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That policy is no longer in effect, and American is telling flight attendants that they should police passengers moving from regular coach up to extra legroom seats (“Main Cabin Extra”), as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.
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.