitting between two strangers on an airplane when she was barely old enough for kindergarten must have been pretty scary.

Luckily, the woman sitting in the aisle seat next to the child offered to take the parent's middle seat in the next row so that mother and daughter could sit together. It was a simple but beautiful moment of humanity in a setting where air rage and aloofness seem to be more the norms.

Should families have to pay more to sit together?

As I pondered the circumstances, I'll admit that my first impulse was to think, "Well, they probably could have purchased seats together or planned a little better." After all, the web is littered with articles about how to get your family seats together by "outsmarting" airlines.

The strategies include everything from booking the whole party on the same reservation to appealing to gate agents' sympathies. Often the conclusion is just the same, though: Pay more if you need to guarantee seats together.

(As a side note, it's possible that this family had misconnected from another flight and were simply given the last available free seats on the plane, so perhaps seating assignments were mostly out of the control of both the airline and the travelers.)

The more I thought about this family's situation, the more I gravitated toward the conclusion that airlines should just let families with young children select seats together for free. Not only would that be the decent thing to do…but it might even be economically sound.

The Biden Administration's Department of Transportation recently issued a notice urging airlines to do this, but it's a long way from becoming policy or law of any sort.

What airlines currently do for families

Some airlines do theoretically attempt to seat parents and children together.

"If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy, we'll assign seats a few days after you buy your tickets so children under 15 are next to at least one adult they're traveling with," reads American Airlines' policy for families with children two years or older.

As in the case on my American Airlines flight, though, that clearly didn't happen.

If the mother I saw wanted to be seated with her children, she likely would have needed to purchase seat assignments for $17-$21 per person, each way on our Los Angeles to Dallas leg. That would have added about $168 to the cost of a round-trip journey, assuming no free middle seats were open. That's not even considering if they had to connect to another flight and pay yet another round of fees.

Delta Air Lines' family seating policy is even vaguer: "Delta strives to seat family members together upon request. If you are unable to obtain seat assignments together for your family using delta.com or the Fly Delta mobile app, please contact Reservations to review available seating options."

Just hope that there are some available or you might end up paying $39.99 per person, each way, like on this Los Angeles to Seattle example. That is the price to select open Main Cabin Preferred seats, which are simply your regular economy window and aisle places, so you have a shot at getting a middle seat where one of your party can sit for free.

To be fair, Delta does use a dynamic seat-blocking algorithm to set aside certain seat blocs for flyers traveling in family groups. However, in a season of sold-out flights, chances are these blocs are released earlier than usual and that family travelers booking at the last minute will be out of luck.

For its part, United Airlines claims that it "strives to seat children under age 15 with an accompanying adult family member," though that's far from a guarantee.

The airline goes on to offer general advice: "To have the best likelihood of children being seated with an accompanying adult, we recommend booking early and selecting seat assignments when you book….There may be additional charges for seat assignments depending on which fare you select….If it's important for your family to sit together, you may want to consider purchasing advance seat assignments if available, or selecting a different fare option."

The airline does say it will try to find adjoining seats for family members on the same reservation; however, it warns that your group may be split and that "seat selections are not guaranteed and may be changed."

On a recent flight similar to my own, from Los Angeles to Houston, there were very few empty seats where an assignment would be free. Instead, passengers who wanted to ensure they were sitting together would have had to shell out $18-$28 per person, per direction. For a family of four, that could add up to an additional $224 round trip.

Open up seats for families with young children

Instead of saying they'll try to do their best, and then gouging anxious parents with extra fees to sit near their little ones, airlines should just automatically open up their seat maps for parents with children 15 years or younger.

I'm not suggesting they let families secure premium economy options, like United's Economy Plus or American's Main Cabin Extra, for free.

However, if there are open seats in coach that will enable parents to select places together, they should be able to do so for free. It could be as simple as making sure that when the airline's reservation system registers a child under the age of 15 on a booking, the seat selection for that ticket could be complimentary. After all, the airline will verify each passenger's details when booking and at the airport anyway.

Otherwise, airlines are essentially charging a child tax and squeezing desperate parents for every extra penny just so they don't put their kids in stranger danger.

