Originally Posted by QRC3288

Was checking in today at hkg flying on CX on a regional A330 flight (exact plane was 33G). Originally seated in C and asked MPC to block A, aka two seats together in the 2-4-2 config. Got to airport, A is occupied. No big deal, I'm used to the lame CX seat blocking on semi-full flights (flight is 85pct full in Y). But here's where something strange happened:

I asked if there were two seats together anywhere in the back. I was told there were a few pairs of seats together. I requested to go into one, and block the other. Up into this point, things are "normal". It's pretty common for there to be a few seats together down back. But, here's where it got weird: My request for seat block was denied - staff at F check in at hkg said the new system didn't allow it! It didn't seem like they were doing it to be rude or enforcing a rule on me, instead they genuinely said this new system didn't allow them to do it. As an aside, we had a good conversation and they also told me that staff ID tickets wouldn't be allowed to sit in any window or aisle seats on my flight either! To prove it to me, she shows me how she can see two seats in row 70 something - seats A and C - are both available to me (a DM on a V fare ticket) to select. However, when she tries to select her staff a friend on ID ticket on the same flight, those seats are unavailable. She told me this phenomenon had to do with "customer ranking". That got me thinking, wow if the system selectively refuses to allow certain seats for certain "low ranking" pax, then possibly is it not allowing me a seat block for a similar reason?

I am on a V fare ticket, unaure if seat block doesn't work for me because I'm on a not-too-expensive Y ticket, the new system doesn't allow it, or the staff doesn't know how to use it?

I was a huge fan of seat blocks. I use them all the time on regional flights in Y and if they are gone that's a huge loss IMO. Having a reasonable shot of a CX seat block is one of the main reasons I buy (and almost always pay more for) CX tickets regionally. I reckon to say seat block is the biggest benefit I get as a DM flying regionally in Y class. Why? I don't use the Wing F all the time, the CX J lounges are superb (which I'd have access to flying on a competitor), and when I fly regionally I normally fly Y class. I also don't check bags. Seat block was a great benefit. If this is really gone, I will happily fly SQ down to SIN and JL or ANA over to Japan. I'd stick with KA regardless because the mainland airlines don't hold a handle, but to places like Japan, Taiwan, Singapore or Korea I will most certainly switch business if I can't get a block. I fly so many CX long-haul flights a year anyway that my regional flying doesn't move the needle as a % of my total flights, and I easily qualify for DM without them.

Following up after the fact, this flight ended up being ~80% full in economy, and virtually empty in PEY and J class. It wasn't like the plane was bursting at the seams.