It used to be that when the doors of the aircraft closed, passengers could re-arrange themselves freely. If there were empty seats, you’d see passengers spread out for more room. That made sense.
However airlines now charge for seats, and they don’t even just charge for extra legroom seats. An aisle seat and even a window can cost more than a middle. A seat towards the front of the cabin might cost more, too.
I’ve seen United Airlines flight attendants policing this for awhile, although enforcement varies. Five years ago American Airlines had no real policy, and passengers could mostly still move freely unless a flight attendant told them not to (and of course moving to an exit row seat required being eligible to sit in one of those seats).
Four years ago American started offering free alcohol to passengers in their extra legroom coach seats.
The ability to change seats took on added significance (and cost to the airline). Still, the policy allowing customers to move remained in place.
That policy is no longer in effect, and American is telling flight attendants that they should police passengers moving from regular coach up to extra legroom seats (“Main Cabin Extra”), as shared by aviation watchdog JonNYC. Not all flight attendants will enforce this, but some may.
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. If a customer asks to change seats before the boarding door closes, work with the gate agent to accommodate the request. As always, please remain on the aircraft to avoid a minimum crew violation while assisting the customer.
— 🇺🇦 JonNYC 🇺🇦 (@xJonNYC) November 11, 2022
It strikes me that American specifically talking about Main Cabin Extra as a class and not merely as different coach seats, with different attributes, means they ought to be paying a higher UK Air Passenger Duty for customers in those seats on London transatlantic departures, since the charge is higher for anything other than economy. Yet Delta has been formally treating its similar Comfort+ product as a separate cabin for some time and doesn’t charge higher taxes than economy, so they seem to have figured this out.
I also wonder about flight attendants sending customers off the aircraft, back to the gate, to pay for Main Cabin Extra seats. Especially with single agent boarding this seems like a recipe for risking D0 exact on-time departures.
Regardless, don’t expect to stretch out into empty extra legroom seats on American Airlines anymore if you have a regular coach seat assignment, because the airline is asking cabin crew to serve as auxiliary revenue protection staff.
They should crack down – it is a different class of service. As you noted Delta actually treats it as an upgrade from coach. Since it has benefits that people didn’t pay for all airlines that offer this product should protect it from those trying to get if for free (or as a non-elite entitled to it). Now if they would police the overheads in both first and main cabin extra so people in the cheap seats aren’t shoving their stuff in there and taking up our space.
Another reason I will never fly Un-American Airlines…
Given that it includes free drinks, there’s a fiscal benefit to a passenger who moves but doesn’t pay. Small, but it exists.
Is there a policy that there must be someone in an Exit Row to be able to open the doors or are they allowed to remain empty if nobody purchased MCE? Asking because I don’t know.
I agree. No one is entitled to self upgrade
Agree with AA policy for reasons already well stated by Mets Fan and AC.
Hey American Airlines. Your new seating policy is like Hawaiian Airlines without the complimentary POG juice.
please enforce it, If i pay extra and a passenger in the back moves up and doesn;t pay it just isn’t fair….. if they do im due a refund for same.
JetBlue makes it as part of their announcements. People pay up to $100 for those seats so why should people feel entitled to those seats, they have the option to pay.
AC nailed it. The amount of folks sitting in row 28 who stuff their bag in the first/MCE bins is out of control. Defeats the entire purpose of having the bin reserved; I still feel the need to board early to ensure I get the space I’m supposedly paying for
You disgusting yanks sound like the worst Nazis ever. Disgusting
@305 – American’s flight attendants are explicitly not responsible for enforcing bin usage
@Gary – if they are explicitly forbidden from enforcing bin usage, then maybe don’t sell me a ticket that lists a reserved bin area as part of what I am buying
As if I needed another reason to avoid AA
Gary – maybe FAs aren’t responsible but I have had a number of them stop people from putting luggage in the first class and MCE bins. I only wish it was enforced better through the fleet.
One of the reasons I prefer AA over SW is that on AA I can nail a emergency row or another MCE seat with the possibility that no one is willing to buy the open middle seat (this happened often when planes didn’t sell out). However, on SW even if you pay early bird and secure the emergency row, there will ALWAYS be someone in the middle seat – even when the plane is not sold out. And it is usually my bad luck the person is oversized.
I’m all for enforcing passengers to remain in the type of seat booked – and to not self-upgrade to MCE when it was declined during the ticketing process.
Why can’t the flight Attendants charge people for upgraded seats, via credit cards? On the spot like they charge for alcohol? Then only those willing to pay, can stay.
@Dawn, because that is too logical for the airlines
Better yet, give each passenger a wrist band that has their name and seating assignment – if they want to act like children, treat them like children.
It’s not fair if you paid extra money for a seat and a passenger moves up next to you for free basically. And to the guy that committed that’s another reason why you wouldn’t fly American Airlines he’s got no clue would he like to be paying for a seat in first class and all the sudden the flight attendants let’s sometime move up there next to them for free? And to the other guy I believe his name is a AC. When he gets down near the end of trying to find places for baggage is without taking further delay they’re going to use first class if it’s available for putting luggage in there. The flight attendants cannot monitor every thing and try to board an aircraft and get the thing out on time. And to Dawn, Who said why can’t flight attendants charge them with a credit card machine to upgrade probably because we have so much going on during boarding and after boarding to get that aircraft out on time that we possibly wouldn’t have the time to do that. Flight attendants are there for your safety and the safety of others. I see nothing wrong with moving a passenger to another seat if possible as long as it’s not a premium seat a first class seat a business class seat a main cabin or extra row seat. I sure the flight attendants will have no issues with letting passengers move two seats that aren’t those that I listed above.
@KK – the article was SPECIFICALLY about people moving from “regular” economy seats to main cabin extra seats. You appear confused since you said you don’t have a problem with people moving seats provided they don’t move to premium or extra room/exit rows. That is exactly what the FAs were told to avoid. No one cares if someone in row 22 moves from seat B to seat C if the aisle seat is open. Reread the article please.
Also, since you referenced me in your reply, my comment about people putting their stuff in first or MCE bins wasn’t finding room for the last few people to board so bags wouldn’t have to be checked. I understand that completely. Personally, I like to get on board as early as possible and get settled in – I see people boarding in early groups abusing this space. That is what I feel needs to stop. We either pay for the more premium seats or get them due to our elite status. That should count for something and I wish the airlines would make sure others don’t take advantage of the situation to intrude upon us.
Isn’t it time for the FAA to step up and standardize legroom and seat size on all commerical acft so we can stop the madness of nickel and dime’ng passengers to their crushing death? This is the real story here!
Enough is enough!
I paid for extra leg room on a flight and two passengers who did not happily helped themselves to empty seats next to me. I resented the fact that they congratulated themselves and snickered with glee at how clever they were to snag the seats at no extra cost.
I wish they’d crack down on those passengers that take up more than one seat and have to lift the armrest to make room.
@AC, I work for AA so I specifically know what the email said. Yes it was more specific on Maine cabin extra and premium economy seats. I see nothing wrong with moving people in the cheap seats to another cheap seat may be a little bit better. However I would not move any passenger to a premium economy seat nor a main cabin extra seat or a window exit seat all those people pay extra to sit in those specific areas. And as a person working for AA, I try to pay attention and keep the bins closed in first class or business class so passengers from other areas do not throw their bags into those bins. However it’s not always easy to pay attention to that and do other things all at the same time but I know the flight attendants do try to do their best at least most of them.
@ Tim Ruggiero, we know how you feel and FA’S try to do our best when it comes to that. When it comes to somebody that’s very big we have to get customer service and customer service is the one that’s allowed to make the call on that not AA FA.
The announcement about self moving seats needs to start at the gate before boarding begins. According to training, the FA’s are “Informers” not “enforcers” – they’ll inform you that you need to move, but they don’t have to enforce. As someone above said, pull out those tablets and charge for the better seat, just like an alcohol charge.
Fight back – stop being nice and polite with airline staff. They need to feel consequences of their actions. No more hello or please, call in attandent with or without reasons, make them work twice or three times more than usual.
Sounds cruel I know, but I can’t even fit in their cattleclass seat anymore
@Maxine totally agree.
Iv always believed the manifest is the manifest. I’m one of those passengers who politely declines to change seats like musical chairs. This is the primary reason I avoid SW. In the worst case scenario I don’t want to be identified as Mrs. Smith from Chicago. Just something else to argue about on board. Passengers have no shame in their scheming to get something for nothing.
I am a very tall person and always pay an extra 50.00 to 75.00 for a seat with extra leg room. Every single passenger had that choice to upgrade their seat and pay extra. If they choose not to upgrade then they need to stay in the zone for which they paid for. It’s not fair to me and other passengers who had to pay the extra money for those seats. Even if some become vacant inbetween legs or after the doors close and some are empty.
