Mar 22, 2018, 3:34 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
This thread examines BA's use of Amadeus' Theoretical Seating module. This kicks in at T-72 hours before departure, so this thread is primarily of interest to those travelling within the next few days.
FAQ : 'Theoretical Seating' : Blocked seats and status
Mar 21, 2018, 11:58 am
#871
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 316
I contributed further up threat with my very good experiences as a BA Silver over the past year or so.
I've had my first ET flights as a Gold member (the First Wing is great!) but was disappointed by TS.
Flight 1) Initially selected 4A at around T-72 (after the blocks were lifted). Checking again at T-48 (on EF, hoping for a blocked middle seat), I realized row 4 fell victim to the infamous curtain-shuffle (of which I had been warned thanks to this forum!). Anyway, I didn't do anything and at OLCI, I was automatically assigned 5F. All good. After boarding, row 4 in CE was completely empty (and the CE cabin itself was also). In my row, 5D, E, F were all occupied but on the left hand side of the isle, only 5A was occupied. Result - three people moved left by one seat each and we ended up 2-2, so no problem but I was disappointed by TS.
Flight 2) Emergency exit row, 10F selected well in advance. Similar game, 10A and C occupied as well as DEF. Lots of empty middle seats in front and behind. Fellow traveller in 10E did not appear to have any status.
TS remains a mystery to me!
I've had my first ET flights as a Gold member (the First Wing is great!) but was disappointed by TS.
Flight 1) Initially selected 4A at around T-72 (after the blocks were lifted). Checking again at T-48 (on EF, hoping for a blocked middle seat), I realized row 4 fell victim to the infamous curtain-shuffle (of which I had been warned thanks to this forum!). Anyway, I didn't do anything and at OLCI, I was automatically assigned 5F. All good. After boarding, row 4 in CE was completely empty (and the CE cabin itself was also). In my row, 5D, E, F were all occupied but on the left hand side of the isle, only 5A was occupied. Result - three people moved left by one seat each and we ended up 2-2, so no problem but I was disappointed by TS.
Flight 2) Emergency exit row, 10F selected well in advance. Similar game, 10A and C occupied as well as DEF. Lots of empty middle seats in front and behind. Fellow traveller in 10E did not appear to have any status.
TS remains a mystery to me!
Last edited by EDDLEGLL; Mar 21, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Mar 21, 2018, 12:47 pm
#872
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: between MUC and NUE
Programs: BA Gold, LH Senator
Posts: 423
Thank you Misco60 and scottishpoet.
Well, we could annoy both 10E and 10B. 
it‘s MUC-LHR in about a month.
it‘s MUC-LHR in about a month.
Mar 21, 2018, 5:53 pm
#873
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
Not sure if this question belongs here, since we're well outside of T-72, but I can't think of any other reason this would be going on. I'm booked LHR-HAM and TXL-LHR in CE. On the LHR-HAM flight, EF showed 1AC and all of row 2 occupied and 1DF blocked before I booked; I was able to select 1F for myself (1D was available for me to choose as well). On the TXL-LHR leg, EF showed all of rows 1 and 2 blocked before I booked; I was not able to select any of those seats and instead settled for 4A.
Is there a reason I'm not getting to pick a row 1 or row 2 seat on the TXL-LHR flight? My best guess is that the system hasn't "seen" other GCHs pick a seat there, so as a partner OWE I can't do so. Once someone somehow snags a seat in those front two rows, it "opens" those seats up for those who are eligible. That said, I thought that a partner OWE should see the same seat availability as a GCH in the first place. What gives?
Is there a reason I'm not getting to pick a row 1 or row 2 seat on the TXL-LHR flight? My best guess is that the system hasn't "seen" other GCHs pick a seat there, so as a partner OWE I can't do so. Once someone somehow snags a seat in those front two rows, it "opens" those seats up for those who are eligible. That said, I thought that a partner OWE should see the same seat availability as a GCH in the first place. What gives?
Mar 21, 2018, 6:16 pm
#874
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Cape Town
Programs: BA Exec Gold , Qatar Priviledge Club Plat
Posts: 1,584
Mar 22, 2018, 12:30 am
#876
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
Mar 22, 2018, 1:01 am
#879
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,929
Originally Posted by post 1
from 72 hours before departure seating options will be restricted to enable better seating arrangements for high value customers.
The front rows are shown as blocked in EF as it always does until T-72 as these are blocked for BAEC Gold (and I think OW Emerald) until T-72
Last edited by scottishpoet; Mar 22, 2018 at 1:07 am
Mar 22, 2018, 1:10 am
#880
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
Right, hence my confusion. As a OWE I was able to select row 1 on the outbound LHR-HAM a few days prior (with a few other row 1 and 2 seats already occupied), but not on the return TXL-LHR (with all row 1 and 2 seats unoccupied).
Mar 22, 2018, 3:31 am
#882
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,830
I am able to select any of the 8 seats in the first two rows of this particular flight, and unless I'm very much mistaken I should have the same seating access as any Emerald. So in particular if you are new to Emerald, you may want to ring up to see if you can get these seats. You could try removing your AA number from the Finnair version of Manage My Booking, saving it, re-entering MMB, re-enter your AA number, to see if that works but sometimes that won't work either, hence a call to the Gold line may be quickest.
The T-72 hrs aspect seems to have confused many here, so I'll just put in a mini Wiki to make that aspect a little clearer.
Mar 22, 2018, 3:39 am
#883
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
Indeed nothing to do with Theoretical Seating, which kicks in at T-72 hours and the rest of this thread then makes sense.
I am able to select any of the 8 seats in the first two rows of this particular flight, and unless I'm very much mistaken I should have the same seating access as any Emerald. So in particular if you are new to Emerald, you may want to ring up to see if you can get these seats. You could try removing your AA number from the Finnair version of Manage My Booking, saving it, re-entering MMB, re-enter your AA number, to see if that works but sometimes that won't work either, hence a call to the Gold line may be quickest.
The T-72 hrs aspect seems to have confused many here, so I'll just put in a mini Wiki to make that aspect a little clearer.
I am able to select any of the 8 seats in the first two rows of this particular flight, and unless I'm very much mistaken I should have the same seating access as any Emerald. So in particular if you are new to Emerald, you may want to ring up to see if you can get these seats. You could try removing your AA number from the Finnair version of Manage My Booking, saving it, re-entering MMB, re-enter your AA number, to see if that works but sometimes that won't work either, hence a call to the Gold line may be quickest.
The T-72 hrs aspect seems to have confused many here, so I'll just put in a mini Wiki to make that aspect a little clearer.
Mar 22, 2018, 3:57 am
#884
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
Thanks for checking! I'm not new to Emerald; I was also able to choose row 1 for both LHR-HAM (outbound) and LHR-JFK (connection from TXL on the return), so the system seems to be picking up on my status just fine. Maybe I'll give the phone a shot--will I be able to call the Gold line as I'm not a GCH though? (Over at AA at least, the IVR system links your phone number to AAdv number and directs your call accordingly, so as a non-EXP, even if you call the EXP line you will be prioritized and routed accordingly.)
Mar 22, 2018, 7:40 am
#885
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,830