MikeyZBT

First time flying Alaska Airlines here... so, sorry for the possibly silly question, but I was just checking our seat assignments for next weekend (9/11 and 9/13 are the flight dates) and instead of showing the seat map, it stated:

"The seats for this flight will be assigned at the airport. Please continue with transaction."

What does that mean? The itinerary still shows us having assigned seats and they are the same seats we selected before, but I am just curious if this means anything "important".

Thanks!!

beckoa

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Probably the flight is very full... Nothing that exciting

Also it could be the non elite seats are all taken, as the front of the A/C is typically reserved for elite members and those on a full fare (Y)

MikeyZBT

Thanks... but does Alaska typically do that? They won't just show a full seatmap? I'm used to at least seeing a seatmap regardless of "full-ness".

beckoa

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Just further updated my last post...

MikeyZBT

But shouldn't AlaskaAirlines still show the seatmap as full without seats empty intead of just using that cryptic message that I have to get seats at the airport?

eponymous_coward

I've seen that- that flight, I did NOT end up with an assigned seat (a seat wasn't available when I bought the ticket). Instead, I was in 30F. :\

brarrr

something is screwy as i currently have the same problem and have had an assigned seat/am an elite.

Bay Area Blue

I am assuming that you both saw this message after you clicked the "Change Seats" link correct? If the message is showing and you have seats asssigned, then there is no need to worry. All it is telling you is that there are no seats to currently choose from and if you would like to inquire about changing seats, you will need to see the agent at the airport. There are seats in certain places that are open for anyone to book. Then there are seats that will show up additionally if you are an MVP or Gold. And then there are other seats that only the gates agents and reservations can assign and you cannot book them online. These seats are held so that the airport or res. can deal with situations that arise at the airport (families with kids seperated, special assistance customers, Unaccompanied Minors, etc.).

Of course there is always the other explination that all seats are taken and you need to see the agent. The flight could be full or could be oversold. You will find out if it is oversold when you check in and it asks you if you would like to volunteer your seat.

MikeyZBT

Ok, good. We have seat assignments, so I am not worried. Thanks!

brarrr

ya ya... however i have never seen this happen before when all seats are supposedly taken.. (and a new dummy res shows selectable seats)... so this is different behavior for the same situation.. i have printed out boarding passes with my assigned seats, so i'm not worried, it's just weird.

CDKing

Interesting. I just checked my flight for Monday PDX-BOS. Its not available on the website. When i check expertflyer it shows 0'd out. when i check the seat map it shows 11 preferred seats are left. I better not forget my upgrade cupons

maokh

no seat assignment + no seat map = you are one of the 'unlucky' few who bought the oversold seats last minute, or close to it (you'd probably notice because a full Y is freaking expensive). This will also happen to people who check in late.

Some flights can be weight restricted due to weather, cargo, or other operational reasons, so you can have situations where not every seat is full, but technically the flight is full. If these get cut close, no seat assignments are made. (had this happen to me a few weeks ago actually).

I guess to confirm, I have seen big differences in the seatmap with elite vs. not elite on a somewhat full flight.

MikeyZBT

I do have seat assignments on both flights... I just like seeing the seatmap to see if better seats open up.

COpltASgldPHX

So you'd like to see a seat map with nothing available as opposed to a generic message that, to most, means all pre-assignable seats are gone? I agree that the verbiage of the message is a bit obscure but, really Mikey, you're an experienced traveler. Figure it out.

highball

Bringing back an old thread. Just bought flights from Seattle to Kona, HI for a vacation on the non-stop. Dec6-11. During booking, I got the same message to see the agent at the gate, etc. A flex booking shows wide open front-of-cabin, I am guessing that as long as a bunch of elite flyers dont buy into this flight that I'll be able to get those seats at 24hr check-in. Any reason to believe this isn't the case?