Originally Posted by
ChugiakAk
Very funny to called these "preferred" seats since some exit row seats have less padding and the window seats can get pretty cold at times. Row 6 often has you staring at a wall as well along with that tray in the armrest. All of this is well noted on seatguru. Seems like nothing more than another money grab but other carriers are already doing it.
Too bad Alaska doesn't consider a real "economy plus section" vs. changing the name on something that already exists.
window exit seats on 737-400 and 737-700's have thinner seat cushions. They represent 35 of the over 135 aircraft currently in the fleet. And that 35 number will be reduced to about 10 (or less) in three or four years. As that number dwindles, so to do the aircraft that have a "wall" in front of row 6. All other aircraft offer more substantially more leg room in row 6. Further, the window seats in any rowm(on any airplane, on any airline), even those in the coveted First Class cabin, can be colder at times. Yes, row 6, 16 and 17 are "preferred seats" because of their ample leg room as opposed to any other seat in the Coach cabin. Those seem to be the "go to" seats for those MVP Golds that can't score an upgrade so "preferred seating" seems a fairly appropriate name. What I don't get it why any MVP Gold would be irritated by this at all - you'll still get to sit there for free. In fact, you may have a better chance when booking closer to your travel date as others will have to pay to sit there. The airline is monetizing something that travelers value. It's what happens in most businesses.