Are seat changes common on AA?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 6,144
Are seat changes common on AA?
Sorry if there is already a thread on this subject which I didn't see. I have 2 domestic paid F Segments coming up soon and on both flights I booked 1A and on both I have been moved 3 times to and when I go back those seats are taken. I am OWE is that makes any difference or not on AA.
Many thanks
Many thanks
#5



Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,881
Sorry if there is already a thread on this subject which I didn't see. I have 2 domestic paid F Segments coming up soon and on both flights I booked 1A and on both I have been moved 3 times to and when I go back those seats are taken. I am OWE is that makes any difference or not on AA.
#6




Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL DM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,809
That is odd as it was on mainline. (1A on certain Eagle aircraft can get reseated if theres an issue with the FA jumpseat.)
I think the only time Ive been reseated on AA (J on a premium transcon) was so a family of 4 could be seated near each other, it happened day of departure
I think the only time Ive been reseated on AA (J on a premium transcon) was so a family of 4 could be seated near each other, it happened day of departure
#7



Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 978
Sorry if there is already a thread on this subject which I didn't see. I have 2 domestic paid F Segments coming up soon and on both flights I booked 1A and on both I have been moved 3 times to and when I go back those seats are taken. I am OWE is that makes any difference or not on AA.
Many thanks
Many thanks
#8


Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 7,493
Something like what you describe only happened to me once, and that was at the gate, not in advance. I was traveling with my wife and we got separated as a result. Never got an explanation and when I asked the person in my former seat when and how she was assigned that seat she wouldn't talk or even look up at me. I suspected she was an air marshal.
Then there was this oddball, where the entire plane got reseated: Bizarre seat reshuffle
Finally, seat changes can also happen for "schedule changes" that aren't really schedule changes. They change the flight number or go from, say, an E170 to an E175. Little or nothing really changed but the system can't preserve the seating even when it should have been simple to do so.
Then there was this oddball, where the entire plane got reseated: Bizarre seat reshuffle
Finally, seat changes can also happen for "schedule changes" that aren't really schedule changes. They change the flight number or go from, say, an E170 to an E175. Little or nothing really changed but the system can't preserve the seating even when it should have been simple to do so.
#9




Join Date: Jul 2021
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I've only had it happen once, before I was EXP, and it was so a family of 3 (mom + 2 young kids) could sit together in row 8. Hence why I avoid 8F now.
#10




Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA EXP, LT Plt, 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,829
Sorry if there is already a thread on this subject which I didn't see. I have 2 domestic paid F Segments coming up soon and on both flights I booked 1A and on both I have been moved 3 times to and when I go back those seats are taken. I am OWE is that makes any difference or not on AA.
Many thanks
Many thanks
#11



Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA, but I play the field
Posts: 1,939
I dont have an answer for you, but I know that I have previously read complaints on FT about people getting bumped from seat 1A on different airlines and a variety of aircraft. Usually this pertains to international flights (unlike your domestic flights) and the reason/best guess offered is that the seat is used for pilot rest. On a domestic flight, is it possibly a bulkhead seat for which priority might be given to someone with a disability?
Again, I cant explain the reasons for this and Im sure there are many people here who have flown in seat 1A dozens of times without getting bumped. I just know that Ive seen enough of these complaints that I do not choose 1A on any airline if there are other options and I am particular about selecting my precise seat. My general sense is that if airline ever has a reason to reserve a seat for some kind of special passenger, 1A is the default option.
Again, I cant explain the reasons for this and Im sure there are many people here who have flown in seat 1A dozens of times without getting bumped. I just know that Ive seen enough of these complaints that I do not choose 1A on any airline if there are other options and I am particular about selecting my precise seat. My general sense is that if airline ever has a reason to reserve a seat for some kind of special passenger, 1A is the default option.
#13




Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
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Ive only had it happen once and it was from a window to a middle on LHR-JFK in F last year. The person in my seat gave off famous vibes, though I couldnt place him.
The check-in agent saw a comment saying it was an airport override. He then called his manger and after a lengthy back and forth, he smiled and said he was told he couldnt move me back.
Informal seat changes happen far more frequently (2x this week for me), including a few times where the requester has actually been sitting in my seat assuming Id say yes to a swap 😕
The check-in agent saw a comment saying it was an airport override. He then called his manger and after a lengthy back and forth, he smiled and said he was told he couldnt move me back.
Informal seat changes happen far more frequently (2x this week for me), including a few times where the requester has actually been sitting in my seat assuming Id say yes to a swap 😕
#14


Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Global Entry, CLEAR, etc.
Posts: 478
Same just happened to this Key. Woke up to a notification that our seats had been changed (AA Eagle flight FSD to ORD). Moved from 2 D&F to 1F and 2A. Thankfully there were still 2 seats together in 4 (D&F) so I just grabbed those. First time that's ever happened (and no, there was not an equipment change).
Last edited by jhalapin; Oct 13, 2024 at 9:06 am

