Seat blocking or similar status benefit

[medhead]

Hi

My question is to ask about VA policy position in seat blocking for the higher status members. I'll ask the question by way of an example, VA401 ADL-SYD this morning 13 May 2013.

The flight was pretty lightly loaded. Fortunately, I checked the seat map and found the following situation.

View attachment 15627

I didn't screen grab the back of the aircraft but there would have been 8 or more empty rows. I moved to 6D much to the surprise of the Lounge staff. And the following is pretty much how we departed.

View attachment 15628

At least 4 people were moved to the back of the aircraft for weight and balance reasons. All explained to them at the gate service desk within range of my hearing. There were still a number of empty row behind the exit rows.

I would really like to know exactly how it is possible for people to be able to allocate 3B/E in such a situation. I just don't understand why the platinum members who can select seats in row 3 should have the most uncomfortable flight experience due to people grabbing those middle seats when there are plenty of empty seats within a couple of rows.

 

[JohnK]

I tend to agree with you on this point.

Happened to me on Qantas last week. Not pleasant but I guess that is the luck of the draw.

Could it be that 3AB were travelling together and the same for 3DE or 3EF travelling together? If they were indeed solo travellers not sure I understand the logic of selecting 3B, 3E when there are vacant seats for the next 3-4 rows.

 

[clarkkent]

A very tall person would almost surely consider 3B and 3E two of the most comfortable seats on the plane.

 

[serfty]

A very tall person would almost surely consider 3B and 3E two of the most comfortable seats on the plane.

... tall but relatively 'skinny' ...

 

[clarkkent]

... tall but relatively 'skinny' ...

Indeed the very tall colleague I had in mind would certainly have no qualms about the width For such people squishing from the sides much more tolerable than knees wedged into the seat in front.

Another reason that 3B might be taken is that people below gold seem to be able to get further forward at check-in than they used to. Perhaps for a less-frequent flyer there's some novelty in sitting as far forward as possible, even if it means a middle seat.

 

[jmphoto]

Could it be as simple as two groups of three? Or a couple grabbed A/B and a lone traveller grabbed C?

I'd prefer a shadow when I travel, but I'm a good bit over 6ft and think Row 3 is a great perk. Would I choose a middle seat in Row 3 over an aisle in Row 4/5/6 - probably not. But I would grab the aisle of Row 3, even if a couple had already bagged window and middle.

 

[medhead]

To answer everyone all in one post. The people in row 3 all boarded separately, with considerable gaps. So they were not travelling together as best I can tell. I was in 3C so it was not 2 groups of 3. I moved to 6D, no one was in 3C, allowing 3B to move into 3C. Mr 3B was no taller than me, and my knees were not touching the back of 5D. 3B also pulled out his laptop at the appropriate stage after take off and proceeded to work. It was a large laptop, not a macbook air or ultrabook, and his chicken wings were flapping. Overall, if I didn't check the seat map and move, it would have been a very uncomfortable flight for all concerned. 3DEF all appeared to sleep during the flight.

To repeat, 3B selected 3B. I had selected, 3C by phone, shortly after VA changed to Sabre.

 

[drewbles]

I have bought this issue up with the lounge manager in MEL several times. I've asked why on earth on a non-full flight such as medhead's that they would put pax there.

I was advised that once check-in opened, people were free to select whatever seats were not allocated. When mentioned about some kind of blocking for WP/SG I was told I was not the first one to complain about it, and they were implementing it 'shortly' or filling from the back forward where possible.

Neither of these has happened yet. Last time I raised the question was probably just after Sabre had gone live.

 

[PDog]

To me, 3 B/E are the 5th & 6th best seats on the plane. I chose 3B a couple of weeks ago (via the call centre, I can't select when booking due to work travel site) when it was the only seat in row 3 left. First time I haven't had 3 C/D in about 20 flights! Would a plat get a shadow when another plat wants the (unique) seat?

 

[oz_mark]

I have bought this issue up with the lounge manager in MEL several times. I've asked why on earth on a non-full flight such as medhead's that they would put pax there.

Possibly because there is no such published benefit?

 

[medhead]

To me, 3 B/E are the 5th & 6th best seats on the plane. I chose 3B a couple of weeks ago (via the call centre, I can't select when booking due to work travel site) when it was the only seat in row 3 left. First time I haven't had 3 C/D in about 20 flights! Would a plat get a shadow when another plat wants the (unique) seat?

