The problem with theoretical seating
May 9, 2019, 11:12 am
#76
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I don't really see a difference between booking as a single and hoping the middle seat stays free, and doing that as a couple. Chances are some other solo snags the aisle so we're in effect doing the exact same thing. I travel more as a singleton than a pair, but I wouldn't want to require one of us to sit in the middle regardless. Maybe we should make it fair to everyone by insisting that every other person to check in has to take a middle seat, whether they are travelling with someone or not *joke*
I explained up there why it's different in cinemas and theatres. In those places a large majority of people are sitting in middle seats anyway so it makes more sense to avoid gaps. In rows of just 3 seats, each a different seat type, it's a very different game.
I genuinely can't see how what you're proposing is fairer to all. I can see that it would give singletons potentially more options, but it's at a cost to the poor pair-person who has no choice but to take a middle seat. That's not my definition of fair.
I explained up there why it's different in cinemas and theatres. In those places a large majority of people are sitting in middle seats anyway so it makes more sense to avoid gaps. In rows of just 3 seats, each a different seat type, it's a very different game.
I genuinely can't see how what you're proposing is fairer to all. I can see that it would give singletons potentially more options, but it's at a cost to the poor pair-person who has no choice but to take a middle seat. That's not my definition of fair.
May 9, 2019, 11:23 am
#77
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,146
When I've travelled as a couple I have always taken window and middle leaving the aisle free but sometimes I've taken aisle and middle as I consider that personally to be more considerate to other travellers, especially single travellers.
We're way off topic here so I'll say no more on the matter and our thinking is aligned differently/have completely different opinions but that's one good thing about FT you can read others views, try to see it from their point but not necessarily agree with them at the end of it
May 9, 2019, 11:38 am
#78
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK/France
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, EY Plat, etc
Posts: 351
I am really mystified by the A+C thing.
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
May 9, 2019, 11:50 am
#79
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
What if I am travelling with my boss and we have no wish to sit together? Would you prefer we are forced into a middle and aisle/window?
But I agree that anyone trying to game the system should not inconvenience others (and my definition of that precludes asking anyone in B to swap, no matter how pleasantly), and certainly can't complain if the person declines.
Perhaps I should play devils advocate and say that singletons should be restricted from selecting any seat in an empty row of three.
Instead they should be offered seats in rows that are already partially occupied, leaving more choice for later couples and families...
May 9, 2019, 12:06 pm
#80
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,376
I am really mystified by the A+C thing.
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
May 9, 2019, 12:08 pm
#81
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
I am really mystified by the A+C thing.
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
I am Gold and Mrs R is Silver. If we travel in ET she has A and I have B. TS still works as normal and C is blocked. If nobody shows up at ‘Boarding Complete’ then I move across to C. If not then I happily stay in the middle seat. Nobody is inconvenienced or put under pressure to swap.
if we want more space then we fly in CE.
Am I doing it wrong?
If only one is Gold then put the Gold in the middle to maximise the chance of a block.
Why didn't I think of that? DOH! ^
PS now going through existing bookings changing to A & B!!!
