Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Dec 16, 2020, 10:40 pm
#796
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
SEA-SFO this evening, AS put two strangers next to each other in 2A/C. The guy in 2C boarded last, and looked very confused - kept looking down at his BP and at the guy in 2A, then around the cabin with a "this must be a mistake" look on his face. He didn't make a fuss and ultimately just took the seat.
Otherwise a great flight. Super crew. Cookies.
Otherwise a great flight. Super crew. Cookies.
Dec 17, 2020, 11:05 am
#797
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS, HHonors
Posts: 50
Flying in 1A currently, with the rest of my travel group in 3A/C. Asked FA if my girlfriend could join me in 1C to watch a movie and told “No because my jump seat is right there (behind the bulkhead), sorry but it’s company policy that 1C is left empty.”
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
Dec 17, 2020, 11:28 am
#798
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,156
Flying in 1A currently, with the rest of my travel group in 3A/C. Asked FA if my girlfriend could join me in 1C to watch a movie and told “No because my jump seat is right there (behind the bulkhead), sorry but it’s company policy that 1C is left empty.”
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
Dec 17, 2020, 12:01 pm
#799
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: East Coast/West Coast, USA
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 268
Flying in 1A currently, with the rest of my travel group in 3A/C. Asked FA if my girlfriend could join me in 1C to watch a movie and told “No because my jump seat is right there (behind the bulkhead), sorry but it’s company policy that 1C is left empty.”
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
Dec 17, 2020, 12:39 pm
#800
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Flying in 1A currently, with the rest of my travel group in 3A/C. Asked FA if my girlfriend could join me in 1C to watch a movie and told “No because my jump seat is right there (behind the bulkhead), sorry but it’s company policy that 1C is left empty.”
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
I swear I’ve been on multiple flights with a group in 1A/C post covid restrictions... is this really the policy? I wouldn’t mind if she just said she was uncomfortable with someone sitting there...
Dec 17, 2020, 1:07 pm
#801
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,156
Odd! If it is policy it isn’t being enforced for the Airbus.
I’ve been able to: pick 1C at checkout and fly in it, been auto upgraded to it, been manually assigned to it as a gate upgrade.. In total, I’ve had 9 of those flights during seat blocking campaign.
Does AS have a FAQ page for these scenario dependent questions? It would be so helpful for travelers.
I’ve been able to: pick 1C at checkout and fly in it, been auto upgraded to it, been manually assigned to it as a gate upgrade.. In total, I’ve had 9 of those flights during seat blocking campaign.
Does AS have a FAQ page for these scenario dependent questions? It would be so helpful for travelers.
Dec 17, 2020, 1:30 pm
#802
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS, HHonors
Posts: 50
She did bring up that different aircraft have different rules - but this flight was on a 737 with 1D/F blocked for a FA
Oh well I ended up doing work instead of watching a movie - and in 3 weeks that empty seat next to me will be filled by an elite and all of these different rules and variations will go away... I hope...
Oh well I ended up doing work instead of watching a movie - and in 3 weeks that empty seat next to me will be filled by an elite and all of these different rules and variations will go away... I hope...
Dec 17, 2020, 2:56 pm
#803
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Odd! If it is policy it isn’t being enforced for the Airbus.
I’ve been able to: pick 1C at checkout and fly in it, been auto upgraded to it, been manually assigned to it as a gate upgrade.. In total, I’ve had 9 of those flights during seat blocking campaign.
Does AS have a FAQ page for these scenario dependent questions? It would be so helpful for travelers.
I’ve been able to: pick 1C at checkout and fly in it, been auto upgraded to it, been manually assigned to it as a gate upgrade.. In total, I’ve had 9 of those flights during seat blocking campaign.
Does AS have a FAQ page for these scenario dependent questions? It would be so helpful for travelers.
And no, they never even published the revised RJ policy that started on 12/1. I'm looking forward to this all ending in Jan.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:11 pm
#805
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
Well, as previously noted around here, you never really know what you're going to get when it comes to AS and these policies, or lack thereof. I've consistently had 1C blocked on the airbii, and was told it was policy by an FA. Maybe ASFlyer can advise?
And no, they never even published the revised RJ policy that started on 12/1. I'm looking forward to this all ending in Jan.
And no, they never even published the revised RJ policy that started on 12/1. I'm looking forward to this all ending in Jan.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:37 pm
#806
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Hi, as much as I should have known this off the top of my head I wasn't completely sure, to be honest. I did some digging and yes, indeed, it is policy to block 1C on all Airbus aircraft due to proximity to the FWD jumpseat. As for this ending in Jan, I don't know for fact that blocking 1D/1F on Boeing 737-800/900 aircraft and 1C on the Airbus is going to change. I know that middle seat blocking will end, except for in Premium Class but not sure about 1C, D and F... Have not heard about this officially.
And yes, the row 1 FA blocking looks like it goes through end of schedule, at least for now. The ending I'm looking forward to is the passenger policy for mainline that ends after January 6th.
Dec 18, 2020, 12:52 am
#807
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Eastern Shore of Lake Michigan; Formerly SEA
Programs: AS MVPG | oneworld Sapphire
Posts: 581
AS seat blocking is like a box of chocolates[1]. You never know what you're gonna get.
I checked the seat map on the web site after I saw your comment here. In my reservation and search results, it shows my seat occupied, as well as two other seats grayed out in PC in one direction. Everything else X'd out. In the app, still just shows me in my seats and everything else in PC X'd out both directions. Just an IT oddity, I suppose.
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[1] Or cookies to be served in FC.
I checked the seat map on the web site after I saw your comment here. In my reservation and search results, it shows my seat occupied, as well as two other seats grayed out in PC in one direction. Everything else X'd out. In the app, still just shows me in my seats and everything else in PC X'd out both directions. Just an IT oddity, I suppose.
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[1] Or cookies to be served in FC.
Dec 28, 2020, 4:02 pm
#809
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
This is actually pretty brilliant on AS's part. Those who care most about an empty middle can choose PC, and decline upgrades to F. Those who don't mind having a seatmate in F can list for the upgrade, and AS can book the F cabin full. I guess the lingering question is whether AS's IT will be able to make good on Marketing's promise, or whether we'll have regular reports of PC filling three across.
Dec 28, 2020, 6:13 pm
#810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
AS elites need to keep in mind this policy since non-elites are more likely to purchase premium class upgrades now...and I typically use the premium class seat map as a very rough estimate of my upgrade chances...especially since 75Ks can book these seats with virtually any fare at booking.