You used to be able to take any open seat in your cabin once the doors closed. You might move closer to the front, grab an aisle seat, or head for an empty row in the back so you could stretch out.
As a kid I remember making a bee-line for an empty middle row on an American Airlines flight from Honolulu to Sydney, so I could lay down and sleep.
- Self-upgrading was never allowed. You couldn’t just move from economy to business class.
- Now, though, airlines charge for ‘premium’ seats in coach so they don’t usually let you go from regular coach to extra legroom seats for free, even if the seats are empty once the doors close.
- People might not pay if they knew they could take an extra legroom seat for free that was empty once everyone had boarded!
On a recent American Airlines flight a flight attendant “tore the cushions off” empty extra legroom Main Cabin Extra seats so that passengers couldn’t sit there.
A passenger went to sit in these empty seats. No one was using the six empty seats. The flight attendant said he needed to move because they were $150. Someone else went to sit there and told the same thing. An announcement was made not to sit in the seats. Two more times ppl went to sit there because it was six seats open, and he literally tore the cushions off.
Post by @summerzcrystalView on Threads
The flight attendant said these are $150 seats, but didn’t offer to sell them. Crewmembers at American don’t have the ability to upsell these, like they do at some other airlines, which is a lost revenue opportunity but the airline is very careful about making IT investments.
Years ago open seats were pretty much fair game. Now different airlines take different approaches. Southwest still has open seating! And once you’re on the plane it’s Lord of the Flies complete with seat-saving and crumpled up tissues to keep people away from the middle seat they hope to save.
Delta calls their extra legroom seats at the front of the plane “Comfort+” and it’s a different fare type. Effectively, it’s a different cabin just like coach is different than business class (yet doesn’t pay the higher tax for this demanded by the U.K.).
When American Airlines introduced free drinks to Main Cabin Extra extra legroom seats they allowed passengers to move into these seats if empty.
Then they made it officially against the rules but left it up to flight attendants whether or not to stop passengers from moving into those seats. However, two years ago began asking flight attendants to crack down on passengers moving to get extra space for free.
It’s not unusual for Main Cabin (MC) customers to ask to change seats after they’ve boarded the aircraft – to sit next to a family member or get out of a middle seat, for instance. However, customers may not be familiar with our seat change policy; particularly when it comes to Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats. While you may allow a customer to move to an available Main Cabin seat after boarding is complete, they’re not permitted to move into an MCE seat unless they are booked in that class. So, if a customer asks to move to a seat in a different seat classification (i.e., MC ot MCE, MCE to First, etc.) politely decline their request unless there is a customer service or regulatory conflict present.
In the past, United has argued that passengers moving up to open seats with extra legroom is immoral; that it’s unfair to other passengers and it’s stealing from the airline.
The customers who choose to pay for Economy Plus are then afforded that extra space. If you were to purchase a Toyota, you would not be able to drive off with a Lexus, because it was empty. ^BA
— United Airlines (@united) September 7, 2019
But according to this logic United shouldn’t be able to sell cheap fares or offer MileagePlus awards because it is unfair to people that pay full fare? Of course passengers who buy Economy Plus get Economy Plus and are in no way harmed when other passengers get it free – via elite status, via luck of the draw or otherwise.
Sitting in an open seat that can never be sold (because the plane is already in the air) is not the same thing as taking a physical car off of a lot where it is waiting to be sold. In the former case United loses nothing, in the latter case the loss is real.
It seems strange to compare United slimline economy seats to a Lexus, although I once had a flight attendant compare Economy Plus to a Mercedes.
The better argument is: we do not allow passengers to move to better seats without paying extra (except under our own terms, for our operational convenience or elite perks) because that would encourage passengers to take a chance rather than paying on future trips. The actual reason: It’s not allowed because we don’t allow it, not because of some broader moral imperative.
Comparing changing to an open seat nobody else is using can’t be stealing, because the airline hasn’t given up anything, and claiming it harms other passengers isn’t right either because other passengers still got exactly what they paid for.
(HT: Johnny Jet)
Good for them….the entitlement of these passengers are unreal.
If I’m at the back in my cheap seat, can I move myself to an empty first class seat? Just asking…
Airlines are stealing from us.
They offer 17 to 18 inch seats with very little leg room. They pack us in like cattle and charge outrageous fees. No food and charging for drinks and water. If you want to sit in a semi comfortable seat you have to pay thousands. They don’t care if an overweight individual or a very tall individual take up what little space you have. If you recline your seat into my space you will hear about it.
I am sick of looking at greasy hair and not being able to use my tray table which I paid for. I have had my knees banged by the seat in front of me that was reclining. Not one person moved their seat up. They said they paid to be able to recline. No, you did not pay for my space so move your seat. I fly 0nly when necessary. It is not a pleasant experience. When airlines start treating us with comfortable seats and a few amenities then alot more people will fly again.
If I paid the premium for the upgraded seat and others are able to get one for free, I would find it very unfair.
If all empty seats were up for grabs when the door closes then I could make a decision to take my chances of getting a better seat for free or pay for it to ensure that I get one.
I’d just remove my seat and attach it to the missing. Airline seating has shrunk astronomically. Passengers are SOL if they have to get into the brace position.
