My seat assignment was changed
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 743
My seat assignment was changed
Hi. On NZ8 today I have been in 7B since booking in August (but only becuase my favourite 7A was taken!). Today I get to airport to find I've been moved to 3J (now I know this is a first world problem). Just managed to change to 9A...not as good but better than being stuck foreward trying to leave quickly. I have rarely had luck moving seats around if travelling with wife etc, but I guess this is why I was moved? Is it Xmas thing due to high loads of families? I am grumpy...and not yet left Chc bound for MCO.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 9
bumped by the PM
a couple of weeks ago, I was boarding a morning flight from Auckland to Wellington. As my boarding card was scanned, it set off a buzzing noise and I was pulled aside. Told that my seat had been changed fro 2A to something towards the back of the plane I was not too pleased and expressed mild displeasure. The agent then very quietly explained that John Key was on the flight and wanted my seat. Couldn't really argue with that.... Sure enough, just before leaving the gate the PM along with an aide and a security guard boarded and all sat in row 2.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
Only time I've been moved is when the PM grabbed my seat and for once he wasn't sat in his usual seat 2A. This also prompted me to check the flights I booked for early next year and moved a few from 2A to avoid being bumped out again.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
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Posts: 6,055
#7
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 899
It's not typical of NZ. A lot of carriers say that your seats are confirmed subject to operational requirements.
I had to make a last minute booking last week NYC-FRA in SQ J and the agent said to me that 18K was confirmed subject to operational requirements. I've also had the same with QF/LH/LX/UA/AA/BA/CX/MH/TG etc. etc.
I had to make a last minute booking last week NYC-FRA in SQ J and the agent said to me that 18K was confirmed subject to operational requirements. I've also had the same with QF/LH/LX/UA/AA/BA/CX/MH/TG etc. etc.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ, IHG, Hilton, Accor, Hertz, FoundersCard
Posts: 298
a couple of weeks ago, I was boarding a morning flight from Auckland to Wellington. As my boarding card was scanned, it set off a buzzing noise and I was pulled aside. Told that my seat had been changed fro 2A to something towards the back of the plane I was not too pleased and expressed mild displeasure. The agent then very quietly explained that John Key was on the flight and wanted my seat. Couldn't really argue with that.... Sure enough, just before leaving the gate the PM along with an aide and a security guard boarded and all sat in row 2.
justakiwi
#9
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 672
Quote:
Originally Posted by yowtraveller13
a couple of weeks ago, I was boarding a morning flight from Auckland to Wellington. As my boarding card was scanned, it set off a buzzing noise and I was pulled aside. Told that my seat had been changed fro 2A to something towards the back of the plane I was not too pleased and expressed mild displeasure. The agent then very quietly explained that John Key was on the flight and wanted my seat. Couldn't really argue with that.... Sure enough, just before leaving the gate the PM along with an aide and a security guard boarded and all sat in row 2.
In that case, he should splash out for his own plane; I expect the Madoff family has a Lear Jet or two going cheap. If the London Underground is good enough for our future King, the back of the (Air)bus is good enough for Teflon John A lack of planning on his part shouldn't constitute a crisis on ours...
justakiwi
Originally Posted by yowtraveller13
a couple of weeks ago, I was boarding a morning flight from Auckland to Wellington. As my boarding card was scanned, it set off a buzzing noise and I was pulled aside. Told that my seat had been changed fro 2A to something towards the back of the plane I was not too pleased and expressed mild displeasure. The agent then very quietly explained that John Key was on the flight and wanted my seat. Couldn't really argue with that.... Sure enough, just before leaving the gate the PM along with an aide and a security guard boarded and all sat in row 2.
In that case, he should splash out for his own plane; I expect the Madoff family has a Lear Jet or two going cheap. If the London Underground is good enough for our future King, the back of the (Air)bus is good enough for Teflon John A lack of planning on his part shouldn't constitute a crisis on ours...
justakiwi
I fly between AKL and WLG several times a week and often see him in rows further back (pretty recently in about row 7 or 8).
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Interesting I have not flown NZ to AKL or back for years but it used to be JK and staffer in 2D-F with DPS in 2C and I was kept in 2A with 2B empty.
This happened several times.
I wonder as part of cost cutting they all now sit in a bank of 3.
On the ATR I have seen them in the back 2 rows.
This happened several times.
I wonder as part of cost cutting they all now sit in a bank of 3.
On the ATR I have seen them in the back 2 rows.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 672
To be fair the one I saw him back in row 7 or 8 may have had something to do with the flight beforehand being cancelled
Usually I see him with what I assume to be a staff member travelling in the same row as him, with the DPS person across from them.
Was similar with the last PM, I think.
Usually I see him with what I assume to be a staff member travelling in the same row as him, with the DPS person across from them.
Was similar with the last PM, I think.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 644
If I was the PM I would have thought it would be good to sit with the average Joe. If the polls are correct, there will be a 6 in 10 chance that person will be friendly, if not, it would be a good opportunity to win him/her over to your side. Think of it as all year round campaigning.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
Every so often when the plane is full, there can be a "normal" person sat in the middle seat when the PM gets on. There is normally a seat swap with the DPS person getting the middle seat and the "normal" person taking the aisle seat. I've then often seen them talk.
Similar the flight after the election, lots of people came up to congratulate him on the election win.
When he has got off flights I've seen him pose for photos, talk to people, etc. too.
Similar the flight after the election, lots of people came up to congratulate him on the election win.
When he has got off flights I've seen him pose for photos, talk to people, etc. too.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 672
If I was the PM I would have thought it would be good to sit with the average Joe. If the polls are correct, there will be a 6 in 10 chance that person will be friendly, if not, it would be a good opportunity to win him/her over to your side. Think of it as all year round campaigning.