When does row 1 CE get released to non gold
Apr 26, 2019, 1:31 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 62
I always make all flights arrangements for my Mother, as she is not a very confident traveler - but knows how to follow my "trail of bread crumbs" so to speak to get happily from A-Z. 
Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3. 
So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3. So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Apr 26, 2019, 1:56 pm
#48
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,429
Thanks for sharing, sometimes it’s healthy to rant!
This type of behaviour seems to have been vocalised on FT a lot more recently, is this a sign of people abusing others in order to get their seat or is it just a coincidence that we’ve heard a few similar stories! I think self entitlement is or has increased but that’s my own opinion and who really knows. It makes for interesting debate nonetheless but I guess we shouldn’t drag a thread into that subject.
I hope your Mom travelled well in the end and reached her destination in good stead.
This type of behaviour seems to have been vocalised on FT a lot more recently, is this a sign of people abusing others in order to get their seat or is it just a coincidence that we’ve heard a few similar stories! I think self entitlement is or has increased but that’s my own opinion and who really knows. It makes for interesting debate nonetheless but I guess we shouldn’t drag a thread into that subject.
I hope your Mom travelled well in the end and reached her destination in good stead.
Apr 27, 2019, 5:37 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,129
I always make all flights arrangements for my Mother, as she is not a very confident traveler - but knows how to follow my "trail of bread crumbs" so to speak to get happily from A-Z. Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3.
So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3. So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Apr 27, 2019, 5:59 am
#51
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: BAEC GFL, GGL, CCR; Marriott PFL, Ambassador; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,076
Btw, BA didn't reserve 1F for my daughter, I tried to nab it at OLCI but still couldn't although it was available. I rang BA and they rang the airport and got it released. Interesting.
Apr 27, 2019, 10:40 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
I always make all flights arrangements for my Mother, as she is not a very confident traveler - but knows how to follow my "trail of bread crumbs" so to speak to get happily from A-Z. Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3.
So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Had her booked into 1C out of DUS a while back. She was boarded, seated, and settled. Some guy came to her and said to her that she needed to take his seat in row 3 because he needed to sit next to his wife and "because I fly a lot and I always sit here". Sadly, I did not find this out until my next check in with Mom during her lounge stop-over (she had already turned off her mobile on board). She said he flashed a "shiny card" in her face and basically just stood there and hurried her along. She went to row 3. So apparently some people are OK with getting to row 1 no matter if and how and when the seats might open up! It made me so mad that someone would have the nerve to do that (and to a pensioner to boot!)
Anyway....sorry - I know it's slightly off topic. Just wanted to share....
Jul 9, 2019, 3:57 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Curious as to why Row 1 remains blocked on BA890 to SOF on 11th. Within 48 hours now and on EF and the seat map all 4 seats blocked out, none occupied. There are only 6 people with assigned seats throughout 5 rows of CE. Most seats are empty.
Row 2 is full
Row 3 has one seat blocked next to someone (assume TS is blocking next to status holder), same in Row 4.
Row 5 is completely free.
Holding them back for golds later?
Row 2 is full
Row 3 has one seat blocked next to someone (assume TS is blocking next to status holder), same in Row 4.
Row 5 is completely free.
Holding them back for golds later?
Jul 9, 2019, 6:04 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Jul 9, 2019, 6:20 am
#56
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,958
small bottles have always been on express, band 1, and band 2. Band 3 and 4 have been large bottles. I thought I heard they were going to swap 3 and 4 back to small bottles but haven't seen any evidence for that in the last month or so.
Jul 9, 2019, 6:24 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EI Platinum, VS Silver
Posts: 58
Had small bottles on CPH-LHR last week. at just over 90 mins, not sure if it still counts as a short hop or not?
Jul 9, 2019, 6:33 am
#58
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ann Arbor | Barcelona
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, AAdvantage Platinum Pro | United Premier Platinum
Posts: 78
According to BA Row 1 is supposed to release to general public by check-in (~24 Hours before departure), but in my experience BA doesn't release those seats... at all. Makes sense that the seats are reserved for "VIP" and Gold Members, but, like other airlines, in theory, those seats should open up by check-in.
I recently flew from IAH-LHR in First on a 747. My goal was to secure a seat in Row 1. I called YouFirst and they told me the seats will open up by check-in. OLCI rolls around and when I went in to select my seat it was still blocked. I even arrived at the airport 3 hours before departure and attempted to select the seats. They weren't even able to allocate my seats. When I boarded the plane, First consisted of myself and two other passengers (a couple). They chose middle seats. I, of course, moved to 1A when the door closed, but was disappointed that BA didn't allow me to select the seat. Funny thing though is that Row 1 opened up at OLCI for my CE flight to BCN... Oh BA
I'm sure their system is supposed release them automatically but seems to not be working properly...
I recently flew from IAH-LHR in First on a 747. My goal was to secure a seat in Row 1. I called YouFirst and they told me the seats will open up by check-in. OLCI rolls around and when I went in to select my seat it was still blocked. I even arrived at the airport 3 hours before departure and attempted to select the seats. They weren't even able to allocate my seats. When I boarded the plane, First consisted of myself and two other passengers (a couple). They chose middle seats. I, of course, moved to 1A when the door closed, but was disappointed that BA didn't allow me to select the seat. Funny thing though is that Row 1 opened up at OLCI for my CE flight to BCN... Oh BA
I'm sure their system is supposed release them automatically but seems to not be working properly...
Jul 9, 2019, 6:34 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,918
Curious as to why Row 1 remains blocked on BA890 to SOF on 11th. Within 48 hours now and on EF and the seat map all 4 seats blocked out, none occupied. There are only 6 people with assigned seats throughout 5 rows of CE. Most seats are empty.
Row 2 is full
Row 3 has one seat blocked next to someone (assume TS is blocking next to status holder), same in Row 4.
Row 5 is completely free.
Holding them back for golds later?
Row 2 is full
Row 3 has one seat blocked next to someone (assume TS is blocking next to status holder), same in Row 4.
Row 5 is completely free.
Holding them back for golds later?
Jul 9, 2019, 6:37 am
#60
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,958