If you did not pay for extra leg room you don’t deserve extra leg room. Pay the upgrade in flight if the option to do so is availabe or pay at booking, otherwise sit in the seat you paid for. I’m so sick of the sense of entitlement people today have. YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO WHAT YOUR WHINEY A$$ DID NOT PAY FOR!!! So what if the seat with leg room sits empty? You did not pay for it, so it isn’t yours. Stop being an entitled twit.
Pretty laughable, the idea of an airline asserting a “moral” argument.
The Customers on today flights ,they do not respect nothing on any airline,Please bring 1 personal bag, they bring three,they have a pet in cabin ,now goes free due to emotional pet and a size as a horse.
Now today I fly to Italy and for free I received an empty seat in Business,next time ,I fly to Paris I want a free seat in first class, monkey do monkey does but with no respect and seat for free with no Bra or shirt.No more respect in this world for anybody. The airlines are losing money, for fees,hotels,taxis, finds of Faa, sues by sick passengers that was plan to hurt the airline.
@David W…”How can you argue otherwise as I lose the extra armrest and have to let them out to use the lav?”
Sorry, Dave, but you’re wrong. You didn’t “pay” for an extra armrest or additional funds to avoid having to move if someone had to take a piss. You bought your seat and you still have your seat. Those seats could have been sold before the flight and your inconvenience would have been present. You paid for a seat, which you got, regardless of what happens after the doors close.
If I want to fly with additional legroom, I pay for it. Recently my husband and I have chosen to fly first class. Yes it is more expensive but we budget for the additional cost. Why should someone take a seat because it is empty and feel entitled? I’m sorry but the idea of entitlement has gone too far. If you are not willing to pay the additional price initially then don’t complain that you can not take a better seat if you didn’t pay for it.
One guy told me he checks for open seats in the apt and sits in them. I said I paid for my seat he then sat a few rows up
This is why I will never fly on American Airlines. They just simply treat their customers like s*** and dollar signs. Total greed and no compassion.
Perhaps if the airlines allowed a reasonable amount of legroom in Economy class, this issue of changing seats wouldn’t be of such importance. I always try to fly Economy Plus now. When I look at the regular Economy section, I am appalled at the lack of space.
If you didn’t pay for it, then don’t try to steal it. Patty S. – don’t fly if you think you’re being cheated. The bus is an option or maybe the train. You can always drive unless you’re going to an overseas destination. Then you can take a boat. In any case, airlines are in business to make money. Don’t whine about it.
Guess what? American Airlines can keep their crappy empty seats and their snotty arrogant cabin crew. I won’t be flying with them again.
One of the perks that comes with an extra legroom seat, is better odds of an empty seat next to me So if I pay for a premium economy seat, I don’t want someone to sit next to me unless they paid the premium.
The comments on this article range from sensible to absolutely unhinged corporate bootlickers. Some of the entitled boomers in here are really showing their privilege. American made nearly a billion in profit in 2023 after paying over 60 million in executive compensation including 31 million to just the CEO. They are charging more and providing less than ever and people on here are arguing that you shouldn’t get to use an empty seat because you didn’t pay for the extra 3 inches. Give me a break…
this is another example of passenger rudeness. they are seeted At the back OF the plane but they place their handluggage ipon boarding in the upper compartment were i am seated in my extra legroom seat , which i paid for and proceed to the back of the plane and the flight . so no space for my handluggage and the flight attendant says its allowed. NO WAY. THE NEXT TIME I WIIL ATTEND THIS ISSUE WITH A LAWYER
It seems to me this is a simple fix. Once the flight is in the air, and there are available seats, offer à discounted upgrade. If there are more takes for the upgrade than seats, draw the taker’s assigned seat # from a pool. The winner(s) receive the upgrade seat and any other perks included with that seat. The discounted upgrade should reflect they did not have the comfort and convenience of the upgrade the entire duration of the flight.
The real solution here is for airlines to curb their greed and stop installing their rows 6″ from each other!! And to stop assuming that every human being weighs 120lbs, and fits in a 13″ wide seat! Never mind those people that are over 5 ft 10 in tall, and certainly forget about me at 6’2.
THAT is immoral. And unfair for my legs and the person in front of me that can’t use the reclined feature on their chair because my knees can’t move.
Perspective people! come on!
All this is on the airlines. They want to make as much money as possible by making you as uncomfortable as possible so that you will spend to upgrade. I laugh at the comments that proclaim “you get what you pay for”. Yes, within the system they designed to put you in. Air travel is an economic necessity. Government controls are required to maintain stability.
Are these flight attendants paid so handsomely that they feel the need to go above and beyond and police empty seats?
And why do other customers care if who moves where?
Get a damned life and mind your business. If someone moves into and empty seat no one is harmed.
Is this just a problem with American?? I’ve never had an issue with this on any other airline. In June, my mom, little brother & sister, and I all went on an overseas flight to Germany to visit family. We each had a seat in a center row for 4 passengers. There was an empty 4 passenger aisle behind us, no one was taking it.
So, once the flight had taken off and seat belt signs were turned off, I just went to go sit in the empty aisle behind my family. Nobody cared. Not the staff, other passengers, no one. I got free leg room and a chance to lie down and nap. Better yet, my family in front of me didn’t have to worry about leaning their seat back too far since I didn’t care.
Back in the day this was allowed when we flew Delta from the US to Europe. It was great!!
That’s just plain life. You get what you pay for, and don’t get what you pay for. If the premium seat is empty, it stays empty. Period.