American Airlines and seats

mewso

May have been asked before but I booked with ebookers to Vegas on an AA flight (this Friday). I notice from the details that I seem to have been asigned a seat already. I'm not a frequent flyer and this may be the norm but does this mean I can't choose my seat or ask for a seat that doesn't involve me sitting between 2 screaming kids or whatever?

Ruu_Old

I think priority is given to AA Advantage customers and frequent flyers. I guess you could try calling the airline and checking with them about that.

sharkman

Also checke here : http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/American_Airlines/information.php.

It will give you a run down on Aircraft Seating Plans ...

mewso

Thanks guys.

BuffyBot

They've probably assigned a certain proportion of the seating, while another amount is held for aiport assignment. There is nothing to stop you requesting a new seat when you check-in - it'll be up to the check in staff as to whether or not they'll change it.

mewso

Managed to find my reservation on www.aa.com and you can change seat assignments from there. Only thing is there are only about 3 left on all of them except the return flight so I used the seat advisor thingy to pick a better one. Vegas Baby here I come

FlutterinBantam

BuffyBot wrote:

They've probably assigned a certain proportion of the seating, while another amount is held for aiport assignment. There is nothing to stop you requesting a new seat when you check-in - it'll be up to the check in staff as to whether or not they'll change it.

Why would it be up to them.... ????

What are they holding the seats for ....their friends???


Weird response

Our man in Havana

You would be surprised. Aer Lingus are so anal about their seats that they won't change for anyone on check in.

mewso

So it seems it is par for the course to have seats assigned well before the day you leave?

Our man in Havana

Yes indeedy sadly

BuffyBot

FlutterinBantam wrote:

Why would it be up to them.... ????

What are they holding the seats for ....their friends???


Weird response

A certain amount of seats are generally pre-allocated. The remaining seats are availabile to the check-in agents at the airports. This is to ensure that they have the flexibility to move people about, seat families together, keep exit rows, bulkhead seats etc free.

FlutterinBantam

Ah right...I understand now....

I thought you meant you would have to stay with whatever seat you had unless some sour jawed agent bothered their ass to change it on request...

Our man in Havana

That is the case with Aer Lingus. They can be extermely sour about changing seats. Particularly their US based agents.

Dellas

When you book your ticket with a travel agent you can ask them to assign seats and if they are good at their job they will know where the best place is etc...if not you can choose your seats when booking direct online with most airlines. Also alot of airlines offer online check in where if you go on 24 hours before you can choose your seat. Only one thats not great is BMI online check in as they give you a random seat and you cant change it!!! Stupid system.

BuffyBot

Only one thats not great is BMI online check in as they give you a random seat and you cant change it!!! Stupid system.

Only if you book their cheapest "tiny" class fares. Other fares can select seats.

Naked Lepper

pre choose your aer lingus seats on their website
thats what i did
so ill be sitting at the window behind the wing for my trip to amsetrdam in two weeks
best views

Dellas

BuffyBot wrote:

Only if you book their cheapest "tiny" class fares. Other fares can select seats.

Yeah but whats the point in that!! I think that if they wanted to they could block certain seats for premium members of Diamond club. It would be better if they let everyone have a certain amount of choice even if is was say rows 11 to 20 , at least you could choose a window or aisle . This doesnt bother me personally as I am a Gold Card holder with BMI Diamond club but I just think having a seat randomly chosen is not right.