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
#1081
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: OH
Programs: AA EXP; HHonors Gold; IHG Platinum
Posts: 122
Do BA ever move passengers from seats next to elites in order to block them? I had an experience where the seat in CW next to me was occupied and then at T-72 it and a few other seats became blocked. (I am using EF to check the seat map).
#1082
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,872
#1084
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,865
what I do is if I look at the seat map at t-72 and find someone has taken the seat beside me then I might move myself to where there may be more space, especially if I think the flight will not be full and I will keep the bblock beside my new seat
#1085
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,705
#1086
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,201
I have wondered whether I would have the courage, in that situation, to explain quietly and politely that the seat is unoccupied because it has been blocked owing to my status and then what reaction one would get from the crew member / other pax.
#1088
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,912
I suspect the only consequence of doing so would be your immediate appearance in the DYKWIA topic
#1089
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,201
I asked the question because I came very close to this on Friday when flying back on an E190, with myself in the exit row aisle and an empty window seat next to me. I could see someone in a non-exit seat across the aisle and in the row in front (therefore non-reclinable) hungrily eyeing up the empty seat, but I think my glacial stare, combined with the fact that he would have physically had to climb over me, must have put him off. I was musing to myself how I would have reacted if he had tried, and concluded that I would probably have stood my ground !
#1090
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,912
A fair comment However, more seriously, is it actually unreasonable, to ask for a benefit offered to GCH's to be honoured ? Would I qualify for the DYKWIA thread if I kicked up a strop at an outstation if the check in desk sent me off to the ET desk or I complained because I was denied entry to the lounge with an ET BP ? Is not the problem with theoretical seating that its existence is likely very little known outside FT circles ?
I asked the question because i came very close to this on Friday when flying back on an E190, with myself in the exit row aisle and an empty window seat next to me. I could see someone in a non-exit seat across the aisle and in the row in front (therefore non-reclinable) hungrily eyeing up the empty seat, but I think my glacial stare, combined with the fact that he would have physically had to climb over me, must have put him off. I was musing to myself how I would have reacted if he had tried, and concluded that I would probably have stood my ground !
I asked the question because i came very close to this on Friday when flying back on an E190, with myself in the exit row aisle and an empty window seat next to me. I could see someone in a non-exit seat across the aisle and in the row in front (therefore non-reclinable) hungrily eyeing up the empty seat, but I think my glacial stare, combined with the fact that he would have physically had to climb over me, must have put him off. I was musing to myself how I would have reacted if he had tried, and concluded that I would probably have stood my ground !
#1091
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 305
I was duly notified of a changed seat due to an aircraft change this morning by email. I checked straightaway and noted the following oddity:
Some rows are blocked but have one or two seats occupied already (according to Expertflyer). On my MMB, I cannot select those however (BA Gold). See screenshots. Anyone with an idea of whats going on here? Is it worth to call up and ask for 10A, could the Gold Line help here?
Also, I can’t remember when I’ve last seen an A321 on the DUS route.
(The flight is more than 72hrs away so I guess that TS in FLY isn’t at work here)
Thanks
Some rows are blocked but have one or two seats occupied already (according to Expertflyer). On my MMB, I cannot select those however (BA Gold). See screenshots. Anyone with an idea of whats going on here? Is it worth to call up and ask for 10A, could the Gold Line help here?
Also, I can’t remember when I’ve last seen an A321 on the DUS route.
(The flight is more than 72hrs away so I guess that TS in FLY isn’t at work here)
Thanks
#1092
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
Sorry if this has been asked before, but if I am gold, and seated in eg ET 10A, and another gold is in 10C, does that mean that even to either of us, as golds, the B seat is blocked by TS?
Just curious
Just curious
#1093
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,730
I'm stuck back in 67F, an aisle seat in the middle block of WT+ on the 269 LHR-LAX flight tomorrow, after losing my slightly better seat due a cancellation.
Expert Flyer is showing 67E as an X at present, so if that is being blocked and things remain as they are, at least that's something.
Expert Flyer is showing 67E as an X at present, so if that is being blocked and things remain as they are, at least that's something.
#1094
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: 63,705
No, Golds can take over a TS block if the other passenger is Gold. One good reason to spread the news about TS is so that Golds are a bit more intelligent on their seat selection ideas - and not just try to get as near the front as possible. But if you were Silver in 10A then you probably won't get access to 10B. Plus, if every window/aisle seat is taken, someone putting in special pleading at the airport may well get 10B as a consolation seat (and they typically won't be a Size 9).
#1095
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, Virgin Red, HH Silver, SPG Gold, Priority Pass,
Posts: 127
As a Bronze, but with enough flights to hit Silver, would I have seats next to me blocked out? Asking as twice now, I’ve considered moving to get an empty seat next to me in CE, however EF has shown that seat as blocked (so I have stayed put and indeed benefitted from being Billy No-Mates