This only became a problem because airlines started charging extra to pick your seats. That practice is what should be made illegal. Splitting up a group because they didn’t want to pay your extortion fee is BS.
I guess I don’t have that problem with Alaska Airlines. I agree with no fees for choosing seats. But after that it’s fair game.
I’m usually sat together with my wife but a couple of times we have been separated by a row or two. We have always been able to switch seats with someone so it’s not a huge deal for us but it’s annoying. Especially when we buy are tickets at the time as one purchase and one of us gets sat next to someone flying alone or another person separated from their party… Those cases its obvious the airline separated you for no reason other than to punish you for not paying the fee.
That’s totally fair and I agree there should be no fees for that. My airline doesn’t charge for choosing seats, at least when booking directly with them. So that’s my frame of reference. My only point of contention is that while boarding I don’t wanna move my seat because someone else couldn’t pay or didn’t plan in advance. At least, I want it to be my decision and not forced on me.