I was on an Alaska flight where a flight attendant let somebody move into a vacant seat next to me in which he didnt pay for. I complained to the airline that if flight attendants were just going to start giving those vacant seats away, they shoud refund my extra premium that I paid fir that seat, which was 79.00.
Alaskan Airlines did refund me the 79.00. Since then I have become a flight attendant for an airline that also offers extra leg room seats for additional fee. We are required to make sure nobody relocates to a premium seat they did not pay for.
Thats the way it is now. The consumer has many choices when booking a flight and had every option to pay for extra leg room. The passengers are not entitled to take an upgraded seat just because it’s vacant.
I wonder what what AFA-CWA gotta say about this?..lol
It is absurd to have to pay to sit in an airplane seat that has more space. I feel discriminated against. I’m too tall! Everyone should have a comfortable place .
Where do you get your info?!
I have flown for AAL for 35 years and since introducing extra cost for Main Cabin Extra seats, exit row seats and aisle seats we do not allow passengers to move into said seats. That’s been Company policy since day one. Why should someone who didn’t pay for this ‘extra be allowed to sit in one of those seats when the pax seated ne,t to them paid for that extra? Duh.
@Lynne – Main Cabin Extra hasn’t existed for 35 years 🙂 I screenshotted old company policy, and many flight attendants don’t keep up with policies…
I wish that people who don’t prepay for a seat, stop insisting or throwing a fit when they can’t get seat paying passenger to move for whatever reason. If I pay for an isle/window seat I expect to get it. I see this happening more & more with people throwing a fit in some cases to get their way. Enough said.
If passenger’s want to move around, just scan their boarding pass and charge or refund to their account and be done with it finally..
@NeMo the flight staff did not make this rule but they’re suppose to follow it. If you have issues take that up with the company. No reason to mistreat an employee.
@Denise most all of the major airlines do this.
I think airlines need to go back to straight forward pricing. Make all seating comfortable for anyone and just simply charge what they need to instead of add on this or add on that. Good lord. It has gotten so out of control anymore. First class gets free drinks or what ever fine and maybe a little more room but every where else should all be the same size and legroom and just charge a straight forward price.
I am sick of non-enforcmeant of coach passengers putting their suitcases in first and comfort plus type of classes where those bins are reserved for those classes.
It happens on Delta and American on EVERY flight.
Something must be done to stop this NOW.
Why is every article that Gary Leff write an attempted slam against American Airlines. Did he not get a cookie in the past and don’t any other airlines make mistakes. From now on whenever I see an article by Leff I’m going to keep on scrolling. This has been five minutes of my life I can’t get back! Mr. Leff please write something positive for once. People want to hear positive things not your endless groning about what American Airlines has done wrong. Tell us what they have done right if you are capable.
They should enforce it
On a recent flight from Puerto Rico I paid $88 for an exit route window seat. I’m 6’4. The middle seat was empty until after we took off they a guy from the back of the plane came and sat in it. Proceeds to eat dinner some smelly ass food
Then goes to sleep with his legs spread wide open and leaning his head on me seat???
If you want the extra leg room
. PAY FOR IT!!!!!!?
@Dawn & @Jerry
Airlines like UA are seen charging for seat changes to EconomyPlus. AA should incorporate this practice onboard. Personally, if during boarding I am asked about a seat change from Eco to Eco Plus/Extra, ecc; I will ask the customer to go back up and coordinate the request with the gate agent (usually I’ll get a, “ah, it’s okay”, meaning that they already asked, and were advised of a surcharge. Kinda like running to Dad after Mom already said no)
This is standard for all US legacy carriers (DL, UA, AA) – Except WN and LCCs (NK, F9, B6…). For those who are complaining about this, have fun on Greyhound 🙂
I agree, I payed extra for the legroom, when you book your flight you have the same option,pay up or keep your assigned seat.
Passengers think they can do whatever they want once the MCD closes. I had a passenger try to switch from a coach seat to a First class seat, they did not upgrade too. The FA tried to get them back to their seat they bought, but they refused. I had to go onto the aircraft and explain to them, that if they didn’t return to the original seat, they would be removed and re booked. People are very ballsy and think there are not consequences!!!
@Gary they should change that policy. It’s the wild west when boarding an AA flight. You’d think an airline that’s so obsessed with D-0 would put some effort into making that happen.
I can’t help but notice on the delta flights I take, their FAs are way more proactive in the aisle during boarding. Telling pax the correct way to load their bag into the bin, fixing incorrect ones, etc. That definitely helps D-0 and avoids dreaded last minute gate checks
@Joe K
My shoulder doesn’t take well to downward pressure.. it gets twitchy.. randomly jump upwards.
Talk about seat stealing? Those seats with extra leg room near front of plane should be used for handicap folks! Airlines do NOT allow a wheelchair to be stored on the main cabin level. These seat would allow a shorter distance to use facilities (if handicap person can walk short distance) however AA does not offer this service to handicap person’s. They only want to SELL these seats for the funds. It’s sick and sad!
I think I know how most of the commenter here feel about the recent student loan forgiveness debacle…
I am a flight attendant.. And they do allow for 1 wheelchair in the front row. Its a mandated law. They have to block those seats if someone absolutely can not be without it. But wheelchairs a big and bulky and impossible to secure if there is an emergency. That’s why they go below in the belly.
Free alcohol to the people who are sitting in the exit row and tasked with opening the wing exit doors in case of an emergency…. What could go wrong?
AA also starve passengers with a tiny bag of salty pretzels and 8 ounces cup drink in long international flights, not option to buy food either, landing at opposite the airport and making passengers walk from miles to get to customs, very inconvenient, air trains sometimes get stole in the middle of nowhere, AA as far as I am concerned is dead for me, I never flight again on AA.
MCE is the new Business Class. Business is the new First Class.
Just giving it fancy or different names doesn’t change the fact that it’s a degradation in service.
It is simply disgusting how many of you care so much about others getting some convenience (when if it’s ever possible anyways with flights getting fuller) simply because you “paid more”.
The airlines got so you used to subpar and smaller seats that you now would defend the airline so that you get yours and nobody else does. I fly a lot. I pay for MCE. If the flight is empty and someone wants to change seats i couldn’t care less, why? because I’m not a jerk. Why? Because the airline created this impossible situation that pitches one pig in a sardine can against another. Grow up ya selfish pricks.
A lot of airline shills here. The problem is just how much they’re squishing people to try and get every dime out of their passengers.
Enough.
My sister flew 11 hours on AA with her with no leg room. Knees bent to her abdomen. The price she paid it waa cruel. Everyone in her row had to get up if she needed to stretch and us the toilet.
When overhead bins in regular coach are full FAs routinely stuff bags into MCE or premium economy bins if there is space left. So how do you then crack down on people stuffing their bags in those bins during boarding if they are going to end up there anyway.
At least if I wasn’t able to sit next to my family I’d just talk to the passengers in adjacent seats, not even bother talking to FAs.
Ridiculous, makes me wonder why I should pay for my seat upgrade in advance when freeloaders can sneak into same post boarding.
@Jose Gutierrez on International flights there is a meal. I don’t know what kind of International flight you were on. But there is always a meal. How long was the flight?
When you go to a concert or a sports game buy tickets in the cheap seats do they let you move to a empty seat up front? NO and if you make a scene you get arrested. I am sick of entitlement. If you do a cross country trip in a car or train you pack snacks and drinks why when people fly they expect the airlines to trat them like royalty? You buy a ticket to get from point A to B end of atory.
How bout we fight for the best seats..
As if people needed yet another reason NOT to fly American.
OCO! Flying has become enough of a misery…
This is ridiculous I fly 2 weeks ago from Texas to California I’m 6,3 and we go on the sats like sardins IS NOT SAFE not even space for your lungs if you breath deep my shoulders cross in front of the passenger besides you, in the future this people will pit us in boxes tobtravel….
Well sir/ma’am if you weren’t so freakishly tall, you wouldn’t have this problem. Perhaps we can put you on the wing or in the cargo hold.
Last week I flew Phoenix to Kauai and it was 6 1/2 hour flight and there was no food to purchase. I round of drinks and one round of water. I have been flying to Hawaii for fifteen years and this was the worst flight ever.
