Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1329 times:
Have you ever contacted the airline (on scheduled flights) to ask them to put a specific registration number on a flight you are on, or to change the equipment type for you? Looks like this is more common than you'd think, if you ask nicely. Share your experiences...
1) In 2005 I was booked to fly from Europe to the US on Icelandair. I had flown with them transatlantic many times before, on every one of their 757s except one, TF-FIJ. So I emailed the airline if they would mind putting that reg on my flight. They said sure, no problem, they couldn't guarantee it in case of last minute delays, but have requested that reg for that flight. (Not really a big issue since all their planes are identical and all leave Iceland at the exact same time)
I was pleasantly surprised when TF-FIJ pulled up to my gate in FRA.
2) This was yesterday, I wanted to book an inter island flight in the Caribbean for 2 passengers on St Barth Commuter. However there was only 1 seat left. The airline uses Islanders on that route, but I know they also have Grand Caravans in their fleet with one more seat. So I emailed them and asked if they could change the equipment on that flight. I got their reply minutes ago, they have put a Caravan on the route and voila! The availability went up 1 seat and I just booked that
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
B747forever From Sweden, joined May 2007, 16086 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1317 times:
No I have not done so, but you actually gave me an idea. Malmö Aviation (TF) is a domestic operator in Sweden flying from their base at BMA to GOT,MMX and UME. They mainly use the RJ100, but they also have 2 RJ85s and 1 RJ70 (!). They rarely use the RJ70, and as I have never flown on the type I might actually email them and ask if they could put it one on of their flights. Though I really dont know if it will work, or even how to go on and ask about it.
817Dreamliiner From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2008, 527 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1281 times:
Wow, I never thought you could actually do something like that , I probably should have email AA to put a sky interior 738 when flying ANU-JFK last month lol
nipoel123 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2011, 173 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1272 times:
Never specifically asked for a certain aircraft, although I have once emailed CO and asked if my flight would be operated by a 752 with flatbed seats. Got a reply, saying that that information was unavailable.
one mile of road leads to nowhere, one mile of runway leads to anywhere
Just an update. I asked over in another forum about TF's last RJ 70 (SE-DJP) and was told that she will leave the fleet very soon (maybe as early as in March). So I will contact TF either tomorrow or on Wednesday and ask them if there is a possibility that they can deploy the RJ70 on a specific flight. Currently the aircraft is in use when one of the RJ100/85s go tech, which happens rarely. One member in the other forum told me that TF will probably help me out, so I am really excited. So if anyone else is interested, let me know
mah584jr From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 482 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1236 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): Have you ever contacted the airline (on scheduled flights) to ask them to put a specific registration number on a flight you are on, or to change the equipment type for you? Looks like this is more common than you'd think, if you ask nicely. Share your experiences...
I think it'd be very difficult to do that here in the US due to the complexity of our networks. I never would think to do that here. It was definitely an interesting read and I'm glad you were able to fly all their 757s. What would you do if they bought a couple more 757's? Would you go out of your way to fly them?
Birdwatching From South Africa, joined Sep 2003, 3313 posts, RR: 54 Reply 6, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1233 times:
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 2): I probably should have email AA to put a sky interior 738
Quoting nipoel123 (Reply 3): I have once emailed CO and asked if my flight would be operated by a 752 with flatbed seats. Got a reply, saying that that information was unavailable.
Quoting mah584jr (Reply 5): I think it'd be very difficult to do that here in the US due to the complexity of our networks.
Yeah I probably wouldn't even try this in the US, it could be misinterpreted as suspect behavior and you might end up on some no fly list. Better not take a chance!
Quoting mah584jr (Reply 5): I'm glad you were able to fly all their 757s. What would you do if they bought a couple more 757's? Would you go out of your way to fly them?
No it isn't really that important to me, even back then, I just thought it would be nice to fly on all of them and I just gave it a try. I was surprised myself at how nice they were! Looks like they forwarded my email right to operations.
Soren
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead! True story.
817Dreamliiner From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2008, 527 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1217 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 6): Yeah I probably wouldn't even try this in the US, it could be misinterpreted as suspect behavior and you might end up on some no fly list. Better not take a chance!
Yea I would never actually do it for real, I wouldnt want to end up on a no-fly list, plus if I want a specific aircraft type, ill just book a flight it operates on.
SRQKEF From Iceland, joined Jun 2011, 417 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1211 times:
My dad once got the 767 On FI BOS-KEF for us when he worked there (yes, it's good to have connections )
He also got 747s to LPA for us twice.
Once, when he was flying HAV-SDQ on CU Tu154 after a meeting with the Cubana CEO, he asked for a 757 instead because he didn't want a Russian jet. (Not that he was scared, he just said they were smelly!) I didn't understand him.
