Nov 4, 2022, 10:03 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Blocked seats (for winter in accordance with new average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight FAA standard)
https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-rules/
- 757-224 (75S) – 24B, 27E, 30B, 24E, 37B, 40B
- 757-224 (75B) – 29B, 32E, 36B
- 757-324 (75E) – 16B, 19E, 27B, 30E, 36B, 39E
https://airinsight.com/the-pending-new-faa-weight-balance-rules/
The new FAA standards will increase an average adult passenger and carry-on bag weight to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter. Up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, respectively. This includes an extra ten pounds for winter and five pounds for summer. This also includes 16 pounds for personal items, up from ten. Airlines must increase the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in winter. The average weight for males with carry-ons is increased from 185 pounds in summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.
Changes in 752 / 753 seatmaps -- some blocked middles (winter), wrong lie-flat icon
Oct 31, 2022, 2:56 pm
#1
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Changes in 752 / 753 seatmaps -- some blocked middles (winter), wrong lie-flat icon
Unrelated to the overall topic, but seat map showing the icon incorrectly is likely related to a new seat map being loaded for the 752s effective Nov 1 to prevent passengers being assigned by anyone to certain seats. If you look at the Y section there are some rows that no longer have a middle seat on the map, as no one is allowed to occupy it through the winter due to weight & balance restrictions. When I look now it does seem like the seat map is properly showing lay flat for the business seats.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 1, 2022 at 12:54 am Reason: broke out as new thread
Oct 31, 2022, 4:00 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
Tried to search to find an answer but couldn't really figure it out. Booking a flight on UA and there's a row with an unavailable middle seat - as in, where there would normally be a middle seat, it's just empty (not blocked out, or occupied, just doesn't exist on the seat map). The seats either side are Preferred Seating. If I book either side of the invisible middle seat, do I risk someone sitting in the middle of us?
Oct 31, 2022, 4:08 pm
#3
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Tried to search to find an answer but couldn't really figure it out. Booking a flight on UA and there's a row with an unavailable middle seat - as in, where there would normally be a middle seat, it's just empty (not blocked out, or occupied, just doesn't exist on the seat map). The seats either side are Preferred Seating. If I book either side of the invisible middle seat, do I risk someone sitting in the middle of us?
And if it's not a 752, the same thing still applies, although I'm not aware of any other fleet that is having that restriction be put in place. So to answer your question, if there is no middle seat showing, no one can occupy it, it was intentionally removed from the seat map to not allow it to be assigned by anyone.
Oct 31, 2022, 7:28 pm
#4
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Unrelated to the overall topic, but seat map showing the icon incorrectly is likely related to a new seat map being loaded for the 752s effective Nov 1 to prevent passengers being assigned by anyone to certain seats. If you look at the Y section there are some rows that no longer have a middle seat on the map, as no one is allowed to occupy it through the winter due to weight & balance restrictions. When I look now it does seem like the seat map is properly showing lay flat for the business seats.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 1, 2022 at 12:54 am Reason: split post
Oct 31, 2022, 8:55 pm
#5
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I am flying that aircraft SFO-EWR. I have middle seat Exit Row 7. If you are correct; no middle seat; I guess I should apply P+ for upgrade. I was reluctant I wanted leg room. Seat Map for First no lie flat beds. My original booking class was "R: before the aircraft downgrade. I will make the decision when I land in MEL.
The seats in question (and that are removed from the seat map) are 29B, 32E, 36B on the 75B. And 24B, 27E, 30B, 34E, 37B, 40B on the 75S.
If you're seeing a row 7 exit row with only 2 seats in it, you're looking at the 753 seat map (which correctly doesn't have lie flats), not one of the 752 seat maps. But looking at UA2097 (flight in question) is showing 752 on new booking page.
Oct 31, 2022, 9:12 pm
#6
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Unrelated to the overall topic, but seat map showing the icon incorrectly is likely related to a new seat map being loaded for the 752s effective Nov 1 to prevent passengers being assigned by anyone to certain seats. If you look at the Y section there are some rows that no longer have a middle seat on the map, as no one is allowed to occupy it through the winter due to weight & balance restrictions. When I look now it does seem like the seat map is properly showing lay flat for the business seats.
As always good advice given.
Followed your advice ignored it thus less stress.
