Seat changing etiquette? Onboard to preferred seats
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 114
Seat changing etiquette? Onboard to preferred seats
So UAL charges extra in the economy to get seats assigned in the front of the cabin (white with black corners.) And it seems nobody wants to pay UAL more to get seats assigned in the front leaving most of the economy seats in the front empty.
Is it ok to change to these empty seats once the door closes? This is in the same cabin so we should have the same seat pitch and same food/beverage service so none of the flight attendants should feel that the passengers were "stealing" by switching to these rows. Right now they have packed everyone like sardines in a few rows in the back. This feels like somewhere between basic economy and economy even though the ticket is economy.
What do you think?
#2
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#3
Join Date: Nov 2014
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If they charge more for those seats then yes, you ARE in effect "stealing" by switching seats by not asking. If however, you ask and the FA or GA gives you the go-ahead ...
The airlines are nickel-and-diming us with the extra charges but they do it because the data has shown people will pay. I've moved to empty seats or empty rows myself but that was back before they started charging for every little thing including figuring out what the more desireable seats were.
The airlines are nickel-and-diming us with the extra charges but they do it because the data has shown people will pay. I've moved to empty seats or empty rows myself but that was back before they started charging for every little thing including figuring out what the more desireable seats were.
#5
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So selection at check-in should be possible.
But as others have said, when switch seats onboard, always best to confirm with an FA.
#6
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So UAL charges extra in the economy to get seats assigned in the front of the cabin (white with black corners.) And it seems nobody wants to pay UAL more to get seats assigned in the front leaving most of the economy seats in the front empty.
Is it ok to change to these empty seats once the door closes? This is in the same cabin so we should have the same seat pitch and same food/beverage service so none of the flight attendants should feel that the passengers were "stealing" by switching to these rows. Right now they have packed everyone like sardines in a few rows in the back. This feels like somewhere between basic economy and economy even though the ticket is economy.
What do you think?
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
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Unfortunately it is theft. Even though you’re receiving the same legroom, same food service, etc, those seats require extra payment.
As Wine mentoned, they should open up at t-24, so log in right at that time and move yourself forward before those seats get taken by others. This way it’s free and official, since you will have a boarding pass with those seats on it.
As Wine mentoned, they should open up at t-24, so log in right at that time and move yourself forward before those seats get taken by others. This way it’s free and official, since you will have a boarding pass with those seats on it.
#11
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"Preferred" seats do not carry a fee at check-in. But, E+ does.
Any move approved by UA, e.g. a FA, is OK.
Sneaking into E+ is no difference than sneaking into F. It is a theft of service.
Any move approved by UA, e.g. a FA, is OK.
Sneaking into E+ is no difference than sneaking into F. It is a theft of service.
#12
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#13
Join Date: Mar 2013
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if someone assigned to those seats has an entire row to him/her self, don’t ruin their good fortune (or strategic success) by moving yourself into that row.
in the vast majority of scenarios, the best advice is to sit in your ticketed seat.
in the vast majority of scenarios, the best advice is to sit in your ticketed seat.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
The last couple of flights I was on the E+ was about 50% capacity and the exit rows were about 25%. The FA made the announcement that people are free to change seats except from the back to the E+ seat; added that E+ seats costs $$. (Interestingly, they did not mention exit rows which are E++ in my opinion. ) That did not stop people from moving to the E+ seat without asking. I have no problems with people moving to E+. However, moving to the exit rows are a different situation. One is money or theft, the other is safety. While most people don't take the responsibility of seating in the exit rows seriously, I do. As many time as I have the safety briefing cards at the exit row, I read it each time I sit there. count me as a nerd.
#15
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