A recent British Airways flight from London to Berlin was canceled, due to an "airport operations" problem. I was traveling on an Advantage award, and had an "OK" confirmed ticket in economy. There were only about ten seats available for people to get on the NEXT flight, which was the last of the evening. I felt British Airways should have put people on that last flight of the evening, giving the order of PRIORITY to the order that people checked in for the flight. Instead, British Airways gave priority to the First Class passengers. I was outraged. Wasn't my "OK" confirmation in economy just as confirmed as a First Class passenger's confirmed seat? The only FAIR way to determine priority should be order of check in. It should NOT be allocated based on class, fare paid, sob story, etc. I supposed I would give some priority to people traveling with small children, but there were none traveling. British Airways wouldn't provide a hotel room for the night, nor any meals. I believe First Class passengers are entitled to more space, better food, more luggage allowance, but they are NOT there to push economy traveler's aside who ALSO hold "OK" confirmed seats.
Jim