Rant: seat selection
 

So, here I go with my rant.

One of the published benefits of Skyteam is the availability of premium seating for elites. Now:
- On AZ, their own elites have access to premium seats. Others need to pay.
- On AF/KL, their own own elites have access to premium seats. Others, if they are lucky and their FFP is recognized, get a discount. Let alone Economy Comfort seating!
- DL is the only airline still honoring E+ and letting other airline elites book economy comfort for free.

Honestly, how difficult can it be to do what DL is doing across the alliance?!

AF is notorious for not only not allowing Delta Elite Plus passengers to book EC seats, but if one is lucky enough to manage that, AF removes that seat within 3 days of the flight and they said "sorry, it is all under airport control". Air France is a shame to the Sky Team alliance.

There is no published ST benefit for "premium seats". There is one for "preferred seating".
Obviously this does not mean that you can choose Business Class if you have an Economy ticket. Similarly, you cannot expect to fly Premium Economy on AF if you have an Economy ticket.
Same applies to KL's Eco Comfort.
If DL decides to extend benefits to members of other FFPs, they are free to do so, but there is no Skyteam rule or benefit that would call for it.
So the OP's rant is based on a misunderstanding.

AF does not offer EC seats.

I would suggest you to re-read my message. AF/KL (and AZ) deny access to PREFERRED SEATS, as well as EC seat in the case of KL, to other elites.

I never mentioned Economy+ (Premium Voyageur, Classica Plus) as I know very well these to be different classes of service.

My rant stands there, unsullied. Our published benefit is worth nothing except on DL.

Delta only gives away Economy Comfort to STE+ on flights within North America. On international flights only their own platinums and diamonds and Flying Blue Platinums get these seats for free. Delta's higher medallions on the other hand get EC on KLM as a published benefit. No freebies for Elite+ for seats requiring extra charge...

You have misunderstood the difference between selecting your seat and getting a different type of seat in a higher category. The latter is not a ST benefit.

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So, your point is that the benefit we are getting is "we can select a seat", just like anybody else?

I didn't understand fully the concept of "apologist" until today.

If you consider me an apologist, my answer to your question will not be useful for you anyway.

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Make me retract that with a non-apologist answer ;) Objectively: what's the benefit of "preferred seating" if it excludes any seat with extra legroom?

That you can sit closer to the front, won't have a middle seat, can choose between window/aisle and it's easier to get your partner seated next to you. 4 reasons.

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You must be kidding. That's all true also if you don't hold status.

You get priority. That's what the "preferred" in preferred seating is about.
But I would agree that this ST benefit has become less and less relevant since more and more airlines now allow you to choose your seat at the time of booking, or via the internet before check-in, or at least via internet check-in. This benefit comes from the pre-internet days and used to be extremely useful. Nowadays it really depends on the airlines's general seat policy whether this makes a big difference. It in any case it is still very useful when you have short-notice bookings or flight changes and hate middle seats, as I do, or suddenly have a tight connection and need a seat in the frot to make your next flight.

Well, if this means all SP pax get the already existing preferred seat for FREE (cough KLM cough), that would be great.