Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has revealed its clever holiday hacks that will let you sit with your family for free when flying.
Booking a holiday abroad has never been more confusing due to ever-changing coronavirus rules and restrictions.
But as the summer holidays are here, thousands of families will still be hoping to get away with their little ones before they head back to school.
Depending on which airline you’ve booked a flight with, extra costs can soon build up - including having to pay to sit together on a plane.
In its latest email, MoneySavingExpert explained how to beat seat reservation charges and save yourself hundreds of pounds in the process.
For example, you could be looking at paying up to £39.99 per person for extra legroom seats if you're flying with easyJet.
MSE said: “A family of four could pay up to £240 on return flights if they want to be certain they'll be seated together, so here's how to beat seat reservation charges for many airlines.”
Of course, how well these tips work largely depend on which airline you’ve booked with and also when you decide to check in. We explain…
Check in ASAP (depending on airline)
MSE’s research shows that with most airlines, you will automatically get to sit with your family - without paying - if you check in online as soon as you can and don't mind where you sit.
The money-saving website said 11 of the 12 major airlines it spoke to - including British Airways, easyJet and Virgin - told it they’ll always try to sit families together, providing there is space.
The only exception was Ryanair, who told MSE customers are “randomly” allocated seats when they check in.
Check in times vary between airlines, but most open between 48 to 24 hours before you’re due to fly, or for easyJet, check in opens 30 days before.
Some airlines will still charge you if you want to choose specific seats.
Do you think you should have to pay to reserve a specific seat? Let us know in the comments below
Kids should be guaranteed seats next to an adult
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says airlines should "aim to sit parents close to children" and if this isn't possible, they shouldn’t be separated by more than one aisle or more than one seat row.
Its guidelines also state that parents shouldn’t have to pay to avoid a situation where their child is seated separately - something MSE has called the so-called “family tax”.
But as these are just recommendations, airlines don’t have to follow them - although most do.
Again, the only airline singled out by MSE was Ryanair.
The airline told the website that children under 12 will be guaranteed to sit with at least one adult in their party - but that adult has to pay for seat selection.
If you’ve come unstuck on a Ryanair flight, many passengers have successfully been able to sit with their loved ones, without paying, by simply asking other passengers if they don’t mind switching seats.
However, this isn’t always guaranteed to work and you may end up sitting next to someone who doesn’t want to move.
Finally, it is worth checking if you need to pay for reserved seating at all, as some airlines don’t charge - this is usually for long-haul flights.
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