Flying_Duck

So I have a couple of travels coming up from SLC-DTW now flown with the Embraer 170 which has a 6 FC seats.

I am booking in "B" with no luck to snag a F seat when booking, stating "on request" despite all 6 seats being open.

Then I for the fun of it try a number of days in several future months. Same result, no go. The difference between "B" and "F" is $500 (800 to 1300).

Seeing how an award seat would go gave a similar result: only skychoice for F, no Skysaver even 300 days out.

Checking on FC availability for the next 3 days, including tomorrow: all 6 seats open! so obviously no pre-gate clearing for any SM.

What gives? - is this FC only for show? - do they fly with it empty or what is going on? - anybody knows?

mtparadis

According to a thread in the last day or two they only do upgrades at the gate right now. A search for "Shuttle America" or even "170" would probably find it.

indufan

Both of my EMB-170 flights were completely full in F. I was in it once and not in it once. It does appear that there is no advance V/G availability. While the fare on the non-stop may be that much more in F...there might be cheaper A fares available from other markets.

vasantn

And was it quite as exciting as being in F on CX or SQ? It probably came close ...

runningshoes

I fly ORF-ORD pretty regularly on the 170 (United) and personally, I prefer 3B over the F section. The additional legroom is a better deal than a free drink.

GJCrawford

I'm 2 for 2 on a recent DTW-SLC-DTW. The outbound flight only showed 2 FC seats available and I was able to upgrade at the gate. The return flight showed 6 seats available and again was fortunate to get upgraded at the gate. This was on a T fare and only FO status. I would say your chances of an upgrade are excellent, but I don't think you'll see it clear ahead of time. They seem to be saving them for day of departure. Good Luck!

Flying_Duck

Interesting - thanks all.

But it makes no sense because now I will buy a $300 T-ticket instead of being willing to pay $850 for a B if I could have confirmed at booking.

Go figure!!

paulr

I'm 1 for 1 on SLC-DTW. On yesterday's flight, we pushed back with 2 empty seats in F, but I assume that's because neither the website nor the phone reservation agents showed upgrade availability on that leg. However, when I booked a future trip that included an SLC-DTW leg, it showed up with the normal "request upgrade" checkbox, so maybe that was just a fluke. Trip report at http://www.robichaux.net/blog/archives/001653.php.

gilpin

On which routes is the EMB170 now flown?

MastaHanky

Off the top of my head:

SLC-DTW
SLC-IND
SLC-CMH
SLC-MEM
SLC-CLE
SLC-BNA (starts Dec 1st, I think)
SLC-RNO
CVG-DTW (one daily)
JFK-AUS

One of the SLC-Mexico flights will be on it if approved, but I can't remember which one.

Ted Striker

JFK-CMH, no?

Bulldog King

Well, you can add JFK-SAT to MastaHanky's list of Shuttle America flights using the E170.....as I'll be taking this flight from SAT in early December.

1587 miles.....3:55 flight time....and yes.....I actually once posted on Flyertalk that I would never fly in a RJ for over 2 hours, but unfortunately this was my only choice.

Given all of the talk about the small FC section on this aircraft.....I was wondering if anyone who has flown in it in coach would be willing to share some insight as to what might be the best choice as far as coach seats are concerned.

I tried searching...but all of the threads that I found seemed to focus on the FC section.....not coach.

Thanks in advance...

A.J.

indufan

Row 3 baby. 3A is good, 3B is excellent as your feet go into FC cabin...but you have to watch out for your feet. 3C/3D better than 3A.

opus17

I kind of like this plane. Any coach seat that has an empty seat next to it is comfortable. Actually, a coach seat with an empty beats an F seat.

ecaarch

Unless you are 6'4".