pfpdx

Hello,

I am thinking about doing day of upgrade for my wife and me on AS #592 on Friday from PDX-SNA. However, there are only window seats open on the seat map at this time.

If you were asked to trade a window for an aisle for a couple to sit together, would you for this flight length?

P.S Weird that no F seats are left for sale, but 4 show open on seat map. Could the flight be oversold? Is there a definitive way to check inventory on AS?

Best,

Paul

solewalker

It isn't a long flight, so as long as you ask nicely, I'm sure you can find someone who will trade.

There might be open seats on seat map because someone with a seat might not have chosen their seats.

I think you can check inventory on Expertflyer if you have a subscription.

missamo80

ExpertFlyer shows 0 F available. First class is sold out, but people just haven't picked seats yet.

Neil

missamo80

Also, yes, I'd probably trade seats, but not if you'd already commandeered my seat before I got there. Far more polite to leave my seat available but then ask when I arrive if I'd be willing to swap.

Neil

dayone

Bingo. If you're sitting in my seat when I get there, I ain't switching.

pfpdx

Ya that'd be a terrible move. Doesn't feel like a choice then. And creates stress on the person I'd be asking for a favor.

sdsearch

You're assuming everyone picks seats when they buy a ticket, but that's not the case. Some people are just in too much of hurry to go through that step, some people who are not buying online can't see the seat map and don't make a choice for that reason, some people who are buying through third parties don't even get to choose (at least not at the time of purchase), etc, etc.

Haven't you ever bought a ticket on a partner airline in another country and not been given seat assignments (nor a way to choose your seat) at purchase time? Well, Alaska is a partner to airlines all over the world, and how do you know that everyone booking an Alaska flight through every one of their partner airlines is able to reserve a specific seat at the moment of booking?

Thus seat maps are generally a poor indication of how many seats are left for sale.

Madone59

I definitely would but only because I have had the experience of someone refusing to accommodate my wife and I. We were in F PHL-SAN on the last leg of our honeymoon and ever since then I've always tried to be mindful of other people in this situation.

apodo77

Could not agree more.

Single_Flyer

Typically I pick an aisle because I get claustrophobic (actually I just don't like the feeling of being trapped and asking someone to move so I can get up to go to the bathroom). However, since it is a short flight and F has good amount of room already I would probably switch if you asked really nicely. Unless your window seat was in Row 1. I wouldn't switch to Row 1.

pfpdx

This is all true. In my experiences with watching loads the seat maps are generally a decent indicator. Especially less than a week out. Unusual in my experience for their to be 4 unclaimed seats.

Doesn't the airline normally auto assign if there are open seats in the fare class?

Could the reduction in bucket be due to a potential aircraft swap? Would a plane with only 3 rows of F fly that route?

Finkface

For a flight this length, I would probably switch if you didn't poach first and asked nicely. And I am a rabid aisle-seat flyer. But if people aren't willing to switch and you end up apart, is this a deal breaker for you? It's a ~2 hour flight. Is it that big of a deal if you can't sit beside each other? Because if it is, I wouldn't chance the upgrade as it is very possible neither party will switch. If it is that essential to sit together, then take the sure thing in Y.

jrl767

yes, the 12F 73G is very common on SEA/PDX<-->SNA

Chugach

I will generally switch seats, but I'd be lying if I said I don't find it annoying. My general thought is unless it's a family with small kids or someone helping an elderly or disabled person you can probably stand the independence for a couple of hours without inconveniencing other passengers.

Twice in my flying career I've been asked if I'd give up an aisle/window for a middle after I'd boarded. And twice the answer has been no...the last time was on the late night PDX-ANC flight a few months ago. Teenage love just had to wait until landing.

PDXPremier

[QUOTE=Single_Flyer;27006617]Typically I pick an aisle because I get claustrophobic (actually I just don't like the feeling of being trapped and asking someone to move so I can get up to go to the bathroom). However, since it is a short flight and F has good amount of room already I would probably switch if you asked really nicely. Unless your window seat was in Row 1. I wouldn't switch to Row 1.

Years ago I would always pick the window since I wanted to look out, but then I too became too claustrophobic at the window...mainly due to the bathroom issue, but unlike you I would pick a window in row 1 over the others since I feel it's easier to get out and go to the bathroom with nobody reclining into you even if the leg room is restricted. It's weird, I could sit in my aisle seat for hours and never get up to use the lav, but if I'm in a window and feel restricted, I suddenly will need to go....