Do you remember the days when after the boarding door closed, you could move around within your class of service on a flight to Hawaii and take a better vacant seat? It looks like there’s a trend afoot to remove that privilege, and it started with American Airlines and United Airlines.
The issue is not about the premium economy cabin.
We’ve talked about extra legroom seats in economy that you pay extra for, and about a separate premium economy cabin. Since true premium economy has its own cabin, you obviously cannot move there from economy. You can try it, but it will likely result in bad repercussions. It would be like someone trying to take a vacant first-class seat. We’ve seen this happen before, and it didn’t work.
But when it comes to extra legroom and other seats simply deemed more desirable, it gets more complicated. Those seats are mixed about the economy cabin, per the image below. And it isn’t necessary just aisle and window seats that can be deemed superior for a higher fee. It can be those at the front of the plane as well.
For the most part, airlines don’t differentiate between the service provided within the economy cabin, be it for passengers in seats deemed superior or not. But even that isn’t always the case. On Hawaii flights by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines (maybe others, too), certain amenities re offered to those passengers who paid for the better seats in the main economy cabin. Oh boy.
According to a Twitter aviation guru, JonNYC, American has told its flight attendants to enforce keeping passengers in their regular coach seats, rather than allowing them to move to what, in American’s case, is called Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats.
American said, “Customers may not be familiar with our seat change policy; particularly when it comes to 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… politely decline their request.” American added that we are working “to ensure our seat change policy is communicated directly when customers inquire.”
We hadn’t heard of this before but aren’t surprised. It is just somewhat complicated and awkward when the seats aren’t differentiated in any way other than the price and not, for example, the cabin.
Will flight attendants later also sell you the extra legroom seats?
We wouldn’t be surprised to see flight attendants asked to both act as police on the seating and as salespeople to help out the airline’s bottom line. It could be the latest thing on the amenity cart for sale: a better seat.
Let us know your thoughts. Do you think any vacant seat in economy should be up for grabs after the plane is in the air?
The photo above is intentionally stretched to give the humorous appearance of lounge chair seating.
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Larry H says
I pay for my upgraded seat and don’t see why some else should get a free pass just because the seat is available. You get what you pay for.
Craig J says
This is a very good and long-overdue development. Flying, particularly in steerage, is stressful. Seeing others exploit random opportunities when others do not, makes the blood boil. It leads to resentment and increases the chance of unfortunate encounters.
Ed. C says
Good. If you didn’t pay for the seat, you shouldn’t be allowed to sit in it.
Heidi C says
They took away handicap seats and now call them extra Comphort and charge I have been flying with Hawaiian and Still believe they are the best! At service but when all the changes came down Handicap seats fell by the way side and no one has given me an answer as to why? Hawaiian Air lines has the best flight attendant bar none especially the Older Seasoned one’s hopefully the new ones will follow in by Example much Mahalos Hawaiian
Ernie S. says
I don’t know about Hawaiian but United doesn’t have Handicap Seats anymore, at least not marked as such. I did find out by accident that United has a certain number of seats, aisle, that if needed are for hanicap. If someone has booked one of the seats that become needed that passenger is relocated elsewhere. I was extremely grateful and surprised by this, very Thankful that I fly United.
Dave P says
I was just in an inter island flight in Hawaii, flying Hawaiian Air. At 6’6″, I was jammed into a small seat. I asked if I could move just behind me to an empty emergencey row seat after the plane was loaded and was told no. Very disappointed, but a 40 minute flight so not the end of the world.0 but why not make your customers as comfortable as possible?
Nick D says
Well, it seems that the president of Hawaiian Airlines continues to devalue the experience, yet this is another example. Sadly, I think I am saying aloha to flying on Hawaiian airlines, it just isn’t the same anymore. The food has become terrible, the exorbitant charges for “extra comfort“ seats is really a joke, when you see how high the premium is, and on and on. I am switching to Southwest and United as those experiences are much more positive, and there’s no more nickel and diming, squeezing every possible nickel out of the passengers that Hawaiian can. So sad. Aloha Hawaiian .
Dave P says
I agree. I was thinking about a Hawaiian Air credit card, but not interested in flying with them again so why do it.
