twitch76

I may have an opportunity to snag a premium class seat at T-48. I’m currently in 7D with an empty 7E. Of the available premium seats, the only non-middle is 16F, which doesn’t recline.

I should decide what I will do before the opportunity presents itself. What would you pick, and why?

(F is full. It’s a non-refitted airbus. The plane looks mostly full, although I have no idea how many people are in saver fares awaiting an assignment.)

windowflyer89

I guess it just depends on what you value more:
1) Extra Legroom + window (16F),
2) Recline (7D)

Personally, I'd pick 16F, but being a window seat flyer, my opinion is biased.

As far as Premium Class goes, it's a bit of a toss-up...Alaska is quickly approaching the 50% mark for A320 interior retrofits. At T-48, there's still a chance that there could be a plane swap. So you could stay in row 7 now and potentially be in PC if there's a plane swap to the AS interior. Or you could move to Premium Class now by taking row 16, but hypothetically lose the premium class if it swaps to the AS interior. However, if the latter should happen, I suppose you'd still have the "legroom" of premium class by being in an exit row, just not the added service that comes with PC.

windowflyer89

Additionally, in my opinion, leg room would probably be more valuable on a cross-country trip than recline. And being in 16F, the ability to lean up against the wall might make up for the lack of recline in the exit row.

bon mot

16F ^

twitch76

Thanks all. I realize it’s mostly a question of personal preference, but was curious what others would do.

I think I’m leaning toward 16F... I never recline anyway. Typically I prefer window, but hate asking people to get up so I can get out on a longer flight.

We’ll see if it’s still available at t-48.

rayfound

I'll always choose 7 to be quicker off the plane.

dayone

If 16E is open, I'd choose 16F.

Flying for Fun

I would happily take 1W.

James

twitch76

That's a good point. When assigning saver seats, are they more likely to fill 7E (elite/refundable) before filling 16E (premium)? Both 7 and 16 had empty middles, but I suppose there might be a greater chance that 16E remains empty.

Of course, all this could be solved if they changed equipment and I was at the top of the upgrade waitlist...

jjmadison

16F for two reasons, above all others:
#1 no one with a crying baby can be seated next to you.
#2 no kicking toddler can be seated behind you.

RAD_PDX

No. After T-24, those seats lose the special designation as elite/refundable.

Waitlisted

In all my years of flying a whole lot I have never considered this. What a fantastic point, and one I will always consider going forward.

CDKing

Watch the seat map closely. I just flew in 16C to BOS with empty middle because of playing the last minute seat switch game. 6 empty seats and all but 2 were in premium. The 2 empty in back were a pair of saver seats from what was likely a no show due to no changes allowed

twitch76

But do the premium seats don’t lose their designation?

Which would mean that 7E is likely to be filled before 16E, right?

RAD_PDX

Correct, but it's been reported that saver passengers have been assigned premium.

I'm not sure about that, I just know that they become open to selection to everyone at T-24.