Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Jun 7, 2020, 10:56 am
#76
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
Just changed flight last night. I have 2F. This morning, someone has selected 2D.
Cannot believe someone would choose that over 6 other choices. Other aisle seats available with no window seat taken. Very strange. I guess I will move my seat.
( Like when you go to matinee movie and 6 people are in theatre and someone sits right next to you)
Cannot believe someone would choose that over 6 other choices. Other aisle seats available with no window seat taken. Very strange. I guess I will move my seat.
( Like when you go to matinee movie and 6 people are in theatre and someone sits right next to you)
Jun 7, 2020, 2:28 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 602
So the other person was moved? I hope they can see who was in the seat choice first so the later person moves. I wouldn’t want to change my seat if I had chosen it first.
Jun 7, 2020, 2:58 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
Furthermore I’ve had gate agents make in the fly seat adjustments as well.
Jun 7, 2020, 10:28 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
Flew GEG-SEA on a Q400 today and the gate agent made the announcement that there were too many passengers on the flight to guarantee that everyone would have an empty seat next to them and to let them know if they didn't feel comfortable sitting next to a stranger...I'm wondering if they are still not selling those seats or just blocking them until they are needed at the last minute....I can't see them not selling them for much longer if that is indeed the case.
Jun 7, 2020, 11:26 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,598
I've had this happen a couple times - it sort of looks like the computer isn't very smart when it auto upgrades and will stick you next to another person and then when you get to the gate the agents look at the map and move people around to spread them out. There may be no human in the loop when assigning someone next to you, just a not very bright computer.
Jun 7, 2020, 11:55 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,375
Jun 8, 2020, 12:27 am
#82
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 602
Flew GEG-SEA on a Q400 today and the gate agent made the announcement that there were too many passengers on the flight to guarantee that everyone would have an empty seat next to them and to let them know if they didn't feel comfortable sitting next to a stranger...I'm wondering if they are still not selling those seats or just blocking them until they are needed at the last minute....I can't see them not selling them for much longer if that is indeed the case.
In the end I assume most people will just take the flight, but a bit disappointing to hear from AS.
Jun 8, 2020, 3:54 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
I've had this happen a couple times - it sort of looks like the computer isn't very smart when it auto upgrades and will stick you next to another person and then when you get to the gate the agents look at the map and move people around to spread them out. There may be no human in the loop when assigning someone next to you, just a not very bright computer.
Jun 8, 2020, 4:19 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,598
Are auto upgrade even happening right now or is everything being done at the gate now? It seems like when they do the schedule modifications like they have been doing (month by month), that U space almost disappears for the following month....I found some random U space in July for short flights like PDX-GEG, but in-general, it was gone.
Jun 9, 2020, 12:32 am
#86
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
My last mainline AS flight PHX-SEA on April 3rd, 75K with an MVPG companion, was a W award. It was booked within the 75K window. After completing the purchase, we were immediately upgraded and received an upgrade email before the reservation confirmation arrived. The flight departed with 9/16 in F. We sat together and the other 7 had half an F row to themselves.
James
James
Jun 9, 2020, 10:02 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
I've had this happen a couple times - it sort of looks like the computer isn't very smart when it auto upgrades and will stick you next to another person and then when you get to the gate the agents look at the map and move people around to spread them out. There may be no human in the loop when assigning someone next to you, just a not very bright computer.
I was online when the schedule reduction was happening. Called in and was able to get New flight and seat. No other seats were selected yet for that flight. next morning seat next to me had been assigned. Could very well have been a computer assigning passenger same seat previously chosen. Easier for me to change my seat rather than wait until next month, at gate.
F is now n/a for this flight. Upgrades at gate would be possible as 5 of 12 seats are taken.
Jun 10, 2020, 6:47 pm
#89
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
This language has disappeared. As discussed in another thread, the policy now reads "middle seats are blocked and flights will be capped at 65% capacity to allow for extra space between guests not traveling together".
Last edited by RAD_PDX; Jun 10, 2020 at 10:33 pm