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That policy is no longer in effect, and American is telling flight attendants that they should police passengers moving from regular coach up to extra legroom seats (“Main Cabin Extra”), as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