vanillabean

Today’s younger generation, accustomed to a higher degree of keeping personal finances separate and marrying later in life, may not perceive as much friction here. But when you look across the various FT fora, border and airline policies, while adapting to an ever changing world, are unlikely to accept just any interpretation of relations. I imagine you can stretch boundaries only so far.

RAD_PDX

Delta just extended middle seat blocking and a 50% F cap* through January 2021. I'm curious what AS has planned for the holiday travel season.

*1-2 configured RJs will operate at 67% capacity.

Flying for Fun

I recently booked an FJ award for next February. Seat blocking is still in effect on the domestic AS flights. Whether that will stay in effect is unknown but it looks like AS is at least prepared should an extension be forthcoming.

James

PDXPremier

Although I personally enjoy the current seat blocking policy, I can't imagine how sustainable that will be both operationally and financially during the holiday season.

pcoll

It seems passengers prefer to fly airlines who are doing the seat blocking. If they have a choice of airlines for a destination, the airline promoting passenger safety and seat blocking are getting more passengers. Many may choose not fly if this goes away.

kileysmom

If seat blocking is still preferred, there won't be the usual holiday load....people just won't be travelling for recreation nearly as much as years gone by. Fiscally/operationally is another set of questions. Do fares go up to cover the empty seats or do fares go down to attract those who are on the fence for travel or....?

chrisl137

My extended family has already agreed not to do our usual travel where everybody meets back "home". I imagine many others are doing the same and xmas travel demand will be a lot lighter anyway, independent of seat blocking.

AS Flyer

This is already going away. Airlines are still offering to "mostly" block seats - with exceptions. Including now, Delta. They will now allow families to book together and will book First Class full when able to. They're making a slow progression to selling all their seats and, frankly, unless people are willing to pony up a lot more money, I don't think people have a right to expect seat blocking to continue in the long term. Right now, we're looking at this being an option through the end of the year on most airlines I think. My guess is, after the first of the year, all seats become available for sale. It's not difficult now, when flights are averaging load factors of 40-50% full but that's not sustainable at all if people want a robust air travel network.

chrisl137

I bet we will see a lot more promotions for people to buy an extra seat, or the "buy the middle" deals so that you can get a whole row for two people for not as much as a full second seat. It might help get more people onto planes as they relax the airline enforced distancing.

Bellerina

Do we know when/if AS is booking F full? I have a flight in September and I’m trying to decide if I need to change to an E175 so I can have the solo seat, book the seat next to me, or reconsider flying/driving?

anteater

Ive been on 25+ flights since mid March and while the first couple of weeks were nearly empty, most of my flights have gone out at 70% or higher FC full.

Bellerina

Were most of this because people were flying together?

I’ve had 3 RT flights and all of the flights FC only had people flying together seated next to each other (except for one possible exception). They didn’t fill with elite even though there were more people on the list. Only filled to 1 for every 2 F seats. Last flight was early July.

AS Flyer seems to imply this is or will be changing soon.

PDXPremier

Actually, one of the reasons I've avoided traveling (even to see family) during Thanksgiving and to a lesser extent, Christmas was due to the higher prices (both $ and miles) for holiday travel, but this year there was actually saver award space during the weekend after Thanksgiving (unheard of) and around Christmas so my family is actually traveling more than usual....next year when the Thanksgiving prices are most likely back to "normal", we'll stay close to home

pcoll

For this reason, I have changed two of our trips to E175's. One is September and one is October. Equipment change could put a wrench in this plan.
Our last F flight, it was 100% full. 16/16 This was July 1.

anteater

Most of the situations where FC went out greater than 50% were gate upgrades, nearly all single seat upgrades, or people displaced from a cancelled light load AS flight and were told to take the next flight or wait for an emptier one; and people didn’t know each other.