American Gets Complicated With Seating Rules

American Airlines flight attendants will take on a new job in the coming weeks: cabin traffic cop. With the rollout of new benefits for Main Cabin Extra flyers, cabin crews will have to make sure flyers don’t try to switch seats between the four economy offerings: basic economy, regular economy, Main Cabin Extra and premium economy.

With complimentary adult beverages coming to Main Cabin Extra service, American Airlines is tasking cabin crews with keeping everyone in their ticketed cabin. Chicago Business Journal reports the airline is asking flight attendants to make sure passengers don’t try to move up from their sub-section of economy during a flight.

Starting on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, American will offer select complimentary alcoholic beverages to Main Cabin Extra flyers. This matches the service on Delta Air Lines, who offers alcohol to their Comfort+ passengers.

But because cabins are highly segmented aboard the Dallas-based carrier, flight attendants must pay close attention to who is sitting where – and ultimately prevent them from trying for a free upgrade. American has four levels of economy service: basic economy, economy, Main Cabin Extra and premium economy. Because they look at the four service levels as different products, switching between them is not allowed.

Under the rules, flyers may switch seats at the flight attendant’s discretion, if those seats are available. But flyers can’t move up from basic economy or economy to Main Cabin Extra to get a free beverage. Subsequently, Main Cabin Extra passengers can’t move up to premium economy, which is considered a separate upgrade product between economy and the premium cabin.

Flight attendants will be given tools to ensure all flyers stay in their designated service areas throughout the flight. All cabin crews use tablet computers to track passenger rosters, giving them a clear view of who is in the right seat and who is trying to sneak forward. The same apps also allow them to give flyers extra miles if something goes wrong on their flight, or withhold miles from constant complainers.

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