BA2033 LGW-DOH - blocked seats
May 24, 2023, 6:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (GGL, GFL)
Posts: 226
BA2033 LGW-DOH - blocked seats
I just boarded today’s flight to Doha. I had 4JK selected on the app and BPs issued.
At check in these had been changed to 3JK and when I enquired why was given the explanation that “4K should not have been released, it is blocked for crew rest on this flight”.
Does anyone know if this is true? Previously when I’ve experienced this issue the seats in question have never been available for passenger selection.
The seats are currently occupied by a lady and her daughter with the lady’s husband across the aisle in 4G.
The flight is quite lightly loaded (12 empty seats out of 32) so just seems a bit weird that there was a need to move us?
At check in these had been changed to 3JK and when I enquired why was given the explanation that “4K should not have been released, it is blocked for crew rest on this flight”.
Does anyone know if this is true? Previously when I’ve experienced this issue the seats in question have never been available for passenger selection.
The seats are currently occupied by a lady and her daughter with the lady’s husband across the aisle in 4G.
The flight is quite lightly loaded (12 empty seats out of 32) so just seems a bit weird that there was a need to move us?
May 24, 2023, 7:59 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Exec Club Gold, *G, EK Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,020
Although in saying that, there shouldn’t be a need to have a flight crew rest seat on a sector of that length. Perhaps there were 3 pilots as it the sector could have been a training trip.
May 24, 2023, 8:19 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (GGL, GFL)
Posts: 226
To be clear, no member of crew will be resting in these seats on this flight! But clearly the staff members / friends and family who are using them are more important than the fare paying passengers. First world problem…
May 24, 2023, 8:38 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,097
If BA had blocked the seats off in advance like they should have you would have been none the wiser, however the flight crew rest seats are theirs to do what they wish with including giving them to staff, I can understand how this would look bad to you.
May 24, 2023, 9:14 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
Is the 4K crew rest seat a thing on all LGW 777s, or is it only for flights over a certain flight time or distance, or on certain aircraft?
In the case of the Caribbean flights, should 4K be blocked on LGW-ANU flights always (the flight time requires a crew rest seat in the cabin), sometimes (depends on the aircraft) or never (this route doesn't require it)?
In the case of the Caribbean flights, should 4K be blocked on LGW-ANU flights always (the flight time requires a crew rest seat in the cabin), sometimes (depends on the aircraft) or never (this route doesn't require it)?
May 24, 2023, 9:18 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,097
It depends on the flight time and if there is an overhead rest facility, DOH wouldn’t normally need a rest seat but I’m guessing there was a third pilot, maybe a training or check flight?
May 24, 2023, 9:36 am
#10
Join Date: May 2023
Location: New York
Programs: BAEC Silver, JetBlue Mosaic
Posts: 6
Is this a common problem of them releasing the crew rest seat erroneously? I'm booked in 4K to Kingston for the end of August and don't want to end up in a middle of middle seat. Should I switch to 4A or is it fine across the pond to the Caribbean...
May 24, 2023, 10:51 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
Likewise, we have 4J 4K on LGW-ANA-AUA in September, as 4A was taken.
May 24, 2023, 10:52 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
May 24, 2023, 2:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 467
76% of flights to ANU in the past year have been on the non-overhead crew rest fitted aircraft. I have seen the seat used by flight crew on a similar length flight to UVF and also witnessed a silver passenger being turfed out of his seat and separated from his wife for this very reason.
Therefore, as per CIHY's advice, I'd suggest proactively moving yourself, before BA do.
Therefore, as per CIHY's advice, I'd suggest proactively moving yourself, before BA do.