Aug 8, 2016, 12:26 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Seat issues are not uncommon between finding, holding, booking and during the interim between booking and flying. There may be various reasons this can happen.
Seat held, changed or gone at booking: One member theorizes a held seat may be taken by a positive purchase by another passenger. But it could be due to another factor listed below.
Disability designated seat: Some seats are assigned preferentially to people with disabilities, and their companions, under the Air Carrier Access Act. Even some non-disability seats may be required for a person with a disability in some conditions.
"American blocks a limited number of seats on each aircraft to accommodate customers who identify themselves as having a qualified disability. Adjacent seats are provided, under certain circumstances, for customers with disabilities who must travel with a companion for assistance."
Flight nearly full: Once a flight has reached certain capacity guidelines, no further seats will be assigned. This leaves airport staff room to deal with the needs of persons with disabilities, no shows, delayed connections, etc.
Boarding pass scan fail: Sometimes a boarding pass scan fails (listen for the "Beep!") and your seat may register as no show, so another, later Passenger or standby gets your seat too.
Equipment change: AA Information Technology's very inefficient at these. You may have selected a Main Cabin Extra as an elite, yet a change from one aircraft subtype with differently numbered seat rows to another and you may find yourself moved from your carefully selected MCE aisle seat to a middle seat in one of the last rows. Aircraft substitutions from one type to another (77W to 772 or v. v.) or even "downgauging" (767 to 757) may occur - this will generally result in unanticipated seat changes.
Equipment malfunction: A seat may not be available on a specific flight because it was reported as malfunctioning and has not been repaired yet.
Crew rest seat: Some seats are contractually required to be set aside for resting crew, on flights of specific lengths.
Federal Air Marshal ("FAM"): FAMs are generally accommodated in the highest class of service in seats that are often popular with passengers. These accommodations may occur at any time, and by law AA must both comply and not reveal to passengers the reason for their seat loss or change. That's correct: AA is prohibited by law from telling you your seat was given to a FAM, so you will only hear implausible and made up reasons of how you lost your seat.
Other: AA might be required to seat a passenger with a small child together, displacing another passenger. There may be other reasons as well.
It is suggested you regularly check your itineraries to deal with route and flight changes (often unannounced) and seat changes (always unannounced).
Link to thread detailing use of Twitter for contact with AA (some have used for seat loss remediation)
Seat assignments Link
- We make every effort to ensure you get your chosen seat, but seat assignments are not guaranteed.
- We reserve the right to change seats for operational, safety or security reasons.
- You must check in at least 30 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before departure or you may lose your seat.
Disability designated seat: Some seats are assigned preferentially to people with disabilities, and their companions, under the Air Carrier Access Act. Even some non-disability seats may be required for a person with a disability in some conditions.
"American blocks a limited number of seats on each aircraft to accommodate customers who identify themselves as having a qualified disability. Adjacent seats are provided, under certain circumstances, for customers with disabilities who must travel with a companion for assistance."
Flight nearly full: Once a flight has reached certain capacity guidelines, no further seats will be assigned. This leaves airport staff room to deal with the needs of persons with disabilities, no shows, delayed connections, etc.
Boarding pass scan fail: Sometimes a boarding pass scan fails (listen for the "Beep!") and your seat may register as no show, so another, later Passenger or standby gets your seat too.
Equipment change: AA Information Technology's very inefficient at these. You may have selected a Main Cabin Extra as an elite, yet a change from one aircraft subtype with differently numbered seat rows to another and you may find yourself moved from your carefully selected MCE aisle seat to a middle seat in one of the last rows. Aircraft substitutions from one type to another (77W to 772 or v. v.) or even "downgauging" (767 to 757) may occur - this will generally result in unanticipated seat changes.
Equipment malfunction: A seat may not be available on a specific flight because it was reported as malfunctioning and has not been repaired yet.
Crew rest seat: Some seats are contractually required to be set aside for resting crew, on flights of specific lengths.
Federal Air Marshal ("FAM"): FAMs are generally accommodated in the highest class of service in seats that are often popular with passengers. These accommodations may occur at any time, and by law AA must both comply and not reveal to passengers the reason for their seat loss or change. That's correct: AA is prohibited by law from telling you your seat was given to a FAM, so you will only hear implausible and made up reasons of how you lost your seat.
Passengers seated in the front cabin (or front of the cabin in single cabin and class aircraft) may occasionally find themselves displaced from their seat without any notice or comment, displaced to a less favored seat or even downgraded to the next lowest class of service. Contacting AA may provide answers as to "why" that don't make sense, multiple or non-specific reasons. These will often mean your seat has been requisitioned by a Federal Air Marshal (FAM).
