On the last two trips I have taken, I have logged oonline to check in for my flight and found my seat assignment changed.

I was passive and did nothing, but I do not want this to continue happening. Especially since I plan to go to Europe soon and I am quite choosy about where I spend 11 hours!

Do I have any recourse if this happens again?

"Do I have any recourse if this happens again?"

Generally speaking, no. You have paid for carriage from A to B in the class of service you booked. Seat assignments are NOT guaranteed, and some airlines (Air New Zealand, for instance) will only give you a "Seat Request" rather than a "Seat Assignment" so as to avoid misunderstandings.

I would suggest checking on your seat prior to doing OLCI and if there's been a change you may wish to call and see if you can get it back.

There are several reasons that seat changes occur: 1)Equipment changes, 2)Itinerary changes that subsequently "reverse" existing assignments, 3) Air marshal requirements, and so on.

Good luck to you!
Dave

Air Marshal's fly First Class...Funny, I saw an Exec Platinum displaced by an AM and sent, YES, to ....The Back......there with, ahhmmmmm, YES, the...unwashed!!!....He didnt go back without a fight...."I'll write Arpy, and he'll have your job.." Have a nice ride, bubba.....

Switch to an airline that has a better track record in this department.

rkkwan - just curious - HOW does one go about switching to an airline with a "better record" on this issue???

I am unaware of any stats which the OP could use to help here.

Best, Dave

There are no stats on this. But there are words of mouth on here and other forums. One will need to do quite a bit of homework and inquires, but information is out there.

I don't know what airline(s) the OP was traveling, but in general, US airlines are much less likely to move people around than European ones.

Fair enough - I understand what you're talking about now. My misunderstanding.

Nonetheless, my advice about checking prior to OLCI stands. I recognize that there is "word of mouth" out there - but I'm sure you understand and appreciate that WOM is typically very unreliable as to the type of generalization the OP is trying to make.

BTW: UA is notorious for up-ending seat assignments during periodic "sweeps" attached to aircraft changes/itin changes of as little as 3 minutes.

THIS is for ALL classes of service.
Best, Dave

"US airlines are much less likely to move people around than European ones."

Most European airlines just refuse to let you pre-reserve seats. And those that do really take it as a suggestion more than anything else.

hi sallyjane -
as Dave noted you do not have much recourse, as what you are buying is space but not a specific seat. To increase the chances of getting the eat you want you can:
1. earn elite status on the airline
2. after you purchase, call the airline and ask the agent to put a note in your record about not changing your assigned seat. (though this is in no way a guarantee) If there is some medical reason (as opposed to just a preference) have that documented in the record as well.
3. Keep an eye on future flights and if your selected seat is changed call the airline and ask them to change it back to what you had or your choice on the different configuration - and make that last call a bit more than 24 hours before departure, as after that time the eat assignments may be restricted to the airport.

Check up on your itineraries online occaisonally, especially if you book well in advance.

In January I booked a trip on United, LAX-SIN-LAX, for travel in May. About 10 days after I bought he ticket I saw online that there was a "schedule change" and my seat assignment changed.

It wasn't really a schedule change, the flight times had stayed the same, only the flight number had changed. I got my seat assignment back to where I wanted it (15H).

Don't count on the medical reason making a difference. I talked to a British Air staffer about a medical reason why I need an aisle seat and offered to present a doctor's letter. I was told to talk to the steward or stewardess on board and maybe he or she could find someone willing to trade seats. Fat chance.
I guess I'll give an American airline a try next time I fly to Europe.