Air Canada Randomly Changes My Seats
Jun 23, 2018, 3:07 am
#16
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Not just your seat selection.
Jun 23, 2018, 5:36 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: IAH
Posts: 488
Happened to me flying business on Korean more times than I would prefer. It's an air travel thing, not an airline thing.
Jun 23, 2018, 6:58 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
Jun 23, 2018, 7:09 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I got $80 back when my preferred seats disappeared. I requested $40 (actual cost), no idea if the rest was IT, incompetence or intentional, but I figured I deserved it.
Never complained when it’s changed otherwise, even from lie flat to domestic (was a puddle hop otherwise different story).
In most cases, AC won’t even acknowledge it and unfortunately their IT is either unwilling or unable to fix. Because there’s no clear ROI?
Never complained when it’s changed otherwise, even from lie flat to domestic (was a puddle hop otherwise different story).
In most cases, AC won’t even acknowledge it and unfortunately their IT is either unwilling or unable to fix. Because there’s no clear ROI?
Jun 23, 2018, 8:56 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
I had this same experience several times in the last 18 months on transborder flights with a revenue J tx. Got the same “we can’t take seats from person they are assigned to”. When I asked how it was okay to take my seat, met with total silence.
I did what 24L reported above and in all cases the pax who had my seat were kind and gracious about switching. Gate agent stated she was not permitted to ask pax to switch. Who knows if that’s true.
Unclear if you are SE but your tx are international business class, according to original post. When you get to the airport, perhaps request concierge assistance. Good luck with this.
I did what 24L reported above and in all cases the pax who had my seat were kind and gracious about switching. Gate agent stated she was not permitted to ask pax to switch. Who knows if that’s true.
Unclear if you are SE but your tx are international business class, according to original post. When you get to the airport, perhaps request concierge assistance. Good luck with this.
Last edited by Bartolo; Jun 24, 2018 at 8:27 am
Jun 23, 2018, 9:01 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,809
I don't think they can either.
(BTW what is their "new" chief information officer doing these days? Still finding the ways around her office? Added: I just noticed, she has been promoted to Senior VP. )
(BTW what is their "new" chief information officer doing these days? Still finding the ways around her office? Added: I just noticed, she has been promoted to Senior VP. )
Last edited by Stranger; Jun 23, 2018 at 9:10 am
Jun 23, 2018, 9:26 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Diamond, VIA Premier, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 816
It has happened to me as well, twice this past year. Booked in Business Class. No equipment change (confirmed by AC agent and Concierge); no inoperational seat either. They both said it was a system issue.
For one of the 2 occurrence, seat was changed several times (3 or 4) but I was always able to reselect my original seat. I ended up calling the Concierge and she "locked" me in my seat to prevent anymore movement. I was never offered, or asked for, compensation.
It is just very annoying when it happens. Like 24L, I always monitor (and screenshot) everything!
For one of the 2 occurrence, seat was changed several times (3 or 4) but I was always able to reselect my original seat. I ended up calling the Concierge and she "locked" me in my seat to prevent anymore movement. I was never offered, or asked for, compensation.
It is just very annoying when it happens. Like 24L, I always monitor (and screenshot) everything!
Jun 23, 2018, 9:30 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Ooooooh, maybe we need a wiki
Flight #:
Date booked in advance of flight:
Seat confirmed at booking:
When discovered that AC mysteriously took your seat away from you:
Seat AC gave you instead of your original:
Date contacted AC:
Response for AC res agent:
Reason AC gave for it being ok to remove you from a seat you booked, but allow someone else to sit in it:
..
Flight #:
Date booked in advance of flight:
Seat confirmed at booking:
When discovered that AC mysteriously took your seat away from you:
Seat AC gave you instead of your original:
Date contacted AC:
Response for AC res agent:
Reason AC gave for it being ok to remove you from a seat you booked, but allow someone else to sit in it:
..
Jun 23, 2018, 11:06 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Let’s not forget AC cancels your flight off a codeshare, and when you get it back your original seat is gone. UA and AC still don’t agree on which seat I actually have.
I know it happens with all airlines, except it’s only ever happened to me with AC.
I know it happens with all airlines, except it’s only ever happened to me with AC.
Jun 23, 2018, 11:41 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 2,918
Jun 23, 2018, 3:58 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC35K
Posts: 39
I have a feeling it happens when a SE wants the seat and complains about being a multi million mile flyer and wanting a specific seat even although it is already taken. It happened once to me when I was flying to Paris and had my 4K seat given to someone that the crew treated like royalty. I had no idea who the person was. And I don't believe AC's customer service when they say it must be a glitch.
Jun 23, 2018, 4:47 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
I have a feeling it happens when a SE wants the seat and complains about being a multi million mile flyer and wanting a specific seat even although it is already taken. It happened once to me when I was flying to Paris and had my 4K seat given to someone that the crew treated like royalty. I had no idea who the person was. And I don't believe AC's customer service when they say it must be a glitch.
Jun 23, 2018, 7:07 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 3,001
This might help...
and for OP, sorry to break it to you, Air Canada did NOT in any way agree to the seat assignment in any form, and whatever agents have told you is NOT binding either as they have zero power to alter tariff.
https://www.aircanada.com/content/da..._Tariff_en.pdf
Rule 10
C. Seat Allocation
(1) Carrier does not guarantee allocation of any particular space in the aircraft.
While this may NOT be a satisfactory response for you, in the end, your' getting exactly what you paid for... a seat in business class more or less on schedule, and if AC cannot accomplish this you also regretfully accepted compensation in the form of a refund...at least until the Passenger Protection legislation is implemented.
have a good trip, and I long ago accepted the vagaries of AC as it suits my professional and personal purposes...although this year my AC flying is way down, with lot more flying on OW & SKY as frankly J class is pretty much indistinguishable, except on truly excellent carriers such as SQ, CX & TK.
and for OP, sorry to break it to you, Air Canada did NOT in any way agree to the seat assignment in any form, and whatever agents have told you is NOT binding either as they have zero power to alter tariff.
https://www.aircanada.com/content/da..._Tariff_en.pdf
Rule 10
C. Seat Allocation
(1) Carrier does not guarantee allocation of any particular space in the aircraft.
While this may NOT be a satisfactory response for you, in the end, your' getting exactly what you paid for... a seat in business class more or less on schedule, and if AC cannot accomplish this you also regretfully accepted compensation in the form of a refund...at least until the Passenger Protection legislation is implemented.
have a good trip, and I long ago accepted the vagaries of AC as it suits my professional and personal purposes...although this year my AC flying is way down, with lot more flying on OW & SKY as frankly J class is pretty much indistinguishable, except on truly excellent carriers such as SQ, CX & TK.
I dunno, I have flown YYZ-ICN-YYZ on KE 30 - 35 times and I have yet to have any issues with Korean. But I have had the same situation as the OP more than once when flying AC on other routes. So I will respectfully disagree - in my experience it's very much an airline thing.
Jun 23, 2018, 9:43 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Hanlon’s Razor?
Jun 23, 2018, 9:47 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,809
I have a feeling it happens when a SE wants the seat and complains about being a multi million mile flyer and wanting a specific seat even although it is already taken. It happened once to me when I was flying to Paris and had my 4K seat given to someone that the crew treated like royalty. I had no idea who the person was. And I don't believe AC's customer service when they say it must be a glitch.