Changing seats

[kimmie]

I have a flight this weekend and have a middle seat! YUK! I see online that the flight is full. How can I possibly change to an aisle? Is it impossible? Anyone have experience?

Thanks!

Kimmie

 

[DebbieB]

Which airline? Try checking in 24 hours before and look at the seat map. You can also ask at the gate before boarding.

 

[Skuba2]

Get to the gate as soon as you can. Even though it says full, there are always seats that are blocked off for gate personnel to assign prior to boarding. Typically that is the first row in case there are any handicap passengers. You can also have them put the request on your reservation that you would like to be moved to an aisle. As one curbside cabbie told a woman ahead of us---2/3 of the plane are people who can't be in an aisle.

DG

 

[ducklite]

24-48 hours in advance, the airline will start to move the elites up to first, freeing up thier (usually) aisle seats. Check in online 24 hours in advance and grab one of those freed seats.

Anne

 

[kimmie]

Thanks Guys!

I am on United. I will check in online.
Anne - Will an option to change seats come up, or can I click on something?

Is it better to call at the 24 hour mark?

 

[salmoneous]

I think it better to call. Folks on the phone sometimes have access to banks of seats that the online system does not. Call both the day before and the morning of your flight.

 

[Lewisc]

Some couples will book a window and an aisle seat hoping for an empty middle seat. You might be able to switch. If they don't volunteer wait until they start to talk over you and then suggest it. That won't work if the couple wants to read or sleep.

Someone has to get a middle seat, airlines can't make money flying the plane 1/3 empty.

 

[cbrfan]

My understanding is that they only book the emergency exit rows at check-in. If you qualify to sit there you may want to get to the airport early and try for one of those.

 

[bavaria]

Here is my spin, since I fly United all the time.

If you are not an elite, you are in Economy, not Economy Plus section. That section is reserved for elites, and only they can book it at time of booking. If it is full, elites will also be in Economy section.

A few days before the flight, upgrades start to clear for the elites. OP, this is VERY important. Are you on TED or United? TED has only E/E+ and nowhere for elites to upgrade. If you are on United, some of the Economy Plus seats may open up, as elites upgrade.

But you still won't be able to move to an E+ seat in advance. If there are a number of seats not assigned, usually United will only start to assign E+ seats to non-elites at the gate. So even on check in you may not get a different seat assignment.

Get to the gate early, approach the agent a few minutes after they arrive, and politely request a seat change. They may take your boarding pass to make the change. Then take a seat and DON'T bother them. I am amazed at how often ppl expect a gate agent to work the flight if they constantly have people asking them every 2 minutes 'did you get my seat?!'

If the flight is NOT full, then United really holds firm on not 'upgrading' non-elite members to Economy Plus. If there is an aisle seat there, and you want it, they may tell you that you can have it for a fee. Don't expect to move to an E+ seat after boarding, either. The FA's are very strict and I often see them discussing a 'game plan' to hold back the masses if the flight is not empty.

Economy + is a huge revenue generator for United, so they do protect it, and it is one reason why they have such a loyal base of business travellers.

Hope that helps.

 

[bavaria]

My understanding is that they only book the emergency exit rows at check-in. If you qualify to sit there you may want to get to the airport early and try for one of those.

OP is flying United. Emergency exit rows in Economy Plus are avaialbe to elite members at time of booking. We just need to agree to an online pop up box.

 

[bavaria]

OP, I just saw that you are from IL, so I am guessing that you are on a TED flight from ORD? Again, please check, as your chances for seat changes are far less on a TED flight as Elites have nowhere to upgrade as it's a one-class aircraft.

And I fly ORD-MCO quite often; I have yet to see any empty seats on a TED flight to MCO from ORD....

(sorry I don't have better news but just to make you prepared...)

 

[bavaria]

Some couples will book a window and an aisle seat hoping for an empty middle seat. You might be able to switch. If they don't volunteer wait until they start to talk over you and then suggest it. That won't work if the couple wants to read or sleep.

Someone has to get a middle seat, airlines can't make money flying the plane 1/3 empty.

IF the flight is not full (rare on TED ORD-MCO) there may be empty middle seats as United automatically 'blocks' an empty seat next to elite members. Then as the flight fills, the empty seats become available to other elite members so that they can sit in E+.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks Guys!

I am on United. I will check in online.
Anne - Will an option to change seats come up, or can I click on something?

Is it better to call at the 24 hour mark?

I do'nt fly on Unitied, but on US and CO the empty seats show on the seat map and you can change, it's pretty self-explanatary.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Some couples will book a window and an aisle seat hoping for an empty middle seat. You might be able to switch. If they don't volunteer wait until they start to talk over you and then suggest it. That won't work if the couple wants to read or sleep.

Someone has to get a middle seat, airlines can't make money flying the plane 1/3 empty.

DH and I book aisle and window, and if someone sits between us we seldom change. We usually read or sleep during the flight.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

My understanding is that they only book the emergency exit rows at check-in. If you qualify to sit there you may want to get to the airport early and try for one of those.

Actually a lot of the carriers now allow exit row seats to be pre-booked as long as you respond to a series of qualifying questions.

Anne

 

[DebbieB]

I am gold with USAir and I call to book the exit row as soon as I make my reservation on my company website. They don't ask any questions but I presume they would move you on the plane if they didn't think you qualified.

 

[kimmie]

Thanks everyone for the insight! Lots of GOOD information. I am actually flying on United to California.

I have looked at the seat map and nothing is available. I am going to call the day before and if it can't be changed, I will check when I arrive at ORD.

Thanks Bavaria! I will inquire at check in. DH booked this ticket for me, using his miles. I really don't care how I get there, I just want some warm weather!

All I need is my drivers license, right?

Thanks again! We need more info like this!

Kimmie

 

[bavaria]

Thanks everyone for the insight! Lots of GOOD information. I am actually flying on United to California.

I have looked at the seat map and nothing is available. I am going to call the day before and if it can't be changed, I will check when I arrive at ORD.

Thanks Bavaria! I will inquire at check in. DH booked this ticket for me, using his miles. I really don't care how I get there, I just want some warm weather!

All I need is my drivers license, right?

Thanks again! We need more info like this!

Kimmie

Is DH an elite? is he with you, or are you alone? Elites can bring a 'guest' with them into Economy+

Or he could 'gift' you 3P (Premier light) status if he is a 1k.... then you can get into E+ on your own!

 

[kimmie]

He is not an Elite. I don't think it will be long though . With all the traveling he has been doing since July! I am going to meet him for the weekend. Isn't that sweet! He tried to surprise me, but he knows what a planner I am and knew I would need time to pack!

Dreaming of the day when he will be Elite!

Kimmie

 

[bavaria]

ORD-LAX is a good route to be able to move; often a 3-class aircraft so elites may upgrade....other CA routes may not be so easy, but you never know

Good luck!