With so many flights today that are full or overbooked, seat selection is not guaranteed and parents could be separated from their children, seated rows apart. Preferred seating is also a lucrative ancillary revenue stream for most airlines.

In 2016, lawmakers in the US agreed that children under the age of 13 would “be seated in a seat adjacent to the seat of an accompanying family member over the age of 13” at no additional cost, except when it would mean an upgrade to another cabin or seat with extra legroom or seat pitch.

While the rules do not reflect global airline policy and only apply to families, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA), has good advice to avoid being split up…

1. Book early

When it comes to air travel and sitting with your loved ones, it pays to be at the front of the queue at the time of booking.

Booking several months in advance can save you money in ticket prices but can also mean that you get to choose your seat and avoid being bumped from a flight that is later overbooked.

Always remember to check your seat assignments when your reservation is first confirmed.

2. Know your airline’s policy regarding children

Remember to capture your child’s age at the time of booking. The general rule of thumb is, if a child is 12 years or younger, the computer system with automatically attempt to pair an accompanying adult in an adjacent seat the day before departure.

British Airways’ policy is that when travelling with an infant (under two years) and the infant is not travelling in a seat of their own, passengers can reserve a seat for themselves and everyone in their booking, free of charge, at the time of booking, except for bookings over nine people.

If passengers do not choose their seats in advance, where possible, British Airways will reserve suitable seats for travellers three days before the flight.

If you are travelling with children between two and 11 years of age, the airline will allocate seats five days before departure.

3. Arrive on time and check-in early

Most airlines have online check-in services that open 24 hours before departure, so pick or confirm your seat as soon as it does. If you are not already seated as a group, you will have the best chance of switching seats.

Get to the airport early so you are first in line to request an empty seat or row.

4. Check your booking

It is important to check every detail of your booking and itinerary has been recorded correctly, including seating arrangements. Go over these details at check-in and again at the boarding gate if there have been any changes.

Seating arrangements can change without notice in the event of an emergency or a change of aircraft.

5. Human intervention

If you cannot complete your seat reservation request online, call the airline in person and make the change over the phone (ask about additional any charges that may apply). Be sure to mention your child’s age or any other special circumstances. IF any new seats are assigned, double check the new reservation when you get to the airport.

6. Try for aisle seats that are close together

If you can’t find an adjacent seat, look for an aisle seat that is nearby.

7. Paid-for options

It could be worth paying extra for your preferred seat and many airlines have this as an option.

Emirates’ policy, according to its website, is to make every effort to seat passengers in the same booking together, depending on availability. Seat selection charges may apply if a passenger requests a change.

However, group bookings that include ten or more passengers will not pay extra to select regular seats, Emirates says. Seat selection charges may apply “when selecting preferred, twin or extra-legroom seats”.

8. Talk to your travel agent

Make sure your travel agent is aware of any special needs or seating requirements at the time of booking.

Not only will a professional travel agent offer expert advice, they could save you time and money by logging your request through the correct channel, at the right time.

Time slot 1: 06.00 to 08:00
Time slot 2: 08:00 to 10:00
Time slot 3: 10:00 onwards

“We aim to optimally manage the volumes that we expect, as well as our visitors’ expectations. The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and, as far as possible prevent unnecessary waiting periods at gates”, said the KNP’s GM: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa.

The Day Visitor Quota for the Park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities and is applied throughout the year although the park mostly reaches carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in having to turn visitors away. Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of Day Visitor Quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices and online at www.sanparks.org.

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.

Mabasa also reminded visitors to read the permit which they receive at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated on these documents. “Day visitors may not bring liquor as a result of the alcohol ban in public areas of the Park. Further, visitors must please also refrain from committing other infringements such as littering, speeding and alighting from vehicles in places where this is prohibited in the Park. These and other Park rules are emphasized to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience, while not impacting other visitors, and hence must be adhered to at all times whilst in the Park;” he advised.

Visitors can report any rules and regulations infringement which they witness to the Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 4064/013 735 0197/076 801 9679. It is however important that the following information is provided:

Vehicle type and colour
Vehicle registration
Date and Time of Incident
Yellow SATSA sticker number (for Open Safari Vehicles)
Details of Incident
Photographic evidence
Location of Incident
“We also advise guests to exercise caution when driving around areas undergoing major construction such as Skukuza Camp so as to avoid unnecessary accidents”, concluded Mabasa.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

Day Visitor pre- bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R41 per adult and R21 per child.
Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter the Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents is R83 per adult and R42 per child (between ages 2 – 11) and for international guests it is R331 per adult and R166.
Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they have paid for the annual operating permit and are authorised to enter 15 minutes before Gate opening time to ensure fair distribution/flow of traffic.
Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry.
Guests are encouraged to continuously provide feedback on their experience to customer.care@sanparks.org