I’m a dad and here is how to make sure you always sit next to your family on a flight – it won’t even cost you
A DAD has explained how to make sure you sit next to your kids on a flight - and it won't cost you anything.
Dad Taryn White said he was recently on a flight when he was separated from his kids, after his previous booking was changed.
His first tip was to take advantage of the free online check in.
Most airlines allow passengers to check in at least 24 hours before their flight, which Taryn advises doing as soon as possible.
He said on : "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."
Taryn said it helps if you are all "booked on the same reservation" too, although you can also ask to link reservations if not.
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He also says that you shouldn't leave arriving for your flight at the airport until the last minute.
Any flight problems can be sorted if you give them time, he said.
Otherwise heading to the help desk or the gate agent can mean you ask ahead of boarding if you can change your seats.
He added: "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.
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"In general, airlines give priority to helping families who request to sit together."
If it can't be solved before you board, he advised telling the flight attendant straight away so they can ask other passengers to swap.
He said this worked for him when he wasn't sitting next to his kids on a recent flight, which was sorted after "15 minutes of jiggling" when he raised it with the flight crew.
However, this doesn't always work.
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Earlier this month, a passenger refused to swap seats so a family-of-four could sit next to each other.
Another woman explained why she refused to give up her seat for a stranger who wanted to sit next to her husband during a flight.
