Someone sitting next to me on an EMPTY flight?
 

Hi guys,

Guess this is probably a first world problem, but I will be flying during the holidays with SQ, and having a look at the seatmap, the J cabin is not even 30% full.

Yet, having a look at the seat assignment, I've found that somebody's been assigned the seat next to me (A330 J Class), despite the fact that there are A LOT of seats free, and by that, I mean, there's a whopping grand total of 5 passengers in this cabin (so far anyways).

What I don't understand is why somebody would intentionally choose to sit next to a stranger, given the amount of seats free...?

I'm not sure whether I should pick another seat now, or just wait it out, or ask at check-in? I don't mind having to sit next to somebody on a full flight, or in Y, but on an empty cabin just feels...weird. ;)

Apparently you don't realise that not everyone selects a seat. Some travellers have seats randomly assigned. Booking through an online travel agency may result in a seat assignment for instance.

The same for intra-Europe flights on AF - one is automatically checked in at 30 hours prior and seat auto-assigned based on preference and availability.

It's very likely that the person didn't choose to sit next to you.

Someone sitting next to me on an EMPTY flight?
 

The other person must be asking himself the exact same thing :)

I was thinking that may be the case, but I just found it strange considering the seat I chose isn't even that great a (pair of) seat, nor is it close to the front, which is why I was scratching my head and going 'why would anyone want a mediocre seat, in the middle of the cabin, and next to the scrooge of the holidays' :D.

So it's safe to say that I should probably wait until the traveler changes his seat?

What if your new neighbor is waiting for you to change your seat? ;)

Here's what I would do: If you're happy with your seat, keep it. If there's another open seat you'd prefer, change to it. At OLCI, take another look: If the cabin is full, you'll have a neighbor regardless. If not, you can change (if necessary) to an empty row.

Keep in mind that not everybody chooses a seat at time of booking. Some wait until they checkin at the airport, so there are no guarantees. In J, you can always decide to reseat yourself after everybody is onboard.

1) get aboard the craft first
2) lock eye contact with pax heading towards seat
3) pat the bottom of the seat with a motherly touch
4) whisper wistfully "ive been expecting you"

Well Maybe...
 

He heard you are a handsome devil & WANTS to sit beside you!!!

Thanks for the tips guys, looks like I'll have to hold out until OLCI. It's a bit of a pain since I'm travelling with two other pax in J as well. I'm going to channel Scrooge for the holidays and hope the seat next to me is free when boarding is completed. :)

@ I_Can_Fly_US_Airways

The only beauty contest I've won is '2nd prize in a beauty contest' in Monopoly :D

Good responses and suggestions!!

Since things can change even after OLCI, I'd also just wait until the door is closed and then assess the situation. Often at OLCI I'll still have an empty seat next to me only to have the entire section full after boarding, so I've learned it's not worth it to try to plan too far ahead.

I'm pretty sure this is how my romance novel starts off.... "He was in J class, for "Just right for me"...

Then a related question - why would the algorithm to assign seats put pax next to each other when there are so many free?

5) Ask the person if they are happy with their homeowners and auto insurance.

The most basic computer algorithm would scan the seats front to back, left to right, until an unoccupied seat is found, then assign it to the passenger. (The first pax is assigned 1A, the second 1B, the third 1C, and so on.)

Most human beings use a completely different algorithm that's more akin to the "Urinal Problem." :cool:

I would move now and keep watching. If you are next to an empty seat, there is a better chance it will stay that way than if you are already sitting next to somebody.