Ernie S. says
It seems that despite all of the problems that people have identified with Hawaiian Airlines that no one is paying attention in the Main Office. With the potential loss of passengers, both short and long term devotees, typically at least some of the identified issues would be addressed, why won’t Hawaiian? Is Management still of the Belief that They are the Only Real Choice for Flights to Hawaii? It seems that way. If Passengers are not content they Will look and Book elsewhere. Fixing the Problems and keeping customer satisfaction high will be Easier than Finding New Customers. BTW Hawaiian what’s Your Customer Acquisition Cost per person? In the Long Term which Will cost you Less?
Shawn C says
If I paid extra for an MCE seat, why should someone who didn’t pay be allowed the privilege for free? Kick the freeloaders out.
Laurie D. says
It makes perfect sense that anyone moving to a better seat be charged, just like all the other pasengers who had to pay more to get a better seat. We pay around $50 each way to be able to choose where we sit.
Robert T says
When 30% of the comments are from one “person”, often back to back posts, it might be reasonable to ask if the airlines are paying to avoid bad public relations.
Ernie S. says
If referring to me….. I have time on my hands and attempt to catch up when I am able. This at times leads to back to back to back, you can get the picture, replies and postings. I find many of the postings quite interesting and want to reply to them, sorry if that seems manipulative in any way. I am Retired but working and have No relationship, past or present, with the Airline or Aviation Industries whatsoever. Have a Wonderful Day!
Cynthia D says
No… simply because it is unfair that one person might grab a better seat before another…and conflict might arise. If there was a lottery process (I know Too Complicated)but at least it would be fair. However, I have no issue if a row is full and someone moves to an empty row for space If that row is the same category… it is the higher cost seat that is the variable.
Dennis d, says
This is Not a service to the customer. These ‘extra cost’ seats should be marked to prevent any ‘misunderstanding’. They could put those old ‘head doilles’, like the airlines used to have on the seatback way back when, on those ‘premium’ seats, letting the basic economy folks know that the seat is extra cost. Don’t set things up for confrontation with the flight crew. They have enough to deal with.
Lee C says
I agree. Mark the extra-cost and special-purpose seats. Avoid passenger confusion and embarrassment. On a recent HA OGG-LAX flight, after the door closed, I moved directly from my chosen aisle seat near the back of the plane across the aisle to a vacant aisle seat . The flight attendant soon informed me that I was in a section designated as “attendant rest area,” a place where the flight attendants could take a nap mid-flight. The seats were not marked and if they had been, I would not have moved.
Ernie S. says
That certainly should be marked with something indicating that it is not occupied by anyone other than “Crew” or something to that extent. The Average Person wouldn’t move to those open and marked seats thus problems “Should Not Arise.” Unfortunately there always seems to be that One person that would try to take advantage of it. Your Rationale is certainly worth exploring, it’s just convincing the Airlines to initiate it.
Adam M says
Somehow they’ve managed until now. Funny this coincides with all the other nickle and dime fees. When SW takes market share, they’ll understand…
David C says
Was it ever a privilege to change to a higher priced seat??
In my opinion,the seats are too narrow in basic economy. However,people are conditioned to bargain hunt for Cheap Seats.
So,they will buy a seat even for a dollar less.To compete,on a search engine ,airlines offer cheap uncomfortable seats fearing the passenger will opt for Cheap.Maybe ww need regulation?
Ernie S. says
Supposedly Congress will be taking several issues up in the Transportation Safety Committee within “Months” which could mean sometime between yesterday and the End of Time. Some of the Issues are Seat Size and Leg Room. For Safety of the individual passenger in any emergency whether the current sizes are enough to allow for passengers to get out of their seats without any reasonable time delays and problems. Hopefully this will bring back more of the leg room and larger seating. We will see. If it does occur I would expect the Airlines to increase ticket prices just for their own inconvenience, never mind the loss of income from the then missing seats. I honestly don’t expect any changes for several years if the decision is made.
Tim R says
I will stick with Southwest for all my flights to Hawaii. Flight Attendants are so much more friendly, bags fly for free (only airline doing that) and of course the cost are cheaper too. No nickel and diming with Southwest, it’s a no brainer.
