Swiss International Airlines - Why can't I pick seats [on LX C]

Flying to ARN on Swiss in Sept. Bought a Biz class fare but had to call for seats and then I read on the Swiss Website that seats are NOT guaranteed. Why do they do that?
Looking forward to flying LX 40&41 to try the new biz seats. Wanted K seats but those seem to be all gone? Sounds weird. Where can I go to see seat maps? I am a United 1K and used to being able to see loads.
thanks in advance for all answers.

Flying to ARN on Swiss in Sept. Bought a Biz class fare but had to call for seats and then I read on the Swiss Website that seats are NOT guaranteed. Why do they do that?
Looking forward to flying LX 40&41 to try the new biz seats. Wanted K seats but those seem to be all gone? Sounds weird. Where can I go to see seat maps? I am a United 1K and used to being able to see loads.
thanks in advance for all answers.

Your seats are UA are not guaranteed either. Not sure where you got that notion?

Flying to ARN on Swiss in Sept. Bought a Biz class fare but had to call for seats and then I read on the Swiss Website that seats are NOT guaranteed. Why do they do that?

Sometimes, when the flight is overbooked, they will ask a couple of business class passengers to stand in the galley for the duration of the flight. Therefore seats cannot be guaranteed.

Sorry, couldn't resist :D

HTB.

Have you tried putting in your booking reference and surname on the box in the top right corner of Lufthansa.com ? I select my SWISS seats that way.

I'm a United 1K who is flying twice on LX later this year in Business Class. On both flights I have been able to book my preferred seats by calling Swiss.

Nothing new here... the Swiss web systems don't have the option of choosing seats, you have to call or wait for OLCI. Quite old-school, but that's how they still do it....
And seats assignments are never guaranteed (have you never seen that disclaimer before?) but you normally get the seat that you have chosen :-).

I'm flying Business next week, called and got seats (K) in both directions. I wasn't too thrilled, though, when the customer service rep told that all of the double table single seats and front cabin were reserved for "special customers." It made me feel very un-special.

Very poor communication if this is what they told you.... It would sound a lot better when they tell you that some seats are blocked for members of their FFP, but only until 24hrs before departure. Then you can choose a seat that hasn't been reserved.

The seat blocking is a somewhat "double-edged sword". For people who get it, it's a nice perk. But if you are paying full fare you also want the best seat, and you are denied some seats.

The single table single seats are also quite good....

The single table single seats are also quite good....

Or I would say even better, because the "tunnel" for the feet is bigger. Of course 4 A is still the prime seat, but unless you are HON or SEN impossible to get it.

Where can I go to see seat maps? I am a United 1K and used to being able to see loads.

Try free access to http://www.expertflyer.com/.

Have you tried putting in your booking reference and surname on the box in the top right corner of Lufthansa.com ? I select my SWISS seats that way.

It doesn't work for me with a SWISS PNR (issued by booking on the SWISS website); I believe you need the (different) LH PNR to do this.

I do want to point out that I paid for my ticket-- no miles; no upgrade-- not that it should matter. I am fairly comfortable with my K seats but it was handled very badly.

I do want to point out that I paid for my ticket-- no miles; no upgrade-- not that it should matter. I am fairly comfortable with my K seats but it was handled very badly.I wouldn't take it too personally. Every time I phone up to get 4A (knowing beforehand that it is available) they tell me it's not available. I then say not even for a Senator? Which is always followed by an apology and me being put in 4A. I just think it's how the LX call center agents are. They are polite but not always on the top of their game.:)

I have sat in 4A at least twice as well as 6K and 7K and I actually prefer 7K. I didn't feel wedged in as I did in 4A and I think the seat may be wider since you can lower the armrest on the window side.

Unfortunately, all I could get was 9K each way-- no window.

Unfortunately, all I could get was 9K each way-- no window.

K are window seats. 9K is not bad.

K are window seats. 9K is not bad.

Row 9 has no windows on an LX 333, but does have on a 343. If the point of choosing a "window seat" is to look through a window (rather than to stare at the fuselage), on a 333 9K is :td:.

I'm on a 333 in both directions.

I know this is a personal opinion question. I'd like peoples opinion of Swiss biz seats. I am 6'3" and love leg room. Which seats should I request that are single seats?
thanks in advance.

There is lots more in the seating thread, but now that you ask: 4A, 5K, 4G then 6A is my order of preference. 4G is not a single but is a bulkhead which i prefer over the other thrones (even A seats, ie 8A, 10A etc).

If you want more room for your feet/legs, go for rows 4 or 6. But as MichielR says check other seating threads for more info.

The seat blocking is a somewhat "double-edged sword". For people who get it, it's a nice perk. But if you are paying full fare you also want the best seat, and you are denied some seats.

I agree. As a full fare paying passenger, I cannot book these seats, which irks me. Due to the nature of my work, and being based in Kenya, I need to fly to Australia regularly, which means I am on SAA.

