I really wish AS would notify you when they change your seat
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
I really wish AS would notify you when they change your seat
Booked an AS flight a long time ago; selected seats in Row 14. Apparently, sometime between a long time ago and now (T-48), they changed equipment and row 14 disappeared.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,644
Booked an AS flight a long time ago; selected seats in Row 14. Apparently, sometime between a long time ago and now (T-48), they changed equipment and row 14 disappeared.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
I would say what really needs to change is the reshuffling of seat assignments needs to stop. Lots of reports of this here at present.
CheckMyTrip might be capable of seat monitoring. I know that ExpertFlyer is (basically you set a seat alert for your own seat so that you know if you're removed from it) but it requires the paid subscription if you are watching multiple flights...or paying $.99/flight. For a 6 hour flight, that isn't a terrible price to pay -- though should be completely unnecessary if AS had their IT house in better order.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
Booked an AS flight a long time ago; selected seats in Row 14. Apparently, sometime between a long time ago and now (T-48), they changed equipment and row 14 disappeared.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
They kindly put me, wife and baby in Row 29. At this point, T-48, there's nothing good left... just a bunch of middles.
Gripe over, and no big deal on the equipment change, but I really wish they'd email you when they change your seat for you so you could go select a new one.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
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1. I don't think the argument that no one else does it is a good one. AS should strive to be better than "other airlines".
2. Other airlines do do this. I just dug the email below out of my archives. Granted, this was for a flight the same day, and I don't recall if UA sends a notification if things change earlier (I might look for further messages later), but clearly the technology exists and emails are cheap.
2. Other airlines do do this. I just dug the email below out of my archives. Granted, this was for a flight the same day, and I don't recall if UA sends a notification if things change earlier (I might look for further messages later), but clearly the technology exists and emails are cheap.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
I also think they could do a better job picking seats, esp for elites. E.g. if they switch your plane for one with PE and your row disappears ( as seems to have happened here ), maybe put you in PE as a courtesy. UA did that for me once or twice when I was silver.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Providence RI
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Posts: 988
This should be something they do because its easy and they are the best.
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
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2. Other airlines do do this. I just dug the email below out of my archives. Granted, this was for a flight the same day, and I don't recall if UA sends a notification if things change earlier (I might look for further messages later), but clearly the technology exists and emails are cheap.
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
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Yes, I was positively surprised. I don't know when they started doing this as I haven't had that many UA flights in recent years, and no involuntary seat changes that I recall.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
AS with a common fleet of 737 can easily do a better job here until A319 and A320 becomes part of the mix.
To avoiding seat changes, AS should simply not allow seat assignments in rows that are not available in other configuration or aircraft type. Those uncommon special rows should only be populated by gate agent or during check-in. (First class excepted) Many airlines already do this. Some airlines, like united, will only provide seat assignments to specific rows behind economy plus and ahead of exit row only within 48-72 hours.
Jiburi
To avoiding seat changes, AS should simply not allow seat assignments in rows that are not available in other configuration or aircraft type. Those uncommon special rows should only be populated by gate agent or during check-in. (First class excepted) Many airlines already do this. Some airlines, like united, will only provide seat assignments to specific rows behind economy plus and ahead of exit row only within 48-72 hours.
Jiburi
#10
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS Million Miler since 2011, Lifetime MVPG
Posts: 853
They moved me to a different seat in the SAME row (opposite side and aisle rather than window) without any explanation or notification. I take that flight in a week and I can't wait to see who got my seat. If I have the guts I'll ask how he/she did it.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, FB Silver (former UA 1K)
Posts: 161
Some months ago, I booked same-row aisle seats for myself and a buddy. I just checked and we have been moved to a window and middle. No equipment change. No notice. No aisle seats now available. Not a long flight (YAK-JNU-SEA), but still annoying.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
I got burned by this yesterday. When I booked my flight 6 weeks ago I chose 17C. The flight was on a 737-800 and sold out for the last couple of weeks, presumably oversold (as all my AS664 SEA-DFWs have been the past few weeks).
Well, day before flight and it swaps to a 737-700! I go to check in and see I was moved to 15A (window, 31", no recline)! Almost every other seat is taken.
Why in the world would they kick me out of 17C when the same seat number exists on the new aircraft?! Of course I call in about it, profuse apology, miles given, told to check at the gate...
I have a B fare, #1 on the upgrade list but F has been sold out for weeks. I shall pray... EF seat alerts in effect for Y
Can someone at Alaska's IT look into the seat re-assignment logic?
@missydarlin
I also don't see any place in my profile for seat preference? e.g. window/aisle?
Well, day before flight and it swaps to a 737-700! I go to check in and see I was moved to 15A (window, 31", no recline)! Almost every other seat is taken.
Why in the world would they kick me out of 17C when the same seat number exists on the new aircraft?! Of course I call in about it, profuse apology, miles given, told to check at the gate...
I have a B fare, #1 on the upgrade list but F has been sold out for weeks. I shall pray... EF seat alerts in effect for Y
Can someone at Alaska's IT look into the seat re-assignment logic?
@missydarlin
I also don't see any place in my profile for seat preference? e.g. window/aisle?
#13
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
This type of thing is one reason I check our reservations online every Sunday. That way I can often catch changed seat assignments, cancelled flights, etc., comparatively soon after they happen and can look for good alternatives. I wouldn't disagree with anyone who says we shouldn't have to do this. It's just my solution to the issue.
edited to add: this was a general response, not directed at situations like dmodemd's where an equipment swap is done the day before.
edited to add: this was a general response, not directed at situations like dmodemd's where an equipment swap is done the day before.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893