I am looking to get some advice on what seems to happen to f/bc passengers.

If you are booked on the 380, and they change it to a 777 LHR-DXB. We all know that 16 passengers do not go into 8 suites (well I suppose you could double up per suite and start a new trend!!). How do they decide on who to down grade to bc. Is it first to book in get the seats, and if that is the case is it worth booking in online as soon as you can for that flight, or will you still have the same problem when you go to pick up a boarding pass. Also if the flight is full, I take it bc get bumped down to cattle, and what happens to cattle class, do they end up with an outside seat!!, (would make interesting viewing if they had a tail cam on the 777!!).

Would be interested to here from anyone who had been unfortunate to find themselves in this situation.

Cheers Paula

Once, checking in at LHR I was presenteed with a pre-written letter from EK stating that if i went on the next flight, in the same class, I would be offered a free ticket in the original class booked FOC. I also took a downgrade to Y class, where there were plenty of seats.

In the end, I was given 50'000 miles (a return upgrade from DXB-LHR) AND i was given a voucher for a free J class ticket DXB-LHR-DXB.

A separate time, from DXB-BKK I had a firm seat in J-class, and was asked if I would go in Y. I did and was given twice the mileage needed for the same upgrade, 50'000 miles in total was given for a journey that would have cost me 50'000 to upgrade...

that sounds fair, how long did you have to wait for the next fllight, if it was the next day did they put you up in a hotel. So before they down grade they look for volenteers. I wonder what happpens if they do not get enough people to come off the flight or down grade!

They usually ask volunteers - and they offer free ticket to the same class you are booked in if you offer to go on the next available flight. It depends on where you are flying from, if they have more than 1 flight per day - otherwise they put you up in one of the hotels and your meal is paid for as well.
If you not in a hurry to reach, it could be worthwhile taking the free ticket and bonus miles!
If no one volunteers, i guess then ppl who are skywards members get preference to fly or they could give more freebies ( like free first class tickets or more miles )to make the passenger take the offer.

EK has lots of London flights. I'd be surprised if they didn't get sufficient volunteers to take another flight with such generous offers. Bearing in mind, the original 16 seats may not all have been sold so they may not need (m)any volunteers.

thx looks like a win win situation if u r not in a hurry.

I had been called once in Nairobi to be told that there was a change of aircraft and no F on the flight I had originally booked. They had re-booked me in J on the new aircraft (no choice). When I asked for compensation, I was told they would offer it at the airport. They offered US$50, which I refused to accept. I was encouraged to write to EK, which I did, and they offered a free return F ticket NBO-DXB-NBO.^^^

So it looks like some staff will only give out as little as possible, bloody cheek to offer just $50, when the price difference between class was a lot more than that, good for you, did you ask for more air mile also for being messed about!!.

JUst back from a day trip to BAH and was asked when checking in at BAH (I did not do the on-line thing - totally forgot for once) and was asked if I would go in Y class instead of my firm J seat? I said I would (it's an hours flight!). I was offered a voucher for a free DXB-BAH-DXB J ticket and given my Y class boarding pass.

I was called from the lounge and presented with a J boarding pass. They also let me keep the voucher for offering!

(Maybe due to gold status)

I think any airline, should ask its FFT's if they are prepared to do down grading, it saves the embaressment at the check in desk of asking "everyone", or those NOT prepared to do it!

They have me down as a vodka drinking Aisle sitter, so maybe they could ask if I would be a downgrader too!

Same happened with me 4 weeks back apart from no phone call. I was offered the difference between F and full fare J (about $50) told them very nicley no thanks. Still waiting for a full answer

where was the flight from and too

Paula

Hyderabad - Dubai