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
Jul 7, 2019, 11:21 am
#1216
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,437
I would ring up at T-48 (or just after) and see if a nice agent can help for row 1, then again at something like T-30 if needed. One of those should stay free at OLCI I would have thought, I'm not sure I'd bother for 4A but 2A will ensure you still have a choice of food options.
Jul 7, 2019, 12:39 pm
#1217
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: 63,809
Normally I would expect that at T-24 hrs, so it seems a bit soon to me. There again the recent IT turbulence may mean things are being handled differently at the moment.
Aug 5, 2019, 10:04 am
#1218
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 20
WT+ Question...
Well this is great fun! Newly annointed Silver coming back WT+ from YYZ to LGW on 20th September. It's BA 2270.
I always take an aisle seat in the back row in WT+ to avoid jabbing of the IFE screen, people using my seat for pull-ups, and to enjoy a guilt-free full recline. BUT - I'm travelling solo and would LOVE for BA to block a seat next to me. I've selected 16G initially - it's a horrible 2-4-2 777 - my thinking being that if BA do not block the seat next to me, it's less likely that someone would choose to sit in 16F than in the window next to me (16K) if I'd selected 16J... Does this sound like the right approach?
Any insight appreciated!
I always take an aisle seat in the back row in WT+ to avoid jabbing of the IFE screen, people using my seat for pull-ups, and to enjoy a guilt-free full recline. BUT - I'm travelling solo and would LOVE for BA to block a seat next to me. I've selected 16G initially - it's a horrible 2-4-2 777 - my thinking being that if BA do not block the seat next to me, it's less likely that someone would choose to sit in 16F than in the window next to me (16K) if I'd selected 16J... Does this sound like the right approach?
Any insight appreciated!
Aug 5, 2019, 10:39 am
#1219
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,921
Provided nobody else takes the seat prior to t-72 then at T-72 you should see the block next to you. If it sticks or not is all down to how busy the cabin is, and how many status customer there are. As you are in WT+. the small cabin is usually (but not always) full. If the cabin is full the block will not stick through to checking closing.
Choosing the isle seat with a middle section rather than with a window is a better choice, provided there is not a group of 3 travelling.
Choosing the isle seat with a middle section rather than with a window is a better choice, provided there is not a group of 3 travelling.
Aug 5, 2019, 10:49 am
#1220
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 20
Provided nobody else takes the seat prior to t-72 then at T-72 you should see the block next to you. If it sticks or not is all down to how busy the cabin is, and how many status customer there are. As you are in WT+. the small cabin is usually (but not always) full. If the cabin is full the block will not stick through to checking closing.
Choosing the isle seat with a middle section rather than with a window is a better choice, provided there is not a group of 3 travelling.
Choosing the isle seat with a middle section rather than with a window is a better choice, provided there is not a group of 3 travelling.
Aug 5, 2019, 11:16 am
#1221
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mostly London
Programs: BA Gold - so flying too much again... plus AA, LX, VS and too many hotel programmes to mention
Posts: 594
I am flying BA102 YYC-LHR in Club on 12 August.
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Aug 5, 2019, 11:45 am
#1222
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: WAW ✈ LHR ✈ GLA
Programs: BA GfL/GGL/CCR, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,501
I am flying BA102 YYC-LHR in Club on 12 August.
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Aug 5, 2019, 12:04 pm
#1223
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,709
I am flying BA102 YYC-LHR in Club on 12 August.
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Original aircraft was 788 i.e. no F
Substitute aircraft is 789. The seat map shows a F cabin with 'X' on all the seats. Expertflyer does not show any availability in F.
Does anyone know whether the F cabin will be left unused or used as extra Club seating for (hopefully) Gold card holders?
Aug 5, 2019, 3:55 pm
#1224
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mostly London
Programs: BA Gold - so flying too much again... plus AA, LX, VS and too many hotel programmes to mention
Posts: 594
On a recent flight CAI-LHR even at check-in it couldn't be selected, however on the way to the airport they seemed start bumping people up and all seats were taken. Wasn't too surprised at that given the number of people that were probably waiting to get on that flight.
F cabin will be used only when J is oversold. You can set up an alert on EF to monitor if block gets removed at any time. Mind even if F cabin opens up for selection, it doesn't guarantee you'll end up sitting there - BA may decide to close the cabin down at the last minute and shift you back into less desirable seat in CW.
Loads on that flight look very light - Expertflyer shows 9 in all J and W buckets. Economy is just about filling up. There are Avios seats in all cabins.
So I guess that i should go to the airport with low expectations...
Thanks again
Aug 11, 2019, 2:51 pm
#1225
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA Gold/ Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 401
Question to the experts here: We are just off VIE-LHR, quite full but not sold out. Both gold - our third exit row seat was blocked. After boarding complete, CSM allow people to move to the empty exit row seats. Reason in our row - legs are very long. CSM told me that would be normal procedure and BA would always allow to take whichever seat after boarding complete as long as it was same class of travel. I told him about theoretical seating - he said he had never heard of this and there also was never any communication. He did not know about any seat blocking other than CE middle seat.
is this normal procedure? Do people next time just have to have an eye on blocked exit row seats in EF and request to move there after boarding complete from their cheap seat in row 29 and not having any status?
is this normal procedure? Do people next time just have to have an eye on blocked exit row seats in EF and request to move there after boarding complete from their cheap seat in row 29 and not having any status?
Aug 11, 2019, 3:02 pm
#1226
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,639
Aug 11, 2019, 3:11 pm
#1227
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA Gold/ Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 401
Good summary here (referring to row 1 in Club Europe but applies to exit row in Euro traveller too): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31362677-post65.html
Aug 11, 2019, 3:12 pm
#1228
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,921
Question to the experts here: We are just off VIE-LHR, quite full but not sold out. Both gold - our third exit row seat was blocked. After boarding complete, CSM allow people to move to the empty exit row seats. Reason in our row - legs are very long. CSM told me that would be normal procedure and BA would always allow to take whichever seat after boarding complete as long as it was same class of travel. I told him about theoretical seating - he said he had never heard of this and there also was never any communication. He did not know about any seat blocking other than CE middle seat.
is this normal procedure? Do people next time just have to have an eye on blocked exit row seats in EF and request to move there after boarding complete from their cheap seat in row 29 and not having any status?
is this normal procedure? Do people next time just have to have an eye on blocked exit row seats in EF and request to move there after boarding complete from their cheap seat in row 29 and not having any status?
And yes, many cabin crew will never have heard of TS
Aug 11, 2019, 3:13 pm
#1229
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,921
thanks LCY local. However the CSM told me it would be normal procedure to have the choice to take every seat after boarding complete. This would eliminate any status benefits entirely as people would allways move further front and on exit rows where seats are actually blocked by the system. EF even tells them where they can move.
Aug 11, 2019, 3:32 pm
#1230
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: BA Gold/ Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 401