I just took a flight with American Airlines, I have to say the seats are so small (kids size ) so the flight I was on seats was free and the stewards spread us out and I was glad about it , so they empty anyway for that flight let somebody else sit there , we are not talking about first class, where they could do the same thing
@Robin Wade: How exactly does a road trip compare to a long haul flight? Your comparison to seat jumping at an event doesn’t make sense either, unless maybe Elton John is having a concert on that plane. Switching to an unoccupied seat, for a smidge of leg room after paying a premium for crap seats isn’t too much to ask. Air travel used to be a fun experience, customer service was priority. These corporations all suck ass!
The airlines just want to make money, they don’t care about passengers, for the price you pay for tickets this days we deserve better treatment, but again they don’t care!
@Gary Leff – Clearly speed reading is not a strong skill set for you. Go back and reread the 2nd sentence of @Lynne comment. Then, be a decent human-being and apologize for your ignorance! Cheers!
Good for AA. The media are currently full of stories about families who buy one economy plus seat and cheap seats for everyone else in the family, then after boarding ask people who have paid for economy plus seats to “trade” seats so “the family can sit together”. Total scam; seat switching should not be allowed.
@KK I flew Miami to Jamaica and back, 6 hour international flight on AA, I got a tiny bag of pretzels and some juice with no option to buy food. I would have brought food on board with me if I’d known AA didn’t have any, but every flight ever has always offered food as part of the in-flight service or for purchase and AA never mentioned when I booked the ticket or checked in, oh btw we don’t have any food on the airplane. I even checked the website and there’s no mention anywhere that you need to pack a bag lunch for an international flight with AA.
Why the entitlement undertone to the article? Pay for the seat you want, and sit there. Saying someone freakishly tall shouldn’t have any natural consequences is dumb. Everybody pays more for things for all sorts of natural conditions and preferences. And sometimes, life just sucks. I have absolutely no problem if attendants want to be nice and allow an unauthorized seat change. The problem is the expectant attitudes in the article and some comments.
Just another saga of why AA sucks! They have LOST my luggage on two separate international flights. Sat on the tarmac waiting for ‘extra equipment’ causing my family to miss connecting flights. Flights were cancelled multiple times-not due to weather. Get your shit together AA! What they do now is irrelevant to me as I will NEVER fly with this disastrous FU of an airline. Fly Delta!!!!
My husband and I bought tickets to Seattle from Midland, TX. His first time flying. I decided to make his flight a good experience. I bought extra leg room aside seats with him at the window. Even looked at the diagram of the plane seating and selecting the row # and letter. When we boarded, we found out the plane being used for our flight was a different model and we ended being in a normal seating. And our window seat was not available to us. I explained to the personnel. They told us. We should have checked with counter personnel to confirm seating!!!!! What a disappointment
Extremely GREEDY AND PETTY. I’ll stick to a different Airline
So you think that deregulation is a good thing? Throw in overpopulation & greed. It can’t be reversed. I worked for the Airlines for 20 years when service & dignity was a priority.
The only lengthy flight with no meal experienced In 6 million miles of flying is dfw to Hawaii on coach. Really pathetic to treat it as a domestic flight.
Being that American gives away legroom and aisle upgrades to fill a flight, they should not care so much about change of seats after door close.
When I pay for legroom and preferred seats, I do so to be assured of it. After doors close, let the games begin. Drinks, if they can identify exec Plat in coach, they can identify economy coach passengers too. Who care about I UT a drink. I have never upgraded for a meal or drink that can be had much easier and cheaper at the bar of cafe.
Capitalism is showing n its uhly side in todays society.
Worry less about increasing profit margins for the common good and socialism wouldn’t stand a chance. .
Provide more space so it is not uncomfortable to fly, quit messing with the sardine can trying to eek out a few more pennies. It’s a fine line, but do the right thing by passengers before the advocates get the government to further regulate. It’s time to simplify rather than micro manage all the details for a few pennies or dollars or fractional points profit towards the bottomline. The coat of micromanaging outweighs any benefit.
Just another reason to avoid AA.
@Maria – if you don’t like it don’t fly (or fly another airline). They are private companies that can price, market and manage their product as they feel appropriate (subject obviously to government regulations).
BTW glad so many of you sweat you will never fly AA again – that just makes it easier from r the rest of us.
BTW just flew AA business from FRA-CLT and that flight was better than the Emirates business class flight I took to Europe.
People just like to bitch I guess. Get over your selves!
@Tina – the seats are not that small. I am a 6 foot 215 pound man and fit very comfortably with space to spare. Also while pitch (distance between seats) has been reduced the actual width of the seats is basically the same as it was 30-40 years ago. Americans are just getting fatter but that is a “you” problem so don’t blame the airlines for it!
@Antonio a – if you feel cramped at 6’3” pay for an exit row seat, upgrade to first class, fly private or don’t fly! The airlines are not obligated to modify their planes to accommodate you. There is no god given right that you can fly on an airplane
The entitlement shown by so many on here is absolutely amazing! SMDH!!!
All these airlines nickle and dimeing people eventually will catch up to them, it ridiculous the amount they charge for everything talk about entitlement, the airlines are out of control just like the rest of the world with their price gouging smh
Personally I resent paying extra for a seat only to have people come to the same row I am in without paying extra. If it is empty, the flight attendants should simply run the person’s credit card for the upgrade if they want to switch seats.
@Katt, 6 hour flight, Miami to Jamaica, did you take the long way or something? That flight is 1 hour 30 minutes each way at most.
Just got done flying 14 hours from LA to Istanbul. Give it a try if you want a foretaste of hell. I paid $300 addition on a ticket next to the exit. It was still hell.
I’m retired so I didn’t fly for business. It was my choice, and I’ll take the responsibility for wishing I was dead throughout the flight. Unless
It’s within the continental US and business class, screw it, it ain’t worth it. My wife and I both agree we’ll watch it on National Geographic instead.
By ether way we flew on a Boeing 777 with 350 passengers. Some problem shows up, nobody is getting out. Just not enough room.
I’m glad they’re making this rule, the last thing I want is some piglike slob sitting next to me when I started with an open seat next to me.
As a frequent flyer, I’d like to see more rules imposed on severely overweight passengers being enforced.
Retired Gambler…
AA must have found you drunk and unable to get a flight and they wanted to get you off and away from others. Just because you’re 6-2 doesn’t dismiss the fact you’re inebriated while flying. I feel sorry for the ones who paid to sit next to you for several hours. This is the very reason why you should never drink gin and ingest Prozac on high altitude flights. It causes lunacy in the one using while annoying the sane people who have to deal with you!!
Hey,
Didn’t we bail these airlines out, more than once?!
And now this is how they treat us?
If the seats on a plane aren’t being used, it seems exceptionally petty to prohibit other passengers from using them, especially in the same section (coach or first class).
You people are sick if you think the seats are not too small. Be humane! You can’t take the money with you when you die. Airlines stockholders you are making money hand over fist. Be a person. I am a average size and it’s still too tight. I can’t believe how small the seats are now a days. And i was trying to contact the FAA before the deadline but couldn’t see where to place my grievance on their website. Be humane airlines. You treat dogs better.
Simply separate the section with a thin curtain like the one separating FC/Bus from coach. Problem solved.
I don’t have a problem with people switching to any empty seat but i do have a problem with main cabin extra itself. I don’t have any issue getting to any seat myself because i have platinum status so i can choose any seat without having to pay a dime, but the fact that they are charging an extra (and sometimes in some international flights a lot more) for just a couple extra inches of room is preposterous. If the seats were different, like the premium economy ones, i would agree, but not for the mc extra. They should not exist. Just add more premium economy and eliminate mc extra altogether…
I only fly First Class to avoid most problems. Too me it’s worth it.
Wow its.amazing to read all the disgruntled people and their stupid invalid comments. I have no complaints about AA traveled domestic and international and no issues. They have always been obliging too bad for those who had a suck experience the problem people are cheap and want freebies all the time. You get what you pay.
Fly with your own personal jet next time.
I love flying AA. They are the only airlines I will fly with any more. They are always friendly and very helpful.
We flew back from Australia to US, we were booked on AA ,but return flight booked on Quantas had to pay $200.00 for luggage. Have never had to pay for luggage on international flights. They used to allow 2 pieces of luggage per person free.It definitely isn’t fun flying anymore.
I paided $85.00 to upgrade my seat since I was flying a 10 hours trip to Buenos Aires and I wanted to have more room since I have a full knee replacement but I was very disappointed of the space between my seat and the one in front of me it was impossible to move, I’m a petite woman 4.10 and 150 lbs, it has been two weeks since my arrival to BA and I still have problems with my circulation in my legs
All of y’all act like children. Buy your seat and worry about yourself and keep what stop worrying about what other people do. None of this affects you or your wallet. Grow the fuck up.
