First world problem, but extremely annoying ...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA GGLFL, LH Sen, Alitalia Platinum, Hilton Plat, SPG / Marriott / Carlsson Gold
Posts: 259
First world problem, but extremely annoying ...
We flew BCN/LGW on Saturday evening in Club Europe. When we booked the ticket, we were allocated 1A and 1C - our favourite short-haul seats. Upon reaching the airport, we were told we were now in 4D and 4F. I’m 6’3, so was not thrilled about this. Half an hour on the GGL line was - unusually - fruitless. BA rang me yesterday to apologise. The explanation was that the (Vueling) dispatcher moved us to accommodate a (no OW status) family of three! Not sure it is acceptable to move a GGLFL and GC when this family could have been parked in rows 5, 6, or 7?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,691
We flew BCN/LGW on Saturday evening in Club Europe. When we booked the ticket, we were allocated 1A and 1C - our favourite short-haul seats. Upon reaching the airport, we were told we were now in 4D and 4F. I’m 6’3, so was not thrilled about this. Half an hour on the GGL line was - unusually - fruitless. BA rang me yesterday to apologise. The explanation was that the (Vueling) dispatcher moved us to accommodate a (no OW status) family of three! Not sure it is acceptable to move a GGLFL and GC when this family could have been parked in rows 5, 6, or 7?
#3
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,345
I'm not sure it's acceptable to move anyone in those circumstances, as the family could have paid to sit together if they'd wanted to. Do you recall if it was one adult and two small children, where there is at least a need to be seated together? If not, then you have to question whether the dispatcher knew the family involved.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA GGLFL, LH Sen, Alitalia Platinum, Hilton Plat, SPG / Marriott / Carlsson Gold
Posts: 259
I'm not sure it's acceptable to move anyone in those circumstances, as the family could have paid to sit together if they'd wanted to. Do you recall if it was one adult and two small children, where there is at least a need to be seated together? If not, then you have to question whether the dispatcher knew the family involved.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,581
Hardly news that Vueling don't give a sh*t... I imagine BA were probably not happy, I wouldn't have been either. I'd be pushing for a detailed explanation of the logic more than an apology to give BA a stick to beat Vueling with. How aggravating.
#7
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,735
Funnily enough this happened to me too, a few days ago. I got moved from 1C to 1D (OK I can hardly complain and it was only LHR-NCL) with nary a word, until the CCR agent spotted it as I was leaving. This also potentially posed problems with biometrics on that domestic service, but at least I knew how to deal with that. Now this is the first time in a few years that it has happened, the last time was to create space for a dog for a blind passenger. When I got to the gate to sort out the biometrics the passenger in front of me seemed pleased for some reason, and then it turned out she was the new 1C. On board it became clear why, 1A and 1C were an older couple, but 1A was just about the most nervous flyer I have ever seen, he was cringing with every bit of turbulence and every unexpected sound. Wife was there to provide calm and protection. Don't know why they didn't get the train frankly.
My take on this is that this is a minor and rare nuisance.
My take on this is that this is a minor and rare nuisance.
#9
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,735
Because the biometrics were located on my 1C boarding pass, but I was now travelling on a 1D boarding pass. The way to deal with this is to go to the gate well before boarding is started and explain it, since the staff - but not the auto-gates - can process two boarding passes to clear down the biometrics. If necessary they could have dug the photo out of the database and shifted it over to my new seat, but it's better if you have the previous boarding pass.