Thanks for the info on the MSP-SEA flight operating as a 333 in August. I actually was able to book SEA-MSP-NRT-SIN as my return trip to add another 3keqms and pop me over the threshold for my first 2 SW upgrade awards. With a 333 instead of a 757 this will be all the more bearable.

I was booking SEA-MSP-SEA for mid-August yesterday and was delighted to see the A330 popping up for my return, so I booked it.

Unfortunately, all the exit rows were full. Is SeatGuru accurate in stating the seats with most pitch in coach are rows 10-28, and the aisles are best? (I booked 16H.)

Yes, definitely stick to the aisles in front ahead of row 29.

I can't seem to find the other thread about the A330 doing substitutions on the SEA/MSP runs in August.

Anyway, I had to book myself on one of these bad boys SEA-MSP (the 845am departure) for a Monday at the end of August. Flight was P9 F0 Y6 B6 and the rest zero'd out when I bought my ticket - which booked into "H" class. I thought I'd be OK for a battlefield at least. Amazingly, the flight is down to P4 before any EUA ran and F is still zero.

So if NW is basically able to sell out this plane on a Monday morning between SEA & MSP, why isn't it permanently in the schedule?

This isn't a thread question about "where's my upgrade"...it's about "why won't NW fly this daily if they can fill it?"

PS - it's part of a trip to IAD and MSP-IAD cleared at the 6 day mark.

-RM

That's a good point. And maybe during future summers or peak travel periods they should consider it. If they have spare aircraft.

But simply put, the aircraft are too profitable to put on SEA/MSP routes. They're much more profitable on TATL routes (in the case of the A333).

If NW had major coastal hubs, you might see some transcon flights used also as positioning for the aircraft like some of the other airlines do, but they don't have that need.

Perhaps they are limiting sales to 757 levels even though they plan on having to operate the A330. Then if they can manage to switch back to the 757 they don't have to bump anyone.

They have been full...
 

Last FRI, I flew NW 158 which was the 845am flight from SEA-MSP. The flight was totally full/overbooked. They needed volunteers. I think it makes sense that they have that aircraft on these two flights. The 5pm MSP-SEA flight is always full/overbooked and I avoid it as a Plat because I like the avoid the BF situation if at all possible. I usually end up departing on the NW165 at 9XXpm.

Seems like these flights make lots of sense, with both the red-eyes from HNL & OGG/KOA dumping people back in SEA early in the am.

Actually no, the entire seat map except for the handicap row 11 is full. In fact, when I booked my ticket, the last coach seat was 29-J (WOO HOO - score for me!). Thankfully I'm elite and can grab that seat.

Here's to hoping I get the Battlefield...

-RM

Intersting (to me at least).

I checked my reservation this morning and I was still booked in 29-J on the A330 SEA-MSP next week. I went back into it just now (it's 1pm) for something else and I've been upgraded on the flight.

This is interesting for two reasons:
1. I've never received a midday upgrade on NW after the Plat EUA window.
2. Flight availability was P3 F0 Y4 this morning and is still P3 F0 Y4 even after my upgrade.

The seat map shows 11 open seats (yes, I know seat maps are not accurate).

I was thinking maybe NW dumped a bunch of seats into the upgrade bucket and then processed them at the 5 day mark (even though most flights process at the 6 day mark) - but that's not the case as I'm under 5 days now based on flight time.

Just reporting what happened...not looking for a big "I wonder..." thread.

-RM

My upgrade on the A330 SEA to MSP flight next Monday morning also cleared at midday today. Another flight for next Tuesday also cleared at the same time. I wonder if there's a new upgrade sweep?

I was upgraded on my MSP-SEA A330 flight last week, and I have to say it was the nicest domestic NW flight I've had in years. Lie-flat seats (with lumbar massage), and the IFE was fully operational (I was able to watch SpiderMan 3 on the flight home).

If this is a marketing ploy for NW to sell its A330 cabins to those who rarely fly international on NW, it worked beautifully in my case. ^

The only downside: One very nice FA complained no one talked to her anymore on the flights, they were so busy playing with the IFE. :)