mikmort

My wife and I will be flying from SEA->CPH around May 1st. This is one-way ticket as part of a corporate move/assignment. While I normally fly Business for work, since this is a family move that is not an option per corporate policy.

Right now the best (and really only) routing available on that date is SEA->DTW->AMS->CPH.

Question #1 -- Would you recommend that we book 'Premium Select' or 'Main Cabin', with price not an issue? In normal circumstances of course Premium Select would obviously be preferred, but given I expect the plane to be relatively empty would 'Main Cabin' be better as we'd hopefully be able to stretch across all three seats? I don't think that is possible in Premium Select as the arm rests are fixed? Has anyone flown the DTW->AMS flight in the last couple of weeks and have comments on how empty/full the plane is? Right now the seat map is wide open.

Question #2 -- We can book in a class (Y, B, M, H, Q, or K) that will allow for international upgrades to Delta One. Any thoughts on whether this would be worth it given how empty the flight would be? In normal circumstances it is a no brainier, but given current circumstances I'm less sure.

-Mike

Dutch101

My daughter's experience yesterday on the only Delta AMS flight to ATL was that everyone had their own row to themselves in Preferred Main, and actually the row in front and behind were empty as well. Assume that that will be the case for other TATL flights as well, given the EU travel ban. Service was normal compared to pre-Covid. Delta One was more than half empty as well, so really comes down to your priorities, I would say Premium Select would not be worth it at this time, especially given the fixed arm rests.

FBplatinum

If you are a Skymiles member, I will suggest you flight in Premium Economy with Air France, The MQM and Skypesos is very good (the best).
Sometime on my travel in PE(AF)/PS(DL), it is middle row empty in Main cabin, I just ask to the purser if I can move in a full row, never have receive a "no".
I have best of both world .... miles and a middle row to sleep (with 4 or 5 blankets ... )

xliioper

I don't see any AF options on this route until May 30th. Skyteam options on May 1 appear limited to DL via DTW and KL via JFK both connecting via AMS. I suspect loads will still be very light as many lockdowns will still be in place and you will be able to make beds back in main cabin.

MSPeconomist

Most PS fares earn 150% MQMs while most coach fares earn 100% on DL flights, assuming you credit to DL. You might consider what the rollover is worth to you. Note that some PS fares can be cheaper than some coach fares and PS fares are generally upgradeable to D1 with fewer miles (using an upgrade award for a fixed number of miles, not paying the "FCM" upgrade price with miles).
The PS meals normally seem to be a subset of the D1 menu, although you can't preorder, and the wine selections appear to be drinkable. However, the new coach catering on international DL flights doesn't seem bad, and empty planes should mean no more complaints about the slowness of the new service procedures. GM and one guest flying international are entitled to SC and partner operated lounge access (and of course SkyPriority lines) but not third party lounges, whether in coach or PS.

MarkCron

1 PS seat will be more comfortable than a row of C+/C. No brainer to me

PHXflier

If you have a middle row in C/C+ to yourself, then I find that more comfortable than PS because you can stretch out in C/C+ four across but you cannot really make use of the seats next to you in PS.

mikmort

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I don't think AF is an option. As Xliioper stated I believe the only routes running on Skyteam are via DTW and JFK.

I'm assuming that if I go ahead and book PS and there are multiple empty rows in main no one would object if went back to an empty row to sleep?

findark

With current loads, I would be shocked if they objected.

LondonElite

I know you didn't ask this question, but have you informed yourself of the travel restrictions currently in place? I can't speak for Denmark, but it would be pretty much impossible for you to make this move to Germany right now. The border is closed to all non-citizens/residents unless there is an essential service being performed. The information on the various government websites is quite specific. A general 'my company is moving me' would, in most cases, not be a sufficient reason. Again, I don't know your circumstances or employment specifics, but I just want to warn you that it may not be easy/possible, and if it is will come with a fair bit of paperwork. The EU travel restrictions generally are in place to 15 May, but individual countries may extend/sharpen those.

mikmort

I already have a work permit (VISA) and my wife has a residency permit. I also have an employment contract and an leased apartment. The rules in Denmark allow for those to come with work and residency permits. We've also confirmed with our relocation/immigration specialists that we've been working with in Copenhagen. We will triple check again!

LondonElite

Checking again is not a bad idea, given the fluid restrictions and sensitivities at the moment. Good luck!

spainflyer

Only slightly off-topic: Three weeks ago my son returned to MAD from JFK on Iberia. That evening there were three flights (two IB and one BA passengers connecting through LHR to MAD) combined on a single aircraft. The flight was so empty that the FA came up to my son to ask if he would like a full row to himself. Like any teenager, he can sleep anywhere, any amount, so yes, thank you. Not that it mattered, but he was on the cheapest fare, although he does have status with Iberia Plus.

FBplatinum

You can "sleep flat" on a row of C+/C seat, not in PS ...

FBplatinum

I have done this multiple times on low season intl flight.
I suggest:
A) if you can know "what" row are free
B) when boarding, go see the purser, and advise her/him of your intention (normally they will ask you to wait the door closure before moving). Better have the purser on your side if any other passenger want the row (can always say you ask permission first).
C) go seat in the row you want, and move your bag AFTER the door closure. If you did not seat on the row you want, peoples are very quick to jump in empty row.