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Should DL have an EC Upgrade list?
Was thinking about this, and I was wondering if DL should have an upgrade list for EC the same way they have an upgrade list for First Class upgrades on domestic flights. If seats open up in EC as other Medallions upgrade to first class (or passengers in EC seats are no-shows), should the open seats go first to other Medallions (in the same way that First Class seats go to Medallions) before going to other passengers who are getting EC just because that's all that's available to assign? I don't object to the selling of EC seats to both Medallion (well, Silver) and non-Medallion passengers. But it could very well happen that there are Diamonds/Plats/Golds/Silvers in regular Y seats who selected those regular seats because all EC seats were full and may prefer the upgrade to EC over their current seat if one becomes available.
Does anyone agree or disagree? Or do you feel like EC isn't enough of an upgrade to warrant an additional process and burden on the GA? Or do you feel the responsibility falls to the traveler to continuously look for available EC seats as the upgrades start to clear? I could also see the argument that someone would not want to be "upgraded" from their window/aisle seat to an EC middle seat. I'm not trying to feel like a "DYKWIA" - I've just wondered why DL has an upgrade list for it's top cabin (first class) but not for its improved Economy Product.
Anyone can purchase EC (or choose it for free based on status and domestic or int'l travel) at anytime if they want to sit there.
I guess they could use an "upgrade" system for any open seats, but am sure some would not want to give up a window/aisle for an EC middle seat.
Besides, from a selfish perspective, I'm glad when I have an open seat next to me in EC, particularly on international flights. I also appreciate the fact most FA's prevent seat poachers in EC. I hope they do not start "giving it away" outside of completely full flights.
My travel patterns are typically JFK-LAX/SFO. I enjoy the bulkhead on these routes, operated by the BE configured 757 - Seats 19C or 18D/E.
I'd prefer to keep my preferred seat (18D/E) versus an EC seat that isn't the first row. Just a thought against upgrades to EC.... I'm sure many here have certain spots on aircraft seat-wise, and I wouldn't want to have my seat moved, unless it's up front
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, American AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 740
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwoman
Anyone can purchase EC (or choose it for free based on status and domestic or int'l travel) at anytime if they want to sit there.
I guess they could use an "upgrade" system for any open seats, but am sure some would not want to give up a window/aisle for an EC middle seat.
Besides, from a selfish perspective, I'm glad when I have an open seat next to me in EC, particularly on international flights. I also appreciate the fact most FA's prevent seat poachers in EC. I hope they do not start "giving it away" outside of completely full flights.
I'm asking about one for domestic flights handled in a similar manner to how upgrades to F are currently handled. I agree that it's a nice to have an open seat in EC next to me, but if there's a Medallion in the middle seat of an otherwise full plane who didn't know that seat was open (or maybe it opened just prior to departure when the person in that EC seat was upgraded or was a no-show), they might appreciate an upgrade to EC. I'm also enquiring because if DL believes that Medallion is entitled to upgrades to F if space is available, shouldn't they be entitled to an upgrade to EC if space is available? And the other reason I'm asking - look at how DL handles int'l flights. If regular Y is full and there are still passengers awaiting seat assignments, DL offers op-ups to BE to Medallions first, not non-Medallions. The same practice could be applied to EC (domestic or int'l). Offer the upgraded product to Medallions first.
Maybe another solution is display it up on the gate information screen. They already display First and Economy seat availability. Perhaps break it up even further to show First, Economy Comfort, and Economy (or show the seat map). Those who have access to EC and then go enquire about switching to any open seat in EC and make the decision on whether they want to move from there.
Like I said in my first post, I admit that such a system may have flaws. Not wanting a middle seat. More burden on the gate agent. And perhaps more difficulty to implement and would not represent a good return on investment to DL. I was just curious if anyone agreed or disagreed or if anyone had the same thought process.