Why would airlines give up such a potentially lucrative revenue stream? Goodwill would be part of it, but good business might just be another.

Seating families together would be good for business

How many families would be more likely to book an airline with an open seating policy for kids just to avoid the last-minute scramble and upsell for that last open aisle seat?

Is Southwest any less profitable because of its open seating policy? It allows families traveling with children ages 6 or younger to board between its A and B groups, ensuring there are enough open seats for parents to place their kids next to them.

I should think that parents with young kids would gravitate toward the hassle-free options whenever possible, and might even pay slightly more to avoid any airport issues or awkward situations. If airlines were to enable this option through their own booking systems, it might even encourage more flyers to book direct rather than through third-party online travel agencies.

What's more, seating children next to strangers is a potential safety risk.

I'm not suggesting our planes are full of criminals just waiting to prey on kids, but even one instance where a child is traumatized or abused would be bad enough. That's something airlines should avoid at any cost.

Elite flyers won't mind

As a flyer with elite status with several airline programs, I'd likely be one of the passengers most affected by seating policy changes.

Right now, thanks to my status, I can have my pick of pretty much any open economy seat on a few different airlines when I book. If those airlines were to open up the seat map more to families for free, chances are I'd have fewer seats to choose from. I'm okay with that, though.

I'd probably still be able to find a window or aisle seat most of the time. Plus, this wouldn't necessarily impact those extra legroom rows that airlines open up for most elites to pick from.

If not, the worst that would happen is I'd get stuck in a middle seat. Chances are, I would sit in a middle seat anyway if a parent asked me to switch seats so they could sit with their child, and this is something I would have happily offered if it would have helped in this situation.

While airlines do try to seat parents and children together on flights — and I believe their customer service, check-in and gate agents genuinely try their best to make it happen — there are simply too many variables to account for and too many families getting split up.

Remember, this is coming from a mostly solo, non-family traveler with the least to gain from such a policy change. Also, I would be one of the folks whose own seating options would be more limited if airlines took this common-sense step. Still, I'd be totally OK with it, and I believe most other flyers would as well.

Bottom line

As flights have gotten fuller, without much relief coming in the near term, airlines need to reconsider their family seating policies. They should give parents and children every opportunity to sit together without charging them a premium to do so.

Taking such a stance might even encourage some families to be loyal to one or two specific airlines, generating even more business and revenue. Perhaps it could even result in some families earning elite status and gaining the ability to select their seats for free that way — which is already playing into airlines' existing loyalty offerings and benefits.

Either way, splitting parents and young kids can't be good long-term business, and it certainly isn't customer-friendly.

Feature photo by Granger Wootz/Getty Images.

Delta Air Lines flying with babies

Is there an age restriction for babies traveling on delta airlines flights.

There is no age restriction for babies , as long as accompanied by an 18 years old adult, except when you are traveling with a newborn less than 8 days old. For traveling with a baby less than 7 days old , you need to provide a letter of approval from a physician , stating that it’s appropriate for the newborn to fly. Nevertheless, Delta Airlines has a restriction regarding the number of infants per adult. An 18 years old adult may accompany only 2 babies if they both are less than 2 years old .

When am I required to purchase a ticket for my child?

You are required to purchase a ticket for your child when:

• The child is two years or older.
• The child turns two during a trip – for the entire journey, and not just for the remaining parts of the journey!
• You are traveling with two children – for the baby who will not be sitting in your lap.
• You travel on an international flight – regardless of your baby’s age, and whether or not he has a reserved seat.

You may want to buy him a ticket if you want your baby to earn miles for a SkyMiles account.

Do I need any special items when traveling with my baby?

If your baby has a separate seat , he/she must be properly secured in an FAA-approved child restraint system , and in the aircraft seat during takeoff and landing. It is your responsibility to ensure that the child restraint system is approved. On Delta Airlines flights are approved for use the child restraint systems that meet the following qualifications and labeling:

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards.
• Is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.
• Has the approval of a foreign government.
• Was manufactured under standards of the United Nations.