On a sidenote, I' ve flown all FI/Loftleidir aircraft that they've owned since 1998 (+all NY aircraft except one and the twotter that I'll hopefully fly from AEY this summer)
734: FIA FIB FIC FID
752: FIA FIH FII FIJ FIK FIN FIO FIP FIR FIS FIT FIU FIV FIW FIZ LLX LLZ
753: FIX
763: FIA FIB FIC
DHC8: JMA JMB (only flown A, but walked through B when it was delivered)
F50: JMM JMN JMO JMR JMS JMT
M III: JMK
ATR42: ELJ ELK (on lease from Islandsflug)
DC3: NPK (not scheduled, just RKV-RKV with 1 low pass)
+1 Air Atlanta 742 and 1 743 operating for FI
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 684 posts, RR: 7 Reply 9, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1200 times:
Quoting B747forever (Reply 4): Just an update. I asked over in another forum about TF's last RJ 70 (SE-DJP) and was told that she will leave the fleet very soon (maybe as early as in March). So I will contact TF either tomorrow or on Wednesday and ask them if there is a possibility that they can deploy the RJ70 on a specific flight. Currently the aircraft is in use when one of the RJ100/85s go tech, which happens rarely. One member in the other forum told me that TF will probably help me out, so I am really excited. So if anyone else is interested, let me know
I doubt I will have any time to fly the aircraft if it leaves the fleet as early as March, but keep this thread updated with any info you get, as I'd love a ride on that bird.
RJLover From Canada, joined Dec 2006, 546 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1179 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): Have you ever contacted the airline (on scheduled flights) to ask them to put a specific registration number on a flight you are on, or to change the equipment type for you?
I am one of the folks that plan the aircraft routings for QK (Air Canada Express [Jazz]) and while I can't say I've ever had anyone else request a specific registration or aircraft type, I have assigned specific aircraft on specific flights to fit my own purposes (so I could cross a specific reg. off my list, for exampe)!
Last Flight(s): YHZ-BOS-ATL-YYZ // YYZ-YOW-YHZ.....Next Flight(s): YHZ-YYZ-YXU
fiscal From Australia, joined Oct 2009, 199 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1175 times:
I have changed flights when the equipment changed.
I hate the seating pattern on 737's. 3-3 does not suit me, so when QF changed my flight to a 737 I changed flights to the next available 767 or A330 where a 2 seater was vacant.
fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3663 posts, RR: 35 Reply 13, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1127 times:
Not a plane but a pilot...when my father booked me on Concorde back in 2002 he asked his connections at BA's rostering department if he could get Chief Captain Mike Bannister on my flight, and sure enough he was. I didn't realise but at the end of the flight when we landed at JFK I was asked if I could remain in my seat, then spent about 20mins with Captain Bannister. Very cool
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1175 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1124 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 6): Yeah I probably wouldn't even try this in the US, it could be misinterpreted as suspect behavior and you might end up on some no fly list. Better not take a chance!
Yeah, this was my first thought upon reading your thread. I wouldn't want to try it here, for sure.
To be honest, I haven't... and I haven't even thought about it until now. But it's an interesting idea.
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): Looks like this is more common than you'd think, if you ask nicely. Share your experiences...
I'd be surprised, at least on the airlines I tend to fly. I don't see any of them fulfilling my request. Maybe I should contact AF to see if they can send an A321 on my flight in March. With AF, I'd have to write in French to have any chance.
It can happen, as you've shown, but I'd still say it must be pretty rare.
hamad From United Arab Emirates, joined Apr 2000, 1151 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1104 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 6): Yeah I probably wouldn't even try this in the US, it could be misinterpreted as suspect behavior and you might end up on some no fly list. Better not take a chance!
to call and ask about a specific aircraft?? wow!
i once called delta in 2002 and told them that i specifically booked DEN - ATL to be on a 767, the lady told me that my ticket would cost a $100 change fee, but then she waived the fee. depends on who you talk to
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 5818 posts, RR: 14 Reply 16, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1090 times:
I always book an itinerary based on what aircraft type, and I have even booked a particular flight, knowing what registration was scheduled for that particular flight to complete the logbook.
I had the choice between HKG/NRT/LAX, but I chose HKG to get a particular aircraft, I do the same for quick trips down to WLG.
Of course I work in a job where I can make that happen for me.
B747forever From Sweden, joined May 2007, 16086 posts, RR: 12 Reply 17, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1083 times:
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 10): Please keep me (us) posted! I'd be extremely interested in logging this cute little quad.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 9): Please keep me (us) posted! I'd be extremely interested in logging this cute little quad.
