Originally Posted by Lkaroo

There is a new policy in place as of 15 June. From personal experience, I flew in Y a few days ago and had booked an exit row seat. I was bemused when a cabin crew shook me awake when I was having a nap:

"Sir, is this your seat?"
"Yes, it's my seat."
"Do you know these seats are reserved?"
"Yes, I reserved it."
"I need to see your boarding pass."
"Err.. ok" Shows boarding pass.
She looks at it, then looks embarrassed, then walks off and avoids eye contact with me for the rest of the flight. Given that both the CSV and Purser had come to say hi, and she could easily have checked on her tablet, I was fairly p*ssed off given I was asleep...

EK crew received a formal update yesterday. Extracts copied below. There were over 100 replies by the crew on their portal which could generously be described as less than favourable.

"Since August 2017, extra legroom exit seats in Economy Class have been chargeable online until 6hrs before departure. From 15 June 2019, customers can pay on board for an extra legroom seat in Economy Class. "

"If a customer sits in one of these vacant extra legroom seats crew are to inform the customer that he/she is welcome to remain seated there once they pay the applicable fare. The Purser or Cabin Supervisor to complete the payment process. "

"Finally, the customer pays the full amount even if he/she moves mid-flight. "

"1. Why was this change made? Customers who had paid on line for their extra legroom seat felt it was not fair that other customer could move and sit in those seats without paying. With this change the aim is to reduce the volume of complaints and increase revenue from seat selection. "