Can I downgrade Business to coach on BA traveling in Europe?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
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Posts: 731
Can I downgrade Business to coach on BA traveling in Europe?
Hi all!. Flying BA and AA on a trip from LAX to LIS in Dec. BA metal from LAX-LIS via LHR. Bought biz class RT. However, BA won't even let me pay to get row 1 on A320 European config from LHR to LIS. The rest of BA biz is terrible. They are holding Row 1 for their premiers and if by chance it opens up during my check in window, I can reserve those seats. My thought was to downgrade to exit row in coach. Called Ex Plat desk to get them to help me with BA and I'm told it cannot be done??? Can anyone help me solve this? One option is the day of the flight offer one of the coach exit row passengers my Row 2 aisle seat? I'd rather find out if there's a way to do it ahead of time.
thanks in advance.
thanks in advance.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Hi all!. Flying BA and AA on a trip from LAX to LIS in Dec. BA metal from LAX-LIS via LHR. Bought biz class RT. However, BA won't even let me pay to get row 1 on A320 European config from LHR to LIS. The rest of BA biz is terrible. They are holding Row 1 for their premiers and if by chance it opens up during my check in window, I can reserve those seats. My thought was to downgrade to exit row in coach. Called Ex Plat desk to get them to help me with BA and I'm told it cannot be done??? Can anyone help me solve this? One option is the day of the flight offer one of the coach exit row passengers my Row 2 aisle seat? I'd rather find out if there's a way to do it ahead of time.
thanks in advance.
thanks in advance.
For a 2 hr. flight, is row 1 really that much better than row 2? I'm sure whoever is in the exit row will be happy to switch to whatever business seat you end up with on the day of the flight.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Don't over-complicate this. Just ask someone in an exit row to swap. It's a micro-haul flight, but some people obsess about the meal, so may be quite glad of the chance.Just make sure that you tell the cabin crew.
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I understand the reason. At 6’4”, the row 2 30” seat pitch sucks mightily compared with an exit row. 30” pitch in “Business”.
We will move this to the BAEC forum for more informed input.
Moderator
We will move this to the BAEC forum for more informed input.
Moderator
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
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Hi,
I would also check back as people may move. As an AA EXP per your profile you should be able to get row 1 free of charge (if available)
Regards
TBS
I would also check back as people may move. As an AA EXP per your profile you should be able to get row 1 free of charge (if available)
Regards
TBS
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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If he still wants to do that, ask the crew first. They need to allow it (they might think that he/she was blinkers but that they will keep for themselves). What I will do is actually ask the crew when I fly n Thursday and go and look to see if it’s worth it. My 6ft husband fits in Row 2 or whichever if we’re not in Row 1. I’ll report back.
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Prepare for a refusal as some passengers are very protective of their exit row seat
Don’t forget, between takeoff and landing you can raise the armrest which provides additional lateral space and room to angle your legs into the middle footwell. But don’t monopolise it though. It is shared space
Don’t forget, between takeoff and landing you can raise the armrest which provides additional lateral space and room to angle your legs into the middle footwell. But don’t monopolise it though. It is shared space
#10
Join Date: May 2005
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If I remember correctly, Row 1 is available to OW EMDs. Your profile says that you are AA EXP, so you should be able to reserve seats in Row 1 without paying.
#11
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#13
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#14
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