Lobster From Germany, joined Oct 2008, 49 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1846 times:
Does anyone know if NW "unlocks" these seats as the departure time nears? I'm in the way back of the plane and would like to move towards the middle, but I don't have elite status so their website won't let me. I was hoping that would be possible.
Jano From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1785 times:
NWA will unlock the seats in Premium Seating area at 24hours before the departure mark. It's a good idea to do the online check-in at that point to get one of those seats.
TOLtommy From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3219 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1675 times:
Quoting Neilalp (Reply 1): Nothing like putting us in the rear of cattle class.
Put yourself in my shoes and see how you feel. I'm one of those NWA elite customers. Let's say I need to buy a last minute DTW-LGA ticket. I'm going to drop somewhere between $500-$1000 for the last minute seat. I have to do it at least once a month. Why shouldn't NW block some seats for me? As others have said, the seats get unlocked 24 hours out.
Ejmmsu From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1692 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1603 times:
One thing I've noticed on my travels with northwest is that most people don't know they can access these seats when they check in. I almost always end up getting an exit row seat. I've been on a lot of DC9 flights that were only 50-75% full, and there is almost no one in the exit rows. I once flew on a DC9 and there were only two of us sitting in the exit rows, meaning 8 exit row seats were vacant. Everyone was smashed together in the back of the plane. I'm secretly hoping that people don't catch on, because all the exit row seating is great.
"If the facts do not conform to the theory, they will have to be disposed of"
Lobster From Germany, joined Oct 2008, 49 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1592 times:
I just looked online and the seats for my first segment have been unlocked. I went from row 33 to row 13. Nice. Now I just have to try for my return trip. To bad no exit rows were left. Oh well, maybe next time.
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 9 Reply 7, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1589 times:
Yeah, it's the same with USAir. I fly most weeks with 'em and if you book online close to 24hrs before departure, the exit rows are frequently available.
Kind of defeats the whole object of holding them....for what?
Well, now everybody know of course
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
Neilalp From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 1034 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1572 times:
Quoting TOLtommy (Reply 4): Put yourself in my shoes and see how you feel. I'm one of those NWA elite customers. Let's say I need to buy a last minute DTW-LGA ticket. I'm going to drop somewhere between $500-$1000 for the last minute seat. I have to do it at least once a month. Why shouldn't NW block some seats for me? As others have said, the seats get unlocked 24 hours out.
Well a few years ago on a trip on CO from EWR-CDG booking 5months in advance and due to "security requirements" I was unable to select my seats and was given the last row. Why should I, someone who is on-top of things get the last row.
I don't mind NW or any airline saving some seats for the business traveler, but as someone who gives my money to the airline 5months in advance for them to make interest off my ticket as they hold my money I feel I too should be rewarded along with a better selection of seats.
I believe in the First Come First Serve Basis. Others may not. I know business travelers help the industry in a big way (I don't argue that), but they help the industry the same way in row 25 or row 10.
AsstChiefMark From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (8 years 1 month 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1561 times:
Quoting Ejmmsu (Reply 5): Everyone was smashed together in the back of the plane.
I notice that, too. On a Christmas trip from DFW to MSP, there were about 30 people onboard. All but five people were crammed together in the last six rows. I had row 5 to myself. It was funny watching them climb over each other to use the loo. Do you suppose they don't know you can change seats? Silly, stupid people.
Jano From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (8 years 1 month 22 hours ago) and read 1485 times:
Quoting Neilalp (Reply 8): I know business travelers help the industry in a big way (I don't argue that), but they help the industry the same way in row 25 or row 10.
Yes, they do help the industry in a big way. In return they hope to get a favor back. In case of NWA they'd like to get access to the Premium Seating so that they could get faster off the plane. That seems fair to me.
Mlsrar From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 1417 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (8 years 1 month 21 hours ago) and read 1455 times:
Quoting Neilalp (Reply 8):
I don't mind NW or any airline saving some seats for the business traveler, but as someone who gives my money to the airline 5months in advance for them to make interest off my ticket as they hold my money I feel I too should be rewarded along with a better selection of seats.
I believe in the First Come First Serve Basis. Others may not. I know business travelers help the industry in a big way (I don't argue that), but they help the industry the same way in row 25 or row 10.
One concept no one seems to be able to grasp from an elite-FF standpoint is loyalty. Why would I give my [frequent] business to a particular airline, when I have no incentive to be rewarded for doing so? I hate to sound so intrinsically motivated, but we're humans, and that is why rewards work the way they do.
Elites have access to 'premium' seating at check-in as a reward for having flown a relatively significant amount of miles or segments in comparison to someone who flies once or twice a year. Regardless of how far out you purchased your ticket, that is not an entitlement to select seats that may be more desirable to flyers who have expressed more fiscal loyalty to the airline.
I mean, for the right price I’ll fight a lion. - Mike Tyson
BillElliott9 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (8 years 1 month 16 hours ago) and read 1346 times:
But what are your options if you are flying a NW codeshare on DL metal?
It is extremely difficult to change the seats...can't do it on-line and the only way I know is if you call NW directly. I called DL and they said I'd have to call NW. When I called NW they said they only access to limited seats. This gets really frustrating when I look at seat availability on delta.com and there are all kinds of open seats. I wonder if this will ever evolve into a more user friendly process. Does anyone have any experience with NW/CO in this regard? Any helpful hints are appreciated. Thanks!
Jano From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (8 years 1 month 16 hours ago) and read 1325 times:
Quoting YYZYYT (Reply 13): I thought that those were reserved for airport check in, i.e. to ensure that the passengers can operate the emergency exits if necessary
No, when flying NWA I can select exit row seats at nwa.com. In the process of selecting an exit row seat I'm presented with a list of conditions that I need to check (by clicking a check button) and confirm that I meet these conditions.
YYZYYT From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 852 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (8 years 1 month 15 hours ago) and read 1283 times:
Quoting Jano (Reply 14): No, when flying NWA I can select exit row seats at nwa.com
Odd - on Air Canada you can't, and to the best of my recollection on other Canadian carriers. I always thought that this restriction did make some sense.
Mtnmanmakalu From Ireland, joined Nov 2004, 515 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (8 years 1 month 7 hours ago) and read 1160 times:
Quoting YYZYYT (Reply 15): Odd - on Air Canada you can't, and to the best of my recollection on other Canadian carriers. I always thought that this restriction did make some sense
FYI- NWA is an American carrier... .. And the F/A's are still required to confirm the PAX seated in the exit row meet all the exit row requirements after the A/C is boarded....
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From Germany, joined Oct 2008, 49 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 1034 posts, 
From Slovakia, joined Jan 2004, 814 posts, 
From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 852 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Nov 2004, 515 posts, 
.. And the F/A's are still required to confirm the PAX seated in the exit row meet all the exit row requirements after the A/C is boarded....
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