Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > TravelBuzz
Reload this Page >

Swapping seats across different classes

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Swapping seats across different classes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 3:27 am
  #1  
Original Poster
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: TK E+
Posts: 398
Swapping seats across different classes

I may be making a booking for 1 biz seat (using miles) and 1 economy seat (using cash) for a couple flying on the same flight, and getting them adjacent seats (aisle seats in the frontmost Y and backmost C).

Due to mileage accrual reasons, I would like the cash Y ticket to be purchased for the person who is supposed to be seating in C. (The other person not having any relevant FF program.)

Does anyone have experience with how airlines respond to people swapping seats across classes?
bamba70 is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 6:01 am
  #2  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Kryptonium
Posts: 1,144
One time switch, no problem. Constantly going back & forth, the FAs will probably put a stop to it.
rubesl is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 7:21 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
Depends on the airline, they might or might not enforce pax to seat arrangement.

I suggest you ask the FA nicely if you can do this once during the flight. But don't kick up a fuss if they say no.
lighthand is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 7:34 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: DL PM, 1MM, DL SC, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 2,416
IME it's no problem for people to switch seats/cabins at boarding. You can always use the "I'm letting my spouse take the FC seat" and that seems to always be OK. Switching during the flight is another matter; I've seen FAs refuse to allow it.
KevinDTW is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 8:46 am
  #5  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
OP - Nobody can answer this until you supply the air carrier and route.

Strictly enforced, each passenger sits in their ticketed cabin and does not move from that cabin. Whether a swap for the entire flight, part of the flight or a "visit" is permitted, will depend on the route, the carrier and the mood of the relevant cabin crew.
Often1 is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015 | 2:07 pm
  #6  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
40 Countries Visited
60 Nights
5M
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Be careful about doing this if one of the passengers is a child (up through age 15) unless you are willing to pay the UM fee. At least some airlines insist that the child and adult be ticketed and seated in the same cabin.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2015 | 4:48 am
  #7  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,439
If you make it clear at the outset that you are volunteering your C seat for the Y pax, it should be fine for most airlines. Doing the dance back and forth is a no-go on any decent airline, so whether you are in the last row and first row, or at opposite ends of the airplane, is pretty much irrelevant.
LondonElite is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.