Platinum shadow seat

[sap1l]

I can see a blocked Y seat following me around on QF291 SYD-SIN at T-80. Flight is about 70% full.

Let’s see if it sticks - EF is reporting pretty high inventory left, so unless it’s overridden hopefully it’ll stick!

 

[Ade]

can see a blocked Y seat following me around on QF291 SYD-SIN at T-80.

Are you seeing this on EF or QF MMB?

 

[RichardMEL]

Are you seeing this on EF or QF MMB?

IME, they show on EF not obviously to the status holder that the block is associated with on QF MNB, but the blocks show as iccupied to others.

 

[tdimdad]

IME, they show on EF not obviously to the status holder that the block is associated with on QF MNB, but the blocks show as iccupied to others.

Oooh, that was a nice little trick, thanks. Removed the QFF # from the EF settings, logout+login, and I see a shadow next to me on QF291 Y. Nice. Hopefully it sticks.

 

[RichardMEL]

Oooh, that was a nice little trick, thanks. Removed the QFF # from the EF settings, logout+login, and I see a shadow next to me on QF291 Y. Nice. Hopefully it sticks.

Well hmm. See I see my shadows with my QFF# in EF (the X) so unsure why one would need to renove the number ...

 

[sap1l]

Are you seeing this on EF or QF MMB?

As @RichardMEL has said, I can see a blocked seat follow me around in EF.

 

[tdimdad]

Well hmm. See I see my shadows with my QFF# in EF (the X) so unsure why one would need to renove the number ...

Hmmm. With the QFF# in the profile, I see a vacant seat next to me. Removing the #, I see X next to me. I take the seat as being available to status holders but not to everyone.

 

[RichardMEL]

Hmmm. With the QFF# in the profile, I see a vacant seat next to me. Removing the #, I see X next to me. I take the seat as being available to status holders but not to everyone.

That would be correct. So not a "shadow" in that sense, just in a row not available to non status holders to preallocate.

 

[sap1l]

I still have a shadow at T-1, EF has the seat blocked and lounge staff say that I still have an empty seat next to me.

Plane is now 90% full, so I will be very happy if it sticks.

 

[sap1l]

I still have a shadow at T-1, EF has the seat blocked and lounge staff say that I still have an empty seat next to me.

Plane is now 90% full, so I will be very happy if it sticks.

Shadow has stuck!

 

[SeatBackForward]

So has anyone been watching for a shadow, had an empty seat next to them. Then once in the air, had another passenger move into that seat?

I assume there's absolutely nothing you can do in that scenario to maintain an empty seat next to you?

 

[elanshin]

So has anyone been watching for a shadow, had an empty seat next to them. Then once in the air, had another passenger move into that seat?

I assume there's absolutely nothing you can do in that scenario to maintain an empty seat next to you?

Besides having a chat with FA or CSM about it.

 

[flyingfan]

I assume there's absolutely nothing you can do in that scenario to maintain an empty seat next to you?

Probably nothing reasonable right? A shadow isn’t a right or a paid service (it’s not a Neighbour Free seat)so the FAs would give short shrift.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Besides having a chat with FA or CSM about it.

But realistically, what's the argument that can be used? I don't think the FA's would ever step in to say "Sorry that seat has been blocked, so you can't move into there" ?

 

[Daver6]

So has anyone been watching for a shadow, had an empty seat next to them. Then once in the air, had another passenger move into that seat?

I assume there's absolutely nothing you can do in that scenario to maintain an empty seat next to you?

It would depend. If they'd clearly asked a FA and got permission, then I think there is very little you can do.

I've got a word with a passenger trying to grab a free seat which wasn't there. It was an EK A380 night flight in Y. I had a row of four to myself with the intention of going straight to sleep after take-off. I knew the plane was at most 70% full in Y. Prior to take-off after boarding completed a lady move from a full row of 3 to another row of 3 that only had one person in it. I sat in one of the middle seats in the row of 4 and put my bag under the far aisle seat.

I can see the lady eye-balling that far aisle seat. She asks me if the bag is mine or my travel companions. I said mine. She tells me she might move there. I tell her the airline blocked those seats for me so I can go to sleep. I mention there are a bunch of free seats further down the cabin. She queries about the blocked seats and I just told her I have status and they did the for me (of course they didn't).

She didn't try move to the seat and I saw her disappear down the back.

 

[SYD]

In a 2x seat scenario, it probably makes sense to sit in the aisle seat for take off - mask the obvious availability of that seat and then slide to the window after takeoff. But drop the tray table on the aisle seat and put something on it. Or stretch out form aisle to window. That’s probably a good idea if you get three to yourself!

Otherwise, on a 3x seat config. Take the aisle and let you and your window buddy enjoy “Premium Economy” Lite.

 

[RichardMEL]

Not strictly relevant, but the "neighbour free" seat system is exactly the same product being used to enable this. Ie the difference being one is paid, the other is complementary and a "soft" block (as I understand it).

 

[SeatBackForward]

Not strictly relevant, but the "neighbour free" seat system is exactly the same product being used to enable this. Ie the difference being one is paid, the other is complementary and a "soft" block (as I understand it).

And I can understand if you've paid for it, you should pipe up if someone moves into that seat. Aren't there some airlines that put covers over seats that are blocked out? maybe some even do this for "neighbour free" and could silently use the same approach for shadows?

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

But realistically, what's the argument that can be used? I don't think the FA's would ever step in to say "Sorry that seat has been blocked, so you can't move into there" ?

I’ve had it once on a SYD DPS where they prevented someone from shifting. It was the 330 and was in the 2 section and not in bulkhead but would realistically be up to the crew on the day I’d imagine

 

[justinbrett]

Not strictly relevant, but the "neighbour free" seat system is exactly the same product being used to enable this. Ie the difference being one is paid, the other is complementary and a "soft" block (as I understand it).

No, it's somewhat different. It's a semi-hard block (if they fill the seat they have to refund you, so would only be done if they really need to - whereas a P1 shadow can be taken at the drop of a hat).

The neighbour free seat is printed on your boarding pass and would be enough to swat off any attempt by pax to fill it, and if FA tried to fill it they would have to raise paperwork to issue you a refund - so again, much more likely to take a P1 shadow that isn't an entitlement.

The end result is the same - but then so is the middle seat trick by no status pax.