Reply To: “Unwritten” tier status benefits

[dougzz99]

qc wrote:

dougzz99 wrote:

Theoretical seating as I understand it is a algorithm used before the flight comes under airport control at around 72 hours. For example I f you choose exit row seats because they’re desirable you’re much less likely to have an empty seat next to you. If you were offered a seat in another row that was almost certainly nothing to do with status, and more general offer to space out.

I’ve been gold for a few years, and the better treatment was largely from AA and Finn, rather than BA.

Why would be less likely to have an empty seat next to you in an exit row? We’re in an exit row later today and despite the flight not appearing full we have someone in the B between us – we’re both Gold.

Because exit row seats have more legroom, so people like them. Once under airport control my understanding is theoretical seating no longer applies, so blocks next to gold not in place. So at check-in someone asks for exit row, because of legroom, or agent offers it as gesture. If the space is important you’re more likely to get the empty seat in a less desirable row, not that you won’t get an empty seat in exit row, just less likely.