Blocking adjacent seat to elite member?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
But people still book exit rows, thinking that it's more space. Maybe they are, but not enough on an E+ bird to choose that over 8D for me.
#17
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
It was a 737-800 without an E+ section and the lavatories after the F section. I was sitting at the bulkhead in 7C.
The interesting thing was that I was able to select the middle seat when doing reprint boarding pass on the iPhone app. However on the flight status page, it showed the seat as occupied.
The interesting thing was that I was able to select the middle seat when doing reprint boarding pass on the iPhone app. However on the flight status page, it showed the seat as occupied.
#18
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,234
I've been on a lot of EMB-145's recently and sometimes they can only book 49 (out of 50) for W&B reasons. If I get a "B" seat with "C" open next to me, I'll ask the GA to hold that one. Tried it twice and it worked twice (although I don't know if the GA actually blocked the seat in the system or just remembered).
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,104
To be fair, with the advent of E+ on CO planes, I no longer prefer the exit rows as an Elite - more focus on the underneath storage, inability to raise armrests for more room, etc.
But people still book exit rows, thinking that it's more space. Maybe they are, but not enough on an E+ bird to choose that over 8D for me.
But people still book exit rows, thinking that it's more space. Maybe they are, but not enough on an E+ bird to choose that over 8D for me.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
On my most recent Asia itin both SIN-NRT and NRT-LAX were well booked (but not sold out) in Y. On both segments one of the few open seats were a middle adjacent to mine.
While its unlikely seat blocking was in effect what's the possibility that stand by pax being put into middle seats are assigned based upon status of the aisle/window pax?
While its unlikely seat blocking was in effect what's the possibility that stand by pax being put into middle seats are assigned based upon status of the aisle/window pax?
#22
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, UA GM (2013 Gold, 2014 Silver), Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 434
I was going to say the same thing. UA is also selling E+ to everyone. As UA Gold I still receive multiple E+ marketing emails trying to get me to purchase the seat even though I get it free. This in combination with the other posters comments about high loads makes it unlikely that many E+ seats go out empty.
#23
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: United Premier Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Starwood Gold, Avis Preferred, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 497
I once asked an agent if the middle seat between my companion and me (on a 777) would likely stay open just before leaving the Star Alliance lounge at LHR; she said it probably would. When I checked the seat map at the gate and on board, it showed that seat as being filled. Just before the door closed, it showed open again and we had one of maybe three open middle seats on the flight.
Did she block it? I dunno, but I enjoyed flight that much more.
Did she block it? I dunno, but I enjoyed flight that much more.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: DL PM, UA *S, SPG/MR Gold, IHG Spire, Hertz PC, pleb in all the rest
Posts: 387
I've found on the last couple CR2 flights I have been on that they have blocked the seat next to me in row 8 (the exit row). It shows as filled on the flight status page / the overhead monitors, but if I go to change my seat through OLCI, I can pick the "filled" seat next to mine. I really like this especially considering how tight space on the RJ's is.
#25
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I've found on the last couple CR2 flights I have been on that they have blocked the seat next to me in row 8 (the exit row). It shows as filled on the flight status page / the overhead monitors, but if I go to change my seat through OLCI, I can pick the "filled" seat next to mine. I really like this especially considering how tight space on the RJ's is.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: UA MM 1K, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 61
What kills me about the middle seat blocking is that you a have 2- 1K people in the bulkhead seats A, C or D, F and someone is sitting between them. While for the regular seats behind the bulkhead are blocked for the 1K/Plats/Gold. I have been noticing that the more I fly.
#27
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
What kills me about the middle seat blocking is that you a have 2- 1K people in the bulkhead seats A, C or D, F and someone is sitting between them. While for the regular seats behind the bulkhead are blocked for the 1K/Plats/Gold. I have been noticing that the more I fly.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I was going to say the same thing. UA is also selling E+ to everyone. As UA Gold I still receive multiple E+ marketing emails trying to get me to purchase the seat even though I get it free. This in combination with the other posters comments about high loads makes it unlikely that many E+ seats go out empty.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
To be fair, with the advent of E+ on CO planes, I no longer prefer the exit rows as an Elite - more focus on the underneath storage, inability to raise armrests for more room, etc.
But people still book exit rows, thinking that it's more space. Maybe they are, but not enough on an E+ bird to choose that over 8D for me.
But people still book exit rows, thinking that it's more space. Maybe they are, but not enough on an E+ bird to choose that over 8D for me.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I'm always surprised that when I book tickets with shorter lead time the exit rows are often open, but when I get to the airport, I'm 20+ on the UG list as a Gold. I assume that many people, like aacharya, are avoiding the exit rows. I, for one, really like row 21 on the sUA planes. It's not as good on some of the sCO planes I have been on.