That’s great! I didn’t choose the BUS seat I was given after I bought a PLANE ticket from TriCities, TN to Charlotte. I didn’t choose to sit by the side of the road when the BUS had a blowout! I didn’t choose to miss a whole day of my vacation in Arizona. And I found out substituting the Bus for a plane was happening regularly with AA. This airline is greedy and shoddy. I will try to avoid using them if at all possible. If a person moves to a better empty seat
It will not change their profit margin.
the crux of of the general commentary is people are tired of being nickel and dimed by the airline industry, the government may step in, the industry got lots of support during covid fallout, to keep them afloat. baggage fees alone generate billions of dollars!
PAY TOILETS ANYONE!
My husband & I flew DFW to FLL a year ago on AA. He had both knees replaced 6 mon before flew. There were empty seats w/ more leg room. He asked if he might move after the doors closed. Not me just him. He explained why. He was told “no”. No exception even for a valid reason.
@Katt Miami to Jamaica is roughly an hour and 45 minute flight. What are you talking about 6 hours lol
Countless times, I’ve noticed FA offering/ encouraging folks to move to an exit row seats on light flights. Now, with AA, the marketing firm who tries to fly planes, it could be a completely different. FA should remain looking after the safety and we’ll being of the general public. (That’s what they train for) Not policing seats within main cabin. Crazy and ridiculous.
I walk past the MCE seats, push open the curtains, grab any open first class seat and order a drink.
Being that I’m 6’4 and 260 lbs I just pay for first class well worth it priority boarding, first off the plane. My carry-ons are guaranteed not to be checked since we’re the first boarding the Bins won’t be full. Complimentary drink service and if I ask for extra pretzels they’ll give you plenty plus you get the cool little amenity kits.
That is not a valid reason to sit in a seat for free that requires an extra fee at time off booking. If it was so important for your knees, you should have purchased the seats with extra legroom.
Ok. I read 85% of these comments and they are all varied in levels of ridiculousness. Stay in the seat you pay for and no one will have a problem. You want extra room? Pay for it. You want to save money or not pay more for the extra legroom? Then pay for the economy. Just because you see an empty seat does not mean you are entitled to it. You want a whole row? Then buy it and you can have all the room you want.
Also, almost all the airlines have stopped their in food purchase. If you are a supposed season traveler? Pack snacks accordingly. Buy food and water in the airport. Grab a sandwich or fast food before you get to the airport. Can’t do anything about the drink situation, so those you will have to fork out the money for a bottle of water or soda. Better yet, bring your own yeti or hydro flask and go to a restaurant in the airport to get ice and water. So many different options to choose from so there should be zero complaining about the food or drink status on an airlines.
I don’t think all airlines are as cheap as American or United. Although I did take a Taca airline business class flight Costa Rica recently, one where you used to get a decent meal and I got a cheese sandwich on stale bread. Something for my thousand dollars it was embarrassing. I won’t fly that airline again. I understand some airlines charge for various seats. It probably won’t be long until they charge for the seat. Otherwise she can stand is kind of like being on the bus. But it’s real life marketing they want to overcharge we don’t wanna overpay. But once they close the doors , none of it really matters they have all they’re going to get for that flight. All they’re trying to do now is force you to buy the seat where you could actually sit in it. And until we say no, they’ll continue to do so, so maybe it’s time to not go , not drive, not fly,. There are so many options today for business. No one really needs travel. And if you look, there are some awfully fantastic places close to your home for vacations. Places you can drive to if Biden allows gas. So just so you know, don’t go. It’s called the market. You can either be part of the market or you can be controlled by it.
I am flying on 20Nov from CRW to MN, returning g next day, on a whim to do a bucket list NFL DC4L vs Vikings…I hope it goes better than all the stuff I have read…free flt – advantage pts: free hotel – Hilton honors pts…hope to only pay for NFL tkt and souvenirs, as well as my food….AA going and coming…one stop in DC and run stop in Charlotte
Pay for better seats if you want them.
We’re you people just born yesterday with a brain no bigger than a ant? Well, let me inform you that you live in a world where big tech or those in power, could give one iota of shitski what you or anyone else thinks or feels.
There will ALWAYS BE the one or two UNION employed (Yes My Fuhrer) NAZI stews that follow ALL airline orders. Once the doors CLOSE, MOVE to that seat you want in the same class. You dont need to ASK PERMISSION, just DO IT. You paid for a Transportation SERVICE to get you from point A to point B. Any follow all orders NAZI Stew who causes a scene because he/she is a UNION employee that gets you removed from the flight is a BREACH OF CONTRACT.
Ive started hating airlines in recent years. There should be laws protecting people frim these vultures. You shouldnt be uncimfortable because you habe less money. Its the Titanic all over again. I once had to stand for 3 hours because I was put next to a very large couple. The back 3 rows were empty but I wasnt allowed to sit there bc they had 6 children without companions and each child was required to have their own row. They wouldnt let me move classes either. It was so ridiculous. Seats should all be the same siEand accomodate large people. Im an average size person and even I find the seats ridiculous.
They should charge by weight. If ur obese per your normal height/weight ratios then you pay more. Being fat is a choice. Tall people have no choice and have to pay for more leg room so let’s crack down on the people that “choose” to be uncomfortable and encroach on other seats. Most of the extra money obese people pay should go to the people sitting next to them. Oh, and free alcohol if seated next to an obese person!
@J (and others with similar views) – Fo you think airlines are charities or government owned entities (like most public transit systems)? They are PRIVATE BUSINESSES and can price their products (and offer whatever degree of service they want) as they fell appropriate. Seats aren’t getting narrower (Americans are just getting fatter). You call it “nickel and diming” but the add on charges have been there for years and aren’t going away. Don’t want to pay for a bag or seat selection – easy just get elite status (or have the right credit card) so problem solved.
I guess you people want the entire plane first class or with stretched seating (has been tried BTW and think at least 1 airline still only has business class to Europe) but most of those failed since people didn’t want to pay the cost.
Amazing how you somehow think the airlines can reduce seats to make YOU comfortable and don’t understand that will result in significant price increases for tickets.
As I have said before if you don’t like flying or don’t agree with their business model then DON’T FLY or only fly an airline you feel is better (hint – they are all basically the same domestically). There is NO right for you to fly so quit whining about things that won’t change.
Everyone can move to first class . No seats then just stand there.
The plane will be nose heavy and you are breaking rules. Never mind. Passengers are meant to break rules.
But if you hv some self respect then buy higher seat if not stick to your seat you bought.
Just another reason to not fly AMERICAN! Already cramped seats and plenty of flight attendant attitude. Load you in like cattle to squeeze that last penny of revenue. Start patronizing airlines that accommodate with courtesy. When folks stop buying tickets, the policy will change
That’s why I fly southwest… American Airline should remove “American” from their name. Greedy company, never satisfied… Don’t give a damn about Americans.
Yuck pretzels as snacks is gross. I understand the allergies to peanuts but back in the day that was very refreshing to have airplane peanuts for some reason or another. jeez just offer both and hope the guy next to you that’s ‘allergic’ doesn’t get hives or something.
I stopped flying American Airlines when the started making miles expire faster so a normal traveler would never reach enough miles for a free ticket unless you used them for every flight… When i called to politely comment i was talked down to from a phone agent… Its not like you fly our airline that much… is what he told me… I replied you just lost a customer for life, i guess thats ok.
I have never flown them since…this doesnt surprise me at all
BOYCOTT AMERICAN AIRLINES.
How do people who’ve paid for the extra legroom feel when they see freeloaders sneaking into seats that haven’t paid for them? Maybe they’ve complained to the airlines. Reminds me of the people who want others to pay for their student loans.
David Scott. What does being a union member have to do with anything.sounds like you were turned down for membership.there are 2 kinds of people.union.members.and those that wish they were.
JetBlue has been doing this for 7-8 years. I like the policy bc I choose my preferred seat right before I get on to make sure I’m in a less crowded section.
I just book the first/business class ticket and call it a day. I don’t have time to deal with narrow seats and no legroom. I’m 6’3” with knees that hurt as I have gotten older.
Also, airlines don’t really make any money off coach seats. Which is why first class gets all the perks. That’s where they make their money.
:LOLLLL,
These comments are funny and ridiculous, for the most part
Airlines, as any other businesses, has the right to run their business as they want it. You, the consumer in chance, has the right to NOT use their services. You get what you pay for like with any product and service.
What I do find curious is the fact that those precious emergency extra room seats,
are supposed to be assigned only to “willing and able” people in case of a real emergency, but now in terms, they are just provided to the higher bidder.