Booster seats, vest and harness-type¹ child restraint systems are not permitted.

¹Except for the FAA-approved harness-type restraint, AmSafe Aviation CARES.

Does Delta Airlines offer fare discounts for infants or children?

Babies less than 2 years old can travel for free on domestic Delta Airlines flights when sitting on the adult’s lap. Delta Airlines does not offer discounted fares for children of any age traveling within the US.

When traveling with an infant sitting on your lap on international flights , usually the discounted infant fare is about 10% of the adult fare , plus any international taxes and surcharges, which can be significant.

When purchasing a reserved seat for a child on international flights, Delta may offer discounted child fares , depending on the child’s age.

Infant on Lap

Babies less than 2 years old can travel for free on domestic Delta Airlines flights when sitting on the adult’s lap. For international flights, the discounted infant fare mentioned above is charged.

You may view or change the seat assignment, prior to arrival at the airport. Keep in mind that, when traveling with a child, you are not allowed to occupy some seats, due to FAA regulations!

A pointing of Infant in Arms will be included on your boarding pass to alert the flight crew. If upon boarding there is an empty seat in your row, you may take your FAA-approved child restraint seat on board and use it for takeoff and landing.

Onboard bassinets, also known as SkyCots, for babies up to 20 lbs (9 kg) weight and up to 26 inches (66 cm) long are available free of charge on some international flights . SkyCots are available at select seats (2 SkyCots per aircraft) and can be requested through Delta Reservations.

There is no baggage allowance for an unticketed child . The child’s baggage counts as part of the adult’s allowance². Children’s safety seats and strollers can be checked for free, and are not included in the standard baggage allowance . Children traveling with tickets purchased at 10% of the adult fare have a checked baggage allowance of:

• 1 bag no more than 20 lbs / 10 kg, and 45 linear inches, except on Transatlantic Basic Economy fare .
• 1 fully collapsible stroller or pushchair.

²Infant & Children Items

Infants Traveling with Their Own Tickets

Delta Airlines recommends that you buy a ticket for your infant and use an approved child restraint device on board the airplane when traveling with a baby less than 2 years old. For infants traveling with their own tickets on international flights , Delta Airlines offers country-specific discounts on the full adult fare .

When you buy a ticket for your baby, due to FAA regulations, the child restraint device cannot occupy:

• Emergency exit rows, nor any seat one row forward or one row back from an emergency exit row.
• Aisle seats.
• Bulkhead seats when the safety seat is a combination car seat and stroller.
• Flatbed seats in the Delta One cabin of the following aircraft: Airbus A330 200 & A330 300 , and Boeing B767 .

The child restraint system should never obstruct other passengers’ access to the aisle. If, on a single-aisle aircraft, the child restraint system is placed in the middle seat, the accompanying adult must take the window seat. More than one child safety seat is allowed on a row.

For domestic flights , infants traveling with their own tickets benefit from the same standard baggage allowance as any other adult.

Depending on the discount that Delta may offer for a child traveling on international flights , the baggage allowance may differ. The standard adult baggage allowance applies when Delta Airlines offers a discount of less than 50% of the adult fare .

Strollers and car seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and checked for free .

When you are traveling on a Delta Airlines domestic flight with a 2 year old baby, you have to buy him a ticket at full adult fare .

On international flights , Delta Airlines requires purchasing a ticket for children ages 2 years and older and offers country-specific discounts on the full adult fare for children ages 2 through 12 . Children with tickets purchased with less than 50% discount of the full adult fare benefit from the standard baggage allowance.

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Delta seat assignment at check in - families?

By mom2two2 , February 8, 2019 in Cruise Air

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When you book the Delta fare with seat assignment at check in (24 hrs out online) do they try to keep families together?  Do you select your seats when you check in or are they randomly given to you?

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If you have Delta Basic Economy, there is no guarantee that families will be seated together. Gate agent might try to be helpful, sometimes you get lucky. OTOH, there may be a limited option to purchase seat selections in advance, but that somewhat defeats the purpose of buying the cheapest tickets.

