Seat selection on Ethiopian Airlines
Jul 21, 2016, 1:56 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
Additional data point on *G seat blocking. Thought I had a stalker chasing me! =)
at check-in was changing my seat and noticed every time I moved my seat, the one next to it was blocked. Assumed it was a stalker or a technical glitch of the site. I'll know tomorrow whether the block holds.
at check-in was changing my seat and noticed every time I moved my seat, the one next to it was blocked. Assumed it was a stalker or a technical glitch of the site. I'll know tomorrow whether the block holds.
Jul 21, 2016, 2:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MAN
Programs: A3 Gold, KQ Gold
Posts: 103
Additional data point on *G seat blocking. Thought I had a stalker chasing me! =)
at check-in was changing my seat and noticed every time I moved my seat, the one next to it was blocked. Assumed it was a stalker or a technical glitch of the site. I'll know tomorrow whether the block holds.
at check-in was changing my seat and noticed every time I moved my seat, the one next to it was blocked. Assumed it was a stalker or a technical glitch of the site. I'll know tomorrow whether the block holds.
Jul 24, 2016, 12:15 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
The block will hold unless all the other unblocked seats fill up, then all blocks will be released together and it will be fair game.
Note that the block is only for *G in Economy. In Cloud Nine, you can still get the seat beside you assigned even on an empty flight.
Note that the block is only for *G in Economy. In Cloud Nine, you can still get the seat beside you assigned even on an empty flight.
Jul 7, 2017, 2:34 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
FWIW, I tried phoning ET to do seat selection (UA award bookings made in April 2017) using Skype from Oz. The USA, UK and Ethiopian phone numbers shown on the ET web site failed to connect. But the South African ET number (+27 xxxxx) worked perfectly. The process was fast and professional. All that ET wanted was the PNR and requested seats. The operator waited a few seconds and replied when she had a confirmation.
Jan 29, 2018, 1:13 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 346
In April 2017 I flew ADD-CPT/JNB-ADD-BOM in economy and all my neighbor (middle) seat was blocked - even with Turkish Silver status! When I tried to on-line check in, the system blocked two seats automatically even though I just needed one. Very interesting!
Jan 29, 2018, 4:22 am
#22
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: EK Gold, TK Elite, Marriott Rewards, Global Entry, MileagePlus
Posts: 264
In April 2017 I flew ADD-CPT/JNB-ADD-BOM in economy and all my neighbor (middle) seat was blocked - even with Turkish Silver status! When I tried to on-line check in, the system blocked two seats automatically even though I just needed one. Very interesting!
Another question I haven't seen answered: what's the best strategy for snagging exit rows with ET? I've had some luck asking when I check-in at the airport. Can you call or email even earlier?
Jan 29, 2018, 8:46 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: DAR / CDG
Programs: A3 Gold; FB Gold; Hertz Gold
Posts: 54
Note that ET's website erroneously identifies the exit rows on the 738s as being rows 16 and 17, as opposed to rows 17 (exit row but no recline) and 18 as they are in fact. Therefore, you can snag seats in row 18 online with no problems.
Jan 29, 2018, 2:20 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: EK Gold, TK Elite, Marriott Rewards, Global Entry, MileagePlus
Posts: 264
Thanks @W126Pilot!
I'm usually on the NBO>ADD>IAD route and on the short leg they appear to constantly swap out equipment so I won't even bother. Even their internal map for the 738 is indeed wrong. Once at checkin they put me in an exit row on the short hop trying to be helpful and I ended up being in a non-reclining seat in front of the exit row...
But for the long 777 leg this will be a big help! I likewise was under the impression that it was check-in only. Then on one trip the guy next to me said he booked this flight specifically because it still had exit row availability...go figure! I'll try giving a call for a next flight!
I'm usually on the NBO>ADD>IAD route and on the short leg they appear to constantly swap out equipment so I won't even bother. Even their internal map for the 738 is indeed wrong. Once at checkin they put me in an exit row on the short hop trying to be helpful and I ended up being in a non-reclining seat in front of the exit row...
But for the long 777 leg this will be a big help! I likewise was under the impression that it was check-in only. Then on one trip the guy next to me said he booked this flight specifically because it still had exit row availability...go figure! I'll try giving a call for a next flight!
Feb 1, 2018, 12:25 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
I called ET today to get seat assignments on the long haul segments of 2 award tickets to JRO booked with UA miles. They could not get me seats on the ORD-ADD segment going over, but could on ADD-JRO. They were also able to make seat reservations for JRO-Add and ADD-IAD on the return flights. ET told me to call them when it is closer to the flights, which is late August. For such a long flight ORD-ADD it would be nice to sit next to my husband. Are they likely going to accommodate us or will we get assigned at the gate and be separated?
Feb 2, 2018, 12:27 am
#26
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: EK Gold, TK Elite, Marriott Rewards, Global Entry, MileagePlus
Posts: 264
I called ET today to get seat assignments on the long haul segments of 2 award tickets to JRO booked with UA miles. They could not get me seats on the ORD-ADD segment going over, but could on ADD-JRO. They were also able to make seat reservations for JRO-Add and ADD-IAD on the return flights. ET told me to call them when it is closer to the flights, which is late August. For such a long flight ORD-ADD it would be nice to sit next to my husband. Are they likely going to accommodate us or will we get assigned at the gate and be separated?
Feb 2, 2018, 2:03 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
The ORD-ADD route was only announced this week and opened for sale 3 days ago. Give it a few days to load the seat-map. ET has less than 20% ASR takeup rate, so getting seats assigned prior to OLCI window is never an issue.
Feb 19, 2018, 5:21 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
Worked fine for me this morning, but I've had this issue before. Use the App if you can't get into the website, but keep in mind the app blocks more seats than the website does for *G.
Feb 19, 2018, 5:56 am
#30
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: EK Gold, TK Elite, Marriott Rewards, Global Entry, MileagePlus
Posts: 264
What do you mean by this? Seats are blocked such that you can't select them or seats being blocked next to you once you make a selection? I've heard of neighboring seats getting blocked for *G but don't really know when/how this happens.