Are this new situation put these FA”s in a very conflicting position having to be enforcers which shouldn’t be really their duty
Airlines should hire Seat Assigned Police, (SAP) for short, I am available
@AC and all others who said that “airlines aren’t charities” and that they don’t owe us anything for buying a ticket that we didn’t pay extra ridiculous fees for (for things that were included just a few years ago in the price of an average ticket)- you’re right about them not being a charity- WE ARE seeing as they survived from our tax payer paid bailouts. Why are you standing up for these faceless corporations that don’t care about you? No one from AA is going to see your comment and give you air miles or a pat on the back, lol. Shilling for nothing.
There are some entitled people in here. The airlines are a private business and can charge what they want for their product. If you don’t like it then you can find an airline that you do like, you can drive if that’s an option, or you can charter your own jet which you will get all the room you can handle if you do that. People always want something for nothing. I’m in sales and people always ask “can you throw XYZ in?” When looking at the price of an item. My standard answer is alway the same “I can throw in anything you’d like as long as you throw in more money”. That usually gets them to shut up. Also, To whomever said they are average size and the seats are to small for them, I’m gonna call BS. I am 6ft 255 lbs and I think the seats are fine. If your bigger than me you are definitely not average.
I love Southwest Airline. No seat assignments, just boarding categories depending on when one checks in. No charge for extra baggage. Frequent flier miles never expire.
I’m ashamed of you seat jumpers. I paid to sit with my wife like 9th row.
Some entitled folks cam up from way back and sat across the isle row 8.
It bothered me. Why did I pay you extra?
What’s more?
300# Karen gets bent that I get up and take my luggage ahead of her. Hers was not at her seat.
She actually thought she paid for better seats than me.
She’s like. RUDE wait your turn.
The funny thing didn’t really matter for her. After custom’s everyone including a person in a wheel chair made it to baggage before her.
I hope COVID got her.
Yet another reason to switch to a different airline.
Airlines fees are outrageous they charge you for anything and nothing in return besides offering those stupid little bags of pretzels
And the FAA do nothing to stop these greedy airlines abusing people
Ridiculous!!!
After seeing these airline comments we will never fly on American Airlines again until these rules are changed and that’s what everybody needs to do you want to pimp customers out of money you can go bankrupt go to hell American Airlines
If you want to pay more for nothing do it, but don’t count other people’s change. The conformity here is sad.
I’m more concerned with the increased delays and flight cancellations. A few airlines monopolize and control most of the destinations. I’m sure many of us fly less because of this fact. The pendulum swings both ways. as a supply and demand changes so Will their financials. It’s obvious most people are upset with airlines into a claim that their business is a true copout.
@Jeff – yes AA miles expire (after 18 months of no activity if I recall correctly) but it is REALLY easy to keep them alive. Just have one of their credit cards and make a charge every few months. Another option if you don’t want to get their credit card is sign up for AA dining (can easily google it), register and add the debit or credit card you prefer, then use that card to buy a meal (or simply a drink) at one of the local restaurants (or one wherever you may travel). There are many other ways to keep miles alive but these are, IMHO, the 2 easiest if you don’t fly. Again it is 18 MONTHS of no activity and it isn’t like the oldest miles expire after 18 months – all of them remain alive if you simply make any transaction every 18 months.
Of all the reasons to not fly AA that is about the dumbest one I’ve ever heard.
@Donny T, what you try to do is called stealing. I’ve see passengers getting arrested at destination for doing just what You Think Your Entitled Too. Not!!!!
@ David Scott really, calling FLT ATT’S Nazis for doing their job. It’s part of their job that they’re supposed to do. So calling them Nazis for something that they’re supposed to do or they could lose their job is just ridiculous you sound like a spoiled rotten child
If people stopped using services which offer ridiculous pricing and/or treatment (AND provided the airline a reason why), the airline would be forced to go bankrupt or make policy changes which a more customer service oriented. Watch, once consumers practice self-control, pay attention, provide constructive feedback, and give their hard earned cash to excellent customer service based companies…then crappy, money making based companies will either change, be bought by (hopefully) better companies, or go bankrupt. Why do people continue to give their money to companies with crappy customer service policies? Poor service deserves no business.
Well all you defenders of those corporate beasts I say no bailout for airlines letthedm go broke and out the way but if my tax dollar is paying to bail them out then there needs to be some perks available. Same thing with the autos and banks
So the man can put it to you as he wants. This whole thing is a joke. Until one takes a position and STOPS using AA IN PROTEST this will go on. They may well be a private company etc but without customers they can’t exist!
This is really simple, we need mandated leg and seating dimensions from the FAA. Airlines have resorted to nickel and dime “fees” to stay in existence. That’s pitiful and easily corrected, if it means that airlines go bankrupt so be it. Raising prices to compete with new mandated, medically safe flight seating dimensions should be a requirement and would help airline builders to come under federal guidelines! The squash has reached epidemic proportions and now results in aerodynamic and medically unsafe to any passenger over 6′ !!!! Absurd greed needs to stop now
That extra leg room comes at a price. The $500 Coach ticket goes to $1,800 for Preferred and $3,000 First Class, as an estimate. A $500 ticket does not allow you beyond the curtain.
I have always enjoyed my assigned seat every time in my 5 year old Highlander. Refreshments on board as well.
All the market will bear.
I came home with a broken foot ( broke the night before flight). I was told to put a shoe on while in flight. I brought my foot up as good as I possibly could. Then said you try and put a shoe on that! Her response was it’s ok but you need to elevate that. How could I elevate in the tightest area I ever sat in? To say the least the hospital called and blasted the airline. That was 2016. My foot healed but it’s still messed up. Thanks to the airline. I haven’t and will never fly again. Rude money hungry airlines aren’t make people not want to fly. No rudeness with driving and allot more room.
That’s why I only fly Southwest.
1. Pay for the seat if you feel your size will require it.
2. Weight & balance are calculated by where bags are loaded and seating chart. Whether you believe it or not, during rotation is not the time to find out how crucial it can be. Especially on a flight that’s not 50% full.
3. There are FAA restrictions (physical and age) on who can fly in those seats fir Safety requirements and ability to open doors in a timely fashion. (Two fairly new knees that restrict fluid mobility may prohibit your seating there.
Also there is an age requirement, so if you and your wife move there with your son or daughter under that age, you are prohibited.
Also a understanding and ability to speak and understand English is required.
4. A purchased ticket dies not entitle you to make decisions on your own once you’ve boarded.
5. Use common courtesy and sense when asking if moving is possible.
The reason being that there’s no one there to open the doors in an emergency is not the reason to move .
6 An FAA mandated briefing to those that seat in those seats..
If the flight has a lot of empty seats, at the point the flight takes off, they’re not making money on those seats anyway, so people should be able to spread out if they want. Where’s the harm? Sounds like AA is being an asshole.
I remember when airlines began charging extra for baggage, food, in-flight entertainment etc. These things used to be included in the price of the ticket, so yeah. It does feel like we’re being nickel and dimed now. Flying used to be fun. We Now I hate it.
It would be faster if they boarded the people in the back first. It’s so stupid . it caused delays.
If you paid for economy seats stop bitching..Why do you feel you’re entitled to more. Pathetic liberal mentality for sure
Airlines need to get with the times and realize people come in all sizes. It’s torture to cramp a person that doesn’t fit in a seat for a long flight. The men in my family are over six feet tall.
When required to sit in a cramped position for hours and unable to stretch out your legs DVT’S are a real possibility and are a life threatening condition. Can I hold the airline responsible?
I admit that since I am disabled, that I get to pre-board. I am grateful, but would be willing to pay a “small” fee to do so, as I am sure that it might seem unfair to those who pay for that luxury. Also, there are a lot of people who abuse this privilege, but even the airlines state they can do nothing about the “cheaters”. As far as overall courtesy, respect, service, I find Southwest Airlines to be fair and far above the rest. When SW does not fly to a certain destination, I absolutely, cringe and try to “maintain” from the very beginning of flying another airline, from making the reserv, to getting home. Since 1972, when I started flying SW, I can only think of 3times than any other airline matched the service Southwest gives:2 times on United, and once on Alaska Air.(that also includes the tes that military personnel had to fly in uniform to get the special deals. I have no clue why American Airlines is still in existence, except perhaps they force all the smaller airlines out of business by paying for the few landing rights that exist at the smaller airports.(and then one is stuck on an Am Airlines turbo prop, which are basically of past era. Southwest Airlines at least flys jets even to these smaller airports. My thoughts are “if given a choice, fly SW if available, but if not, fly any airlines other than American
Although I prefer to drive, there are times when my Wife and I will opt to fly, in Coach via South West, and have never had a bad experience ; I am disabled and therefore am able to board first where we will then sit in the first row on the right side of the plane just behind the forward bulkhead/wall.
