Delta-marketed KE Flights - Accessing blocked seats?
Jun 20, 2019, 12:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 61
Delta-marketed KE Flights - Accessing blocked seats?
Would love any insight from the braintrust here.
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
Last edited by bruininabag; Jun 20, 2019 at 12:52 pm Reason: Added screenshot.
Jun 20, 2019, 2:36 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Would love any insight from the braintrust here.
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
My impression is that KE saves these seats for its own elites and those traveling on high fare class paid tickets. You might get lucky if you ask at the airport, especially at the gate.
Jun 20, 2019, 5:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
Would love any insight from the braintrust here.
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
I am booked in business class on a code-shared Delta marketed, Korean Air flight from LAX-ICN (DL9045/KE18). I was able to select a seat on Delta.com in the back of the top-deck but not ideal.
But on ExpertFlyer, I see a bunch of blocked seats marked as premium-only.
2.5 Questions:
1. Do these seats open up at online check-in 24 hours before the flight?
2. If so, are they selectable on Delta.com/Delta app? If not, how?
Jul 13, 2019, 2:05 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SJC, SFO
Programs: Delta DM, IHG Spire, Hertz PC, H.com Gold^3, lowly something on others...
Posts: 1,260
Only selectable for business class... I have done plenty of flights where the KE is the regional hop in economy and you cannot select seat. I have been through this so many times that I no longer make an effort and just assume Ed Bastian and Steve Sear are clueless about real world implementation of this JV now that we have well passed the 1 year mark, and their PR pieces are just puff pieces. Diamond desk and codeshare desk agents are very firm and confident you cannot select seat on KE segments and commented they wish their big bosses wouldn't mislead passengers on these JV flights. No seat selection and definitely no preferred seat, regardless of your Medallion or ST status. I've lost count of times of hearing "...we cannot tell another airline to let you select seat on their flight... this is what codeshare means..." from the phone agents.
Jul 13, 2019, 3:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,855
Only selectable for business class... I have done plenty of flights where the KE is the regional hop in economy and you cannot select seat. I have been through this so many times that I no longer make an effort and just assume Ed Bastian and Steve Sear are clueless about real world implementation of this JV now that we have well passed the 1 year mark, and their PR pieces are just puff pieces. Diamond desk and codeshare desk agents are very firm and confident you cannot select seat on KE segments and commented they wish their big bosses wouldn't mislead passengers on these JV flights. No seat selection and definitely no preferred seat, regardless of your Medallion or ST status. I've lost count of times of hearing "...we cannot tell another airline to let you select seat on their flight... this is what codeshare means..." from the phone agents.
Jul 13, 2019, 3:43 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
It's even worse. KE blocks a lot of business class seats, so as a DM on a KE operated flight ticketed in business class, I can get stuck in a middle seat (on their horrible aircraft with a 2-3-2 configuration in business class) even though there are a reasonable number of lovely aisle and window seats available to KE's own customers.
Jul 13, 2019, 4:40 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,204
It's even worse. KE blocks a lot of business class seats, so as a DM on a KE operated flight ticketed in business class, I can get stuck in a middle seat (on their horrible aircraft with a 2-3-2 configuration in business class) even though there are a reasonable number of lovely aisle and window seats available to KE's own customers.
The practice of blocking seats to airline's own elites is not uncommon, though. Same thing with MU. First several rows (Y) are all blocked off, and MU res confirms that it's not available to SkyTeam Elite Plus, only to their own FFPs and may open later at T-24. Wouldn't be surprised if DL does that w.r.t. other FFP redemptions for DL flights also.
Jul 13, 2019, 11:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,158
Unfortunately the problem is not limited to codeshare flights, although codeshares make it worse. And it's not limited to Delta /KE. I had similar problems with UA/LH/LX using award and codeshare tickets.
I think the root cause is that airlines think that seat assignments do not make money (at least cross airlines, where upsell does not happen today) and aiines are not investing enough in software / protocols to make it work seamlessly, but its not that hard!
It's 21 century for gods sake and we should have standard protocols adopted by MOST airlines and OTAs for seat assignments that work seamlessly across multiple blackened and codeshares. And such protocol should be
extended to support upsells and seat upgrades, so that airlines could actually see more money coming from it. Just plain stupid.
I think the root cause is that airlines think that seat assignments do not make money (at least cross airlines, where upsell does not happen today) and aiines are not investing enough in software / protocols to make it work seamlessly, but its not that hard!
It's 21 century for gods sake and we should have standard protocols adopted by MOST airlines and OTAs for seat assignments that work seamlessly across multiple blackened and codeshares. And such protocol should be
extended to support upsells and seat upgrades, so that airlines could actually see more money coming from it. Just plain stupid.
Jul 14, 2019, 1:31 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Did you try the KE online chat to get a better seat? Usually that works.
The practice of blocking seats to airline's own elites is not uncommon, though. Same thing with MU. First several rows (Y) are all blocked off, and MU res confirms that it's not available to SkyTeam Elite Plus, only to their own FFPs and may open later at T-24. Wouldn't be surprised if DL does that w.r.t. other FFP redemptions for DL flights also.
