Blocking adjacent seat to elite member?
Dec 4, 2017, 11:59 am
#196
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
LAS-SFO & SFO-HKG last Sunday both arrived nearly 3 hours late. While some may have been ecstatic that they could lay down in our mis-connect seats, as a misconnect for my wife and I in HKG, I wasn't quite as happy for the guy that was able to lay down in my seat. Karma is just around the corner for some that take comfort/glee with others misery.
Winter is coming, WATCH OUT FOR "Runners"!
Winter is coming, WATCH OUT FOR "Runners"!
Seems like a very odd interpretation that someone who is happy to have an empty seat next to them--for whatever reason, misconnect or otherwise--is "tak[ing] comfort/glee with others [sic] misery". They have no idea who was gonna be next to them, and are only taking pleasure in their own ability to make use of extra space, not in the misfortune of someone who may have misconnected. Should they sit upright and not make any use of the extra unoccupied space in order to avoid "karma"?
From perusing the anecdotes, it looks like the possible auto-blocking is only done either within T-24 or after check-in (unclear which), but the block gets removed if there are no empty seats left to clear SBY. I have never personally observed something that seemed like automatic seat blocking, but I usually book months in advance and don't look to change seats at or after checking in.
I have had a few instances where the middle seat remained open until 30m to 1h before the flight, or where I even boarded thinking the middle would be open and then someone ultimately showed up. Perhaps that was a block that I'd otherwise attributed to good luck turned 'bad' luck.
I have had a few instances where the middle seat remained open until 30m to 1h before the flight, or where I even boarded thinking the middle would be open and then someone ultimately showed up. Perhaps that was a block that I'd otherwise attributed to good luck turned 'bad' luck.
Dec 4, 2017, 12:16 pm
#197
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I was miffed because upgrade did not clear again for Hnl-iah, but glad I got middle seat block and happy I got whole row out of this. I have my share of misconnects from Sfo-hkg, sfo-nrt, sfo-ord.
+1
+1
My iah-Hnl flight was booked 2 months ago, no seat change, but got the rare middle seat block. I have many other flights where last minute middle seat was given to standby though.
+1
+1
My iah-Hnl flight was booked 2 months ago, no seat change, but got the rare middle seat block. I have many other flights where last minute middle seat was given to standby though.
Dec 6, 2017, 4:30 pm
#198
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
Seat was blocked before checkin, but I did not see need to try to change to that seat
Nov 22, 2018, 1:18 pm
#199
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 605
I assume I experienced this phenomenon, much to my surprise and delight. I was on a lightly loaded 738, 4 hr CPU-eligble flight last night. As a Silver, checked in at T-24, E+ wide open, including entire bulkhead row. I selected 7D.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
Nov 22, 2018, 1:37 pm
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
I received proof, yet again, that there is no elite seat blocking last week on SFO-PHX. I was in 21C on a 320, standby pax was assigned 21B, despite numerous other empty seats in the cabin. Fortunately pax was petite, so it wasn't a big (literally) deal.
Under airport control for disabled pax.
Under airport control for disabled pax.
Nov 22, 2018, 1:43 pm
#201
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,162
I assume I experienced this phenomenon, much to my surprise and delight. I was on a lightly loaded 738, 4 hr CPU-eligble flight last night. As a Silver, checked in at T-24, E+ wide open, including entire bulkhead row. I selected 7D.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
When I've had seats blocked for me (one time explicitly but jokingly asking -- not expecting a "yes", once as part of VDB compensation, the others "assumed") the seat continues to show unavailable/occupied/blocked "forever" (or at least until the status is no longer available). On the other hand, in cases where the passenger has no-showed or misconnected the seat map will show the seat as occupied until just after the flight closes/the passenger is offloaded and the seat assignment released. (there seems to be a slight lag before the "final" seatmap shows up on the app/UA.com)
Nov 22, 2018, 2:02 pm
#203
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Yes. Did CO ever do it?
To the extent elites do sometimes benefit from a block (as reported in this thread), it is not a UA policy. It's either an especially attentive GA or blocking for a different purpose (e.g., 7D-F for disabled pax).
To the extent elites do sometimes benefit from a block (as reported in this thread), it is not a UA policy. It's either an especially attentive GA or blocking for a different purpose (e.g., 7D-F for disabled pax).
Nov 23, 2018, 1:25 am
#204
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
I assume I experienced this phenomenon, much to my surprise and delight. I was on a lightly loaded 738, 4 hr CPU-eligble flight last night. As a Silver, checked in at T-24, E+ wide open, including entire bulkhead row. I selected 7D.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
An hour later, I checked again trying to get a relative seat 7E. It was occupied, while there were plenty of whole rows still empty in E+. 7C still unoccupied. I got my relative 7F, after some grumbling and cussing about 7D. I figured some hurried agent assigned a disabled pax 7E or something (instead of 7C?), and started preparing my seat swap scenarios. I watched 7E all through check-in, boarding, upgrade processes and such. It remained occupied on seat map until takeoff, no one ever sniffed it, we enjoyed the empty seat between us.
Nov 23, 2018, 11:24 am
#205
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 605
And, there was a wheelchair passenger aboard, but she was seated several rows behind us.
Jan 9, 2022, 12:19 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
Any chance United is blocking seats on some routes in Polaris? I am flying NRT-LAX today and for the past few days, a lot more seats show as occupied as booked. As of a few hours before departure, the flight status page indicates 24 seats booked but 40 seats show as occupied in the seat map.