Due to a severe back injury it is necessary for me to recline my seat about 5° to the rear and I have never had a problem with the passenger behind me since 5° does not take up that much room.
A little fore thought and knowledge of the Airline’s rules goes a long way towards a pleasant flight, plus some common courtesy to the FA’s and your fellow passengers.
By learning the various rules required by the different Airlines goes a long way to help make your flight more enjoyable.
Once the doors closed who gives a crap where u sit. Some people don’t have the money to fly first class. This is like a lottery will I get lucky today?
Why don’t airlines sell a lottery type option. For 20 bucks u can move to an empty seat .if available.
I don’t know if anyone remembers that after 9-11, American Airlines actually removed a few rows in economy to actually give passengers more leg room for no additional fees. They actually advertised it on print and tv as the only US airline to offer such roomier cabin. Those were the days
A lot of the airlines are complaining about increasing unruliness of the passengers but it is no wonder when the airlines have increasingly themselves been increasingly treating passengers in general with contemptuous attitudes and policies with some of their nonsensical changes and charges; ie:baggage fees,carryons,seating and decreased leg room size, no meals or chintzy snacks, and at times churlish flight attendants. Need I go on…
Wow – so many nasty people. You are what makes travel miserable, not the airlines. I wouldn’t want to be you when karma catches up.
What is so wrong about moving to an empty seat? This is just unnecessary nitpicking by the airlines, I mean, seriously, what is the harm if a seat is unoccupied. I can remember flying coach back in the 70’s and taking unoccupied first class seats, nobody cared, and why should they?
I definitely agree to enforcing that only those who pay for MCE seats should get them. I pay not only for the seat but I find one with no one assigned to it. Often that seat is still showing open when I sit down but is always gobbled up by someone wanting it for free. Now there’s someone next to me who might smell, be loud, be too large, etc. Enforce away AA!
If AA charges more for extra leg room seats, those of us who choose to pay that fee should not be subjected to people being moved to them for free unless we get a refund of our fee! Fair is Fair, if they’re going to charge then DON’T give them away for free!
Moving about in economy class is one thing. Moving from economy to first class is another. Those in first class have paid significantly more than economy passengers and should not have to put up with interlopers.
I think all airlines should follow this as it is not fair to the person that pays the price for the extra comfort and the one that comes up didn’t pay the extra cost Delta airlines allows this too I was on a flight where I paid extra for my seat in comfort plus and people from the back came up and took the empty seats without paying maybe when they do that in flight and the airlines allow it they should charge them the added cost at that time to be fair to the person that paid extra for the seat if this can be allowed then why pay extra just move during flight I think the person moving to seats that are open that are extra cost should have to pay it only fair to the people that had paid!
I’m switching to Delta. Simple. I get the whole charging thing for the seats and policing, but the problem I have is American continues to figure out how to charge people for everything. They may as well partner with Frontier. I was a U.S. Air flyer and they were always great for the first class upgrades. Loyalty has its rewards! But when they merged with American, the quality immediately went down in terms of the programs. I will keep my American Advantage credit card but I’m done with flying with them as a second choice. SW will remain our way to go since they offer no fees, A-List, and I have a companion pass! My pockets are my first order of business. When I hit the lottery maybe I will reconsider!
I don’t see anything wrong with someone taking a seat that is unoccupied. I don’t care what kind of seat I bought.if it’s first class, more legroom, etc. It’s just ridiculous to worry about who sits where. Only problem I would have is if someone took my seat and even then it would not be a problem if it’s another seat similar or better.
Bunch of entitled boomers. Moving seats has no effect on your life whatsoever. You paid extra to guarantee an extra legroom seat, those who didn’t are gambling. Why do you all want everyone to be as mentally miserable as you are?
Moving to the empty seat within the same class in one thing but to occupy others seats, especially the isle one which cost extra money, and I always pay extra for international travel. Unfortunately I have seen the discourteous people who board first take over others seat and tell the other person who has reserve seat that I am sitting with my family or I need extra leg room or I have health issues or so on the crap goes on. There were times that the flight attendants had turned their face and let the customers figure out themselves. I used to be courteous enough to give my seat away, but not now because I paid for isle seat for my convenience and picked up the flight where I could get that and so like the other people had a choice to get the combination of tickets and airline they were looking for but the scumbags have learn they would cheat and get the seat they want once they board. No courtesy for the scumbags who find the cheapest tickets in the market and then bother other people.
This article and the comments basically sums up everything wrong with the world today
I Forecast now itself that in mere future Airline would charge for using rest room.. one time is allowed at free and further usage would be at extra cost.. they will cite the reason go green or saving earth, avoid wastage of water etc. Post Covid Pandamic slicing quantity in food serving like one snack meal and full meal for 8 hours travelling time instead two full satisfied meal has been adopted now..
Say you went to a Bon Jovi concert or the Super Bowl and paid for nose bleed section only to waltz up to the front row. You are stealing. If you want a better seat then pay for it.
What are rules across airlines if passenger reports being harassed by person in next or front, back seat? Can passenger be moved to another seat? Are airlines liable if p is not moved?
Have any of yall done jail or prison time in Texas, or any where for that matter jail isnt that bad for the most part its air conditioning is mandatory. The pinatentry no ac and during the summer it is hotter then 2 rats fornicating in a wool sock inside an oven ….
Plus all the gangster drama then you have the staff that are egoboosted puppet masters or strict af captains Sargents lieutenants corporals all of them in Texas
It is corporal punishment boot camp style prison unless your fed or on a privately owned unit farm owned operated capitalist
Yall sound like a bunch of punks arguing in prison over whos fukn big bubba tonight
If you didnt pay for it then take your roaching ass back to economy stfu parasite liberals junky ass shit is pathetic
Try doing 7 calendars in Bedo 1 Tennessee colony
Do you book a normal doublr queen hotel room, then demand to be moved into the Presidential Suite just because it’s unoccupied? You get what you pay for.
I am 6’2”, 225 pounds. I don’t like the small seats but I like the fact that airlines have them so they can keep ticket prices lower. Same for snacks and baggage, etc. If they kept giving snacks like they used to, and 2 free bags like they used to, then they would have to charge me more for my ticket. To all of those here who don’t understand that, please get together and start your own airline which will go out of business before it even gets off the ground
I wish airlines would just make the seats reasonable, my god I’m 5’1 and 120lbs and coach seats are cramped and uncomfortable but you should have to pay for it like everyone else , but it seems like the airlines , like a lot of other things are only thinking about how many people they can cram in the craft to make money , not thinking about the travelers comfort ..no one likes to sit in coach!
I’m not sure who is running AA but it obvious they are not concerned about customers. I fly between 80k-90k per year and each year, and pay extra to get upgraded. Most of the time upgrades are not available because they hold back seats for last minute flyers and charge them more money. it’s not necessarily about leg room, if you have two or three passengers in one row, absolutely nothing wrong with occupying empty seats. Greed from AA. I’m going to start flying Delta.
Wow, entitled much? Want extra room? Pay for it. Whining that you’re cramped just says you expect others to catered to your entitled backside. You don’t want to pay then sit down and shut up.
There’s an empty penthouse in my apartment building. It doesn’t impact anyone if I just move in. I’ll even leave quietly if they rent it out.
Soon rather than late American airlines is going out of business it’s just a matter of time with all their sneaky policies just like a cheap…… You can feel the blank. I remember when they cancelled my flight couple hours before flying from Dulles Airport and rescheduled me out of the Reagan airport I didn’t notice the email since it was a last minute change it cost me lots of money to take a taxi and catch my new flight plus the aggravation going through a 5 o’clock traffic jam when I emailed them at least five times you would think they will respond back right? Well wrong. Thank you for your article I’ll make sure I don’t fly AA.
I’m 6’3″, 295 lbs. I already know that if I want extra legroom I am going to have to pay for it one way or another. On Southwest I pay the additional 30 or 40 dollars at the gate to get an A1-A15 boarding pass because then I know I can get a seat in the exit row to stretch out. If I am flying coach which is rare these days on AA I pay for the exit row seat so I can stretch out. If I am flying coach on Delta which is also rare I pay for the upgrade to Delta Comfort. But if I want to be comfortable all the way around, I pay for First/Business Class. Again, I PAY FOR IT!!!!! So you want the legroom then pay for it. Enough of this whining. Airlines make most of their money off first class tickets. Not coach.
