Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Jun 10, 2020, 10:50 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,598
My last two trips this happened multiple times. For the earlier one it then set the "must talk to an agent" flag to even be able to look at it to pick seats. The later one it didn't set the flag, so I was able to check and move seats without calling, but it was an old ticket that was nearing its 1-year expiration date and I ended up getting it extended by a month past one year. They were very nice about it, and then nice about it again when I had to change it yet again so I would arrive back in LA during non-curfew hours.
Jun 11, 2020, 11:58 pm
#93
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Jun 12, 2020, 12:18 am
#94
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,476
I'll be cancelling AS and flying a very lightly booked WN flight tomorrow instead.
Jun 12, 2020, 2:23 am
#95
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Posts: 3,858
Jun 12, 2020, 8:02 am
#96
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Alaska MM, AA MM, BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
When I flew both 5/20 & 5/30 (SEA-SJC-SEA), many of the seats showed as occupied were actually not occupied but blocked. In both cases, we had 50% or less in first. It will be interesting to see what Kacee's experience is. Please report back.
Jun 12, 2020, 8:28 am
#97
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That's certainly a possibility. However, the seats show as occupied rather than blocked on EF, which is usually accurate at displaying the difference. Also, the pattern suggest the seats showing as occupied are in fact occupied, as the three "open" seats included the one next to me; presumably that would show have shown as blocked if AS was actually using blocking to enforce social distancing.
Last edited by Kacee; Jun 12, 2020 at 8:41 am
Jun 12, 2020, 1:47 pm
#98
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Alaska MM, AA MM, BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
My experience with EF and Alaska is the difference changed a year ago or so, both for Horizon and Alaska flights. I may be wrong but I think that EF only shows occupied for AS flights.
Jun 12, 2020, 6:45 pm
#99
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 602
Just checked into my flight. I’m in 1D on an E175 and 1C was showing as unavailable on the seat map.
I check with the agent while checking in and she said nobody was in that seat. She said they’ve been trying to block them. I wonder if they’ve started trying to block some F seats to help with social distancing but that it looks like the seat is occupied. Really hard to tell.
I check with the agent while checking in and she said nobody was in that seat. She said they’ve been trying to block them. I wonder if they’ve started trying to block some F seats to help with social distancing but that it looks like the seat is occupied. Really hard to tell.
Jun 12, 2020, 10:20 pm
#100
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The Far, Far North
Programs: Alaskans fly everywhere on any aircraft going there!
Posts: 1,262
I've just booked a total of 16 flights, all 737, all in F and Aug to Jan time frame....not a single one had 1D or F open but no other seats taken in the F cabin. I took 1A on all but am hoping they will open 1F or let me change at check in or something....very strange.
Jun 12, 2020, 10:21 pm
#101
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
I've just booked a total of 16 flights, all 737, all in F and Aug to Jan time frame....not a single one had 1D or F open but no other seats taken in the F cabin. I took 1A on all but am hoping they will open 1F or let me change at check in or something....very strange.
Jun 13, 2020, 9:54 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Jun 13, 2020, 10:39 am
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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Posts: 10,725
Flying on a Q400 today and see that someone cleared into 1A which I thought was blocked as well as 1B but I guess not anymore. Those are two of my favorite seats on that plane 