Alaska adding premium economy seats?
Apr 25, 2015, 10:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
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Alaska adding premium economy seats?
Saw this post this morning (not my blog).
http://travelskills.com/2015/04/25/a...economy-seats/
The author doesn't list their source. It doesn't really seem like something Alaska would do; their only options would be exit rows and row 6.
Anyone else heard this rumor?
EDIT: The post does link to the source (I just missed it) -- http://kuow.org/post/alaska-airlines...conomy-seating
KUOW is Seattle's NPR station and is reliable; I'm guessing this is going to happen.
http://travelskills.com/2015/04/25/a...economy-seats/
In the middle of May, Alaska Airlines will reportedly start marketing extra-legroom coach seats — i.e., those in bulkhead and exit rows — as a premium economy product.
Besides the 7 to 8 inches of extra legroom, passengers in these “preferred seating” rows will also get free drinks and priority boarding. (It sounds a lot like Virgin America’s Main Cabin Select product to us- without the free food.)
Mileage Plan elites will get first crack at reserving the seats for no fee; seats still available at check-in will be sold to anyone for a fee that varies by distance, said to range from $15 to $50.
Although the plan requires no reconfiguration of the cabin, officials said the concept could be expanded if it tests well.
Besides the 7 to 8 inches of extra legroom, passengers in these “preferred seating” rows will also get free drinks and priority boarding. (It sounds a lot like Virgin America’s Main Cabin Select product to us- without the free food.)
Mileage Plan elites will get first crack at reserving the seats for no fee; seats still available at check-in will be sold to anyone for a fee that varies by distance, said to range from $15 to $50.
Although the plan requires no reconfiguration of the cabin, officials said the concept could be expanded if it tests well.
Anyone else heard this rumor?
EDIT: The post does link to the source (I just missed it) -- http://kuow.org/post/alaska-airlines...conomy-seating
KUOW is Seattle's NPR station and is reliable; I'm guessing this is going to happen.
Last edited by Single_Flyer; Apr 25, 2015 at 10:32 am
Apr 25, 2015, 11:36 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,959
Saw this post this morning (not my blog).
http://travelskills.com/2015/04/25/a...economy-seats/
The author doesn't list their source. It doesn't really seem like something Alaska would do; their only options would be exit rows and row 6.
Anyone else heard this rumor?
EDIT: The post does link to the source (I just missed it) -- http://kuow.org/post/alaska-airlines...conomy-seating
KUOW is Seattle's NPR station and is reliable; I'm guessing this is going to happen.
http://travelskills.com/2015/04/25/a...economy-seats/
The author doesn't list their source. It doesn't really seem like something Alaska would do; their only options would be exit rows and row 6.
Anyone else heard this rumor?
EDIT: The post does link to the source (I just missed it) -- http://kuow.org/post/alaska-airlines...conomy-seating
KUOW is Seattle's NPR station and is reliable; I'm guessing this is going to happen.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...-e-coming.html
Apr 25, 2015, 12:11 pm
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
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To OP, AS is not adding an economy pus. Just monetizing the exiting seats and adding a free drink.
Apr 25, 2015, 3:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Posts: 3,858
*we* know that but the common traveler does not.
The cost so far has been released at $15 for flights under 1,000 miles, which sounds a little low to me. And it appears from the conference call it would be on 737-800/900s.
I hope, as an MVPG75K, that they limit the # of preferred seats bookable in advance or make it for sale during the check-in process. Since we don't have a Y+ area, we tend to flock to 6, 16, and 17 first.
The cost so far has been released at $15 for flights under 1,000 miles, which sounds a little low to me. And it appears from the conference call it would be on 737-800/900s.
I hope, as an MVPG75K, that they limit the # of preferred seats bookable in advance or make it for sale during the check-in process. Since we don't have a Y+ area, we tend to flock to 6, 16, and 17 first.
Apr 25, 2015, 3:28 pm
#6
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Apr 25, 2015, 3:50 pm
#7
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KUOW (NPR station in Seattle area) has an article about this, accessible through Facebook) in that article they clarified that the seats are only row 6, 16, and 17, and they also said AS elites can choose them for free.
http://www.tinyurl.com/kto6hpl
http://www.tinyurl.com/kto6hpl
Apr 25, 2015, 8:35 pm
#9
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Apr 25, 2015, 8:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Alaska
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Posts: 265
Really doesn't compare to a real premium economy sections as found on other carriers. Just another way to raise some revenue
Apr 25, 2015, 8:42 pm
#11
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I was on PHL-SEA last night in row 16 (exit, no recline). Before pushback the GA came back to speak to the woman behind me in 17C (exit, recline). She said a guy in the first / bulkhead row of F wanted to switch with someone in a row 17 aisle seat because he had long legs. She disappeared up front and he came back very happy. On a six-hour leg, comfort is more important than free food and booze.
Apr 25, 2015, 10:25 pm
#13
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Yes I almost gave up F for Bulkhead too
Apr 26, 2015, 1:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: WA, US
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Only during the check-in window will any unreserved seats in 6, 16, and 17 be bundled with a drink and pre-boarding and made available to all.