I remember when I was comfortable in economy then airlines got greedy. They added more seats, raised prices, no more meals on long flights, and one peice of luggage. I’m 5’5″ 120 lbs and there is absolutely no leg room. I used to fly at least once a month, but I don’t like to pay out the nose for less room,therefore I have flown only when I could not drive. I have a meeting in HI but have opted not to go because I refuse to pay for an uncomfortable seat on a 7 hour trip. First class is out of my budget. They don’t feel the need to be loyal so I don’t either. I know others that no longer fly as well.
I have never seen so many simpletons on one thread!! Y’all seriously don’t see anything wrong with upgrading your travel seat without paying for it?? Ummm my neighbors corvette is empty…can I go and drive it instead of my explorer? NO! Do you go to a hotel, book a double then ask for the presidential suite if it’s empty? NO! Do you go on a cruise and book an inside cabin, then move to a balcony suite just because it’s empty? NO! Do you go to an NFL game and move from nosebleed to the luxury box suites just because they are empty? NO! Then WHY should airplane seating be any different? IT’S NOT! It’s pretty simple…..if you want an upgraded seat, room, cabin, etc then pay for it when you book your ticket! Why would you even think it’s ok to sit in a class of seat you didn’t pay for?? I’m guessing it’s entitlement mentality! Y’all seat jumpers is probably why they started charging extra!
JUST BECAUSE ITS EMPTY, DOESN’T MEAN ITS FREE!! Greedy freeloaders!
You men who do the leg spread in airline seats (you know who u are) should pay for a larger seat instead of having your legs pressed against your fellow seat passengers. Annoying.
When I was a young teenager, I used to think flying was the most glamorous thing. After 9 international flights to South America and one to The Dominican Republic, I have this to say: Flying is THE most uncomfortable thing! I am an average weight size woman. The seating situation is horrible, no elbow room. You better not need the bathroom in a rush…! We choose to no longer fly. It’s miserable and we often get sick AFTER flying.
All the airlines are getting so cheap, they forget our tax money bailed them out. In return they take away every extra they can . No more pillows, blankets, smaller seats ,less leg room ,cheap little snacks.i agree you shouldn’t be able to sit anywhere just because the seat is empty. At times it is necessary to move due to extra large people, family’s, etc: I gave up my AAcard
@SL Rob said “I remember when I was comfortable in economy then airlines got greedy. They added more seats, raised prices, no more meals on long flights, and one peice of luggage. I’m 5’5″ 120 lbs and there is absolutely no leg room. I used to fly at least once a month, but I don’t like to pay out the nose for less room,therefore I have flown only when I could not drive. I have a meeting in HI but have opted not to go because I refuse to pay for an uncomfortable seat on a 7 hour trip. First class is out of my budget. They don’t feel the need to be loyal so I don’t either. I know others that no longer fly as well”
I guess views like yours are why planes are so empty. Obviously sarcasm as they have a higher load factor that practically anytime since I’ve flown extensively (started around 1985). And for all you people that thing airlines have changed width of seats (they haven’t you have just gotten fatter) or that there isn’t enough pitch (outside of LCCs I think 29-30 inch is minimum which should be sufficient) get a life. You have an outdated view of flying. It is basic transportation. I fly first and International business and still regard it as transportation to where I’m going not some adventure or glamorous experience. Also, if you don’t like AA I assure you the same experience exists on all the other carriers. I frankly don’t consider SW even an option since I’m not flying them (unless they basically give away a seat due to lack of assigned seats and no first class).
Legroom is racist….and slavery…and transphobic…
Andrew is correct. I am 6’3″ and an athletic 220 lbs. and occasionally do cattle class on DL or UA for budget reasons, and it’s a reasonable choice on my part. Having flown Ryanair and Easyjet, I’ve experienced 28″ seat pitch, and I refuse to fly Frontier or others with a 28″ seat pitch, because I’ve been there, done that, and I don’t expect other passengers or airline staff to accomodate me. That would be unreasonable. LIfe is not fair for taller more athletic men; that’s just the way it is.
I
Yes- flying socks these days.
GONE are the days of the crew being able to move your seat &/or even upgrade you. The larger seats, better recline, more leg room. ample size lavs, adequate staffing, correct temperature in cabins (= not sweating or freezing to death), meals on a lot of domestic flights, blankets etc. all changed.
Think about A LOT of pax (daily x weekly x monthly x yearly) that always b*tch about one of the above or something else. I have special food restrictions- ok sorry, bring your own snack, oh I need more water, ok – there are water stations in most airports, then they chug 3 glasses of water & want 3 more- while the rest of the cabin waits. There is not enough water boarded to fill everyones water bottles. Hang my coat now, my bag fit on my last flight, etc etc. Let’s not forget the ” they did on my last flight” famous phrase.
The planes are not properly cleaned, stocked, staffed, catered, nor new employees trained properly, then add the entitlement factor. Some flight attendants not doing basics such as smiling, talking, handing out a napkin, or picking up trash. To busy texting the entire flight, or watching a movie or playing video games (& the airlines do nothing about it).
Now think about how the crews feel, having to deal with all this multiple times a day, week etc. Constantly apologize to pax. While 99% of passengers are nice- it’s always just the few that cause the problem & stick in your head.
The job is physically demanding & mentally draining. The airlines think the crews are robots working 1-2 flights, sitting for 2hrs then working a red eye.
All the changes have been made by management that DON’T sit in coach. Like any job they create rules but don’t know the job.
Employees must take the backlash, while million dollar bonuses are paid to the executives regularly. Pretty standard on most jobs.
If you ask before doing something it’s always best. Crews will be more apt to help you if possible.
If you help your self to your free upgrade & are questioned or asked to return to your assigned seat, please just do it. Don’t make a scene, or have a hissy fit. These are NOT crew rules it’s management.
Crews would love nothing more than to go back to the old days, when flying was pleasant, comfortable, & fun. Instead crews are under staffed, under paid, over worked & abused by management, & (some) passengers.
Crews really do like their job, but with constant disrespect, increased workload, less resources it is difficult. Management is constantly informed of the problems on board, instead of finding a solution the reply is ” if you don’t like it, quit”.
Please email the ceo’s DIRECTLY your seating issues, food complaints, small seats & lavs. Perhaps if they are personally bombarded with email they may do something.
Very few flights have empty seats anymore due to overbooking BS by the airlines. In the recent past, I was on a very old plane that still had the cigarette ashtray in the arm! It was shocking to see how much roomier the seat and legroom was compared to newer airlines. I hate flying-it use to be an experience. Now, it’s like herding cattle! No food anymore and 10 bucks for 2 oz of alcohol is the pits.
oh you want comfort? a seat without spikes that doesnt leave you with permanent cramps? well thats going to cost you more than your already disgustingly inflated ticket.
AA is the WORST airlines I’ve flown in decades! Just flew on 10/17 (red-eye flight) from Oregon to South Carolina and the seats were unbelievably uncomfortable in coach. There was no more than five inches from my knees to the back of the seat ahead of me. I sat next to the window and it was a FULL plane. I couldn’t reach down in front of me to search my handbag. The seat reclined about 4 inches back…so basically not at all. My husband is 6 ft. 4 in. and couldn’t possibly travel w/ me if he wanted to in the coach seats. No non-stop flights so I got to deplane in CHI and get on another AA plane with tiny seats at 6 a.m.
I’ll NEVER fly AA again. I don’t need to travel that badly to tolerate being treated like cattle.
AA really sucks the flight attendants and gate agents are extremely rude.
Seriously, wouldn’t you think it would provide more customer loyalty if you didn’t mince over things once the doors are closed??
@ Not me. I totally agree with you!
@ Carol Townsend ashtrays are literally on the airplane for a reason still doesn’t mean the airplanes old they’re on there in case the flight attendants or crew have to put out somebody who lit up a cigarette it’s metal they can’t throw it in the garbage in the bathrooms cause it’ll cause fire same way with the galley trash. I wish people would educate themselves instead of saying something totally ignorant.
I can’t believe everyone wants something for free when prices are enormous and through the roof with a recession gas prices are high cost getting the product to the airplane etc. it’s just as bad as the grocery stores but I don’t see you are going to the grocery stores in saying that they should be giving you all this crap for free.
The MCE seats are unsold and will remain unsold after the cabin doors are closed. Therefore, the airline is not losing any money by allowing passengers to occupy those seats. A business cannot claim as a loss income that was never earned. That same concept applies to the unfold seats.
@Sue Korman stated “The MCE seats are unsold and will remain unsold after the cabin doors are closed. Therefore, the airline is not losing any money by allowing passengers to occupy those seats. A business cannot claim as a loss income that was never earned. That same concept applies to the unfold seats”.
Sue – first of all there are many things that go unsold and there isn’t ability to get revenue. On planes why stop at MCE – if there are empty business or first class seats why not just take them. Similarly, a hotel has an empty suite and you are in a regular room – should you just take that? If a concert isn’t sold out should they just open the gates and let everyone in to fill it?
