How do I sit with my family on different PNRs

[highflyingkiwi]

I'm looking at organizing a June family holiday for the 5 of us to Singapore, and then for the wife and kids to then go onto Auckland for a week, whilst I return to Port Moresby. I'll hit platinum if I use VA where possible but last time I did something similar, I ended up sitting by myself, and the wife struggled with 3 kids down the back (although she is now silver so won't be too far back now) but it was a pain, and she got a little upset with me.

We are flying POM - BNE - SIN then she will either return SIN - BNE - AKL or SIN - AKL, then Return AKL - BNE - POM, whereas I will be returning SIN - BNE - POM

when I book my flights it will be a return trip for me, but hers will have to be booked separately I would assume. We are tossing up if we all go back to BNE together as we can both just meet connecting flights if the airlines do it right, or if she just takes the kids and goes directly to AKL.

i could fly direct POM - SIN with Air Niugini, but I'm not a fan, did Manilla - POM night flight in J and that was a shocker, would hate to do it in Y...

With advanced seating on VA we "should" be able to sit together on VA metal, but I have never flown Singapore Air or Etihad, so have no idea which one will be able to put us together without a meltdown in the airport.

We are also thinking about breaking up the initial trip as the flight from POM - BNE gets in at 1700ish and we have friends in Brissie that we might stay with for a day or two.

any help on the right way to do this would be appreciated

thanks
HFK

 

[Geegeela]

I am sorry my experience is only with Qantas but I do this often, in fact the last time was only last week.

If there is someone I want to sit with I just phone them with all the reference numbers and ask to have them linked.

They say “certainly Sir” and it happens without a hitch.

Maybe I have not fully understood your query?

 

[highflyingkiwi]

I have tried to link twice now, with the last time prior to Xmas. My father was on the same flight, both times they have said - thank you sir, that has been done! But on arrival at the airport, no joy. I had done both with plenty of time, with my father, I even had a spare seat beside me in row 3 - but he got no love.

in saying that, they have both been VA flights, and I haven't had control of the other PNR.

 

[Geegeela]

Mmm, maybe either you or I have just unconsciously given a pat on the back to Qantas.

Not quite sure what you mean by not having control of the other PNR.

I would have thought once you had the number you had control.

 

[elbarr]

I have achieved this successfully in the past with VA. My wife and I had booked flights to Perth separately from my mother in law. I got her PNR and simply rang VA and requested they link it to the PNR for my wife and I so we could be seated together. No problems at all and we all got to sit together. Never mentioned it at the airport, it all just happened.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The linking of PNRs with VA sometimes works and sometimes not.

I've been told by the Gold desk that all they can do is request it via a file note, which may be actioned or may not be. As DJ used Navataire and VA used Amadeus, it also may have previously been different for domestic and international sectors (not sure if the CRS is what links PNRs).

Perhaps in time, they'll be able to do this better with Sabre.

 

[777]

Theoretically it should be one of the things that works better with sabre. But then again, theoretically, sabre should work.