Jan 9, 2022, 5:08 am
#207
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Any chance United is blocking seats on some routes in Polaris? I am flying NRT-LAX today and for the past few days, a lot more seats show as occupied as booked. As of a few hours before departure, the flight status page indicates 24 seats booked but 40 seats show as occupied in the seat map.
Jan 9, 2022, 10:08 am
#208
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,453
Any chance United is blocking seats on some routes in Polaris? I am flying NRT-LAX today and for the past few days, a lot more seats show as occupied as booked. As of a few hours before departure, the flight status page indicates 24 seats booked but 40 seats show as occupied in the seat map.
Feb 13, 2023, 8:41 pm
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
Just had a seat blocked next to me (on two flights!) for the first time in many years.
LHR-EWR and I specifically selected a middle seat on the 767 to get the row of 3 to myself. The flight had maybe 30 people in coach, if that. An hour after I checked in I re-checked the seat map and saw someone grabbed the seat next to me which made me mad given how empty the map was. I went back to "View Boarding Pass Options" and the seat map during check-in showed it available to me. I don't know what someone else would have seen. Boarded the flight dead last and the purser came and introduced himself and then a different FA came up and welcome me and told me the whole row is available to me and even showed me the iOS device which showed the seat map and my status and the seat next to me blocked.
EWR-xxx I was in a bulkhead window and the seat next to me showed occupied in the seat map and during re-OLCI. Short flight so I wasn't worried. Board the plane, almost last, and right behind a handicapped person. The FA wanted to move them closer to the front so brought out her iOS device, asked where I was sitting and said, "Oh, you're my 1K in the back. The seat next to you is blocked, FYI."
Would love to see this come back as a normal thing if the flight isn't full.
-RM
PS - this was on a Basic Eco ticket
LHR-EWR and I specifically selected a middle seat on the 767 to get the row of 3 to myself. The flight had maybe 30 people in coach, if that. An hour after I checked in I re-checked the seat map and saw someone grabbed the seat next to me which made me mad given how empty the map was. I went back to "View Boarding Pass Options" and the seat map during check-in showed it available to me. I don't know what someone else would have seen. Boarded the flight dead last and the purser came and introduced himself and then a different FA came up and welcome me and told me the whole row is available to me and even showed me the iOS device which showed the seat map and my status and the seat next to me blocked.
EWR-xxx I was in a bulkhead window and the seat next to me showed occupied in the seat map and during re-OLCI. Short flight so I wasn't worried. Board the plane, almost last, and right behind a handicapped person. The FA wanted to move them closer to the front so brought out her iOS device, asked where I was sitting and said, "Oh, you're my 1K in the back. The seat next to you is blocked, FYI."
Would love to see this come back as a normal thing if the flight isn't full.
-RM
PS - this was on a Basic Eco ticket
Feb 13, 2023, 8:53 pm
#210
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: UA 1K, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, Delta Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 362
Just had a seat blocked next to me (on two flights!) for the first time in many years.
LHR-EWR and I specifically selected a middle seat on the 767 to get the row of 3 to myself. The flight had maybe 30 people in coach, if that. An hour after I checked in I re-checked the seat map and saw someone grabbed the seat next to me which made me mad given how empty the map was. I went back to "View Boarding Pass Options" and the seat map during check-in showed it available to me. I don't know what someone else would have seen. Boarded the flight dead last and the purser came and introduced himself and then a different FA came up and welcome me and told me the whole row is available to me and even showed me the iOS device which showed the seat map and my status and the seat next to me blocked.
EWR-xxx I was in a bulkhead window and the seat next to me showed occupied in the seat map and during re-OLCI. Short flight so I wasn't worried. Board the plane, almost last, and right behind a handicapped person. The FA wanted to move them closer to the front so brought out her iOS device, asked where I was sitting and said, "Oh, you're my 1K in the back. The seat next to you is blocked, FYI."
Would love to see this come back as a normal thing if the flight isn't full.
-RM
PS - this was on a Basic Eco ticket
LHR-EWR and I specifically selected a middle seat on the 767 to get the row of 3 to myself. The flight had maybe 30 people in coach, if that. An hour after I checked in I re-checked the seat map and saw someone grabbed the seat next to me which made me mad given how empty the map was. I went back to "View Boarding Pass Options" and the seat map during check-in showed it available to me. I don't know what someone else would have seen. Boarded the flight dead last and the purser came and introduced himself and then a different FA came up and welcome me and told me the whole row is available to me and even showed me the iOS device which showed the seat map and my status and the seat next to me blocked.
EWR-xxx I was in a bulkhead window and the seat next to me showed occupied in the seat map and during re-OLCI. Short flight so I wasn't worried. Board the plane, almost last, and right behind a handicapped person. The FA wanted to move them closer to the front so brought out her iOS device, asked where I was sitting and said, "Oh, you're my 1K in the back. The seat next to you is blocked, FYI."
Would love to see this come back as a normal thing if the flight isn't full.
-RM
PS - this was on a Basic Eco ticket
Half empty flight with lots of non-revs. I was in Premium Plus seat 20A and the cabin had just a few occupied seats.
I thought 20B was going to be empty as most non-revs got Polaris seats but at the last minute (after I boarded) someone was placed there.
The woman next to me was mad because she had 20L and got kicked out of it by GA because "a couple wanted to sit together". She really wanted a window seat.
22 DEFG and several other seats (including window seats) were empty but GA decided to place her next to the only 1K in Premium Plus.
