NWA charges for Exit Row seats

[Pinnie]

Sorry if this had been posted but I got this in my email today.

Prefer an aisle or exit row seat? Northwest Introduces Coach ChoiceSM Seating!

Northwest has begun saving some preferred seats (including aisle and exit row seats) in coach class until check-in, which is available 24 hours prior to departure. You can confirm these preferred seat assignments for only $15 per flight.


I was watching a report on ABC and the analyst felt it was just a matter of time before airlines start charging $2 -$5 for each piece of checked luggage and a fee for carry ons!

Pack light!

pinnie

 

[mylilnikita]

I am concerned about someone buying a exit row seat. If something should happen and this person who wanted to be there and can't get themselves togethre to open the door.

And the way things are going, they will probably start to charge for soft drinks and snacks.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am concerned about someone buying a exit row seat.

Why? If someone is not willing to assist in an emergency, they cannot sit in an exit row seat.

 

[mylilnikita]

My bad, misunderstood the post.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Why? If someone is not willing to assist in an emergency, they cannot sit in an exit row seat.

I understand what she is saying. What if the person wanted leg room so they pay for the seat not intending to be of assistance. They just want the room. An exit row is a huge responsibility. I wouldn't want it to be marketed as a luxury seat. I think it should stay as a volunteer seat.

 

[mylilnikita]

Thank you 3DisneyNuts, that is it exactly.

 

[Gary M]

This is the e-mail I received from NWA today. I'm an WorldPerks elite member, so I don't know how much difference that makes.

As you may know, Northwest launched a new product called Coach ChoiceSM on March 14, 2006. As part of the implementation plan, I wanted to make sure that the facts are clearly communicated to our most valuable WorldPerks members. Coach Choice is a test program where 5% of domestic coach seat assignments are available at time of check in for $15 per flight. Elite members also have access to these domestic seats at 36 hours prior to departure via nwa.com® Manage My Reservations. Transatlantic and Transpacific flights are not included in the Coach Choice program.

These domestic Coach Choice seats are primarily a combination of exit row and aisle seats. However, the Select Seating zone remains an important part of the WorldPerks Elite program. Exit row seats and bulkhead seats continue to be available free of charge on all Northwest aircraft. In fact, 65% of exit row seats remain free and are available for assignment to Elite members up to 90 days prior to departure as part of the Select Seating zone.

We know that premium seating is an important Elite benefit. Because of this, Northwest will continue to have a substantial Select Seating zone, offer unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades and offer a higher percentage of domestic First Class seats than any of our North American competitors. Elite members are very important to us. We appreciate your business and value your loyalty.

Sincerely,

Jim Cron
Vice President of Passenger Marketing & Sales


For additional information on Coach Choice visit www.nwa.com/features/coachchoice

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

This is the e-mail I received from NWA today. I'm an WorldPerks elite member, so I don't know how much difference that makes.

As you may know, Northwest launched a new product called Coach ChoiceSM on March 14, 2006. As part of the implementation plan, I wanted to make sure that the facts are clearly communicated to our most valuable WorldPerks members. Coach Choice is a test program where 5% of domestic coach seat assignments are available at time of check in for $15 per flight. Elite members also have access to these domestic seats at 36 hours prior to departure via nwa.com® Manage My Reservations. Transatlantic and Transpacific flights are not included in the Coach Choice program.

These domestic Coach Choice seats are primarily a combination of exit row and aisle seats. However, the Select Seating zone remains an important part of the WorldPerks Elite program. Exit row seats and bulkhead seats continue to be available free of charge on all Northwest aircraft. In fact, 65% of exit row seats remain free and are available for assignment to Elite members up to 90 days prior to departure as part of the Select Seating zone.

We know that premium seating is an important Elite benefit. Because of this, Northwest will continue to have a substantial Select Seating zone, offer unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades and offer a higher percentage of domestic First Class seats than any of our North American competitors. Elite members are very important to us. We appreciate your business and value your loyalty.