I'm asking about one for domestic flights handled in a similar manner to how upgrades to F are currently handled. I agree that it's a nice to have an open seat in EC next to me, but if there's a Medallion in the middle seat of an otherwise full plane who didn't know that seat was open (or maybe it opened just prior to departure when the person in that EC seat was upgraded or was a no-show), they might appreciate an upgrade to EC. I'm also enquiring because if DL believes that Medallion is entitled to upgrades to F if space is available, shouldn't they be entitled to an upgrade to EC if space is available? And the other reason I'm asking - look at how DL handles int'l flights. If regular Y is full and there are still passengers awaiting seat assignments, DL offers op-ups to BE to Medallions first, not non-Medallions. The same practice could be applied to EC (domestic or int'l). Offer the upgraded product to Medallions first.
Maybe another solution is display it up on the gate information screen. They already display First and Economy seat availability. Perhaps break it up even further to show First, Economy Comfort, and Economy (or show the seat map). Those who have access to EC and then go enquire about switching to any open seat in EC and make the decision on whether they want to move from there.
Like I said in my first post, I admit that such a system may have flaws. Not wanting a middle seat. More burden on the gate agent. I was just curious if anyone agreed or disagreed or if anyone had the same thought process.
Perhaps it is just my selfishness, but I think I prefer it the way it is. I use the iPhone app and can readily nab an open EC seat as needed. I get the feeling that most medallion flyers similarly use these tools to their advantage, and I especially like the ability to either pick an EC window/aisle or stay in my exit aisle seat. If put in the hands of the gate agent, you may lose your exit row to get smushed between two EC seats.
Additionally, I think the GAs would likely be opposed to this. More work for them.
This is key. I would be quite annoyed if I was moved from a non-EC aisle seat to an EC middle seat.
I have seen GAs call Medallions in regular Y up to the desk before to see if they were interested in an EC seat...all about options. For example, if did not have free access to EC, I would not want to give up row 30 on the 764 for an EC seat.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwoman
I have seen GAs call Medallions in regular Y up to the desk before to see if they were interested in an EC seat...all about options. For example, if did not have free access to EC, I would not want to give up row 30 on the 764 for an EC seat.
This is very good if the GA has time, but I suspect that this can't be done before every flight.
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This is very good if the GA has time, but I suspect that this can't be done before every flight.
Right. In this case, it was an oversold ATL-LHR flight and they needed the seats.
Given the relatively short time GAs seem to have with regular boarding, upgrades, etc., I'd think adding in another list could create more craziness and the opportunity for SHENA (real or perceived) to appear.
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Agree with previous posters. I'd rather keep my preferred aisle/window seat than being automatically moved to an EC middle seat. And often times I don't care for bulkhead seats either if i want easy access to things in my carry on. But that's usually not a huge deal. That said I almost always fly in LUT fares and rarely when I book my flights is EC not available. Certainly last minute travel won't give you as much EC availability so perhaps it's more of an issue for you than it is for me.
OP, if you want to get EC at the gate simply make a friendly request to the gate agent. I've done this before and it's usually worked like a charm especially once the UG list is cleared. And that way you can also let the agent know what you're looking for ("Please see if you can accommodate me in EC. I would like to keep my preference of window/aisle, non-bulkhead etc in EC as well").
Given the relatively short time GAs seem to have with regular boarding, upgrades, etc., I'd think adding in another list could create more craziness and the opportunity for SHENA (real or perceived) to appear.
Agreed on all points.
I guess the engineer in me wants to know why the GA has to get involved with this stuff at all. Seems to me that the if/then/else logic that runs during the upgrade sweeps could successfully handle gate UGs to both F and any open EC seats without any human intervention or the opportunity for mischief.
Heck, we could even have a setting in our profile that says "Yes, please move me into an EC seat if I don't already have one and one is available at boarding" or "No, leave me where I am, thank you very much."
If it's not super busy at the GA desk, I've gone up and asked them to move me into EC if something opens up when upgrades cleared. Another option is to keep an eye on the DL app, and I've been able to change my seat after they clear upgrades to get a better EC seat.
Thinking selfishly, no. Give FO's a fighting chance upon checkin for an "upgrade" that's not a real big upgrade. If a list is established, FO's will rarely sit in EC.
