Hiya all,

Just booked me on a trip to Joburg from Dusseldorf on EK.

Was able to snatch bulkhead aisles next to bassinet seats all along the itinerary. Meanwhile, put in special meal requests on all flights.

* Would ordering the special meal give any higher guarantee that somebody at EK wont re-seat me away from the bulkhead, before the day of the flight, maybe even after check-in? I know there might be babies next to me but I can never sleep on a plane anyways.

If not, then I wouldnt want to be stuck with special meal and a common seat!

I know that special meals prevent any upgardes to forward cabins. But that be wishful thinking.

Anyone any thoughts or feelers please....? Thanks!

Adding a special meal does not guarantee seat assignments on most airlines. However, as you thought...yes, many airlines avoid complementary upgrades for passengers with special meals.

I recently travelled with Emirates Dubai to Melbourne in Economy. I managed to secure a bulkhead seat and had to order a special meal. They tried to move me out of my seat once we'd all boarded because they'd let a mother with baby get on without a bassinet seat being assigned (they'd assigned a child-free passenger to the last available bassinet seat). I declined - I told them I was prepared to move if they offered me an exit row or business class seat but they didn't offer me either so I didn't move and they didn't make me.

Anyway, end result was I got my selected seat and also my special meal.

If you did get moved last minute your special meal should still be loaded, but it would be best to let the FAs know where you got moved from and to so they can find you to deliver your meal/s.

Hmmm, actually, dont really care much for the special meal.. hell I'd ask them for a normal one when I do make it to the assigned seat.

Only ordered the meal as thought it might make it more difficult for them to take away the bulkhead from moi before the day of the flight. You know how seats get hogged by inside jobs.

Guess still no guarantees.