Sincerely,

Jim Cron
Vice President of Passenger Marketing & Sales


For additional information on Coach Choice visit www.nwa.com/features/coachchoice

Wow that one paragraph has me head spinning. Could they talk in any more circles?

 

[Brian Noble]

Translation: Elite flyers will still get a good shot at aisle/exit row seats for free, but we're going to soak the general public for a few more dollars if we can.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Translation: Elite flyers will still get a good shot at aisle/exit row seats for free, but we're going to soak the general public for a few more dollars if we can.

With few airlines actually making money these days, I don't see this as an effort to "saok the general public for a few more dollars." Airlines don't operate as a charity; they are supposed to make money. With the "general public" demanding to fly practically anywhere for less than the actual cost of the seat, the airlines are being forced to become more creative in covering their costs.

Unfortunately for NWA, if they sold every available seat on every flight they'd only gain $120,000 a day.

FWIW, Virgin sells some of their seats at a premium of $75.

One way or another, those who fly are going to have to cover the entire cost of flying -- either through the ticket or through extra charges. As we say in project management: you can have it good, fast or cheap -- PICK TWO.

 

[Brian Noble]

No, you misunderstood. I didn't mean that pejoritavely. The mail to elite pax was meant to reassure them that NW was only going to charge "the little people" for preferred seating, but Elite pax will still have free, preferential access to it.

As an elite flyer, I was happy to see that message. The exit rows that I've become accustomed to on my $600 business-fare roundtrips won't cost me any more, but the guy sitting across the aisle from me on a $200 leisure-fare trip might have to pony up a few more dollars.

I don't have any problem with this at all. I won't have a problem with it next year, either when it looks like I probably won't have status because I've been cutting back on my travel.

 

[Lewisc]

I understand what she is saying. What if the person wanted leg room so they pay for the seat not intending to be of assistance. They just want the room. An exit row is a huge responsibility. I wouldn't want it to be marketed as a luxury seat. I think it should stay as a volunteer seat.

I don't want to sound excessively cynical but I think most of the current volunteers are passengers that want the extra leg room and not people who are anticipating and looking forward to being of assistance.

I'm sure under the new policy passengers who purchased exit row seats will still have to be able and willing to assist. I'm sure they'll be questioned by the FA and will be moved if they're not able and willing.

The airlines are losing $$$. This is a reasonable way for the airlines to get a little extra revenue. Those passenger who want preferred seats will be paying a few extra $. I'm waiting to see the reaction toward the first major airline that tries to charge for all checked luggage and severely limits or charges carryon luggage. Ryanair is trying that.

 

[DebbieB]

I understand what she is saying. What if the person wanted leg room so they pay for the seat not intending to be of assistance. They just want the room. An exit row is a huge responsibility. I wouldn't want it to be marketed as a luxury seat. I think it should stay as a volunteer seat.

That happens now. I was on a USAir flight last year where I sat in the exit row and the other 2 seats were occupied by an elderly couple. There's no way they could of opened that window exit. The worst part about it was I had the window seat but they were sitting in the window and middle seat when I boarded. I said I had the window seat and the wife swore up and down that hers was the window even though her boarding pass was D seat. I just let it go. I was glad a soldier was sitting across the aisle, plus a guy and his teenage son (both big guys). I figured if something happened, I was grabbing that soldier to help with our side!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

That happens now. I was on a USAir flight last year where I sat in the exit row and the other 2 seats were occupied by an elderly couple. There's no way they could of opened that window exit. The worst part about it was I had the window seat but they were sitting in the window and middle seat when I boarded. I said I had the window seat and the wife swore up and down that hers was the window even though her boarding pass was D seat. I just let it go. I was glad a soldier was sitting across the aisle, plus a guy and his teenage son (both big guys). I figured if something happened, I was grabbing that soldier to help with our side!

