Updated "second seat" policy
Nov 13, 2007, 9:59 pm
#1
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Updated "second seat" policy
If it don't fit, you must acquit!
Well, actually, if all your flights go out not completely full, you'll get the second seat $ back effective 1/1/08.
Please let not this deteriorate into a "too fat to fly" or whether buying a 2d seat should be required argument.
Well, actually, if all your flights go out not completely full, you'll get the second seat $ back effective 1/1/08.
Please let not this deteriorate into a "too fat to fly" or whether buying a 2d seat should be required argument.
Nov 14, 2007, 3:48 am
#2
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I saw this question in the FAQ and thought it appropriate for here:
Too bad they don't go towards MVP/G status. Otherwise, I was going to suggest that enterprising mileage runners could get all their necessary EQMs in half the butt-in-seat(s) mileage...
Do I earn frequent flyer miles for the second seat?
If you are not eligible for a refund and you are an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can receive bonus miles for the second seat. The bonus miles are equivalent to the mileage you received for each eligible flown segment. Once you have completed travel, you may contact Customer Care at 1-800-654-5669 to request miles.
These miles do not go towards MVP/Gold status.
If you are not eligible for a refund and you are an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can receive bonus miles for the second seat. The bonus miles are equivalent to the mileage you received for each eligible flown segment. Once you have completed travel, you may contact Customer Care at 1-800-654-5669 to request miles.
These miles do not go towards MVP/Gold status.
Nov 14, 2007, 12:37 pm
#4
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Kudos to Alaska for addressing the issue, but doing it in a sensitive manner and for the forethought with the FAQ's.
They did however have a typo... the paragraph reads:
Missy: do I get MP miles for discovering that?
They did however have a typo... the paragraph reads:
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air purchase of an additional seat for any customer who cannot comfortably fit within one seat with the armrests in a down position. Alaska Airlines and/or Horizon Air cannot guarantee travel on a given flight unless a second seat is purchased in advance.
I think they're missing the word "require" in there...Missy: do I get MP miles for discovering that?
Last edited by itsaboutthejourney; Nov 14, 2007 at 12:38 pm Reason: note to missy
Nov 14, 2007, 4:08 pm
#6
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Nov 14, 2007, 4:41 pm
#8
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(and they were taking orders front to back).
Nov 15, 2007, 11:39 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
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^ I usually try to buy an F seat to avoid the whole problem, but I'm thrilled to see that there's now a sensible and easy way to do this where it's not possible, such as on Horizon flights. Also, great to see all this specific information spelled out -- my experience trying to get phone agents to understand what I'm asking has been very poor in the past. Now all they need to do is make the second seat easy to book online, and I really won't have any complaints. (Other than waiting until we're rolling down the runway to get my seatbelt extension, but I've been thinking about buying my own anyway.)
Nov 16, 2007, 12:52 am
#11
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Nov 16, 2007, 8:34 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Baggage Options
I wonder if on some flights, this might be reason enough to buy that second seat:
"The number of seats purchased determines baggage allowance. Passengers purchasing two seats are allowed four pieces of checked baggage each. Additional checked bags, or bags over 50 lb. weights or acceptable size dimension will incur a fee, as usual."
"The number of seats purchased determines baggage allowance. Passengers purchasing two seats are allowed four pieces of checked baggage each. Additional checked bags, or bags over 50 lb. weights or acceptable size dimension will incur a fee, as usual."
Nov 16, 2007, 9:44 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Posts: 315
IIRC the FAA does require that the seatbelt extension used be the one provided by the individual airline. I believe that the ones purchased elsewhere are not allowed for use since the airline would have no proof that they are certified for a specific aircraft... plus it would technically be something being 'added' to the aircraft.
If you need an extension simply ask a FA who is in the area where you are seated (it does no good to ask the A FA who is in the FC galley when your seat is, oh say... 27C)... but if no extension has been provided by the time the boarding flow has subsided, definitely ring your call light or remind the nearest FA of your request as you are required to be buckled up when we close up and prior to pushback... if you have no extention, then one isn't buckled up! Sometimes we deal with some very hectic boardings, separated families, spilt lattes, seat dups, sick kids, steamer trunks, etc, and a seatbelt extension request made very early could slip the mind.
If you need an extension simply ask a FA who is in the area where you are seated (it does no good to ask the A FA who is in the FC galley when your seat is, oh say... 27C)... but if no extension has been provided by the time the boarding flow has subsided, definitely ring your call light or remind the nearest FA of your request as you are required to be buckled up when we close up and prior to pushback... if you have no extention, then one isn't buckled up! Sometimes we deal with some very hectic boardings, separated families, spilt lattes, seat dups, sick kids, steamer trunks, etc, and a seatbelt extension request made very early could slip the mind.
Nov 16, 2007, 10:18 am
#14
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IIRC the FAA does require that the seatbelt extension used be the one provided by the individual airline.
It's not always that bad, but I've often wondered why the whole process isn't more streamlined. We're only getting fatter as a country, and pretending that there isn't a need for seat belt extensions is silly. Why not just hand them to people as they board if they ask for them? Surely that would be easier than hunting down the whole length of the plane for them, or waiting until after the seat belt demo (and seriously, if the only seat belt extension on board is the one for the seat belt demo -- that's just scary.)
Here's another thought -- maybe we could indicate the need for the extension by checking a box somewhere when we buy our ticket? I'd love to just find the extension waiting at my seat. I'm dreaming, I know ...
Nov 16, 2007, 12:02 pm
#15
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^ I usually try to buy an F seat to avoid the whole problem, but I'm thrilled to see that there's now a sensible and easy way to do this where it's not possible, such as on Horizon flights. Also, great to see all this specific information spelled out -- my experience trying to get phone agents to understand what I'm asking has been very poor in the past. Now all they need to do is make the second seat easy to book online, and I really won't have any complaints. (Other than waiting until we're rolling down the runway to get my seatbelt extension, but I've been thinking about buying my own anyway.)
However, you would end up paying up to $7 per segment more in taxes than you would over the phone, because XF and AY tax does not apply to a comfort seat. If the ticket gets refunded, it doesn't matter anyway, but you kinda have to weigh the benefits of paying more, against having to wait for an agent, then wait for them to manually price the ticket without those taxes.
You would still have to call in for the seat belt extension, unless you really did buy your own.