6 Finnair longhauls in a week - reflections
#32
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,132
In theory, this is why they have configured their aircraft with different sized Y cabins, so they can match capacity to demand.
In practice, it doesn't work. The limited sized fleet makes it difficult to match and they refuse to adjust price of J cabin to meet low demand. Current doctrine states they rather oversell Y at low prices than sell existing J-capacity at low prices.
But that's just the (5) elites. Even if there were zero inconvenienced passengers and zero Pro/flex passengers, there must have been some AY+Basic with tier points (at least from their previous HEL-KIX). That was my point.
I suspect an IT problem here. The system likely does not provide useful data about non-elites. I have not been able to look very closely at it, but from what I saw, only elites are explicitly flagged on the computers at the gate.
I suspect an IT problem here. The system likely does not provide useful data about non-elites. I have not been able to look very closely at it, but from what I saw, only elites are explicitly flagged on the computers at the gate.
(Actually, they split 2 couples on that flight, that's how bizarre it gets.)
In theory I agree, but in reality there are some issues even if they do op-up by a strict order. If they keep overselling massively on certain routes and/or seasons, op-up will be a safe bet and elites will just stop buying J tickets.
Last edited by intuition; Jun 30, 2015 at 2:54 am
#33
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,619
Yesterday, the gate agent at Arlanda specifically said "you have been upgraded to business", not "we have upgraded you to business". And it would be odd for non-Finnair ground staff to deal with this, Admittedly, I could just be overinterpreting.
However, I was once upgraded at HKG. The transfer desk agent could not believe it when I said "oh I got upgraded", and checked three times that my passport, customer number and ticket matched. So it definitely was not his doing!
Yeah, I think it's normally done by AY, not gate staff. I guess their upgrade algorithm is under-implemented.
I doubt that. Most passengers who can afford to buy J, will continue to do so (unlike people on FlyerTalk). And for passengers with economy travel policies, then higher chances of upgrades is actually making the loyalty program work.
That said, it would seem to me that elites do get upgrades before status-less. It just so happens that on some routes, there are not enough elites to upgrade.
However, I was once upgraded at HKG. The transfer desk agent could not believe it when I said "oh I got upgraded", and checked three times that my passport, customer number and ticket matched. So it definitely was not his doing!
That said, it would seem to me that elites do get upgrades before status-less. It just so happens that on some routes, there are not enough elites to upgrade.
#34
Last month on HEL-CDG flight a gate agent congratulated me that I have been upgraded to J. This was very strange because I had upgraded myself earlier already with points. I told this to the agent who just replied: "Oh, really?" On the same flight, one couple was split because of the op-up.
#35
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 286
I always thought gate agents chose op-ups - based on how strange they chose who to upgrade. But on one onversold CKG flight, I overheard conversion between a couple and gate agent. AY had split the couple by op-up-ing only one of them and the couple didn't want to accept the upgrade. In despair agent kept repeating "the computer chooses, we can't do anything about it" and "it is a better seat".
(Actually, they split 2 couples on that flight, that's how bizarre it gets.)
The girl told me they tried to refuse the single upgrade, but agent just replied: Sorry, there is nothing I can do about it, if you want to sit together you have to wait til the next departure.
#36
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,772
I'll gladly exchange seats, should someone need to sit in Y next to kin.
Incidentally, in my dark, non-frequent flyer days, I did turn down a l/h opup for this exact reason. #NeverAgain.
Incidentally, in my dark, non-frequent flyer days, I did turn down a l/h opup for this exact reason. #NeverAgain.
#37
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: yyz
Programs: AY+, Aeroplan, Club Accor Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 65
#38
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Here and there
Programs: AY Platinum Lumo (Lifetime Gold), HH Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 152
I and better half are flying HEL-JFK (late Jul) and YYZ-HEL (early Aug) in Y on AA el cheapo ticket. Is there any chance for op-up on AA ticket assuming Y is oversold?
#40
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: yyz
Programs: AY+, Aeroplan, Club Accor Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 65
#42
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plus, Eurobonus, Flying Blue
Posts: 46
Last May I discussed with an AY FA on a HEL-JFK flight about catering in J. I told about some disapointments on the long HEL-MIA flight in J during the winter. She had also served on one of these flights and told how embarrassed she was as the catering in J for the HEL-MIA-HEL flight was less than on a shorther HEL-JFK-HEL flight. On the return flight they were even out of champagne, as the inbound flight had cleared the outbound stocks.
Catering was a mess. No amuce bouche mentioined on the menu was served. Salad missed vinegrette, fish lacked the sauce. When asked for port with dessert, the purser just said "finished" (loppu suomeksi). We sat on a first row, by the way. Same thing with orange juice at breakfast. Cabin was very hot through out the flight.