KLM Flying Dutchman - Booked in Y but selected seat in J at OCI

My mom is booked to fly tonight transatlantic from AMS on a 747. She is DL Silver. I went through online check in for her, and was able to switch her from a middle seat in the back to 2K which regardless of 747 type (combi or all pax) is definitely in the J cabin.

Also, it was odd that if I wanted to put her into an economy comfort seat, the site requested a fee of between 38-100 euro. There was no mention of a fee to move her to 2K. The BP printed with 2K on it, but still says 'economy' for class. We'll be curious to see what happens.

To note, she has received an op-up in the past to AMS, and regularly flies this route. In fact it is the only flying she does. The fare class on the receipt is N. On the boarding pass, its M.

Any similar experiences? She heads to the airport in about an hour, and we'll see what happens.

It happens quite often:

See this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman/1321452-coach-service-business.html).

or here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman/647120-wbc-no-amenity-bag-no-delft-house.html).

I of course assume, she's flying KL…

Thanks! Yes, it is KLM.

She will be so excited. I'm sure she won't mind not having J catering service, as she only eats KSML and those tend to be more or less the same quality regardless of which cabin you are booked in. In the past, I know that she has enjoyed the seat above all else.

I still find it funny that I was able to check into the "coach in Business" seat for free, but they were asking for more fees to get an exit row seat in Y proper

This happens only at Flying Blue. You have to pay ridiculous amounts to change seats to EC or Exit, but you get free C seats! go figure

So, is there any pattern as to who gets the ability to select a J seat? The seat-map selection process certainly makes no indication as to the fact that rows 1-4 are better seats than any other 'economy' seat.

When I checked in yesterday, there were 3 such seats available. Today of course, I saw that there were no more seats available in those rows. The moral of the story seems to be, check in early and hope you get lucky.

It's known as a "Dutch Upgrade" ;-)

...any chance this can happen on a 777 AMS-GIG? or only happens on 747's? That would come in handy for a 11 hr flight...

Apparently, it only happens on the 747. 744 and 74M have two separate C sections: upfront and upstairs.
If they "overbooked" Y, some passengers will be seated upfront and receive Y service.

Apparently, it only happens on the 747.

Not entirely true: I've been lucky a few times on a MD11.

So, is there any pattern as to who gets the ability to select a J seat? Surely, one would hope, these seats would be offered first to pax who have paid for, or are entitled to, EC.

If I had paid extra for EC, only to see regular Y pax getting J seats for free, I would ask for a refund.

Johan

Surely, one would hope, these seats would be offered first to pax who have paid for, or are entitled to, EC.

If I had paid extra for EC, only to see regular Y pax getting J seats for free, I would ask for a refund.

Johan

I would agree, but how would you know that.... ;)

I would think Elite members would get this benefit, but seeing here that also doesn't happen.

Not entirely true: I've been lucky a few times on a MD11.

And I once on the A330 from IAD - at that time (about 2 years ago) this happened more often on this particular flight due to low C loads.

Not entirely true: I've been lucky a few times on a MD11.

Indeed. The MD11 v1 has a split business class. Two rows before the galley, two rows behind.

On a recent flight the second pair of rows was visibly to pick during checkin for economy comfort passengers...

A question:

I've bought an Economy comfort seat, and hence are not able of changing my seat to a normal economy seat. Now that online check-in has opened I can't see any other seats available, because the system doesn't allow me to switch to another seat, but does this also mean that I won't be able of seeing if the front J-cabin part of the 747 would be available with economy service?

any help or advice would be appreciated as online check-in just opened,

kind regards

A question:

I've bought an Economy comfort seat, and hence are not able of changing my seat to a normal economy seat. Now that online check-in has opened I can't see any other seats available, because the system doesn't allow me to switch to another seat, but does this also mean that I won't be able of seeing if the front J-cabin part of the 747 would be available with economy service?

any help or advice would be appreciated as online check-in just opened,

kind regards

I'm wondering if there is another way of checking available Y seats, maybe via Expertflyer?

Abut does this also mean that I won't be able of seeing if the front J-cabin part of the 747 would be available with economy service?Surely any such J seats would be made available exclusively to those who have paid for Economy Comfort, at least in the first instance?

Johan

Surely any such J seats would be made available to exclusively to those who have paid for economy comforts, at least in the first instance?

Johan

Correct. The nose C section will become visible for OLCI to Ec Comf pax if of course they open it up for Y.

I'm wondering if there is another way of checking available Y seats, maybe via Expertflyer?

Yes, ExpertFlyer can show you seat maps for all cabins for KLM flights. For KLM Economy Comfort is part of the Economy cabin.