Passengers requesting to change seats with other passengers

[ozbeachbabe]

Had a situation last month on an AA flight BOS-LAX, booked in First with wife (on same PNR) and at check in given boarding pass with seating in different rows, check in claimed they could not move us as cabin was full, one boarding I was 2A and wife was 3F, I offered to swap with pax sitting next to wife and met with a refusal from the paxl, then tried for wife to swap with the pax next to me, again met with a refusal from the pax next to me.
Not sure why this happened when we were both on the same PNR?

I've been asked once.

Was in 1A as per usual on a QFlink flight to Tas when the FA came up to me and apologetically asked if there was any chance I'd swap seats with a very very nervous flyer back in about row 12 or something, who really wanted to be in the front and near the FA.

I immediately said no problem and the FA was so suprised and thankful (probably thought I'd be a difficult WP about it), I passed the pax in the aisle and she was falling apart already, poor thing before the door has even closed!

Was well looked after on that flight by both FA's, even better than the normal high standard of QFLink and just before descent they handed me a wrapped up box with about 4 bottles of wine and sweets to say thank you again!

Instant karma

Was 1A an emergency exit seat on that flight?

Anyone seated there should be able and willing to assist other pax or crew in an emergency & somebody who's falling apart before the door's even closed doesn't fall into the category of an able bodied passenger.

 

[UP4014]

have never asked anyone to move, even though on a few of flights haven't sat next to my partner. geez, not really a big deal.

Have never been asked to move, but i would given the right circumstances which would be for elderly people over younger people.

This thread has given me plenty of one liners to stand my ground when the time comes.

Matt

 

[pauly7]

Was 1A an emergency exit seat on that flight?

Anyone seated there should be able and willing to assist other pax or crew in an emergency & somebody who's falling apart before the door's even closed doesn't fall into the category of an able bodied passenger.

Nope. Bulkhead.

Obviously that couldn't have happened if I was in an exit row!

 

[eric2011]

Well I can report that I did my good deed on Sunday on a QF 767 flight MEL-SYD. I was seated in J row 3 window seat when a husband and wife team boarded and he sat next to me in the isle and his wife seated herself accros the isle from him. I asked him if they would like to sit together and I moved from my window seat (which I love) and took her isle seat (which I dont really like). Needless to say I think they were very happy. No way did they ask nor do I believe, even expected me to move. If they had of asked or made me feel uncomfortable there is no way I would have moved.
Now...where is that Karma which should be coming my way

 

[spudseamus]

Well I can report that I did my good deed on Sunday on a QF 767 flight MEL-SYD. I was seated in J row 3 window seat when a husband and wife team boarded and he sat next to me in the isle and his wife seated herself accros the isle from him. I asked him if they would like to sit together and I moved from my window seat (which I love) and took her isle seat (which I dont really like). Needless to say I think they were very happy. No way did they ask nor do I believe, even expected me to move. If they had of asked or made me feel uncomfortable there is no way I would have moved.
Now...where is that Karma which should be coming my way

As I said earlier " it's my right to offer not your right to ask" lol! Karma will be there when ya least expect it ! Not before grin !

 

[Pushka]

As I said earlier " it's my right to offer not your right to ask" lol! Karma will be there when ya least expect it ! Not before grin !

How are you going to know someone might appreciate a seat change if they don't have the "right" to ask?

 

[Sunhill]

It depends on the situation, and I'm usually not too fussed if it's in the same class. I usually travel with some sort of luggage, so what's the rush in getting off the plane?

However, once, and only once, I have asked for an upgrade. It was Qantas, on a very early morning flight across the ditch, which just happened to fall on the day of my significant round figure birthday. A special occasion I thought. The reply was a polite, "no sir, we can't do that", and I accepted the umpire's decision. So if I'm in business class, and the question is asked, my reply would be quite polite as well.

And then I'll probably wilt under the pressure from an assertive FA.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

How are you going to know someone might appreciate a seat change if they don't have the "right" to ask?

I don't think there's any harm in politely asking however one should never demand.

If the pax declines uour request then accept their answer with grace.

It helps if the swap is aisle for aisle not aisle to window.

Also assess why it was that you were seated apart & what you could you do differently next time to avoid a repeat performance.

Disrupt situations like mis-connections are inevitable but it could be that not selecting seats at the time of reservation could have been the cause.

 

[JohnK]

How are you going to know someone might appreciate a seat change if they don't have the "right" to ask?

