Emirates economy seating strategy
Dec 23, 2019, 5:57 am
#1
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Emirates economy seating strategy
Flying my first ultra-longhaul in economy (the horror) and curious about the thoughts here on seat selection. Does Emirates typically fill back to front? If I'm trying to get an empty neighbor seat (or even entire row), is paying the extra bucks for preferred seats (in the first cabin of Economy) a good strategy versus assigning a seat elsewhere?
Flying an A380 and all the bulkheads/row 68 are blocked, as is everything from row 80 backwards. Any thoughts on my best bet here?
Flying an A380 and all the bulkheads/row 68 are blocked, as is everything from row 80 backwards. Any thoughts on my best bet here?
Dec 23, 2019, 6:29 am
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Flying my first ultra-longhaul in economy (the horror) and curious about the thoughts here on seat selection. Does Emirates typically fill back to front? If I'm trying to get an empty neighbor seat (or even entire row), is paying the extra bucks for preferred seats (in the first cabin of Economy) a good strategy versus assigning a seat elsewhere?
Flying an A380 and all the bulkheads/row 68 are blocked, as is everything from row 80 backwards. Any thoughts on my best bet here?
Flying an A380 and all the bulkheads/row 68 are blocked, as is everything from row 80 backwards. Any thoughts on my best bet here?
Dec 23, 2019, 6:31 am
#3
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Be aware that using the Emirates app on your smartphone you can 'seat hop' as much as you want, even after OLCI. So keep on watching that seat map and when some horrible person snatches the empty seat next to you, move yourself to a better place. Repeat if / when necessary. If you use a printed BP, the scanner at the gate will beep. Sadly this does not mean an upgrade in this case but just a 'misalignment' in seat allocation and you will get the correct BP. If you use the BP in the app, it will automatically change to reflect the new seat.
Dec 23, 2019, 7:01 am
#4
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Just to add to this: I wouldnt pay extra for an extra legroom seat. Check in staff give these away for free and since these are desirable I often find myself (having assigned one of those seats) with neighbours, I would say you have more chance to get a row of 3/4 by picking one of the last rows and hoping for the best.
Dec 23, 2019, 8:14 am
#5
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That's true - onboard you still have to pay (as well as pre-olci). at the physical check in desk, they will give them away for free.
Dec 23, 2019, 9:32 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
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I don’t think this is the case anymore unless the policy has changed back? Obviously as plat you get them for free but when I was gold I was unable to get those seats when the new policy came in.
Dec 23, 2019, 7:34 pm
#8
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I was as surprised as you are, but this does seem to be the policy. Paid up to T-3, free between T-3 and T-1 (but only at the check in desk, where the agent needs to get the seat released) then paid again onboard. I've checked this at several out stations seperately as well as at DXB, so I am inclined to think this iinformation is correct. If it isn't please correct me.
Dec 23, 2019, 9:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
I was as surprised as you are, but this does seem to be the policy. Paid up to T-3, free between T-3 and T-1 (but only at the check in desk, where the agent needs to get the seat released) then paid again onboard. I've checked this at several out stations seperately as well as at DXB, so I am inclined to think this iinformation is correct. If it isn't please correct me.
Dec 24, 2019, 2:21 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
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I was as surprised as you are, but this does seem to be the policy. Paid up to T-3, free between T-3 and T-1 (but only at the check in desk, where the agent needs to get the seat released) then paid again onboard. I've checked this at several out stations seperately as well as at DXB, so I am inclined to think this iinformation is correct. If it isn't please correct me.
I have been plat since last august though so like I said the policy may have changed back since then.
Dec 24, 2019, 4:03 pm
#11
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Personally, I don't think there is a strategy to be followed, just luck of the draw. I usually book Aisle and Window so the dreaded middle seat isn't selected then we get the row to ourselves, but 9/10 somebody picks it for some reason. I have even then offered that individual to swap the middle for window or aisle and they refused sticking to the dreaded middle seat!!