On not so full LX flights I have managed to get 8A, which was a great seat - double tables:)

It irks me too. It also irks me that there are so many varieties of seat within the same class/cabin and that someone who paid full freight for a ticket can't secure one of the better ones. I fly on Saturday and called today to see if any of the "A" seats had come open. This time I was told there is one but I can't have it.

Just wait for OLCI and then see what's available, you might be surprised....

But I'm sure there are quite a few paying passengers that could reserve, in their opinion, good seats. And even your single seat can hardly be classified as bad.
You do know that status can have its perks....

Just checked in online and was able to secure 10A.:)

Would it be possible for me to call and get a seat pre-assigned in Y? (I am a *G in two carriers, other than swiss).
Thanks :)

Just checked in online and was able to secure 10A.:)

There you go... enjoy.

Would it be possible for me to call and get a seat pre-assigned in Y? (I am a *G in two carriers, other than swiss).
Thanks :)

Not unless your Y ticket is a Y or B fare. If not, you have to wait to T-24 and OLCI.

Even better... Flew home in 4A. FYI, from where I was sitting 1st class looked empty. There may have been one person in the front cabin.

That's why it would be good if they explained the seat-blokking a little better to the non-status customers. It's not that you won't get a good seat, it's just that you won't have any guarantees long before flying.

And most seats are still quite good....

@RTW1, I agree with you 100%. It was just the way it was handled. Swiss flights were wonderful. I'd be happy to fly with them again.

I book 10 months in advance ( Z fares) & I am new to Swiss, I have used United /Lufthansa multiple times for SYD-LAX-FRA-BUD-FRA-LAX-SYD, unfortunately Lufthansa have raised their fares & there is no compelling reason for flying this route with them ( Swiss is $400 cheaper).With Swiss obviously FRA is replaced by ZRH.

I use a travel agent & am keen on 5A & 5B for LAX-ZRH-LAX segment, can the agent book those seats for me or does he have to ring Swiss?

If you use a TA why don't you let them handle your seat assignment?

The availability of reserving some seats is dependent on your status. If you don't have any with M&M you probably won't get 5A/B in advance but they might be available short before departure. But C seats with LC are a lot better than the ones LH uses so you will be happy with the change.

If you use a TA why don't you let them handle your seat assignment?

The availability of reserving some seats is dependent on your status. If you don't have any with M&M you probably won't get 5A/B in advance .

Thanks RTW1 , At booking time I have selected ASR with United/Lufthansa & have always received the selected seats, I have never encountered something like this before.I am only a FTL status with M&M.

Swiss is way behind the times not allowing a seat selection through the web... you can only personally do it by telephone. But I have no idea if a TA has a more extensive set of tools, but I assume they also have to call.

But I wouldn't worry too much, the seats are a lot better than with LH.

But I wouldn't worry too much, the seats are a lot better than with LH.

Maybe now, however LH will be running the 747-8 (new C) on the LAX- FRA run by the time I go with twice daily flights next summer. who knows which schedule LH will allocate the 747-8 to (it wont be both), knowing my luck I would have been subjected to the slanted gurney 747 run.It is a 50/50 shot that I am not prepared to risk.

Unless one of you definitely wants a window seat, 4D/G and 6D/G are much better seat pairs if you can get them.

Unless one of you definitely wants a window seat, 4D/G and 6D/G are much better seat pairs if you can get them.

Are you saying that from an aisle access perspective?

Are you saying that from an aisle access perspective?
No, you get much bigger cubbyholes for your legs/feet in rows 4 and 6.

Maybe now, however LH will be running the 747-8 (new C) on the LAX- FRA run by the time I go with twice daily flights next summer.

Although I haven't flown in the new LH C yet I think that the LX seats are still better. Especially when traveling alone but even when occupying two seats...

Many thanks RTW1 & Newbie Runner,

It looks like ditching LH for LX is the right move apart from being $400 cheaper, & a good seat is the clincher.

Plus I will not miss all those absurd stairs at FRA for connecting flights.

I just hope connecting BUD flights are not a 30 min walk from the Lounge at ZRH.

I suggest you check the ZRH connection thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/swiss-international-airlines/1313900-50min-enough-transfer-zrh-new-2-2012-zrh-connection-thread.html).

I would definitely choose LX over LH when traveling in C. And most prefer ZRH to FRA, it's a much smaller and more convenient airport.

I just booked a flight in LX J for November... no seat selection until OLCI?

I just booked a flight in LX J for November... no seat selection until OLCI?

Call LX or, if you have an Amadeus PNR, use LH or M&M site to select a seat.

Call LX or, if you have an Amadeus PNR, use LH or M&M site to select a seat.

How do I know if I have an Amadeus PNR? I booked directly on swiss.com, is it the alphanumeric reservation number in the e-ticket PDF they e-mailed me?

UPDATE: lufthansa.com wouldn't take the LX reservation number, can't seem to do anything on the M&M site as I'm not a M&M member (I'm crediting to US Dividend Miles). Guess I'll call LX next week.

That's the best way to do it... book and just call LX.