I dont mind people asking to swap seats but at least use some common sense.

Asking me to give up forward bulkhead aisle or window for a middle seat in the second last row is not a sensible request.

 

[spudseamus]

How are you going to know someone might appreciate a seat change if they don't have the "right" to ask?

Its all about need ! If you keep your eyes open and you detect a reasonable problem , not just not wanting to sit in a non window seat , I would quickly offer to help if I could but so often you see some one confronted because the pax didn't get his/her way with their original booking!

 

[burnt]

Personally I much prefer row 2, ( or even further back) over the bulkheads seats when travelling on the domestic 737, from the point of leg room.

 

[Pushka]

I dont mind people asking to swap seats but at least use some common sense.

Asking me to give up forward bulkhead aisle or window for a middle seat in the second last row is not a sensible request.

Yes. I agree with you and ozbeachbabe. My statement was aimed at the poster who suggested that there was no right to even ask (politely of course! ).

A classic case yesterday. Three generations of men travelling together but the younger one in another row (2). The woman who had the other seat knew they were together but wouldn't move even though should would go from row 3 to row 2 and same window. The two men next to her were loud talkers and then snorers. I didn't feel sorry for her. Karma and all that.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Yes. I agree with you and ozbeachbabe. My statement was aimed at the poster who suggested that there was no right to even ask (politely of course! ).

A classic case yesterday. Three generations of men travelling together but the younger one in another row (2). The woman who had the other seat knew they were together but wouldn't move even though should would go from row 3 to row 2 and same window. The two men next to her were loud talkers and then snorers. I didn't feel sorry for her. Karma and all that.

Probably a NB travelling on a company paid for ticket. Wasn't to/from CBR by any chance was it?

 

[docjames]

I offered onboard to a couple via the FA to swap to a J exit row seat from an E bulkhead so a couple seated F and J could be seated together.

No karma returned just yet.....

 

[spudseamus]

Yes. I agree with you and ozbeachbabe. My statement was aimed at the poster who suggested that there was no right to even ask (politely of course! ).

where does this right of ours originate ? IMO it would be rude if you just didn't like the seat you ended up with for that flight !!!

 

[Pushka]

where does this right of ours originate ? IMO it would be rude if you just didn't like the seat you ended up with for that flight !!!

Goodness. Have you even read this thread? We are talking about requesting others if they mind changing their seats (not their class!) so that family members whose seats were somehow separated, to sit together.

In our case we were seated together on booking, then at the check in the person changed our seats and separated us on an 8 hour flight. In another situation I was separated at check in, in J class, from my blind 85 year old mother. We were seated together for months and until 3 hours before the flight.

Sheesh. Get off your high horse.

Ozbeachbabe, it was a J* flight Bali to Dps.

 

[JohnK]

Goodness. Have you even read this thread? We are talking about requesting others if they mind changing their seats (not their class!) so that family members whose seats were somehow separated, to sit together.

Actually some posts have been about people asking others to downgrade their class so their relative/travelling companion can move up to sit with them.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I've just booked a SYD-Jnb-dbn flight - the final leg is with SAA and we've been auto-allocated seats in different rows, in spite of being on the same PNR. I tried going to SAA and putting in the Qantas booking ID, but it didn't recognise it. I guess I could phone SAA and try and get us seated together, but I figure it really doesn't matter for an hour. No children, no disabilities and no-one needs their hand held, so for such a short flight I guess we just put up with it. (Unless some kind person notices and offers - wouldn't dare ask. ).

 

[Pushka]

Actually some posts have been about people asking others to downgrade their class so their relative/travelling companion can move up to sit with them.

Ok. I must have missed that. However the comments I've seen about "how dare you even ask" related to just a seat switch comment. Changing a class is nonsensical and really can't imagine anyone asking.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I've just booked a SYD-Jnb-dbn flight - the final leg is with SAA and we've been ato-allocated seats in different rows, in spite of being on the same PNR. I tried going to SAA and putting in the Qantas booking ID, but it didn't recognise it. I guess I could phone SAA and try and get us seated together, but I figure it really doesn't matter for an hour.

No children, no disabilities and no-one needs their hand held, so for such a short flight I guess we just put up with it. (Unless some kind person notices and offers - wouldn't dare ask. ).

Once you're checked in the CSA will be able to display the SA seat map for JNB/DUR & change seats so I'd be surprised if they couldn't get you together as it will still be just shy of 24 hours before the JNB/DUR flight.