Rant: seat selection
Apr 14, 2013, 5:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
Rant: seat selection
So, here I go with my rant.
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
Apr 14, 2013, 9:55 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Programs: Delta Million Miler and Diamond, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 132
So, here I go with my rant.
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
Apr 15, 2013, 4:16 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
There is no published ST benefit for "premium seats". There is one for "preferred seating".
Obviously this does not mean that you can choose Business Class if you have an Economy ticket. Similarly, you cannot expect to fly Premium Economy on AF if you have an Economy ticket.
Same applies to KL's Eco Comfort.
If DL decides to extend benefits to members of other FFPs, they are free to do so, but there is no Skyteam rule or benefit that would call for it.
So the OP's rant is based on a misunderstanding.
Obviously this does not mean that you can choose Business Class if you have an Economy ticket. Similarly, you cannot expect to fly Premium Economy on AF if you have an Economy ticket.
Same applies to KL's Eco Comfort.
If DL decides to extend benefits to members of other FFPs, they are free to do so, but there is no Skyteam rule or benefit that would call for it.
So the OP's rant is based on a misunderstanding.
Apr 15, 2013, 4:17 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
So, here I go with my rant.
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.
Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!
Apr 16, 2013, 5:08 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
I never mentioned Economy+ (Premium Voyageur, Classica Plus) as I know very well these to be different classes of service.
My rant stands there, unsullied. Our published benefit is worth nothing except on DL.
Apr 16, 2013, 12:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PRG
Programs: DL Plat, OK Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 33
Delta only gives away Economy Comfort to STE+ on flights within North America. On international flights only their own platinums and diamonds and Flying Blue Platinums get these seats for free. Delta's higher medallions on the other hand get EC on KLM as a published benefit. No freebies for Elite+ for seats requiring extra charge...
Apr 16, 2013, 10:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
I never mentioned Economy+ (Premium Voyageur, Classica Plus) as I know very well these to be different classes of service.
My rant stands there, unsullied. Our published benefit is worth nothing except on DL.
Apr 19, 2013, 2:59 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
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So, your point is that the benefit we are getting is "we can select a seat", just like anybody else?
I didn't understand fully the concept of "apologist" until today.
So, your point is that the benefit we are getting is "we can select a seat", just like anybody else?
I didn't understand fully the concept of "apologist" until today.
Apr 21, 2013, 11:47 pm
#10
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Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer
Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer
Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Apr 24, 2013, 6:05 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
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Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer
Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Apr 27, 2013, 2:58 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
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That you can sit closer to the front, won't have a middle seat, can choose between window/aisle and it's easier to get your partner seated next to you. 4 reasons.
You must be kidding. That's all true also if you don't hold status.
Originally Posted by cityflyer369
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Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer
Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?
Apr 28, 2013, 12:53 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
You get priority. That's what the "preferred" in preferred seating is about.
But I would agree that this ST benefit has become less and less relevant since more and more airlines now allow you to choose your seat at the time of booking, or via the internet before check-in, or at least via internet check-in. This benefit comes from the pre-internet days and used to be extremely useful. Nowadays it really depends on the airlines's general seat policy whether this makes a big difference. It in any case it is still very useful when you have short-notice bookings or flight changes and hate middle seats, as I do, or suddenly have a tight connection and need a seat in the frot to make your next flight.
But I would agree that this ST benefit has become less and less relevant since more and more airlines now allow you to choose your seat at the time of booking, or via the internet before check-in, or at least via internet check-in. This benefit comes from the pre-internet days and used to be extremely useful. Nowadays it really depends on the airlines's general seat policy whether this makes a big difference. It in any case it is still very useful when you have short-notice bookings or flight changes and hate middle seats, as I do, or suddenly have a tight connection and need a seat in the frot to make your next flight.
Last edited by cityflyer369; Apr 28, 2013 at 12:58 pm