The practice of blocking seats to airline's own elites is not uncommon, though. Same thing with MU. First several rows (Y) are all blocked off, and MU res confirms that it's not available to SkyTeam Elite Plus, only to their own FFPs and may open later at T-24. Wouldn't be surprised if DL does that w.r.t. other FFP redemptions for DL flights also.
I called KE.....and the phone agent would give me a choice among several of the available seats, which were the worst ones.
I also had a case where there was an aircraft change and I was reassigned one of the worst seats, despite better seats being availabe.
On A380s with 2-2-2 seating, the front business class section seems to be saved for KE's own passengers regardless of how empty it is. I had the same experience on another longhaul KE flight, which I which I think was the lower deck on a 747 but it might have been a 777.
I also had a case where there was an aircraft change and I was reassigned one of the worst seats, despite better seats being availabe.
On A380s with 2-2-2 seating, the front business class section seems to be saved for KE's own passengers regardless of how empty it is. I had the same experience on another longhaul KE flight, which I which I think was the lower deck on a 747 but it might have been a 777.
Jul 14, 2019, 2:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,158
Slightly OT:
1. 380 is pretty quiet and I had no problems with noise of seats in the back of business of class as long as they were not too last few rows close to the bar. Sitting in the second half of business class cabin has advantage of bar and duty free being closer
.
2. Regardless where you sit, KE A380 is not a great product in business. If possible change to another route with 777 or DL metal. I flew KE 380 between ICN and BKK a few times and it was barely acceptable for 5 hour long flight. I would go out my way not to book for TPAC.
1. 380 is pretty quiet and I had no problems with noise of seats in the back of business of class as long as they were not too last few rows close to the bar. Sitting in the second half of business class cabin has advantage of bar and duty free being closer
.2. Regardless where you sit, KE A380 is not a great product in business. If possible change to another route with 777 or DL metal. I flew KE 380 between ICN and BKK a few times and it was barely acceptable for 5 hour long flight. I would go out my way not to book for TPAC.
Jul 14, 2019, 5:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,204
Unfortunately the problem is not limited to codeshare flights, although codeshares make it worse. And it's not limited to Delta /KE. I had similar problems with UA/LH/LX using award and codeshare tickets.
I think the root cause is that airlines think that seat assignments do not make money (at least cross airlines, where upsell does not happen today) and aiines are not investing enough in software / protocols to make it work seamlessly, but its not that hard!
It's 21 century for gods sake and we should have standard protocols adopted by MOST airlines and OTAs for seat assignments that work seamlessly across multiple blackened and codeshares. And such protocol should be
extended to support upsells and seat upgrades, so that airlines could actually see more money coming from it. Just plain stupid.
I think the root cause is that airlines think that seat assignments do not make money (at least cross airlines, where upsell does not happen today) and aiines are not investing enough in software / protocols to make it work seamlessly, but its not that hard!
It's 21 century for gods sake and we should have standard protocols adopted by MOST airlines and OTAs for seat assignments that work seamlessly across multiple blackened and codeshares. And such protocol should be
extended to support upsells and seat upgrades, so that airlines could actually see more money coming from it. Just plain stupid.
BTW LH site is pretty good and can be used to select seats for other *A airlines also (I may be wrong, but I think OZ and/or CA, LO), even if not on LH ticket stock and has no LH flights.
Jul 15, 2019, 1:46 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,351
Korean Air - even if you book on their own website as a "regular" person (not Morning Calm aka Sky Team Elite or Elite Plus) - they open literally the last few rows of the plane for pre-selection and that's it. If you are Morning Calm Elite, the front half of the plane opens. Overall, for all available seats, they once told me that only 50% of the plane total is open for pre-selection. At online check-in/at the airport, that's when everything else opens up. The vast majority of passengers on Korean Air do NOT do web check in, so you can still get a good seat at the airport. Not to mention that in the rest of those seats opening up, even a few of them are still blocked for selection by airport staff only.
Jul 15, 2019, 1:55 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
IME business class seats are generally selected in advance by KE passengers. There's almost nothing left when check in opens. This applies to both longhaul and regional flights.
Jul 27, 2019, 7:31 am
#15
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 12
I am a new Platinum member on Delta (via a challenge) and am having this seat issue with Korean air (though economy version). I was assigned a seat in the back of the plane. I called up Delta (though, I don't think I spoke to someone at the Medallion desk---would that help?) and they said that I should be able to book any economy seat, but that they only have access to the back of the plane. I also called KE who pretty much did not care that I was Platinum Medallion---they said that their system could not open up any seats at the front of the plane for me. They suggested that I check in 90 minutes before my long-haul flight to see if they can do better. !!! Delta essentially relies on KE to provide all its flights from the west coast to Asia. Right now, I don't understand why people have praised Delta Elite over American (where something like this just doesn't happen with partners).