Q. Why won't AA tell me why I lost my seat?
AA is prohibited by law from telling you your seat was requisitioned by a FAM or otherwise revealing there is a FAM on board or where they might be seated. FAMs are supposed to blend in with passengers. At best, you may be told "it's a security issue"; that's usually a confirmation of a FAM seat requisition.
Q. Can I get "unFAMed"?
There is no way to recover your original seat if it has been requisitioned by a FAM; you have no recourse other than to work with the AA system to seek a better available seat, or even reaccommodation on another flight with available and similar seating.
Q. Can I get compensated for losing my seat?
You can request fare differences, compensation and certainly get upgrade instruments reinstated if you were displaced to a lower class of service. You will not be eligible for compensation if your seat was changed within the same class of service (even if you are now separated from travel companions), however, as if you book a specific seat, a specific seat is not guaranteed by American Airlines.
Q. What is a FAM, anyway?
A Federal Air Marshal is a specially trained plain clothes anti-terrorism law enforcement officer of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), "a United States federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)." (Wikipedia)
Q. What is a FAMs specific job?
"The Air Marshal Service is meant to promote confidence in civil aviation by effectively deploying federal air marshals (FAMs) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting the United States." (TSA)
Q. Why won't AA tell me why I lost my seat?
AA is prohibited by law from telling you your seat was requisitioned by a FAM or otherwise revealing there is a FAM on board or where they might be seated. FAMs are supposed to blend in with passengers. At best, you may be told "it's a security issue"; that's usually a confirmation of a FAM seat requisition.
Q. Can I get "unFAMed"?
There is no way to recover your original seat if it has been requisitioned by a FAM; you have no recourse other than to work with the AA system to seek a better available seat, or even reaccommodation on another flight with available and similar seating.
Q. Can I get compensated for losing my seat?
You can request fare differences, compensation and certainly get upgrade instruments reinstated if you were displaced to a lower class of service. You will not be eligible for compensation if your seat was changed within the same class of service (even if you are now separated from travel companions), however, as if you book a specific seat, a specific seat is not guaranteed by American Airlines.
Q. What is a FAM, anyway?
A Federal Air Marshal is a specially trained plain clothes anti-terrorism law enforcement officer of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), "a United States federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)." (Wikipedia)
Q. What is a FAMs specific job?
"The Air Marshal Service is meant to promote confidence in civil aviation by effectively deploying federal air marshals (FAMs) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting the United States." (TSA)
It is suggested you regularly check your itineraries to deal with route and flight changes (often unannounced) and seat changes (always unannounced).
Link to thread detailing use of Twitter for contact with AA (some have used for seat loss remediation)
AA seat assignment loss / change / glitch / problem / FAM (master thread)
Jan 31, 2019, 9:30 pm
#616
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Feb 1, 2019, 8:38 am
#617
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,653
Originally Posted by ABC News
Federal air marshals are being moved to the back of the plane -- some of them, at least.
Feb 1, 2019, 11:06 am
#619
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
"Ok, let me see what happened here...oh...ok...Well, it seems that your seat was changed by another department here, it could be for any number of reasons like medical, etc. We don't have any control over that and they don't tell us why. Unfortunately, we can't reach out to them and ask or make any changes."
Sure, they didn't tell me...
Sure, they didn't tell me...
Feb 2, 2019, 8:26 pm
#622
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
"Ok, let me see what happened here...oh...ok...Well, it seems that your seat was changed by another department here, it could be for any number of reasons like medical, etc. We don't have any control over that and they don't tell us why. Unfortunately, we can't reach out to them and ask or make any changes."
Sure, they didn't tell me...
Sure, they didn't tell me...
I'm guessing there were no other window seats as you didn't select a different one. Based on your description it could very easily be a medical/disability issue.
Feb 3, 2019, 12:25 am
#625
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
Feb 22, 2019, 8:19 pm
#626
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 17
My parents were just bumped from their seats in row 2 to row 1 day of the flight- paid tix in J, not an upgrade or award. My father called to ask why this happened as they avoid bulkheads when they fly. He was routed to a supervisor then the call was dropped 3 times (1 time was hysterical, sounded like the supervisor was faking the hello? hello? hello? I can't hear you. Hello? *hang up*) finally a supervisor answered the phone after calling back 3 times with "first off, let me tell you that there is nothing I can do to fix your seats and I cannot tell you why your seats were changed. You have to deal with it or cancel your flight" My dad actually told the guy, he should reconsider how he talks to paying customers and consider at least answering the phone with a hello or an apology instead of a "deal with it or cancel your flight" statement.
Even if it was a FAM bump... being in CS, these people at AA need to learn a little bit of compassion. I was shocked when I heard how they were treated on the phone when they called to find out why they lost their seat.
Even if it was a FAM bump... being in CS, these people at AA need to learn a little bit of compassion. I was shocked when I heard how they were treated on the phone when they called to find out why they lost their seat.
