Empty seat / asked to move
Jul 16, 19, 3:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 482
Empty seat / asked to move
Recently I’ve noticed the seat next to me is rarely occupied (eg I’m in 64K and 64J is empty on the 747). This leads to the cabin crew asking me to move seats so a couple can sit together. Any idea why this is happening? Should I expect some avios? I have emerald status so there is no seat fee to be refunded.
Jul 16, 19, 3:41 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,018
Just say no - it REALLY annoys me when crew / ground staff ask for this. They know perfectly well that those seats (64A/K etc.) are good seats and pre-booked normally by OWE - it is largely BA's own policy of making non-status passengers pay for seating which creates the mess of couples not being allocated seats together, so it's BA's job to sort it out and not mine. I have been asked this 3-4 times now and on the last couple have just politely declined without further issue.
Jul 16, 19, 3:43 am
#3
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 8,734
Just say no thanks.
I wouldn't give up my 64K seat for a couple. Like for like no problem as in say 17 A to 17K on the lower deck as an example.
As for Avios I wouldn't be interested nor if you agreed to should you get any as youd be doing it more as a goodwill gesture.
I wouldn't give up my 64K seat for a couple. Like for like no problem as in say 17 A to 17K on the lower deck as an example.
As for Avios I wouldn't be interested nor if you agreed to should you get any as youd be doing it more as a goodwill gesture.
Jul 16, 19, 3:44 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London, UK
Posts: 92
I'd refuse if they were asking you to move to a worse seat with no direct access...
This happened once, when i'd been moved without asking, and I noticed this only when looking down at my boarding pass going through security. I went back to the check in desk and they put me back in 64k and I was a happy bunny!
This happened once, when i'd been moved without asking, and I noticed this only when looking down at my boarding pass going through security. I went back to the check in desk and they put me back in 64k and I was a happy bunny!
Jul 16, 19, 3:44 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,467
I guess you can always say no, you'd chosen that seat many weeks in advance as it is one you prefer for whatever reason, and whilst you are sympathetic to the couple, you don't want to move?
I wouldn't expect any Avios to be on offer, but if you were to move you could say (tongue in cheek?) that you'd be prepared to make the sacrifice for a couple of glasses of LPGS (or whatever your poison is) from the front of the plane...
I wouldn't expect any Avios to be on offer, but if you were to move you could say (tongue in cheek?) that you'd be prepared to make the sacrifice for a couple of glasses of LPGS (or whatever your poison is) from the front of the plane...
Jul 16, 19, 3:52 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Originally Posted by AverageHighFlyer
Before refusing outright, it might be worth checking that they’re not asking you to move to F... 
But any idea why it had started happening more recently? There just always seems to be an empty seat next to me which seems to make me a target for moving.
Jul 16, 19, 3:54 am
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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Posts: 31,381
Originally Posted by ChrL
Recently it was 60A which was ok but I prefer the direct aisle access and prefer the K side because I sleep on my left side so the knee space is better in K.
But any idea why it had started happening more recently? There just always seems to be an empty seat next to me which seems to make me a target for moving.
Jul 16, 19, 3:56 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by KARFA
if you have status you are more likely to have a free seat next to you due to this Theoretical Seating master thread: Blocked seats and status
Jul 16, 19, 3:59 am
#10
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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Originally Posted by ChrL
Interesting... Can I opt out of that so I’m not a target for moving?
out of many flights across the last few years where I have had a blocked seat i haven't been asked to move under similar circumstances.
Jul 16, 19, 4:27 am
#12
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 48,242
Originally Posted by ChrL
Interesting... Can I opt out of that so I’m not a target for moving?
Jul 16, 19, 4:30 am
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Carbon Conscious Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 20,619
Ever so often I get these requests, rarely on BA flights (mainly AA in domestic First) but when flying BA they are exclusively related to 747 upper deck seats. Why does this happen? I think a common cause is the desirability of the upper deck and the practicality of securing two seats together, particularly when seats are assigned at check in. So it’s quite natural for couples who find themselves separated to seek ways as a final attempt to sit together and for cabin crew to assist as far as possible.
If you are asked to swap seats to accommodate a couple, the decision rests with you and it’s not a matter to get stressed over.
If you are asked to swap seats to accommodate a couple, the decision rests with you and it’s not a matter to get stressed over.
