Getting assigned seats is always a priority when we book trips for folks coming to Hawaii. We understand it's a long flight and want our customers to be as comfortable as possible, and for you honeymooners as close as possible.
Each airline has a different way of assigning seats, and this makes it tough for us to have a uniform policy regarding seat assignment. Additionally, in many cases, our clients are coming from the east coast of the mainland with connections so seat assignment involves more that one flight When you book with us we immediately grab the best seats we can find for you, if you have a request for seating we notate that on the record and pass that information to the airline. In some cases, especially when airfare is booked within 30 days, seats cannot be assigned until you get to the gate. This is where consumers can get very upset with us. Many consumers have a problem with this and will look to us (the travel agent) to somehow fix this issue. This is where you become your own best advocate. If seating is important to you, I recommend that you contact the airline yourself directly. Try requesting seats or changing the seats we have assigned for you. If you get an agent that can do it great!! If not, call again!! You may have to try a few times to get an agent to help you and the reality is you may not be able to change the seats at all. When that happens you must wait until you get to the airport to get your seats assigned. When a flight is nearly full, airlines sometimes deny advanced seat selections, forcing latecomers to get their assignment at the airport. That’s because airlines hold back some spots for flexibility in seating families or passengers with disabilities and only release those seats at the gate. in most cases you will get a seat, and together without a problem because most of the planes have reserve to work with on the seating.
Selecting your seat doesn’t mean you’ll actually get it. Planes are sometimes switched because of maintenance or schedule changes. With passengers able to change spots online, seats are often in flux until the aircraft doors are shut, so it can pay to check back to see if any better seats have opened up. Another reason to keep checking: some airlines allow elite frequent fliers or full-fare coach passengers to upgrade to first or business class starting five days before departure, depending on status. When they do, they often leave behind prize coach seats that you might nab. Knowing when those upgrades take place can be a key advantage in scoring a good spot. Northwest, which we book a lot to Hawaii, for example, confirms platinum elite member upgrades five days before departure; gold elite, three days before departure; and silver, 24 hours before the flight. Another tip: Airlines sometimes rotate jumbo jets used on long-haul flights through their domestic routes. When this happens, business class seats are classified as part of the coach cabin and high-ranking frequent fliers can nab one by selecting a seat in the first few rows of coach.