Seat assignments on NWA?

Question

We paid for a seat for our 2 year old and plus the seats for us. When we booked, we couldnt even get two seats assigned next to eachother. They told us to try calling 24 hours before. Havent flown for a couple of years now and I see they'll let us pay $15 for seat to choose the premium ones. Is it likely they'll be able to move one of us next to our 2 year old - Im guessing on the plane, some nice folks might offer to move for us, but you never know. Thought it might be kind of ridiculus if they cant accomodate this.

Answer 1

When you get on the plane, very likely the flight attendant will assist in helping to make sure you are all seated together. Thats what I observed the last time I flew NWA, but it was a tiny plane too. The seat assignments arent cast in stone.

Answer 2

I've had this happen plenty of times on several airlines.

At the airport, they'll try to seat you together when you check-in.

In some cases, they will not be able to do this when you check-in. If the flight over full or oversold, they might ask you to resolve on-board.

You should pre-board, if they have it, and speak to the flight attendant. S/he will likely direct you to just sit together and then wait for the person to show up whose seat you took. At that point, you should signal the FA and have them ask the person if they're willing to move.

Sometimes, people refuse. In this case, ask the FA for assistance in getting reseated. In this case, they'll ask around to see if anyone will move.

They will NOT separate you from your 2 year old.

It may be a hassle, but I've found that most FA can readily resolve.

No need to pay a fee.

Here's a little trick you can use if you get a refusal. If the person says (for example) "I paid for this seat, I'm not moving." You then say "Fine. But you're sitting next to my 2 year old. And he's LOUD!" People tend to be more than willing to move as far away as possible.

Answer 3

I am a frequent flyer with NWA and I don't think you need to wait to find your answer. Keep calling the 800 number until you get a sympathetic ear. I've had to call them after they wouldn't allow my 8 year old son and me to choose our seats online. The attendant on the phone was very understanding of my concerns and assigned the seats immediately over the phone. You shouldn't have to wait until boarding, and/or hope that the flight attendant can reassign seats at the last minute.

Answer 4

Just grab good seats (aisle, window) then ask someone to switch with you. I have never seen anyone refuse a request when it concerns a 2 y.o.. But don't try to ask someone to give up their aisle seat and get your middle seat 'cos that's not a nice trade.
At this point, the airline cannot bump someone out of their reserved seat to accomodate you. The best they can do is waive the $15 thing, which I don't think they'll do.

Answer 5

No matter what, at least one parent has to sit with the child... most passengers will move to have the family sit together. You shouldn't have anything to worry about. About 20 of the seats are "reserved" for handicaped and/or elderly people... so there is actually more open seats available than what is represented on the chart.

Answer 6

Happened to me to. We were 4 ppl (2 kids and 2 adults). Called 24hrs before and the gave us the seats. When you get to the airport, they will have to re-assign your seating, as Federal Law will not let a 2-yr old travel (or sit ) alone unless they are UM (Unaccompanied Minor). Don't worry.... relax. Don't waste $15 for premium seating.

Answer 7

NWA doesn't do previous booking unless you go premium.. They assign you a category and you board when that letter is called and pick your seat (first come-first serve)... So if you check in online, you always get a great category (IE: A) and get to book first, but if you check-in at the gate, it depends on how they/the computer are feeling....