I just called them and they confirmed that the bird will be retired by the end of March (maybe even earlier). I spoke with their scheduling department and the agent told me that they rarely use the bird, but that this coming Thursday (9 FEB) SE-DJP will fly BMA-GOT-BMA-MMX. So I immediately pulled up the credit card and booked myself on the GOT-BMA flight (departing at 08:50). The BMA-MMX flight was not bookable (probably full) and the BMA-GOT flight was way to expensive at 200EUR. I "only" paid €50 for the GOT-BMA flight. I will get down to GOT with SAS arriving at 08:00, so hopefully there wont be any delays! Fortunately I am off school on Thursday, so I wont miss any classes.
The agent was really nice, and I will probably call them back in the future and ask on what flights they use the RJ85 when I am ready to catch that bird. Hopefully everything will turn out okay on Thursday.
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10396 posts, RR: 66 Reply 20, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1056 times:
I've not requested a specific aircraft for my flight, but I have requested to be changed to a specific flight to get a certain aircraft. I was travelling FAE-CPH and had been booked on FaroeJet until they ceased operating and were absorbed by Atlantic Airways. I'd been re-booked on a 146-200 but on the day I asked to change to a different flight operated by the Faroe Jet RJ100, which they did for me at no charge. I thought I'd made a bad call when it then went tech, but they solved the problem and we got airborne only about an hour late.
Quoting B747forever (Reply 17): I just called them and they confirmed that the bird will be retired by the end of March (maybe even earlier). I spoke with their scheduling department and the agent told me that they rarely use the bird, but that this coming Thursday (9 FEB) SE-DJP will fly BMA-GOT-BMA-MMX. So I immediately pulled up the credit card and booked myself on the GOT-BMA flight (departing at 08:50). The BMA-MMX flight was not bookable (probably full) and the BMA-GOT flight was way to expensive at 200EUR. I "only" paid €50 for the GOT-BMA flight. I will get down to GOT with SAS arriving at 08:00, so hopefully there wont be any delays! Fortunately I am off school on Thursday, so I wont miss any classes.
Where will she be heading after that? Do they have a buyer or is it going off lease?
DJP is for sale since many months, but doesn't seem to attract a buyer. I inquired with Malmö ops last year a few weeks in advance of my Sweden trip, and they sent me the schedule. They said whenever DJP finds a buyer, it will be gone. However I got a photo sent from Malmö ops late 2011 showing DJP in full Malmö colours, which indicates that they may keep it for longer.
Me and a few fellow users managed to fly on it September last year when it operated a series of flights at the height of the summer schedule. It is the last RJ-70 in the world operating commercial services, so fly while you can. This Sat / Sun I saw a Bulgaria Air / Hemus Air (biz configured) RJ-70 in Sofia, however it was in storage with the engines covered.
ftornik From Canada, joined Dec 2009, 44 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 930 times:
Quoting PlymSpotter (Reply 20): I've not requested a specific aircraft for my flight, but I have requested to be changed to a specific flight to get a certain aircraft
I have done the same and I've been on many aircraft types as a result. A couple of years ago I wanted an AC 773 from YYZ-YVR but my connecting flight was late arriving at YYZ. I saw a second 773 pull up at the gate, and then an announcement came that my flight had moved to another gate; in the endI flew YYZ-YVR on an ERJ-75!
blueflyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 2522 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (3 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 842 times:
Never requested a specific registration. I never thought of it and I don't track them anyway.
As far as specific type, I do that fairly regularly. There are planes I refuse to be on unless I have no viable alternative, and there are planes I prefer when I have a choice of options to reach my destination, and I book accordingly.
hOMSAR From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 459 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 823 times:
Quoting ftornik (Reply 23):
I have done the same and I've been on many aircraft types as a result. A couple of years ago I wanted an AC 773 from YYZ-YVR but my connecting flight was late arriving at YYZ. I saw a second 773 pull up at the gate, and then an announcement came that my flight had moved to another gate; in the endI flew YYZ-YVR on an ERJ-75!
Ouch.
A few years ago, I booked NW LGA-DTW-MDW, and was scheduled to get an ARJ-85 on the DTW-MDW leg. Naturally, the LGA-DTW flight was late, and despite me running my legs off across the terminal (and the DTW-MDW flight being late), I made it to the gate maybe one or two minutes after they closed the door. The plane was still sitting there ready to be pushed back, but... . Got rebooked onto a DC-9 a couple hours later.
That was the last day before they pulled Avros off the MDW route, and shortly afterwards they parked the fleet. I've never flown on any of the BAe146/Avro RJ types.
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, I probably should have email AA to put a sky interior 738 when flying ANU-JFK last month lol
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. Got rebooked onto a DC-9 a couple hours later.
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