Are you kidding? (Notwithstanding rows 1 and 2) Depending on your preference, any aisle or window seat upto about row 8 with an empty middle seat is vastly better than those 2 seats. Thank you for providing an example of alternative thought processes. I guess the idea of having more general freedom of movement is lost.

Anyway, as per the instructions for this sub-forum. I am waiting for a reply from VFF.

 

[PDog]

Are you kidding? (Notwithstanding rows 1 and 2) Depending on your preference, any aisle or window seat upto about row 8 with an empty middle seat is vastly better than those 2 seats. Thank you for providing an example of alternative thought processes. I guess the idea of having more general freedom of movement is lost.

Anyway, as per the instructions for this sub-forum. I am waiting for a reply from VFF.

Nope, not at all! To me, freedom of movement is space in front, I can keep my elbows to myself. I never, never choose a window seat, I would need 2 shadows not to feel trapped!

 

[medhead]

Nope, not at all! To me, freedom of movement is space in front, I can keep my elbows to myself. I never, never choose a window seat, I would need 2 shadows not to feel trapped!

Yep and I can keep my elbows to myself as well. But I am a lot more comfortable when I don't have to do so. There are also a surprising large number of people who can't keep their elbows to themselves. When we look at the example given with multiple aisle seats available in rows 4 to 6. There is no compelling reason for everyone in row 3 to be constrained by filling the middle seat.

I also prefer an aisle and any aisle seat in rows 4 to 7 with an empty middle seat is better than 3B/E.

 

[drewbles]

Possibly because there is no such published benefit?

Agreed there is no benefit published, but either is the QF WP Shadow. It does however make sense to leave the elites by themselves where possible. Common Sense (I know, not something some people can grasp ).

 

[jmphoto]

To repeat, 3B selected 3B. I had selected, 3C by phone, shortly after VA changed to Sabre.

In that case it's a bit mad, especially given the light load behind Row 3.

 

[oz_mark]

Agreed there is no benefit published, but either is the QF WP Shadow. It does however make sense to leave the elites by themselves where possible. Common Sense (I know, not something some people can grasp ).

I'd say more self interest than common sense

(and as a Gold likely back in row 7, it is my self interest that it is the centre seats of row 3 taken rather than row 7 )

 

[drewbles]

I'd say more self interest than common sense

(and as a Gold likely back in row 7, it is my self interest that it is the centre seats of row 3 taken rather than row 7 )

I have no problem with that (I'm either in the pointy end, or an exit row ).

 

[PDog]

Yep and I can keep my elbows to myself as well. But I am a lot more comfortable when I don't have to do so. There are also a surprising large number of people who can't keep their elbows to themselves. When we look at the example given with multiple aisle seats available in rows 4 to 6. There is no compelling reason for everyone in row 3 to be constrained by filling the middle seat.

I also prefer an aisle and any aisle seat in rows 4 to 7 with an empty middle seat is better than 3B/E.

Of course, middle seats anywhere else other than row 3 are rubbish! I'm not sure I agree with your quote I bolded (sorry, on iPhone) to me Row 3 is superior to all behind, putting shadows in that row reduces the good seats by a third. Sorry guys, if faced with the option (& it's rare,-as I said earlier, I usually score the asile) I will choose the middle seat in row 3 if that's all that's available, to me row 3 is *that* much better! (Please don't tell me to fly J or exit row.... Company policy says no!)

 

[drewbles]

Of course, middle seats anywhere else other than row 3 are rubbish! I'm not sure I agree with your quote I bolded (sorry, on iPhone) to me Row 3 is superior to all behind, putting shadows in that row reduces the good seats by a third. Sorry guys, if faced with the option (& it's rare,-as I said earlier, I usually score the asile) I will choose the middle seat in row 3 if that's all that's available, to me row 3 is *that* much better! (Please don't tell me to fly J or exit row.... Company policy says no!)

You would pick a middle seat in row 3 rather than an empty row 4 of a blocked middle seat in row 4?

At over 6'2", there's no way I'd take 3 over 4! Give me some personal space any day, and my leg can stretch out into the middle a little, and into the aisle if required.

 

[PDog]

Yes, and until now I didn't realize how weird that was!!!