Would you mind switching seats with me...
Apr 14, 2018, 7:32 am
#76
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 408
I'm going to leave this here, and wait to be lynched!
I flew back from JFK last weekend in 64K. As I came upstairs, there was a Dad and his 2 year old son sat on the crew jump seat. It transpired that the Dad was meant to be in 64J, and the son had been put into 60B. This had happened, because it was a totally full flight, and they had not paid in advance for seating. However, BA promise that no child will be seated away from their parent.
So, the plane boards, and we're ready to go. However, the Father and Son are still on the jump seat. The crew then go about the task of talking to literally every single passenger upstairs, to see if they can find a pair of seats together. They actively avoided coming to me to begin with, despite me (and 60A) being the two most obvious passengers to start with.
M
I flew back from JFK last weekend in 64K. As I came upstairs, there was a Dad and his 2 year old son sat on the crew jump seat. It transpired that the Dad was meant to be in 64J, and the son had been put into 60B. This had happened, because it was a totally full flight, and they had not paid in advance for seating. However, BA promise that no child will be seated away from their parent.
So, the plane boards, and we're ready to go. However, the Father and Son are still on the jump seat. The crew then go about the task of talking to literally every single passenger upstairs, to see if they can find a pair of seats together. They actively avoided coming to me to begin with, despite me (and 60A) being the two most obvious passengers to start with.
M
Also, CSD should hand out goodwill vouchers for those people who do give up their seats.
My opinion - But the UD should only be for adults.
Apr 14, 2018, 7:54 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
What I don't understand is that if Parents (and anyone else) can afford to fly in CW, then they can afford to pay the extra for the seats (unless it was a late booking) and stop being cheapskates and expect others to give up their seat for you.
Also, CSD should hand out goodwill vouchers for those people who do give up their seats.
My opinion - But the UD should only be for adults.
Also, CSD should hand out goodwill vouchers for those people who do give up their seats.
My opinion - But the UD should only be for adults.
Apr 14, 2018, 8:39 am
#78
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leicestershire / Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite & Lifetime Gold, Heathrow Rewards Premium, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 659
I once had CC asking me if I would mind moving from my window seat to an aisle seat on the UD of a 747 so that 2 colleagues could sit and work closer together. They made it clear it was a request, not an instruction, and that it would be fine to say no. I politely told the CC that I preferred the window seat and they perfectly understood and found seats for them both on the lower deck.
My opinion is that you should be allowed to sit where you have chosen to unless CC or pilots instruct otherwise for a good reason. E.g. I used to fly EK for work with a previous employer and would often get upgraded from Y to J if I booked a bulkhead seat due to those travelling with babies.
My opinion is that you should be allowed to sit where you have chosen to unless CC or pilots instruct otherwise for a good reason. E.g. I used to fly EK for work with a previous employer and would often get upgraded from Y to J if I booked a bulkhead seat due to those travelling with babies.
Apr 14, 2018, 1:53 pm
#81
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,512
Apr 14, 2018, 2:52 pm
#84
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK London / Salisbury
Programs: BA GGL, CCR, LTG
Posts: 542
Twice asked in recent months and both times happily agreed and both times to inferior seats. The knowledge that I have been able to allow fellow travellers to sit together and enjoy the flight is all the compensation I need
Apr 14, 2018, 3:02 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Programs: BA Silver - hard drop from GGL :( SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AC E50k
Posts: 567
Golden Rule... I completely agree. I would do the same, assuming same cabin, and have even given up bulk head so that parents can sit together... May have to do with the fact that I have a 2yo, so I understand the stress that some parents, especially ones who are not used to travelling are going through.
Apr 15, 2018, 3:56 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,369
I've been asked to swap seats a number of times. For me it all depends on the specific circumstances, in particular: how the request is delivered and how much it matters to the people involved. If I sense that it's really important to someone, they ask nicely and - most importantly - without any sense of entitlement, then I am usually happy to comply and even move to a less desirable seat. It reminds me of when I happily gave 64A to a honeymoon couple who was upgraded and was clearly having the time of their lives.
On the other hand, I do not like to be pressured, particularly by members of staff. I like 1C in CE as it affords the opportunity of stretching legs and freedom of movement. This happens a few weeks ago: I am approached at the gate by the Station Manager in a European outstation. She has a middle-aged couple standing behind her and she starts explaining that they had to be upgraded as the flight was full, but could not find them two seats together. She demands that I swap 1C with something like 6A (on a band 4, no thanks). I explain that I'd rather keep my seat. The Station Manager is now irate and starts pressuring me, asking whether I am "really refusing to help?", all with the couple starting at me. Now, this in my view is NOT appropriate. Staff should not be putting passengers in awkward positions, let alone a Station Manager and let alone to accommodate upgrades (I guess it was easier for the ground staff to upgrade a couple rather than two singles?). What angers me is that a person who avoids confrontation would have been likely bullied into saying yes, thus accepting a less favourable seat, all to make this Station Manager's job easier.