Read about the details of basic economy tickets from "The Points Guy" here:

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-survive-basic-economy-on-delta-air-lines/

terry&mike

On Delta, if you purchase Basic Economy rather than Main Cabin Economy, you will be able to select your seats at online check in based on what is available at that time. They may be together or may not, as it will be based on that flights seating and what is available. I'd not buy that class for myself, and I would advise a family to not even consider it.

FlyerTalker

Here's the dirt about basic economy.  While providing a cheaper price, the primary goal was to make the restrictions so unappealing that folks would buy the "upsell" to regular main cabin economy. AA and UA put in carry-on restrictions, then we have the seat assignment restrictions and more.

Someone even quipped that every basic economy ticket should have the disclaimer "This ticket will ensure that you are in a middle seat in the rear of the aircraft, preferably next to the lav."

waterbug123

If sitting together is important to you, or necessary due to the limitations of one or more family members (young children, disability, etc.) you would be advised to book a fare class that does allow advance seat selection. 

irishgal432

17 hours ago, terry&mike said: On Delta, if you purchase Basic Economy rather than Main Cabin Economy, you will be able to select your seats at online check in based on what is available at that time. They may be together or may not, as it will be based on that flights seating and what is available. I'd not buy that class for myself, and I would advise a family to not even consider it.

Not necessarily.  At check in sometimes you just get a "boarding card" that lets you get through security and the seats are assigned at the gate.  If you do check in and receive a seat then you can change it to another economy seat. 

2 hours ago, irishgal432 said: Not necessarily.  At check in sometimes you just get a "boarding card" that lets you get through security and the seats are assigned at the gate.  If you do check in and receive a seat then you can change it to another economy seat. 

If sitting together is a must, please book a fare that allows you to select seats.   It is uncomfortable and, sometimes, downright rude, to try to guilt passengers who paid to select seats to move to less desirable seats because someone decided they wanted to book the cheapest available...  JMHO.   I paid for the ability to take the type of seat I wanted and I will not change to a less desirable seat.  

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:   If sitting together is a must, please book a fare that allows you to select seats.   It is uncomfortable and, sometimes, downright rude, to try to guilt passengers who paid to select seats to move to less desirable seats because someone decided they wanted to book the cheapest available...  JMHO.   I paid for the ability to take the type of seat I wanted and I will not change to a less desirable seat.  

 I agree with this. I have been asked to move to accommodate those who booked basic economy and then claim, after boarding,  that they must sit with another in their party. I also won’t change to accommodate their fare choice restrictions.

6 hours ago, slidergirl said:   It is uncomfortable and, sometimes, downright rude, to try to guilt passengers who paid to select seats to move to less desirable seats because someone decided they wanted to book the cheapest available...  JMHO.   I paid for the ability to take the type of seat I wanted and I will not change to a less desirable seat.  

I’m not selfish  like you folks

 I would happily change 

(For a fare price in cash)

13 hours ago, Bases5 said: I’m not selfish  like you folks  I would happily change  (For a fare price in cash)

If one is claustrophobic, asking them to change from that aisle seat he paid the appropriate price for to be able to select that seat, and you are so cheapa$$ that you book Basic Economy and then pull the "oh, my wife, 6 kids and I need to sit together, you need to move to accommodate us", that is NOT going to happen.   If the family can't deal with the seats they are given when they check in, they need to be removed from the plane...  There is no "fare" price to me to make me sit in a middle seat in the middle section of the plane - that's a panic attack waiting to happen!  Now, if the Flight Attendant offers me an aisle seat in Delta One...

Don't get me started on "lap babies"...

1982CruzStart

i have to agree as well. If you have to sit together then buy seats. I am not changing my seat for someone that wanted to do the seat lottery to save money. I am sympathetic to families wanting to be together but i think it is unfair for them to think others should move to acommodate them. 

On 2/8/2019 at 12:02 PM, mom2two2 said: When you book the Delta fare with seat assignment at check in (24 hrs out online) do they try to keep families together?  Do you select your seats when you check in or are they randomly given to you?

