Post # 1
Member
1586 posts
Bumble bee
We are flying from Toronto to Barcelona, Spain for our honeymoon. It will be a long flight. I have minor cerebral palsy and like to have more leg room in a plane. With the airline we are flying, we cannot prebook bulkhead seating. We can check in online 24 hours prior to the flight and try to request it then. Or, we were told we can arrive at the airport 4-5 hours prior to our flight and see if any of those seats are available.
Where did you sit on your honeymoon flight?
Is it really worth the hassle to try to get bulkhead seating? I worry that we may arrive at the airport much earlier than we need to, and the airline might not be accommodating. It is a big plane and I might be ok, but I also want to be comfortable.
Post # 3
Member
4114 posts
Honey bee
I usually book economy and then as I am completing the booking it asks if I want to upgrade to Economy Plus (different airlines call it different things). It’s usually $100 more or so but you get quite a bit more leg room.
Post # 4
Member
2455 posts
Buzzing bee
Coach. I’m very practical with money and couldn’t fathom paying the extra money. I’ve never flown first class and have managed flights of 12 hours without it.
If it is in your budget I say go for it.
Post # 5
Member
1548 posts
Bumble bee
We’re booking first class. We are also going to Spain, its a long flight and Fiance is very tall. If theres one time to splurge on first class, it’s your honeymoon!
Post # 6
Member
5422 posts
Bee Keeper
I cant understand why you cant prebook, especially with a medical condition. Can you sit in the aisle and save the money?
Post # 7
Member
1586 posts
Bumble bee
Our agent said first class is like $5,000 extra? We ruled that our pretty quickly.
Hmm, our agent booked our flight for us so I am not sure if we have economy or economy plus. Still have lots of time before our vacation, I could ask her again.
Post # 8
Member
5279 posts
Bee Keeper
Do both, call the night before to request it, and even if they say “no” – that doesn’t mean it is not possible. Therefore it is important that you arrive early the day of the flight because arriving earlier at the airport does up your chances if you are trying to pay for an upgrade.
There have been times that we have waited for an upgrade to clear and told by everyone that it wasn’t going to happen, but were issued a new ticket just moments before the flight.
Also, the person who really has the power will be the person at your gate, not your ticket agent; although I would recommend asking the ticket agent too, although in my experience they usually say that you have to ask at the gate.
Post # 9
Member
1586 posts
Bumble bee
@MASPA: It doesn’t make sense to me either. I think it is because of this particular airline. It was between two choices, and this was the better of the two. I am very surprised I cannot prebook that. I am going to try to get a medical note from my doctor and see if that helps them make a decision at the airport.
Post # 10
Member
5279 posts
Bee Keeper
@weightwatchers152: I do want to add that some airlines do not allow you to book exit row/bulkhead because they reserve those spots for status holders (at least this is what AA usually does.)
Post # 11
Member
2175 posts
Buzzing bee
We booked in coach (the upgraded seats for our overseas flights were double the cost). On our way to Ireland, we asked about upgraded seating and were told by one gate agent that we’d have to pay. We approached another about an hour later and explained it was our honeymoon. He handed us two exit row tickets with a smile and told us to enjoy our trip.
Post # 12
Member
3885 posts
Honey bee
Well truth be told, some of the bulkhead rows kind of suck in terms of legroom. If you post the airline and the aircraft type, I might be able to give you some feedback on if the bulkhead is worth trying to secure. I’ve been on several aircraft where the bulkhead actually has less legroom, not more.
If you don’t want to post flight details, head on over to seatguru.com which maps each aircraft type by airline, and you may find your answer there.
FWIW you can occasinally get discounted upgrades to first or business class when you check in; the price really depends on a lot of factors including airline, aircraft model, the going rate for first/business, what you paid for your ticket, and how full the plane is. I’ve seen everything from $800-3000+ between North America and Europe. So it’s worth trying to check in exaclty 24 hours before your flight to see if you get a nice offer, and if no offer, then cancel the check-in and try a little later.
I can’t afford to pay full fare first or business class but between upgrade certificates that DH and I get for airline status, using miles, and the cheap upgrade offers at check-in, I’ve not sat in coach for an International flight in about 6 years and it makes a massive difference in the overall travel experience.
Post # 13
Member
1990 posts
Buzzing bee
@weightwatchers152: My DH is British so I have done the 11hr LA-LONDON probably 20+ times and I can’t imagine wanting to spend more for a tiny bit more leg room.
It is SO much more expensive and the flights are already really pricey that I have never justified the cost as I get there the same time they do and I rarely get up and I’m not a fussy sleeper.
BUT
I don’t have minor cerebral palsy.
IF you think being uncomfortable for 10+ hours or whatever it is would put you out for a few days and/or ruin a bulk of your honeymoon, I would DEFINITELY upgrade.
On our honeymoon we had a 2 hour flight down to a 5* Mexican resort on an airline I had never even heard of. It was also the smallest plane I’ve ever been on (2 seats on each side of one aisle row) and the lady that booked us said first class (an extra $50) was full so she couldn’t upgrade us… we we’re fussed but it was nice of her to ask.
Then when we got on the plane and saw first class it was pretty much NO different from our seats. There was a curtain partitian and they got served unlimited drinks. That was it.
Post # 14
Member
195 posts
Blushing bee
We are going to Jamiaca and bought the cheapest tickets. I went to Jamiaca last year and the “first class” tickets on this particular non stop flight to Jamiaca airline was about 5 inches more legroom, no other amenities and $200 more. Ill save my money. But I can see where it may be worth it to you.
Post # 15
Member
43 posts
Newbee
I opted for a premium seating upgrade as my legs are seriously long. With a 10 hour flight I would hate to sit in a small seat!
Post # 16
Bee
1835 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: November 2012 - Oak Tree Manor
@KimmySumShuga: +1. I’ve flown international many times and never been able to afford first class or business class, but I’ve survived. If the flight is more than 7 hours, I usually take some Tylenol PM and just sleep the whole time. A little bit of extra leg room isn’t worth paying for to me – but OP, if your discomfort from the restricted space will cut into your comfort on your honeymoon, then go for it.