I was on a NW JetAirlink flight from Minneapolis to Cinci and they sat my son in an emergency exit row (at the time he was 13, you are supposed to be 14) and when the f/a walked by and asked him if he could open the door, he said yes, and they didn't say another word. Bottom line is, if you are in an aircraft that is in harms way (on fire, etc.) and you need to exit the aircraft via the emergency exits, you will find a way to get those windows open!!

As far as charging for premium seats, I have no problem with it. (of course the Elite members might!).

 

[movtarget]

Oh my, I might just have a new favorite airline...

I've been preaching to fellow passengers and friends that airlines are both not addressing my pseudo-disability, and missing a potential revenue opportunity. I'm nearly 6'7", and my legs don't quite fit on the highest capacity configuration for some of the modern airliners. (I'm referring to my 'mild' disability as my height... there are environments where safety concerns are not properly addressed for taller than standard folks).

I am willing to pay some premium to be able to fit (but can't afford the cost of first class). There have truly been two flights where I had to have a flight attendant work out a reassignment on a full flight because I truly couldn't fit into the assigned seat. I got some looks and under-the-breath comments, let me tell you. Maybe if I were to just go on a diet, or some special excercise machine, I would be shorter, eh?

Cudos to the airline for this! (I sure let American Airlines know about my displeasure when they QUIETLY discontinued their 'more room in coach' promotion, where they removed 3-4 rows, and reconfigured the seats to provide just an inch or two more room for coach passengers.

Tall people unite!

Moving Target in NC

 

[NotUrsula]

The people who seem to be most annoyed with this are the Elite passengers. Up until now they were getting a lot of those aisle seats held for them for free, now they will have to deal with mere peons taking them away.

I've also heard some Elites complaining that if you reserve one of these seats and then get a status upgrade to BC or FC, NWA is not planning to refund the $15. (Whether that is true or not I can't say, but it seems to be widely believed.) For most of us that would seem like a reasonable trade, but for people who fly 300 segments/yr., that is $4500 (usually out of pocket, because most companies won't reimburse for a seat upgrade charge.)

And BTW, for Moving Target: I have frequently seen SWA allow very tall people to pre-board and sit in exit seats. Normally SWA preboarders are not alllowed to sit in exit seats, but the (fit but) very tall are sort of a special case, and SWA seems to understand that. I've even seen employees approach very tall passengers in the gate area and ask if they would like to preboard. From what I've seen, I think the threshhold for this is being taller than about 6'4".

 

[Brian Noble]

You know, I've *never* had a problem getting an aisle and/or exit row seat, even on flights that I buy near-last-minute. NW holds more than enough seats for elite pax that I don't mind losing some of them to others who are willing to pay.

Then again, I'm a mere Tin Elite, so perhaps I'm not as passionate as someone else.

 

[NotUrsula]

NW holds more than enough seats for elite pax that I don't mind losing some of them to others who are willing to pay.

I think that these people are afraid that if the pay-for-the-aisle tactic works, they will stop holding the seats for Elites.

I've never been interested in pursuing really high status with any airline; I book my flights mostly based on price/schedule, and the bonus has to be incredibly good for me to waste my time on a mileage run. The more I fly, though, the more I discover that there are *some* people out there who are REALLY scary about defending every perq from those they see as the undeserving. In those cases, anything that an airline does to somehow "devalue" how special Elites are is taken as a personal affront.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

But how does this affect the non-Elite flyers? Our flights are on planes that are only 4 seats across. I had planned on trying to get one row across and one behind, or two "twos" one behind the other with someone across the aisle. Will I have to pay for that? No way I want us in 5 different window seats, talking across strangers.
How does one become "elite"? Is there $ involved there too? Would it be cheaper than paying for aisle seats?
Robin M.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just sit behind the wing and you will be fine. The seats that will now go for that $15 premium are are all in the front of the plane or the exit rows.

As to becoming Elite, on NWA that requires flying a minimum of 25K miles or 30 flight segments in one calendar year, per person. (You could say that there is money involved.)