Of COURSE NOT! It isn’t simply a matter of letting someone have a better seat. This is a different class of service sold by the airlines. If it became clear that you didn’t have to pay for the better class of service (basically 3-4 more inches of legroom, a free drink and supposedly devoted overhead bins) then no one would and people would just move to them.
Like it or not (and I see many on here don’t) airlines have monetized seat assignments like many other things. That isn’t going to change. And for those that long for the “good old days” man you have selective memory – the cost of travel was 3-5 times then on an inflation adjusted basis. Cheap seats come with tradeoffs. If you want room spend some of that money and buy a seat with more space (and if too obese to comfortably fit in an coach width seat buy first class).
Finally, for those bashing AA and the “I’ll never fly AA again” crowd. ALL THE AIRLINES are basically the same. United’s basic economy is the worst and Delta has lost much of its halo regarding operations (plus their awards are the most expensive). Southwest is a cattle car with no assigned seating or first class (I fly them but know what to expect) and low cost carriers have their own issues (again I fly them on occasion but know what to expect).
What I see on here is a bunch of bleeding hearts that don’t see anything wrong with basically stealing a product an airline is selling and many on here that apparently don’t fly much (BTW you aren’t their target customer anyway so please fly someone else).
I have nothing to add to this discussion. I just wanted to become comment number 200. Thanks, Gary, for writing the View from the Wing blog.
@AC great comment back to Sue! Totally agree
Again, greed coming to the forefront. If you did not want to pay for the seat, keep your butt in the one you paid for. Tired of freeloaders!!
Isn’t it awful that companies, corporations, and even individuals do not care about another person’s comfort anymore? It used to be they wanted to please the customer and accommodate them to the best of their ability to make them comfortable. Now they just want to squash you into a seat like a sardine in a can, whether you are comfortable or not. They do not care about your individual circumstance, or your health, they just care about the money. As a matter of fact in the cargo bay animals have more room than the humans in coach. Shameful
I think its about time for passengers to frankly stop these companies from acting in this way. if people did not buy the seats and they are open, the compNy loses NOTHING by making the people sitting like cattle, more comfortable. in fact in gains positive feedback from passengers and brings them back. trust me, american needs all the positive PR it can get because their ability to get peoples bags and themselves anyplace on time is beyond putrid.
Sorry, if you want a more comfortable seat then pay for it like I do! If it’s not free, then it’s not up for grabs just because it’s open as others have made the point , you don’t get the presidential suite at the hotel you reserved a standard room at even if it’s “open” for free!
Just another reason why I only fly Southwest – all seats, except for the emergency row seats, are the same. Apparently all of you whiners enjoy paying for your seats and your baggage. Please don’t fly Southwest, those of us who do prefer not to have a bunch of complainers spoiling our flights.
I’m sitting in first class at this very moment. Flight attendant just took my drink order. Coach travelers still boarding. An empty seat next to me, 2 empties in front of me and two empties behind me. And one more two rows back. Guess what!! They better stay empty too unless they were paid for. I paid for these perks. As a matter of fact a lady and her daughter right now are trying to snatch two of the seats. Let’s see if they get asked to move.
AJ – “They better stay empty” – and if they don’t, just what are you going to do? Here is a thought – sit in your overpriced seat, sip your “free” drink and mind your own business. I will never understand why some people seemingly look for some reason to get upset over something that does not affect them.
David Miller. I just snitched. And they’re being moved. Now what?
AJ – You ask- “Now what?”– Do you feel better? Are you proud of yourself? Apparently you must be one of those rare individuals who has never taken advantage of a situation, which did not affect anyone else, while being beneficial to yourself. So here’s what – smugly sit back, ask for another “free” drink and savior your “victory”. You really showed them, while showing what kind of a person you really are…Bravo — Encore! Encore!
@David Miller so you think it’s OK that they sat down in first class when that’s not their seat? That is considered stealing American Airlines is trying to run a business. I’m sure that if you ran a business you wouldn’t want people stealing stuff from you.!!!!
KW – Do you work for AA? Then just what is YOUR problem? Try minding your own business. Others sitting in a vacant seat has NO effect on your personal situation. If AA has a problem, let them handle it. Try worrying about something that is important .
@ David Miller, wow you really feel you’re entitled don’t you? That’s what’s wrong with todays world is people like you who think everything belongs to them. Bless your heart
KW- “Entitled”? Bull – That is you and those like you who are not happy minding your own business. I never said anything “belonged” to me – those are your asinine words. All I have said is – if what they do does not affect you , then mind your own business. Let the airlines handle such situations.
@David Miller. I’m far from feeling entitled. I would mind my own business. I’m sure the FA would realize that those two are in the wrong seats.. I’m saying why if you were seating in FC and Paid for FC would you want someone else to sit there for free? Unless they were military or some other circumstance.especially , if you paid full price for sitting in first class. That’s all I was saying, is that, just cause the seats open doesn’t mean it belongs to you!
KW- Apparently you have comprehension issues. So, for you, I say once again – If someone sits into a seat that was vacant that they did not pay for, I don’t care as long as it does not affect me. I am not going to get worked up about what someone else does when it does not affect me. There, I have said it twice – understand? Here is something for you to consider – currently I am sure that someone on some plane someone is doing exactly what you are complaining about – now, are you going to get all upset knowing this? If not, why not? I can guarantee that you won’t because it is not affecting you. Again, I never said -just cause the seats open doesn’t mean it belongs to me – those are your words. Try minding your own business.
@David Miller – “See Something, Say Something” – sorry dude if you see someone committing a crime (which this is since theft of property that has value) you report it. Also not sure why you feel this doesn’t impact those that paid for first, business, premium economy or MCE/Comfort + seats. They BOUGHT a better seat and if people are allowed to just plop themselves down without paying it not only is offensive to those of us that paid for the seats but also undermines the airline’s ability to get people to pay a premium.
Crawl back under your rock or go have a drink with AOC since you obviously are a socialist who has no concept of a capitalistic, business driven economy
Retired idiot – I am not a socialist and I despise AOC and the DemocRats. That said, “see something, say something” is defined as —- What does if you see something say something mean?
“If You See Something, Say Something®” is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and how to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.—– Your usage here has nothing to do with this mantra/policy. Those who pay extra only “find it offensive” if they choose so. And as I have repeatedly stated many times, let the airlines handle this situation. Now get off of your high horse and find something worthwhile to bitch about.
Am I the only one who always gets a little chuckle out of the irony of one person telling another person “mind your own business” ?
During spring break season, on a nearly full New York to Los Angeles flight, two college-age passengers moved without permission from the coach cabin to unoccupied seats in first class. Unfortunately, the flight attendant overlooked the passenger’s self-upgrade. During meal service, these squatters received their choice of first-class meal selections. However, there were two passengers who paid for first-class tickets but received their meal selections after the coach cabin defectors. The first-class paid ticket holders were advised, “sorry, your preferred meal choice is no longer available because our flight is catered with a limited selection of meal choices. Instead of your meals, would you like to choose something out of our snack basket? or whould you like a choice of snack boxes from the coach cabin.”
I’ll remember this the next time I’m making reservations. They don’t care about my comfort.
Well, I just came upon this article and am commenting belatedly. I pay a lot for Main Cabin Extra seats on American Airlines. Well over $100 per leg for long-haul flights. I travel frequently. There have been a couple of times when my husband and I have found ourselves in a three-person exit row with an empty 3rd seat and someone has tried to come in and seat themselves in the third seat. They didn’t pay. We did. Why should be have.the discomfort of a stranger beside us for an 8 hour flight who didn’t pay for it? This causes resentment and makes it harder for AA to charge high amounts for those seats. I also tire of people who are too lazy to choose their seats and then ask others to move for them. I put effort into my seat choice, looking up seat configurations online before I choose my seat. This boils down to the planners who are wiling to pay versus the freeloaders who are too lazy and cheap to pay for the seat yet feel entitled.
I totally agree on making sure that if you didn’t pay for the seat you don’t get it! Not sure they’d let anyone move to 1st class if they didn’t pay for it why should it be any different in other sections of the plane!
On a Delta flight, about a year ago, some South American was found sitting in my first class seat that I paid for.
The Flight Attendant made him move, but before he did, he urinated on the seat!
I had to move back to Economy, as I couldn’t sit on the seat. He was thrown off the plane.
Stuart, that is awful. Glad to hear he was thrown off the plane. I hope he was put on Delta’s no-fly list as he doesn’t sound mentally able to handle being a member of the flying public.