Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Nov 18, 2020, 1:01 pm
#601
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
This. I have made MVPG75K for 2021, so my only incentive to fly is to visit family members that moved to Denver earlier this year. I have two RT's planned. One next month and one in February. Both in paid F. Seat blocking will protect my December flight. If I do not have the vaccine before the February flight, I will most likely cancel unless AS extends seat blocking. We are (hopefully) so close to getting beyond this that I believe AS would hurt their image and customer care policies if they don't keep the current program in place just a bit longer.
Nov 18, 2020, 1:04 pm
#602
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Response received. Boilerplate, of course, and didn't address my questions at all. I wrote back that their response was unacceptable, and described what had happened (again) on both of my flights in F on the E175 and asked for them to review further and respond again. Disappointing, to say the least.
"In response to our guests concerns, we have begun spacing passengers proactively on our flights, leaving select seats open in the main cabin. Additionally, we are trying to not book every seat in the First-Class cabin. Extra spacing between guests is not guaranteed due to unexpected changes and is subject to the weight and balance restrictions, should a guest feel uncomfortable with the distance between guests on your day of flight please speak with a Customer Service Agent about your options. Your comments have been shared with the Customer Service Manager so we can continue and review our policies and procedures to align with the safety and health concerns of our passengers. I sincerely apologize for your experience. Additional information may be found on our website at:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/ad...-your-wingspan
It is my hope that your future flights with us will reflect the high level of service you have come to expect when traveling with us. We value your patronage and look forward to welcoming you aboard another Alaska flight soon."
"In response to our guests concerns, we have begun spacing passengers proactively on our flights, leaving select seats open in the main cabin. Additionally, we are trying to not book every seat in the First-Class cabin. Extra spacing between guests is not guaranteed due to unexpected changes and is subject to the weight and balance restrictions, should a guest feel uncomfortable with the distance between guests on your day of flight please speak with a Customer Service Agent about your options. Your comments have been shared with the Customer Service Manager so we can continue and review our policies and procedures to align with the safety and health concerns of our passengers. I sincerely apologize for your experience. Additional information may be found on our website at:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/ad...-your-wingspan
It is my hope that your future flights with us will reflect the high level of service you have come to expect when traveling with us. We value your patronage and look forward to welcoming you aboard another Alaska flight soon."
"Your concerns have been forwarded to me for further review and handling. Please be assured that your initial concerns regarding the upgrading of passengers to fill the first-class cabin has been shared with our management team.
In regard to your future flights, as of December 1, 2020, we will no longer be blocking seats on the seat map on our regional flights. We are still limited the total number of guests per flight, so these regional flights won't be full. Our regional flights are usually flown with the Embraer 175 aircraft. On our mainline flights, we are continuing to block middle seats through January 6, 2021. It is my hope that this additional information will be helpful in planning your future travel. To stay up to date with any changes, please visit www.alaskaair.com/nextlevelcare
As a customer service gesture for your recent flight, I am including two Discount Codes. Please reference the appropriate code below at the time of booking. To use your discount, go to alaskaair.com/planbook and enter the Discount Code into the Discount Code field on the right side of the booking form."
Nov 18, 2020, 1:38 pm
#603
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
I wouldn't count on having been vaccinated by Feb, but good to have hope! It will likely take a while for production and distribution to ramp up, with initial priority for seniors/those w/ conditions that leave them vulnerable, health care workers, other essential workers, and then more widespread availability.
Nov 18, 2020, 1:57 pm
#604
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Nov 18, 2020, 2:27 pm
#606
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Nov 18, 2020, 4:09 pm
#607
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 601
Unless they extend the 65% cap in F, I will likely not be flying on AS until I have a vaccine, which I assume to be quite a ways off given I am not in the higher priority brackets. Quite depressing, but I usually travel solo, so I would likely be next to a stranger. I hope they extend the seat blocking/cap.
Nov 18, 2020, 6:22 pm
#608
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
With DL extending blocking into March, we can all decide for ourselves what's more important - seat blocking or upgrades - and choose our carrier accordingly.
Nov 18, 2020, 6:25 pm
#609
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,151
Nov 18, 2020, 8:11 pm
#610
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 601
Feels like if they want to give up on seat blocking they might as well bring back bourbon and hot meals. Pick safety or pick comforts.
Nov 18, 2020, 8:28 pm
#612
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,837
Nov 18, 2020, 9:21 pm
#613
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,956
it's my understanding that middle seat blocking on DL only applies to those planes that have middle seats, no? For instance, on most of their widebody airplanes, the 717 and A220 the layouts have two seats paired together, thus negating the middle seat blocking and leaving you open to be seated next to a stranger. I also thought I understood that they were booking F full? I may be wrong - interested in knowing if that's right or wrong.
Nov 18, 2020, 9:37 pm
#614
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
it's my understanding that middle seat blocking on DL only applies to those planes that have middle seats, no? For instance, on most of their widebody airplanes, the 717 and A220 the layouts have two seats paired together, thus negating the middle seat blocking and leaving you open to be seated next to a stranger. I also thought I understood that they were booking F full? I may be wrong - interested in knowing if that's right or wrong.
F is not booked full, and they block the adjacent seat when assigned by a solo traveler. The only exception are the D1 flights. Here's the full policy:
https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-u...ces#socialdist
Nov 18, 2020, 10:54 pm
#615
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,863
Delta has sort of forced Alaska's hand here, I'd be surprised if AS doesn't extend to 3/30 to match. Regardless, I won't be battling you for your upgrades, so good luck!
Last edited by ANC RED-EYE; Nov 18, 2020 at 11:04 pm