|
Seats with extra legroom - how to obtain them?
No matter how early we booked the flight,
no matter how early we showed up at the reservation counter or gate for seat assignment, we can't seem to get extra legroom seating. Weeks prior to flight, airline says we must see if you're able to sit in exit aisle (i.e., not crippled, not weak, not blind or deaf). Last year we arrived at airport at 8:00 AM for a 2:00 flight where checkin began at about 10:00. At 8:30 they said seats couldn't be assigned until checkin began. At 10:00:01 (seriously), such seats were already assigned. What's the trick? |
Fly American. :)
|
I asked the same question and was told that the frequent flyers usually get the better seats. Some airlines block the first 5-6 rows after first class. ((b))
|
What airline? If you are talking about United's Economy Plus section (5 extra inches in the first 5-10 rows of coach), you can only pre-reserve these if you have elite status in the FF program or are flying on a non-discounted economy ticket. Even then, Mileage Plus Premiers can only reserve a seat for one other non-Premier flyer -- so if you are three people and only one has status, but you want to sit together, you must reserve seats in the back. They will honor requests from others at the gate if space is available.
|
I always call the airline imediately after I've bought the ticket. I use the FF number - not the regular public one - and explain my preferences/need for extra room and ask what they can do. I have learned these agents can - or are willing - to get you seats the agents at the regular # say are not available. (You do need a FF # but don;t have to have a huge number of miles to do this.) They have always been very cooperative in finding me the best option - frequently exit row seats - they just ask if I'm over 18 and not disabled. I think perhaps because most of their calls are problems (black out date restrictions, why can't I get this flight, this airline owes me the wrold, etc) they are happy to talk to someone it's easy for them to help.
|
Last night my husband and I booked flights to Zurich we booked seperatly so we could each get our extra 1000 skymiles and when we went to get our seats he could choose the emergency exit and I could not because he was a medallion member. Anyway I was able to sit next him in the emergency row after a call to Delta. The moral of this story is that on a flight that only had about 10 empty seats they were saving all the bulkhead and all the emergency exits for medallion fliers.
|
Hi tomboy
Try flying at night and booking two aisle seats next to each other. |
If you can, fly on American Airlines, anything except their 757s (in which the company-wide "more room throughout coach" - MRTC) was reversed. Typical seat pitch on AA is 1-3 inches greater than similar equipment on other carriers.
If you can't, then first, find out what type of aircraft your carrier is using on your flights. You can call the airline directly if you can't find it on the web. Then go to www.seatguru.com and see if your airplane/airline is listed. Most major US carriers' equipment is shown on the website. Click through to the seating diagrams and you <i>ought</i> to be able to see notes about which seats are the best for your fare basis. Then call the airline (or go to the website if they allow online seat selection) and see if you can get the best seats you can. Most airlines save the "best of the worst" coach seats for premium-level frequent fliers, and they will not release them to plebes under almost any circumstances. This goes for bulkhead, exit row, seats without other seats in front or behind (which happens on some cabin configurations), etc. Some airlines, especially British Air, are downright jerks about this, not releasing decent coach seats to the masses until the gate, for fear that advance-purchasers snap up the good chairs early, thereby shutting out the high-price-late-bookers from windows, exit rows, aisle seats, whatever. |
|
Some good responses above....I can't speak to American/British, but can tell you that exit rows on United are reserved until day of departure for United elites. One of the best strategies is the "early" checkin, as many of these same elite flyers are likely to be looking for upgrades, and that's why the exit/bulkheads are going to open.
One thing to bear in mind in any event tho is this: for anyone "lucky" enough to be assigned one of these seats- if you're NOT elite (at least on UA),,,,be VERY careful of ANY change in flight schedules, etc up until departure. The reason is that any change of plane, departure time, etc will cause the computer to "review" seating and you might find yourself going from GREAT exit row seats to AWFUL middle of middle... Hope that helps, and Best wishes, Dave |
The "secret" is advance check-in.
Airlines such as British Airways offer all customers an online check-in twelve hours in advance of take-off time. However, Executive Club members can check-in online twenty-four hours in advance, hence all the "best" seats are already taken when check-in opens to less savvy flyers. I imagine a similar loyalty scheme operates within all major airlines. Or alternatively, upgrade to a better cabin, although I must admit, unless travelling on an expense account BA's Club Europe offers minimal pitch and cuisine enchancements for the money. Furthermore a gold level of Executive Club allows lounge entry, and advance booking (via online check-in) of the row behind club which always contains two seats of the same size and pitch as that cabin. However, I feel flying comprises such a small part of an holiday, especially in Europe spend your money on a good meal and fine wines, the best hotel, not a few hours sitting on a plane. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:55 AM. |