American just plane lying. Seats booked in March, changed in November.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:28 am
#16
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As I understand it, this is probably the first time you have ever experienced this in all of your years of flying AA.
What are the odds it will happen again on AA? What are the odds it will happened on another airline?
Dec 11, 2018, 11:36 am
#17
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It sounds likely you were FAMed, and AA personnel (well, all airline personnel) are prohibited from telling you that. So, they’ll tell you it was because of an equipment change, because the cat jumped over the moon, etc. but ne Er you were FAMed. Sorry, it happens. And when equipment does change, AA is rotten at handling existing seat assignments. Not that it’s the only airline that’s rotten at this.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:40 am
#18
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It sounds likely you were FAMed, and AA personnel (well, all airline personnel) are prohibited from telling you that. So, they’ll tell you it was because of an equipment change, because the cat jumped over the moon, etc. but ne Er you were FAMed. Sorry, it happens. And when equipment does change, AA is rotten at handling existing seat assignments. Not that it’s the only airline that’s rotten at this.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:44 am
#19
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IME FAMs are assigned to flights very close to departure. If there's a seat change far in advance. I would assume that it is not a FAM situation.
When I've lost seats due to an apparent FAM, it's been at check in or at the gate.
When I've lost seats due to an apparent FAM, it's been at check in or at the gate.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:46 am
#20
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Sure, we understand the “code” wording. But the OP originally claimed his seats were “cancelled” rather than changed (I edited the title), so the OP may not be aware of the subtext.
Dec 11, 2018, 12:36 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2015
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When traveling with the in-laws in the same row, I make it a point to wear my signature "FAM ME" shirt and volunteer my seat to any FAM-ish looking types (and for that matter, anyone at all) to take advantage of this very scenario.
Enjoy the 772 to Hawaii, it's surely better than its predecessors on that route!
Enjoy the 772 to Hawaii, it's surely better than its predecessors on that route!
Dec 11, 2018, 12:46 pm
#22
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"Operational reasons" could mean anything. While it is usually a FAM, it could also be a CK who made a fuss. Phone agents don't know the underlying reason, all they know is "operational reason" and they are left to make up something because, if it is a FAM, they are in trouble with DHS and, if it is the CEO's brother, they are in trouble with their employer.
Dec 12, 2018, 10:54 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Austin, TX
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On a transatlantic UA flight there was a 60-ish (at least) couple seated next to each other in the front cabin. They were very upset with the FA and demanded different seats. Why? Because the privacy divider made them feel too far apart! The FA kept explaining that this was the only configuration available. Finally, she offered to seat them in economy if anyone was willing to switch. I was hoping to see every hand in economy go up if they asked for volunteers, but the couple eventually decided to make do. I think they found fault with the champagne, too...
While Mrs. TXIrish and I usually try to get adjacent seats, we've been able to deal with the trauma of being separated for a few hours.
While Mrs. TXIrish and I usually try to get adjacent seats, we've been able to deal with the trauma of being separated for a few hours.
Dec 12, 2018, 10:57 am
#24
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On a transatlantic UA flight there was a 60-ish (at least) couple seated next to each other in the front cabin. They were very upset with the FA and demanded different seats. Why? Because the privacy divider made them feel too far apart! The FA kept explaining that this was the only configuration available. Finally, she offered to seat them in economy if anyone was willing to switch. I was hoping to see every hand in economy go up if they asked for volunteers, but the couple eventually decided to make do. I think they found fault with the champagne, too...
While Mrs. TXIrish and I usually try to get adjacent seats, we've been able to deal with the trauma of being separated for a few hours.
While Mrs. TXIrish and I usually try to get adjacent seats, we've been able to deal with the trauma of being separated for a few hours.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:21 am
#25
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Last March for our anniversary, My wife and I booked First out to Hawaii and back this January with seats next to each other 4D, 4H in B772 1-2-1 configuration.
EQ change email this October, with confirmation email of same seats, same aircraft, only a slight change in time.
In November during a reservation check. I see seats are now 7A and 9G. I call AA and am told of an equipment change, seats are moved to 4G and 5G by CSA, but our seats 4D, 4H are gone. We won't see each other the entire flight.