Feb 22, 2019, 9:03 pm
#627
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
My parents were just bumped from their seats in row 2 to row 1 day of the flight- paid tix in J, not an upgrade or award. My father called to ask why this happened as they avoid bulkheads when they fly. He was routed to a supervisor then the call was dropped 3 times (1 time was hysterical, sounded like the supervisor was faking the hello? hello? hello? I can't hear you. Hello? *hang up*) finally a supervisor answered the phone after calling back 3 times with "first off, let me tell you that there is nothing I can do to fix your seats and I cannot tell you why your seats were changed. You have to deal with it or cancel your flight" My dad actually told the guy, he should reconsider how he talks to paying customers and consider at least answering the phone with a hello or an apology instead of a "deal with it or cancel your flight" statement.
Even if it was a FAM bump... being in CS, these people at AA need to learn a little bit of compassion. I was shocked when I heard how they were treated on the phone when they called to find out why they lost their seat.
Even if it was a FAM bump... being in CS, these people at AA need to learn a little bit of compassion. I was shocked when I heard how they were treated on the phone when they called to find out why they lost their seat.
Jun 20, 2019, 3:26 pm
#628
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
Does anyone have a history of FAM bumps on the 77w in F - in particular seat 2A? I had this assigned for a flight next week and they moved me to 1D which sucks IMO. I had used an upgrade from J to here and frankly Id rather have a window in J. Could I request compensation or the upgrade being reversed and certificate put back in my account?
Disregard - seeing the thread above mine. Looks like this is now a regular occurrence on this flight. Awesome.
Disregard - seeing the thread above mine. Looks like this is now a regular occurrence on this flight. Awesome.
Aug 19, 2019, 2:27 pm
#629
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: SJC
Programs: Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold, National EC
Posts: 25
OK, here's is my story. Needed to fly the family of four, including one lap infant, PHX-SJC on Thanksgivings week. The only direct flights are WN or AA, reasonably priced WN is sold out, so AA looked like the only option. After careful research and with heavy heart I booked row 9 (paid MCE) on AA 536 flight, hoping that at least A319 MCE should not be as bad as the rest of Oasis coach. Couple of days ago by pure coincidence I learned that the aircraft for my flight was changed from A319 to A320 with no real MCE but with bulkhead coach row and exit rows designated as such. Obviously, they cannot put a family with lap infant in exit row, so they moved us to the bulkhead row 4, but what's worse, they cannot even keep us together in ABC or DEF. This is absolutely a deal breaker for me. I considered upgrading to 1st, but there are none left on this flight. At the circumstances I'd rather fly United's PHX-SFO than this.
Two questions:
1) Any way for me to get out of this mess? I understand that I still can get my money back in case of significant schedule change or flight cancellation but it seems highly unlikely as the flight is during the holidays. The reservation was made through Chase portal and there is no status with AA, if that's important.
2) How bad is the A320 bulkhead row 4 comparing to actual MCE on A319?
Thanks
Two questions:
1) Any way for me to get out of this mess? I understand that I still can get my money back in case of significant schedule change or flight cancellation but it seems highly unlikely as the flight is during the holidays. The reservation was made through Chase portal and there is no status with AA, if that's important.
2) How bad is the A320 bulkhead row 4 comparing to actual MCE on A319?
Thanks
Aug 19, 2019, 2:32 pm
#630
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
OK, here's is my story. Needed to fly the family of four, including one lap infant, PHX-SJC on Thanksgivings week. The only direct flights are WN or AA, reasonably priced WN is sold out, so AA looked like the only option. After careful research and with heavy heart I booked row 9 (paid MCE) on AA 536 flight, hoping that at least A319 MCE should not be as bad as the rest of Oasis coach. Couple of days ago by pure coincidence I learned that the aircraft for my flight was changed from A319 to A320 with no real MCE but with bulkhead coach row and exit rows designated as such. Obviously, they cannot put a family with lap infant in exit row, so they moved us to the bulkhead row 4, but what's worse, they cannot even keep us together in ABC or DEF. This is absolutely a deal breaker for me. I considered upgrading to 1st, but there are none left on this flight. At the circumstances I'd rather fly United's PHX-SFO than this.
Two questions:
1) Any way for me to get out of this mess? I understand that I still can get my money back in case of significant schedule change or flight cancellation but it seems highly unlikely as the flight is during the holidays. The reservation was made through Chase portal and there is no status with AA, if that's important.
2) How bad is the A320 bulkhead row 4 comparing to actual MCE on A319?
Thanks
Two questions:
1) Any way for me to get out of this mess? I understand that I still can get my money back in case of significant schedule change or flight cancellation but it seems highly unlikely as the flight is during the holidays. The reservation was made through Chase portal and there is no status with AA, if that's important.
2) How bad is the A320 bulkhead row 4 comparing to actual MCE on A319?
Thanks