Originally Posted by
aviatorzz
Unfortunately the ADA states that the bulkhead has to be available for persons with a service animal or fused limbs and thats it.
Bulkhead does become available within T24 prior to the flight. At that point, I would suggest a quick phone call to reservations to snag those seats and if they aren't able to do that request to speak to a CRO. Mind you, even if they are able to get you into a bulkhead seat, you can still be removed to accommodate the two cases I mentioned above.
All of this is true IN THEORY, none of this is true IN PRACTICE on DL.
There was a thread about this a few weeks ago and I got into an argument with a couple of people. I'm not going to bother posting opinions again, but here are the facts that I and countless others have experienced many times:
1. If you try to reserve a bulkhead in advance, you will be told only people with severe physical disabilities (fused limbs and the like) can reserve them in advance. Sometimes you'll be told they will open T-24, sometimes you'll be told that you can request them at check-in, sometimes you'll be told they are under gate control.
2. Despite #1, there are times when you will see bulkhead seats reserved in advance and/or at T-24, but you won't be able to do so and nobody on the phone will be able to do it for you. When you board, the pax sitting there will have no obvious severe physical disabilities of the type for which the bulkheads are supposedly "reserved."
3. Some say that they allow elites priority opportunity to sit in bulkheads, but if you try to reserve bulkhead seats at T-24, you will usually be told no, even if you are elite. PM has never been enough for me to get it done, anyway.
4. You will notice the bulkhead seats steadily disappearing, but still won't be able to snag one for yourself. Almost 100% of the time the bulkhead pax are able-bodied people.
5. At check-in/gate the bulkheads will be gone, you will get frustrated/angry and explain what happened to you, and #1 above will be repeated to you even though it is obviously untrue.
All of the above is ridiculous, but if you insist on trying for a bulkhead, chances are it WILL happen and you will be SOL.
So OP, what do you do? If you are a medallion, take an exit row seat as they always have extra leg room. (Or at check-in if no bulkheads are available, ask for an exit row for the same reason.) If you aren't elite and can't book an exit row in advance, pay for Economy Comfort which also has extra leg room. It is available on all international flights and is steadily being added to domestic flights.
Good luck and report back on what happens.