You were on the ball. My YYZ-EWR this morning posted correct number of PQP by the time I arrived made to EWR Polaris Lounge. My EWR-LAX flight posted with correct PQP again by the time I made to Polaris Lounge.
On side note LAX Polaris Lounge way better than SFO. I am so happy I can now fly to MEL from LAX.
Thank You for your advice!!!
I am flying that aircraft SFO-EWR. I have middle seat Exit Row 7. If you are correct; no middle seat; I guess I should apply P+ for upgrade. I was reluctant I wanted leg room. Seat Map for First no lie flat beds. My original booking class was "R: before the aircraft downgrade. I will make the decision when I land in MEL.
Followed your advice ignored it thus less stress.
You were on the ball. My YYZ-EWR this morning posted correct number of PQP by the time I arrived made to EWR Polaris Lounge. My EWR-LAX flight posted with correct PQP again by the time I made to Polaris Lounge.
On side note LAX Polaris Lounge way better than SFO. I am so happy I can now fly to MEL from LAX.
Thank You for your advice!!!
I am flying that aircraft SFO-EWR. I have middle seat Exit Row 7. If you are correct; no middle seat; I guess I should apply P+ for upgrade. I was reluctant I wanted leg room. Seat Map for First no lie flat beds. My original booking class was "R: before the aircraft downgrade. I will make the decision when I land in MEL.
Oct 31, 2022, 9:20 pm
#7
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Its both. The updated average passenger weights have been in effect, but the weights change for the winter (Nov 1 - Apr 30) since people weigh 5 lbs more in winter (carry-ons heavier due to thicker clothing/winter jackets presumably?) under the FAA guidelines. Thats causing these weight and balance issues for the 757 fleet (yes 753 has 6 seats blocked as well).
Oct 31, 2022, 9:35 pm
#8
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Its both. The updated average passenger weights have been in effect, but the weights change for the winter (Nov 1 - Apr 30) since people weigh 5 lbs more in winter (carry-ons heavier due to thicker clothing/winter jackets presumably?) under the FAA guidelines. Thats causing these weight and balance issues for the 757 fleet (yes 753 has 6 seats blocked as well).
Oct 31, 2022, 9:37 pm
#9
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(Anyone who wants to learn more about the procedure for updating average aircraft weights is invited to look into the aftermath of Air Midwest 5481
).
Nov 2, 2022, 1:21 pm
#10
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Trying to avoid going off topic with this, but not sure if there is a better thread to take this to. Exit row 7 isn't impacted (no extra leg room seats are). If you're in the middle exit seat you still have that seat.
The seats in question (and that are removed from the seat map) are 29B, 32E, 36B on the 75B. And 24B, 27E, 30B, 34E, 37B, 40B on the 75S.
If you're seeing a row 7 exit row with only 2 seats in it, you're looking at the 753 seat map (which correctly doesn't have lie flats), not one of the 752 seat maps. But looking at UA2097 (flight in question) is showing 752 on new booking page.
The seats in question (and that are removed from the seat map) are 29B, 32E, 36B on the 75B. And 24B, 27E, 30B, 34E, 37B, 40B on the 75S.
If you're seeing a row 7 exit row with only 2 seats in it, you're looking at the 753 seat map (which correctly doesn't have lie flats), not one of the 752 seat maps. But looking at UA2097 (flight in question) is showing 752 on new booking page.
Nov 2, 2022, 1:36 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
It's also a 6 hour flight, so the spare middle seat is going to be worth the small Preferred seating fee I think!
Nov 2, 2022, 1:43 pm
#12
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All depends on your preferences. Do you want the leg room or no one next to you? If you want to be really feel like you're getting some value/boost your CPU numbers for the year, you can say you "got an upgrade" to first class by taking the row with the blocked middle....just ignore the part about it being equivalent to intra-Europe first class. But hey, first class is first class.
Nov 2, 2022, 2:14 pm
#13
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Any blocking of seats for weight will only apply to a small number of routes, such as some TATL. WHen used on other routes, the seats will likely be released a few days before travel or checkin.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 3, 2022 at 10:43 pm
Nov 2, 2022, 2:45 pm
#14
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Turns out it actually is a 752! I got confused. Route is LAX>EWR.
Nov 2, 2022, 2:54 pm
#15
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Yes, the blocked seats aren't guaranteed to go out empty, and I wouldn't bank on it. They do fill them many times.