On the other hand, I do not like to be pressured, particularly by members of staff. I like 1C in CE as it affords the opportunity of stretching legs and freedom of movement. This happens a few weeks ago: I am approached at the gate by the Station Manager in a European outstation. She has a middle-aged couple standing behind her and she starts explaining that they had to be upgraded as the flight was full, but could not find them two seats together. She demands that I swap 1C with something like 6A (on a band 4, no thanks). I explain that I'd rather keep my seat. The Station Manager is now irate and starts pressuring me, asking whether I am "really refusing to help?", all with the couple starting at me. Now, this in my view is NOT appropriate. Staff should not be putting passengers in awkward positions, let alone a Station Manager and let alone to accommodate upgrades (I guess it was easier for the ground staff to upgrade a couple rather than two singles?). What angers me is that a person who avoids confrontation would have been likely bullied into saying yes, thus accepting a less favourable seat, all to make this Station Manager's job easier.
Apr 15, 2018, 4:05 am
#87
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Exec Club (Bronze)
Posts: 63
This has only happened to me once - in F on the way to MIA. Since the request was from Penny Lancaster who wanted to sit next to Rod Stewart (and she was very charming about it) I was happy to oblige.
Apr 15, 2018, 4:10 am
#88
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Berkshire / London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,004
Off topic - TXL-LHR on Friday, there was a lot of moving around going on but the crew PA'd a message "please take your seats, the original seats printed on your ticket"... I've heard this before, that switching should happen only after doors closed/in the air (which one is right?) but nobody actually enforced it making people switch back on Friday. Not sure what the point of the message was if not followed through.
Apr 15, 2018, 4:17 am
#89
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Starbucks Gold,
Posts: 624
Off topic - TXL-LHR on Friday, there was a lot of moving around going on but the crew PA'd a message "please take your seats, the original seats printed on your ticket"... I've heard this before, that switching should happen only after doors closed/in the air (which one is right?) but nobody actually enforced it making people switch back on Friday. Not sure what the point of the message was if not followed through.
Apr 15, 2018, 4:28 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: near Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,908
I try to be accommodating but not when I'm in my favourite 64K, unless of course relocating to the pointy bit at the front downstairs.
My most bizarre experience was boarding at Heathrow, probably the 10th person to board through the priority queue. I got to 64K and there was someone in my seat, shoes off, already reclining, blanket and earphones unwrapped and hand luggage neatly stowed in the side locker. I used my usual line in these situations, 'Excuse me, are you in the right seat as we seem to be double booked?' to which he replied 'Oh am I in the wrong seat? Oh yes, mine's 60B, I've unpacked everything so it's probably going to be easiest if you just took that one'. The crew quickly got involved and he was dispatched to 60B, blankets etc swapped over. The crew member said it was bizarre. She said he literally came running up the stairs and 'speed unpacked' so they wondered what was going on.
I was quite happy to swap on an AA domestic First (recliner seat) flight from a row 3 window to a row 2 aisle even though I prefer the window. As I was starting to put my bag up, a 50-something male travelling with his wife boarding immediately behind me said, 'Excuse me for asking, and please feel free to say no, but I see you're in 3F. Would you mind swapping into 2C so I can sit with my wife. He was so nice about it, the swap was a no brainer.
My most bizarre experience was boarding at Heathrow, probably the 10th person to board through the priority queue. I got to 64K and there was someone in my seat, shoes off, already reclining, blanket and earphones unwrapped and hand luggage neatly stowed in the side locker. I used my usual line in these situations, 'Excuse me, are you in the right seat as we seem to be double booked?' to which he replied 'Oh am I in the wrong seat? Oh yes, mine's 60B, I've unpacked everything so it's probably going to be easiest if you just took that one'. The crew quickly got involved and he was dispatched to 60B, blankets etc swapped over. The crew member said it was bizarre. She said he literally came running up the stairs and 'speed unpacked' so they wondered what was going on.
I was quite happy to swap on an AA domestic First (recliner seat) flight from a row 3 window to a row 2 aisle even though I prefer the window. As I was starting to put my bag up, a 50-something male travelling with his wife boarding immediately behind me said, 'Excuse me for asking, and please feel free to say no, but I see you're in 3F. Would you mind swapping into 2C so I can sit with my wife. He was so nice about it, the swap was a no brainer.