Is AS continuing to block middle seats in premium coach thru 5/31/2021? (Yes)
Feb 28, 2021, 5:12 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,299
Edit: 1C, obviously, I've only had 1D on OO.
Last edited by NoLaGent; Feb 28, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Feb 28, 2021, 5:34 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Two non-rev pax were upgraded into 2A & 3A. There were 5 in the back for a flight load of 9.
I do see that a flight I am on tomorrow shows 1C as available but when you book through it shows that it is occupied; X over a white background, not blocked as it did before with the X over a light grey background.
While 1C continues to be blocked on the A321, it is now showing similarly.
James
Feb 28, 2021, 5:45 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,151
I believe it’s a “soft” block, where it should be blocked until the gate control where they can and do upgrade into 1D.
When exercising a SDC, I have been placed into it prior to gate control as well.
I suppose the bottom line is prior to departure, 1D can and should be filled by an eligible PAX.
When exercising a SDC, I have been placed into it prior to gate control as well.
I suppose the bottom line is prior to departure, 1D can and should be filled by an eligible PAX.
Feb 28, 2021, 6:45 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Feb 28, 2021, 9:23 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
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I feel bad for anyone that didn't clear the upgrade list....lol. PVR is one of my favorite places and I wondered how things are going since the new testing requirements took affect....I know I had to cancel one trip and don't plan to return until I can enter the US without a COVID test....it's more of a long weekend type destination for me and the testing requirement is a deal-breaker. Based on these flight loads, it sounds like I'm not alone.
Feb 28, 2021, 10:03 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I feel bad for anyone that didn't clear the upgrade list....lol. PVR is one of my favorite places and I wondered how things are going since the new testing requirements took affect....I know I had to cancel one trip and don't plan to return until I can enter the US without a COVID test....it's more of a long weekend type destination for me and the testing requirement is a deal-breaker. Based on these flight loads, it sounds like I'm not alone.
James
Apr 9, 2021, 3:48 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
I think we all expect it to end on 5/31. Alaska is the last US carrier to offer any type of seat blocking and with increased summer travel on the horizon, it likely won't be feasible to block middle seats beyond then. By June 1st, the desire to have a blocked middle seat will be almost exclusively due to comfort preferences, not "safety". If comfort is what you are after, I recommend purchasing a first class ticket or a "comfort seat".
May 19, 2021, 9:11 am
#55
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
No blocking of middle seats in premium?
Today’s flight 206 Sea to pvr has 11 people awaiting seats. There are 14 seats open, 8 of which are middle seats in premium class. The only way this flight is not oversold is if they fill all those premium seats. The agent in the lounge tells me a) there are 14 seats for sale b) middle seats in premium open until 5/31. I’m in an exit row today but would be mad if I paid a premium to get an empty middle seat in premium. Is middle seat blocking just a goal and not a promise?
May 19, 2021, 9:28 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
From AS:
Open middle seats are not guaranteed. Certain occasions, such as aircraft changes or reaccommodating guests from a previously canceled flight, may require guests to be seated next to someone not in their party. If you're uncomfortable with the distance between you and others on your date of travel, please speak with a customer service agent about your options. On aircraft that do not have middle seats, the Premium Class section will not have additional seats left open. Guests traveling in parties of 3 can select Premium Class seats in the same row by contacting reservations. On the date of travel, guests traveling in parties of 3 or more may be asked to sit together without leaving middle seats open, in order to minimize the need for guests to be seated next to others not in their party.
Here is the thread on this: Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
Open middle seats are not guaranteed. Certain occasions, such as aircraft changes or reaccommodating guests from a previously canceled flight, may require guests to be seated next to someone not in their party. If you're uncomfortable with the distance between you and others on your date of travel, please speak with a customer service agent about your options. On aircraft that do not have middle seats, the Premium Class section will not have additional seats left open. Guests traveling in parties of 3 can select Premium Class seats in the same row by contacting reservations. On the date of travel, guests traveling in parties of 3 or more may be asked to sit together without leaving middle seats open, in order to minimize the need for guests to be seated next to others not in their party.
Here is the thread on this: Social Distance Seat Blocking (Through 1/6/2021)
May 20, 2021, 12:48 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
Not in premium class, but they put a guy in a middle seat next to me yesterday. They requested he give up his aisle seat so that a family who booked saver tickets could sit together, and offered him nothing for his 4 hour sacrifice, not even a free drink. He was really nice and agreed to give up his aisle seat but I would have been annoyed extremely annoyed by that request.
May 20, 2021, 12:52 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Not in premium class, but they put a guy in a middle seat next to me yesterday. They requested he give up his aisle seat so that a family who booked saver tickets could sit together, and offered him nothing for his 4 hour sacrifice, not even a free drink. He was really nice and agreed to give up his aisle seat but I would have been annoyed extremely annoyed by that request.
May 20, 2021, 3:47 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,956
Today’s flight 206 Sea to pvr has 11 people awaiting seats. There are 14 seats open, 8 of which are middle seats in premium class. The only way this flight is not oversold is if they fill all those premium seats. The agent in the lounge tells me a) there are 14 seats for sale b) middle seats in premium open until 5/31. I’m in an exit row today but would be mad if I paid a premium to get an empty middle seat in premium. Is middle seat blocking just a goal and not a promise?
May 22, 2021, 11:46 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
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FWIW, it looks like 1A is being unblocked on the Q400 flights starting in June while 1B remains blocked....likely the only remaining blocked seat as of June 1st on QX/AS aircraft.