eponymous_coward

So... if on a J segment, F award, on a route that has F cabins, what are the odds of getting into an F seat at the airport? No CX/OW status, willing to ask nicely, won't sulk if I end up in J (it's CX 634, PEN-HKG, so I think I would survive even if it was regional J).

anabolism

Why are you on a J segment on an F award? Was F award space not available?

RD57

CX website seatmap still shows all seats blocked except for 2D on 77W (CX880 HKG-LAX 2/19/2013).

Called US 800#, hold for 45 seconds, asked for 1A, agent says whole cabin empty and I could have any seat I want. No hassle.

Really don't understand why we have to keep calling to get A/K seats. Seems like a waste of everyone's time. If anyone from CX reads this, PLEASE consider changing your policy.

eponymous_coward

It's a route where 77Ws often fly on the route, but F is not bookable or sold. The cabin seating map shows F AND C, but I can only select C seats.

My understanding is that on those routes, it's a C service if you get in the F cabin.

QRC3288

I think they're trying a (somewhat poorly executed) policy of reserving the better seats for their own MPC members. So they make it an extra step to reserve the better seats unless you're MPC (IME as an MPC member, I never have problems with getting the seat I want in F unless there actually are pax assigned to those seats). The lame part about this informal policy it discriminates against cash F pax - clearly high value pax - who aren't MPC, and as you point out it doesn't actually inhibit anybody's ability to get those seats it just requires more work.

I'd far rather CX hold back a preferred seat or two in F for high priority pax at CX's discretion (maybe their own MPCs and cash F pax) and make it publicly known. Instead of trying to figure out about the baby bassinet, why the seats are blocked, etc. etc. etc

anabolism

My experience has changed...just two months ago, a quick call-back and 2A was ours. I've tried once or twice a day for a different trip, and the agents either say "unavailable," "airport control," or "blocked in case needed for a basinet." One agent even said "You called two days ago and as I told you then, the seat cannot be assigned until airport check-in."

Since this upcoming trip is just me, I took 1A, on the assumption that the extra privacy of the A side outweighs the extra traffic of the soiled-linen bin. Do those with experience concur, or should I switch to 1K?

QRC3288

negligible difference. The soiled linen bin (in J) is not really a nuisance to the F cabin, only the guys sitting in J. It's the FA traffic mainly which is the nuisance not the noise, and since there's a curtain you don't really notice. I noticed it ONCE seated in 2A but it was more like I was already up, saw the curtain ruffling a few times, and was curious as to what was going on. But you won't notice it at all sitting in your seat. Row 2 (A/K) doesn't have a window immediately at your head, but rather about 6 inches forward (although the seat still has 3 windows, just like row 1 A/K). Frankly I prefer the window on 77W in F, and don't care about much else. 1/2 A/K I'm pretty much indifferent.

grahampros

That's true. In CX F, just not much difference other then some folks minor preferences. In reality, they are all great seats unless a couple gets separated that's not happy about that. Then again some are happier separated for a few hours.

anabolism

Thanks very much! 1A it is for me

ORDPLATAA

Checking our reservations for Wednesday and noticed that CX bumped my partner out of 2K and moved him to 1A and left me in 1K. Called the US reservation line and they said there was no note in our record but it was probably because it was a bassinet location. Note that the seatmap showed 2K as open (as well as 1K, the other bassinet seat). I asked to have him moved back to 2K. Agent said she would try but not sure if the system will boot him out again. Flight current shows F1A1. Hopefully we won't be playing this game of chicken for the next 36 hours!

GE90-115B

Wow, what are the odds of scoring the same agent twice in such a short time.

CanucksHKG

T-12 hours now....any updates?

Jaffar

Was checking a flight for a friend (in August) and noticed she had also been bumped from her seat, previously 2A, and assigned 1K instead.

In all my experience flying CX F it's the first time this has happened.

Considering how far out the flight is, it seems to me like CX is making this the standard practice and will refuse assigning 2A or 2K in advance unless there is a baby travelling.

deso

Hi all,

I have the same experience with seat request on the 77W

I have make a cash booking, for First Class, no award booking, on a 77W. I can choose all seats, but not 2A or 2K, so I am now at 1A.

If I take a look at "manage my booking", I am now at 1A, but only 2D seems to be free?! But if I make a new booking, more seats are free, but not 2A and 2K, but you can choose the rest. I guess CX is "reserve" all seats for cash pax online.

One question, I have read seat 1A is a great seat and has no noise, but there was a pax writing about the light from the galley, do anyone has experience with this? I like a "dark" seat for sleeping, so should I better be move to 2D?

Any advise would be really appriciate

QRC3288

1A is a great seat on 77H. Generally the galley is quiet and the curtain shut. If for some reason the curtain pops open just let them know you prefer it closed - usually the're very embarrassed and will proactively keep it closed when they know it's important to you.

I've had a few times where cabin or cockpit crew are making noise in the galley, and frankly you'll hear it just as much from 2A as 1A. 1A is only a few feet in front of 2A. In that case you can also ask them to quiet down.

One small benefit to 1A (over 2A) is window placement. Both seats have three adjustable windows, but the first window in 1A is next to your head. Whereas in 2A, it's slightly forward of your head position, so when you have the seatbelt on in the upright position you have to lean your head forward. Thx to Dr HFH reminding me of that a while back. Although it's really pulling hairs - you can see out the window perfectly fine in 2A and 2K as well, just a little lean forward is needed during takeoff/landing. Both seats are great. And frankly, so is 1K and 2K.