Best strategy for group of 5 to sit together on 777 SFO->HNL?
May 26, 2017, 11:02 am
#1
Original Poster
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Best strategy for group of 5 to sit together on 777 SFO->HNL?
Hello,
will be flying soon the dreaded 777 Hawaii version SFO HNL.
We are 5 on the same booking and would like to be seated together ( we have also 2 children in group). There are only scattered seats all around the seatmap.
Would it be a good idea to wait until check in in SFO and maybe get the seat assignment there? One of the member is SA Gold. Would that maybe help if there are no regular economy seats available together to get in economy plus? Does it happen with families?
Thanks
will be flying soon the dreaded 777 Hawaii version SFO HNL.
We are 5 on the same booking and would like to be seated together ( we have also 2 children in group). There are only scattered seats all around the seatmap.
Would it be a good idea to wait until check in in SFO and maybe get the seat assignment there? One of the member is SA Gold. Would that maybe help if there are no regular economy seats available together to get in economy plus? Does it happen with families?
Thanks
May 26, 2017, 12:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I think your best bet is to watch the seatmap starting about 24 hours before departure. Silvers will start moving to E+ and this will open up seats in E-. Barring that, a quiet word with the gate agent should at least stop your children from sitting alone.
May 26, 2017, 1:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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Or pay for E+ seating, if there is availability of clustered seats. Star Alliance Gold won't do anything to get you into E+. Only Platinum and higher status on UA will get you more than 1 companion in E+.
May 26, 2017, 1:17 pm
#4
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While I could see a gate agent being willing to shift people around to make sure your children aren't seated alone, I would not bet on them working hard to get all 5 of you seated together. If at this point you can get some pairs together anywhere, then I would go ahead and take those. Or if you absolutely must all 5 sit together, if there is currently availability in E+, pay for it now.
I don't think it would be a good idea to wait until check in to assign any seats.
I don't think it would be a good idea to wait until check in to assign any seats.
May 26, 2017, 1:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: YVR
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I may be mistaken, but depending on how far out you are looking, the seat map may show seats as occupied that they are holding back from reserving. In part, this is to allow a family like yours to find seats together on check-in.
However, I wouldn't count on that, and would call in to see if an agent can do anything in advance.
However, I wouldn't count on that, and would call in to see if an agent can do anything in advance.
May 26, 2017, 1:47 pm
#7
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Do any of your children require a bassinet? I have no experience with this, but you may be able to get a phone agent to assign you to one of the bassinet seats, which are otherwise blocked from pre-check-in assignment.
May 26, 2017, 1:53 pm
#9
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Sounds fishy, but this is a domain I'm unfamiliar with.
May 26, 2017, 2:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
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Call (not use the website) UA NOW, and if need be every several hours.
Seats will always be freeing up. And available seats may not show on the map.
If all fails, get to the gate as early as you can and explain to the GA. They likely will be doing a good bit of last minute seat changes, and it is easier to accomodate you as they do this than wait till pax are boarded.
Seats will always be freeing up. And available seats may not show on the map.
If all fails, get to the gate as early as you can and explain to the GA. They likely will be doing a good bit of last minute seat changes, and it is easier to accomodate you as they do this than wait till pax are boarded.
May 26, 2017, 3:26 pm
#11
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Depends what you mean by "best":
- Most likely to be seated together strategy is to buy E+ if it has seats available together.
- Cheapest strategy is to hassle the GA with your last minute problem.
- Most likely to be seated together strategy is to buy E+ if it has seats available together.
- Cheapest strategy is to hassle the GA with your last minute problem.
May 26, 2017, 3:33 pm
#12
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As a frequent traveler on this route, I can say this with confidence that OP is doomed.
+1 This is the ONLY way you can get all 5 people sitting together.
Not going to happen.
Not going to happen.