This may depend on country of origin for your flight.  In the case of Canada, the Canadian government has made it clear to the airlines that young kids should be seated with one of their parents or someone else who can assist the child in an emergency.  The attitude from the government has been to tell the airlines find some way of achieving that goal and if you don't we will step in regulation.    

Air Canada has steps in with their family friendly service, where you call in and they will forced the seats to be assigned together without an extra fee.  Does not apply to the adults in the party or older kids.  I believe the other airlines are doing the same on flights to/from Canada.  

I think it is a reasonable approach.   The goal should be to ensure that the flight is operated in  a safe way.  That includes moving people who may have paid for exit rows and are not able to assist in an evacuation into other seats as well as ensuring the young kids are seated next to somoene who can assist them with putting on an oxygen mask or evacuating an aircraft.  That should be independent of all the seat reservation fees.

As for sitting next to your family or friends so you can chat with each other the flight, well that is what advance seat selection fees are for. 

People can be rather rude, can't they?

We have not flown in years and there have been a lot of changes since the last time.  I was advised by a TA that once I booked the flights I would get a booking number and then to log into the airline's site and select my seats.  While this was true of the return flight the one there on Delta it was not.  Yes I saw the airline assigns seat notation when I selected fare but I guess I was misinformed/should have clarified.

I am not trying to guilt anyone nor would I asked them to move people around for me.  Even if we are two and two etc it would be fine.  We will deal with it.  I was just asking so I was aware of what to expect.  I made a mistake in selecting that fare, believing what the TA told me.

19 hours ago, slidergirl said:   If one is claustrophobic, asking them to change from that aisle seat he paid the appropriate price for to be able to select that seat, and you are so cheapa$$ that you book Basic Economy and then pull the "oh, my wife, 6 kids and I need to sit together, you need to move to accommodate us", that is NOT going to happen.   If the family can't deal with the seats they are given when they check in, they need to be removed from the plane...  There is no "fare" price to me to make me sit in a middle seat in the middle section of the plane - that's a panic attack waiting to happen!  Now, if the Flight Attendant offers me an aisle seat in Delta One...   Don't get me started on "lap babies"...

I am not a cheapa$$ I made an error and was just asking so I know what to expect

1 hour ago, mom2two2 said: I made a mistake in selecting that fare, believing what the TA told me.

Remember this simple fact.  At least half (and more likely 90% IMO) of "travel agents" are merely "travel order takers".  Especially "cruise agents".  They may know some things about ships, but any similar knowledge about air, hotels and other aspects of travel is outside their wheelhouse.

17 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:   Remember this simple fact.  At least half (and more likely 90% IMO) of "travel agents" are merely "travel order takers".  Especially "cruise agents".  They may know some things about ships, but any similar knowledge about air, hotels and other aspects of travel is outside their wheelhouse.

I think this is the big thing - there are still a lot of really great travel agents out there, but on this website most people are focused on cruise agents who also will sell you some plane tickets, and that can be an issue when you end up with a product that isn't as expected. Many cruise agents know an extraordinary amount about cruises, far more than I'll ever know, but many simply don't know even the basics about the plane tickets they're selling to get you to said cruise, and that can sometimes create problems and frustrations.

4 hours ago, mom2two2 said: People can be rather rude, can't they?   We have not flown in years and there have been a lot of changes since the last time.  I was advised by a TA that once I booked the flights I would get a booking number and then to log into the airline's site and select my seats.  While this was true of the return flight the one there on Delta it was not.  Yes I saw the airline assigns seat notation when I selected fare but I guess I was misinformed/should have clarified.   I am not trying to guilt anyone nor would I asked them to move people around for me.  Even if we are two and two etc it would be fine.  We will deal with it.  I was just asking so I was aware of what to expect.  I made a mistake in selecting that fare, believing what the TA told me.

It's not the TA's fault.  You didn't do due diligence.  Like FlyerTalker said, most are just order takers now - they just punch in some codes and you get a ticket - they probably don't know themselves what they gave you.

What are you going to do when you find that your Delta flight is fully booked and there are NO two seats together?   You say you basically need at least 2 together "to be fine."  Will you be find seating your child 6 rows away in the middle, between strangers?  Be aware that you may have to do just that, with the fare you have.  Remember - you said you won't ask people to move...

