A "miracle": PHL-LAX flight departs with 8 empty F seats
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
A "miracle": PHL-LAX flight departs with 8 empty F seats
Considering how often we hear about how difficult it is to score an UG on PHL-LAX flights, amazingly here I am now sitting in F on an A321 (obviously) with just 7 other passengers.
The key is that I'm on US38, a recently added segment that departs at an odd time for a flight to LAX: 8:45P. Plus, it's a Wednesday.
Nice bonus: we were unexpectedly served meals, even though US's official policy is no meals on flights that depart after 8pm.
The plane has 97 pax, which is just 53% of capacity. My gf was one of the 8 F pax, but she opted out of Row 1 for Row 33 -- as in 33D, 33E, and 33F.
The key is that I'm on US38, a recently added segment that departs at an odd time for a flight to LAX: 8:45P. Plus, it's a Wednesday.
Nice bonus: we were unexpectedly served meals, even though US's official policy is no meals on flights that depart after 8pm.
The plane has 97 pax, which is just 53% of capacity. My gf was one of the 8 F pax, but she opted out of Row 1 for Row 33 -- as in 33D, 33E, and 33F.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
Considering how often we hear about how difficult it is to score an UG on PHL-LAX flights, amazingly here I am now sitting in F on an A321 (obviously) with just 7 other passengers.
The key is that I'm on US38, a recently added segment that departs at an odd time for a flight to LAX: 8:45P. Plus, it's a Wednesday.
Nice bonus: we were unexpectedly served meals, even though US's official policy is no meals on flights that depart after 8pm.
The plane has 97 pax, which is just 53% of capacity. My gf was one of the 8 F pax, but she opted out of Row 1 for Row 33 -- as in 33D, 33E, and 33F.
The key is that I'm on US38, a recently added segment that departs at an odd time for a flight to LAX: 8:45P. Plus, it's a Wednesday.
Nice bonus: we were unexpectedly served meals, even though US's official policy is no meals on flights that depart after 8pm.
The plane has 97 pax, which is just 53% of capacity. My gf was one of the 8 F pax, but she opted out of Row 1 for Row 33 -- as in 33D, 33E, and 33F.
LAX
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Homebase: CAE - Formerly, YUL
Programs: US CP, UA, HH Gold, Marriott Plat, DL, AA, CO, ++
Posts: 2,187
Took a 8:05p ATL-PHX, no meal. That really bl*ws.
HTSC
HTSC
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CHARLOTTE
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Posts: 246
I never had a meal served after 8pm..that is unusual
#8
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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#9
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#10
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I assume they were selling upgrades at the gate...did anyone bite? I might have thought about it, especially with a meal.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Homebase: CAE - Formerly, YUL
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Posts: 2,187
Worst part is that I asked the GA's twice if there was a meal, and they both said YES emphatically. So I didn't get anything from the overpriced vendors. Ugh.
HTSC
HTSC
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
We were running late and got to the gate after everyone had boarded, so we didn't see any offers to buy up at the gate. FlightStats.com was listing the flight as F7 (7 remaining seats) earlier that afternoon, but we actually left with 8 empty F seats -- so it doesn't look like there were many takers.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 134
Interestingly, I just checked and tomorrow's same flight is showing 11 F seats open.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
#15