Woman Boards easyJet Airlines, Then Learns That Her Son, Who Has a Physical Disability, is Seated Far Off From Her: ‘As a Mum, I Always Book Seats!!!’
Swapped
TikTok user @oliviaclairem has a public service announcement. She urges airline companies to ensure that if a parent is traveling with children aged seven or younger, they should be seated next to the parent accompanying them. Olivia’s request stems from her personal experience, which she detailed in a TikTok video she shared to her profile on June 14, 2026.
In her video, Olivia explained that while she was flying on an easyJet flight with her son during her pregnancy, her son was assigned a seat that was not next to hers. She noted that this caused significant inconvenience because her son has a physical disability, and she wasn’t able to meet his needs as effectively as she would have liked.
@oliviaclairem wants airlines to follow a protocol concerning seat allotment to kids
On June 14, 2026, TikTok user @oliviaclairem said she struggled after her three-year-old son, who has a disability, was assigned a seat away from her. She explained that upon arriving at the airport and before takeoff, she asked airline staff to seat her and her three-year-old son together, but they couldn’t do anything about it. Instead, they were placed in aisle seats in two adjacent rows.
Olivia said that as everyone fastened their seat belts before takeoff, her son started screaming. She explained that she sat him on her lap to calm him down, and then, “very luckily,” a couple offered to switch seats with her. In the video, Olivia points out that before anyone blames her, she did her best to ensure she and her son were seated side by side. She said she tried until the last minute to get their seats changed.
Reflecting on the incident, Olivia shared a few thoughts in her video. She said, “…to be honest, being sat next to your preschooler is not something I think you should have to pay extra for. Fair enough if they’ve got to split up the family, but like surely 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-year-olds should be sat next to their mum or dad. So if you could just save us the awkwardness, having to just hope that someone on the plane takes pity on you and offers to swap sit families together as standard, that would be really great.”
@oliviaclairem’s easyJet experience video has gained significant momentum
As of this writing, @oliviaclairem’s video, in which she talks about the hassles of not sitting next to her son on an easyJet flight, has more than a hundred comments. User @louise_454 wrote, “This is why as a mum I always book seats!!!” User @freckly_florence commented, “When I book flights I choose the seats upon booking. Do they now allow this anymore?”
User @bxharris said, “I think it’s your responsibility as a parent to confirm your seats are together, regardless of price or circumstance, imo.” User @aimicorbett4 stated, “I do think children under 12 or disabilities should seat next to 1 parent.”
Does easyJet charge extra fees for seat selection?
According to Skypark Secure, when booking with easyJet, individuals can make advance seat reservations for £20 to ensure they are seated next to their family, friends, or traveling companions.
The source also mentions that if someone is flying with children under 2 years old, an extra charge of £25 will apply. They can bring an additional baby-changing bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm), but it must go under the seat in front of them.
For those seeking more comfort, front row seats or over-wing options with extra legroom are good choices. However, these don’t have fixed prices. The cost can vary based on the specific flight, demand, and availability. It’s worth checking early if you have a preference.
(featured image: TikTok/@oliviaclairem)
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