P.S. if you think Cruise Air is rude or harsh, do not go to the FlyerTalk website and ask questions there.  Some of us got our base training there...  

4 hours ago, mom2two2 said: Yes I saw the airline assigns seat notation when I selected fare but I guess I was misinformed/should have clarified.

If a TA tells you one thing and the airline's website tells you another, it's always good to presume that the TA is wrong. Unfortunately, it's a fatal human weakness to hear the things that one prefers to hear.

It was JUST a question... I made a mistake and all I wanted to know was process on whether they tend to assign together or not.  I am SORRY for asking here.

I won't "do" anything if my child is six rows ahead of me... they are teenagers.  I just thought it would be nice to sit together going on vacation.

I will think twice before posting....

sumiandkage

25 minutes ago, slidergirl said:   P.S. if you think Cruise Air is rude or harsh, do not go to the FlyerTalk website and ask questions there.  Some of us got our base training there...  

As long as you stay out of Threads of Contention (seat swapping, window shades up or down,  passengers of size,. newbie flyers in security lines etc) Flyer Talk is often a very polite and kind place, especially to inexperienced or nervous travelers trying to figure things out. Even if that sometimes involved very politely and kindly telling someone that they screwed up when they books a non-refundable ticket, but here are a few small things that might mitigate the pain. 

19 hours ago, mom2two2 said: It was JUST a question... I made a mistake and all I wanted to know was process on whether they tend to assign together or not.  I am SORRY for asking here. I won't "do" anything if my child is six rows ahead of me... they are teenagers.  I just thought it would be nice to sit together going on vacation. I will think twice before posting....

Keep posting here.   There are some VERY experienced travelers and they can be a wealth of information.  Sometimes the answers are a bit direct, and someone wanting a warm fuzzy reply can be taken aback by that.  Other times, some of us hear a question and tend to brace for what that question often means, based on prior/common threads.  In this case, someone asking whether they keep families together when assigning seats reminds us of the people out there who intentionally book a basic economy ticket but then want exceptions to the rules.  Or, we hear "families" and assume it means toddlers or young children, as that's often the case, and we know what's coming next.  The goal isn't to be rude to you with the answers given, but rather to try to cover all possible situations to which you might be referring, and to head off additional follow-up questions, such as -in this case- "will they ask other pax to move/Can I ask other pax to move so we can stay together?"   

So at this point let me go back and answer your question anew:  Yes, seat selection should be available at the time you check in, but at that late date you may or may not find 2, 3 or 4 seats adjacent to each other.  Even if you don't attempt to choose your seats and the airline does your seat assignments at that point, yes they will generally try to keep you together (assuming you're all on one reservation and they thus know you are traveling together) but likely won't have 3 or 4 seats together, and possibly won't have 2 together, so you may all end up in middle seats in different rows.    Since your kids are teens and you are ok withnot being seated right next to them, there doesn't seem to be any issue with having accidentally booked basic economy so you can sit back and enjoy the $ savings.

This can be a very useful resource so i hope you won't stop posting here if you  have a question. Sometimes more information when you ask a question will elicit different responses. I think many like me thought you were talking about needing small children to sit beside them. If we had known from the beginning that they were teens and that you made a mistake with the fare you purchased and just want to know what the process is, i think you would have gotten different comments. 

I disagree with some of the comments about TA's. If you paid a TA to book your flights then they should know what they are selling you. 

Have a great trip. 

1 hour ago, 1982CruzStart said: I disagree with some of the comments about TA's. If you paid a TA to book your flights then they should know what they are selling you.

In a perfect world, yes.  But I would say that you are either a huge optimist OR you have managed to find a TA that is more than just a cruise specialist or order taker.

14 hours ago, FlyerTalker said: 15 hours ago, 1982CruzStart said: I disagree with some of the comments about TA's. If you paid a TA to book your flights then they should know what they are selling you.

Indeed. The problem is that although TAs should know what they're selling you, frequently they don't.

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