What happens to MCE seats that are unsold?
 

Hi, all.


I'm on the fence about the whole $150, even tho I know MCE is much better than coach.


Can I ask what happens 24 hrs before departure? Do these seats then become "free" for the taking at online check-in? Or do you still have to pay for them?

Thank you.

They become "Free" for GOLD members at T-24 (instead of 1/2 price before that.) If you are asking if you can score one at online checkin - it's been reported....but, YMMV

They don't become free, except for AA Golds and oneworld Ruby. Passengers without seat assignments will be assigned to them if no other seats are available, otherwise they'll go out empty.

I would not characterize MCE as "much better" unless you are tall.

MCE seats are equally narrow as standard economy seats. I find that seat width is a far more important factor in comfort, and no I am not fat -- I wear 28" waist jeans.

At 193 cm / 6'4", I have a different point of view than you. MCE is a knee saver for me.

At 6'3", I agree completely.

Just move into them just before takeoff. If you want to be a good boy, ask the FA.

that won't work. On my last several flights, FAs checked MCE seats with the flight manifest. People who self-upgraded were told to go back to their original seats or pay for the upgraded seat.

Yeah no don't do that. Everyone who pays for those seats (being an elite or shelling out $$$) will hate your guts, and FAs will catch you anyways. I've seen FAs send self-upgraders back plenty of times

^ It's pretty easy, especially on domestic flights, for FAs to spot seat poachers because they usually scrutinize the seat maps on their handheld devices to identify where the ExPlats are for the free drink and snack item.

A mere 6'1" and MCE makes a world of a difference, especially on long-haul flights.

I'm a 5'7" 120 pound woman and I agree about the legroom - my knees hit the back of the seat in front of me (in economy) on many aircraft. Can't even imagine who you tall guys go through - the legroom in economy is Draconian.

That's why UA, DL, AA, B6 and soon AS make extra legroom seats available for purchase. They're happy to test your willingness to pay for that world of difference.

If the flight looks almost full (all free seat were taken), just check in at the airport and you will get a MCE for free.

Welcome to Flyertalk! ^

Do you currently have an assigned seat?

My worry would be if I didn't have an assigned seat, and was on a long-haul flight, that I could be stuck in a middle seat somewhere.