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
Sep 3, 2016, 7:12 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Starbucks Gold,
Posts: 624
Interesting thread - here are some data points. I've done 11 CE sectors in the last 6 weeks and am a SCH. Whilst I was not able to select row 1 at the time of booking, I have been able to move into it on 6 occasions (once I was the only person in the entire cabin, but don't think that was FLY at work ;-P). When not in row, I don't recall it being completely full but 4 times I was travelling with someone so needed a row together and the final time I booked T-15hrs so only had 1 choice, so wasn't bothered.
On the 3 ET legs I have done, all in exit rows, one was completely full on a v busy flight, one had the blocked middle seat and one was with my wife. I'd put her in A with me in B which mean C was empty. Not sure that would have worked if I was in A and she in B?
Overall all, really happy!
On the 3 ET legs I have done, all in exit rows, one was completely full on a v busy flight, one had the blocked middle seat and one was with my wife. I'd put her in A with me in B which mean C was empty. Not sure that would have worked if I was in A and she in B?
Overall all, really happy!
Sep 3, 2016, 7:37 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,535
I am not seeing any obvious Silver benefits in CE by this new feature - in a half full CE cabin my next door seat has been occupied a few times, so it doesn't look like its a cascading service where a silver can block a seat from a bronze, blue or no status.
Not a happy bunny sitting in row 2 (first world problems eh ...) - This new feature has tipped the balance for me to finally go for gold next year!
It seems that in your case, your main focus is to hope to get row 1 and if so, I suspect that you will remain disappointed, but if instead you care more about not having a neighbour, you will likely benefit.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:37 am
#93
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,406
I have only just found this thread, but it completely confirms what I've been experiencing. I can only think of one flight recently when I've had a neighbour, and this had included all the times I've been in 2D on the 190, exit or first rows on Airbus. I kept half expecting a last second boarding but no, doors closed and I'm all on my own.
Maybe of course this is the point. Don't allow GCH to talk to other passengers; higher risk of FT membership and thus likely to educate in the dark arts and/or moan/point out deficiencies.
There seems to be no provision for recline in the system. Ie i could be in aforementioned 2D, and there will be a passenger in 3D and 4D. It would make more sense to stagger us so nobody leaned back onto someone else, but that doesn't happen. Possibly more people prefer window to aisle. I tend not to recline if I have anyone directly behind me. On AA I noticed that everybody reclines, immediately and for the duration.
Maybe of course this is the point. Don't allow GCH to talk to other passengers; higher risk of FT membership and thus likely to educate in the dark arts and/or moan/point out deficiencies.
There seems to be no provision for recline in the system. Ie i could be in aforementioned 2D, and there will be a passenger in 3D and 4D. It would make more sense to stagger us so nobody leaned back onto someone else, but that doesn't happen. Possibly more people prefer window to aisle. I tend not to recline if I have anyone directly behind me. On AA I noticed that everybody reclines, immediately and for the duration.
Sep 4, 2016, 12:54 am
#94
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 81
LGW-AMS CE update
This is the current seatmap:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Seat Map Search:
Departing LGW on 06/09/16 for AMS
Flying BA flight 2760 in Business/Club
A C D F
1 - + + -
2 - - - +
3 - - + -
4 + + + +
A C D F
Seats
Premium Only P
Available +
Handicap-Accessible H
Paid & Premium #
Occupied -
Blocked X
Lavatory L
Paid $
Location
Exit Row E
Wing W
Upper Deck U
Sep 4, 2016, 2:52 am
#95
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,254
I noticed something in my bookings. In my next six s/h hbo flights, I have a seat assignment already. This in itself is not completely unusual as it's happened before, and usually doesn't stick. But there are a couple things that are different this time:
- all six flights have assignments
- all six assignments are respecting my aisle preference
- all six are in the first few rows of economy
- all six have an empty seat next to them
Like I said, I've had early assignments before that didn't stick, but they were usually totally random all over the airplane, and sometimes middles. So i thought this might be interesting if they do stick. Will update on Tuesday after the first flight.
- all six flights have assignments
- all six assignments are respecting my aisle preference
- all six are in the first few rows of economy
- all six have an empty seat next to them
Like I said, I've had early assignments before that didn't stick, but they were usually totally random all over the airplane, and sometimes middles. So i thought this might be interesting if they do stick. Will update on Tuesday after the first flight.
Sep 4, 2016, 5:49 am
#97
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
)
Sep 5, 2016, 10:11 am
#98
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,254
I noticed something in my bookings. In my next six s/h hbo flights, I have a seat assignment already. This in itself is not completely unusual as it's happened before, and usually doesn't stick. But there are a couple things that are different this time:
- all six flights have assignments
- all six assignments are respecting my aisle preference
- all six are in the first few rows of economy
- all six have an empty seat next to them
Like I said, I've had early assignments before that didn't stick, but they were usually totally random all over the airplane, and sometimes middles. So i thought this might be interesting if they do stick. Will update on Tuesday after the first flight.
- all six flights have assignments
- all six assignments are respecting my aisle preference
- all six are in the first few rows of economy
- all six have an empty seat next to them
Like I said, I've had early assignments before that didn't stick, but they were usually totally random all over the airplane, and sometimes middles. So i thought this might be interesting if they do stick. Will update on Tuesday after the first flight.
Sep 6, 2016, 3:14 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold
Posts: 1,073
I was on BA124 from DOH and I booked 22C, an Y exit row seat and at the end seats next to me are filled but I still see empty middle seats elsewhere in the cabin...
Can other Golds override the seat block and seat next to me or is it just me being unlucky and expecting too much?
Can other Golds override the seat block and seat next to me or is it just me being unlucky and expecting too much?
Sep 6, 2016, 3:26 am
#101
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
... but of course there is the option to purchase seat selection if the middle seat is to be avoided, or even purchase a fare that includes seat selection. If I purchase a basic/HBO fare I always pay to select my seat that way I can avoid being placed in a seat that I know I would not be happy in.
Sep 7, 2016, 1:51 am
#102
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, , Hilton Diamond (from being in a bed), SPG Plat, MR Plat
Posts: 922
How would one know when they are getting a blocked seat next to them? Say I board first on a domestic into 1A and I am looking at live seat map on expert flyer, would it show as blocked or unoccupied? Thanks
Sep 7, 2016, 2:06 am
#103
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: 63,811
Sep 7, 2016, 2:07 am
#104
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, , Hilton Diamond (from being in a bed), SPG Plat, MR Plat
Posts: 922