What do the blocked seats represent?
#17
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Sorry for reviving this thread... I am having a trip to SFO recently in PEY so I want to check the loadings of the flight (to evaluate op-up chances). However, upon checking the PEY/Y seat map on EF, I have a few interesting discoveries:
1. PEY zeroed out in W/R/E fare classes, but seat maps shows 10+ open seats (not really surprising since many people don't select seats in advance);
2. EY seats seems to be blocked from row 42 onwards in the first section (on the 77H) and 65 onwards in the second section, with the exception of row 71 and 72, which is more than half of the EY cabin. And this seat blocking seems to apply for all flights (even wide open flights in April 2018)
So just out of curiosity, what do those blocked seats represent? Who have access to those seats? They are towards the back of the cabin, so I don't think they are reserved for elites?
1. PEY zeroed out in W/R/E fare classes, but seat maps shows 10+ open seats (not really surprising since many people don't select seats in advance);
2. EY seats seems to be blocked from row 42 onwards in the first section (on the 77H) and 65 onwards in the second section, with the exception of row 71 and 72, which is more than half of the EY cabin. And this seat blocking seems to apply for all flights (even wide open flights in April 2018)
So just out of curiosity, what do those blocked seats represent? Who have access to those seats? They are towards the back of the cabin, so I don't think they are reserved for elites?
#18
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond (OW Emerald), former SQ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 2,527
Probably reserved for airport control so when groups check in they are able to arrange seating together without single travellers having broken up the whole grid into non-contiguous blocks.
If an elite calls in and really wants one of these blocked seats, they will release it.
If an elite calls in and really wants one of these blocked seats, they will release it.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YVR, KUL
Programs: AC, MH, BA, AF-KL
Posts: 2,904
#20
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
Sorry for reviving this thread... I am having a trip to SFO recently in PEY so I want to check the loadings of the flight (to evaluate op-up chances). However, upon checking the PEY/Y seat map on EF, I have a few interesting discoveries:
1. PEY zeroed out in W/R/E fare classes, but seat maps shows 10+ open seats (not really surprising since many people don't select seats in advance);
2. EY seats seems to be blocked from row 42 onwards in the first section (on the 77H) and 65 onwards in the second section, with the exception of row 71 and 72, which is more than half of the EY cabin. And this seat blocking seems to apply for all flights (even wide open flights in April 2018)
So just out of curiosity, what do those blocked seats represent? Who have access to those seats? They are towards the back of the cabin, so I don't think they are reserved for elites?
1. PEY zeroed out in W/R/E fare classes, but seat maps shows 10+ open seats (not really surprising since many people don't select seats in advance);
2. EY seats seems to be blocked from row 42 onwards in the first section (on the 77H) and 65 onwards in the second section, with the exception of row 71 and 72, which is more than half of the EY cabin. And this seat blocking seems to apply for all flights (even wide open flights in April 2018)
So just out of curiosity, what do those blocked seats represent? Who have access to those seats? They are towards the back of the cabin, so I don't think they are reserved for elites?
Y - seat groups will be blocked for tour group bookings so they can all sit together, usually at the rear of a cabin section. This is a good thing.
It is extremely unlikely for a 77W or any widebody to require seat blocks for weight/balance issues.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Since nobody can say with certainty, and it's all speculation, I'll posit that the block represent a few things.
1) The blocks for the things mentioned above, such as bassinet, DM adjacent seat blocks, groups, crew rest, and so on.
2) Reservations that do not have seat assignments. Basically a placeholder.
I see some claim that #2 is not true because the blocks disappear T-48. But why would that disprove the theory? That is the time you start OLCI, and have an opportunity to pay for your seat assignment, right? (At least that is the way it works on other airlines. I always select the seat when making the reservation CX.)
1) The blocks for the things mentioned above, such as bassinet, DM adjacent seat blocks, groups, crew rest, and so on.
2) Reservations that do not have seat assignments. Basically a placeholder.
I see some claim that #2 is not true because the blocks disappear T-48. But why would that disprove the theory? That is the time you start OLCI, and have an opportunity to pay for your seat assignment, right? (At least that is the way it works on other airlines. I always select the seat when making the reservation CX.)
#26
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CRK MNL
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,288
#27
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: MPC-DM, Enrich-Plat
Posts: 1,310
I assume, Weight & Balans. When the aircraft is far from full, you don't want the payload weight to end up concentrated in the back, since, that'll require major re-seatings, to be able to stay within W&B limits.