Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Dec 30, 2020, 4:52 pm
#812
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,334
I happily noticed that all of my wife and my six BOGO flights have PC middle seat blocking. (Along with the 30% off flights in the summer, we were able to stimulate Alaska's economy to the full $1,200, covered by the IRS direct deposit now in the bank listed as a pending ACH for January 4, 2021.)
Dec 30, 2020, 8:45 pm
#813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,721
It will be interesting to see what happens to upgrade success rates after 1/6....this is like the perfect scenario for me since I want a greater upgrade success in the F cabin, but if I don't clear, I want an empty middle in PC.
Dec 30, 2020, 8:49 pm
#814
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Dec 30, 2020, 11:28 pm
#815
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,960
For short flights I’ll just take the empty middle. Might be more space vs sitting next to stranger in F.
Dec 31, 2020, 7:20 am
#816
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
And short flights are often on E175s, which don't appear to have any Premium blocking.
I think I'll take 1st when offered.
Dec 31, 2020, 9:35 am
#817
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,960
The density of people will still be greater in Premium (4 per row, rows closer together) than First (3-4 per row depending on aircraft, rows farther apart).
And short flights are often on E175s, which don't appear to have any Premium blocking.
I think I'll take 1st when offered.
And short flights are often on E175s, which don't appear to have any Premium blocking.
I think I'll take 1st when offered.
Dec 31, 2020, 11:49 am
#818
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,029
The only issue for me has been the premium class upgrade has been almost as expensive as the flight itself lately. Normally I would wait until my upgrade window to grab one for free but that hasn't always been available due to seat blocking. Fortunately my FC upgrade success has been pretty good.
Dec 31, 2020, 3:06 pm
#819
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
But one of the phenomena I've noted during the pandemic (across carriers) is F booking fuller than the extra space Y cabin. This is particularly evident on carriers which are not blocking in F. I expect this is exactly what we'll see on AS flights, with actual passenger density in PC lower than F on many flights.
Dec 31, 2020, 4:00 pm
#820
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Dec 31, 2020, 4:46 pm
#822
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,960
Has alcohol service resumed? I flew to Mexico mid December and economy only had non alcoholic beverages.
Dec 31, 2020, 4:49 pm
#823
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Dec 31, 2020, 6:45 pm
#825
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,250
Cost cannot be an issue. I can buy mini's at any local liquor store for $1.50 for Bacardi Silver. Two or three is all I would drink on a SEA-ANC flight. Three or four cans of the red blend equals one 750 bottle and would cost more than the Bacardi. On the Broken Earth website, their cheapest bottles are $29.00. Just sayin'...