After further review and questions to CSA, again they claim EQ change, but I show them email confirmation 'after' EQ change with originally booked seats... After I proved them incorrect (twice), I was told seats were 'cancelled' in November (exact date in transcript) for 'operational reasons'. Although no email notification was sent of seat cancellation. CSA stated that they are not required to send notification of seat cancellation, only EQ or time changes.
When we booked in March, seats were wide open. Since every seat has access to an aisle, I find it difficult to believe we were moved for a FAM.
Yes, The carrier has the 'right' to move seats, but this is a pretty bad example for American giving our selected seats to another customer.
Has anyone ever successfully lobbied to get there selected seats back?
EQ change email this October, with confirmation email of same seats, same aircraft, only a slight change in time.
In November during a reservation check. I see seats are now 7A and 9G. I call AA and am told of an equipment change, seats are moved to 4G and 5G by CSA, but our seats 4D, 4H are gone. We won't see each other the entire flight.
After further review and questions to CSA, again they claim EQ change, but I show them email confirmation 'after' EQ change with originally booked seats... After I proved them incorrect (twice), I was told seats were 'cancelled' in November (exact date in transcript) for 'operational reasons'. Although no email notification was sent of seat cancellation. CSA stated that they are not required to send notification of seat cancellation, only EQ or time changes.
When we booked in March, seats were wide open. Since every seat has access to an aisle, I find it difficult to believe we were moved for a FAM.
Yes, The carrier has the 'right' to move seats, but this is a pretty bad example for American giving our selected seats to another customer.
Has anyone ever successfully lobbied to get there selected seats back?
Dec 12, 2018, 11:23 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2015
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I always think carefully about who I might be talking to before selecting my seats
Dec 12, 2018, 11:41 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Operational reasons
Spring 2018 AA switched equipment from our ROM-ORD flight, from 777-200 to 767 with old Business hard product, from their great 1-2-1 lay flat reverse herringbone configuration, to 2-2-2 angle-flat seats, no warning, no email, and assigned scattered seating, we were able to change seats and sit together, but was very extremely uncomfortable, and before you start criticizing, for health reasons I pay a premium for business class so I am able to fly long haul. Not only AA has a bad habit of doing that, but service was terrible, needless to say that’s the last I flew with American.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:44 am
#28
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one Spring 2018 AA switch equipment from our ROM-ORD flight, from 777-200 to 767 with old Business hard product, from their great 1-2-1 lay flat reverse herringbone configuration, to 2-2-2 angle-flat seats, no warning, no email, and assigned scattered seating, we were able to change seats and sit together, but was very extremely uncomfortable, and before you start criticizing, for health reasons I pay a premium for business class so I am able to fly long haul. Not only AA has a bad habit of doing that, but service was terrible, needless to say that’s the last I flew with American.
!PS: I'd be pretty disappointed if I went from 772 to a 767. If I didn't have to crawl over my seat opponent, I'd even prefer the now retrofitted 757s over the 767s.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:47 am
#29
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They did this to me last year and I got a raft of crap from the FT cosignoti for complaining about being swapped from 1A to 2A, despite having picked that seat well in advance.
We had AA do that a year or two ago on CDG-JFK. I don't believe that configuration exists any longer, but I'm pretty sure they were using it to prevent oversells in Europe for a while, as it had a few more seats.
Spring 2018 AA switched equipment from our ROM-ORD flight, from 777-200 to 767 with old Business hard product, from their great 1-2-1 lay flat reverse herringbone configuration, to 2-2-2 angle-flat seats, no warning, no email, and assigned scattered seating, we were able to change seats and sit together, but was very extremely uncomfortable, and before you start criticizing, for health reasons I pay a premium for business class so I am able to fly long haul. Not only AA has a bad habit of doing that, but service was terrible, needless to say that’s the last I flew with American.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:49 am
#30
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In my experience in the 777 forward cabin, it's easier to talk/interact with with someone directly in front or behind you than side-by-side in the center section.
Hah!
Hah!