Ernie S. says
The Southwest Airlines effect seems to be beating out Hawaiian hands down, is Hawaiian that certain of their continued Dominance in the Hawaiian Niche Market? I don’t see it lasting that much longer with their Customer Responsiveness approaching New Levels of Disappointing Unresponsiveness daily. Time will tell but so far the money is on Southwest to Win, Hawaiian being a “No Show!”
Gilbert. R says
Bottom line the airlines want to keep making enough money and have no regret for the passengers
When is this going to stop ! All it is $$$
What a shame . That’s awful .
Ernie S. says
They “Collectively” seem to have the Markets Sewn Up and, Short of Private Rentals and Owning Your Own Plane, are the only “Game in Town!” Are We to finance the “Big Splash” where a multi lane tunnel is created from several mainland areas converging together and traveling to each Hawaiian Island? Don’t forget that Scamtrack needs dedicated rail service each way and while we are at it, Freight Service by multiple sets of track! What could possibly go Wrong with something like that? Am I a Visionary or just another Mental Case!
David C says
The airline business is not really a moneymaker The airlines often lose millions and millions of dollars.
The passengers are fickle and want a premium experience for bargain basement prices. The airlines are mostly just trying to keep their heads above water and need these extra revenue seats to do do.
Melvin K says
I think we should be allowed to change seats within the confines of the class of seat purchased. We are not allowed much discretion when purchasing the initial seat because we cannot see which seats are available at that time.
EVAN says
AA, UA, DL charge extra for window or aisle seats, so you can’t move to them
Ernie S. says
Evan We just flew round trip on United and there Wasn’t Any Extra Charge for Window or Aisle Seats, I for one cannot understand where your information comes from. I do,however, know that a few Aisle Seats have been designated for disabled individuals if needed, again at No Additional Cost. Even with our Last Round Trip to Hawaii in February 2022 on United there Wasn’t Any Extra Charge for Window or Aisle Seats.
Chris O says
I’m going to stick with Southwest Airlines, where everybody gets a fair shot at all seats, and everyone can check two bags for free. Southwest doesn’t fly to Hawaii? No problem. I’ll cruise to Hawaii!
Rita D says
Actually, Southwest does fly to Hawaii.
TERESA A says
Do you think any vacant seat in economy should be up for grabs after the plane is in the air?
No!
Katherine C says
No, the better seats are at an extra cost so passengers shouldn’t be able to move to those seats without having to pay the extra cost. If I pay the extra fee and someone gets to move to the same type of seat at no cost, then I should be refunded the price difference or they should have to pay the difference.
Adam M says
The issue is we don’t all pay the same for the same seats. I might pay $100 more per seat upfront, due to when I book or whatever other factors they interject into the process. We the consumer continue to allow the airlines to nickle and dime us while cramming us into smaller seats, less amenities and added fees. Now we’ll be crammed three across while looking at the empty seats across the aisle? This BS has to be stopped. I was back and forth about signing up for the HA mileage card, and now seeing this article, not happening. I have had good flights on HA, but they to are leaving the customer service behind. And flight attendants are dealing with more unruly, angry customers? No way… I can’t imagine why. We pay more, get less.
Ernie S. says
Adam unfortunately much of what you’ve said is the truth. We all pay different ticket prices for basically the exact seat depending on variable factors in booking. The Airlines “could” decide on a different formula for pricing in order to negate any problems, charge the exact same price for Every Seat in a given section. No more jockeying for Best Price or Seat Assignments as this approach makes first come first served Seat Choice the only way to get what you may want. No more wondering, everyone pays the same for that section!
Ro G says
I paid 69.00 extra for extra comfort on my flight from HNL to San Jose. round trip. I expect the same should apply to anyone who wants more comfort. If they want the seat, they should pay for it just as I did.
Adam M says
Did you pay the same for the seat as the person next to you? You’ll never know, stop perpetuating they’re ability to profit off us. We wonder why this country is the way it is today, no one can stand to see someone get something they didn’t. Sense of entitlement is at an all time high!
Ernie S. says
Other than at a Fixed Price Venue where do you expect everyone to pay the same? Sometimes waiting and watching the flights and seat pricing can get you a real deal and other times cost you more, it’s a gamble that many take. Sometimes people book at a certain time due to a seat assignment needed, departure and arrival time, but to expect that everyone in a certain class paying the same would lead to many booking at the last possible moment leading to the airlines not knowing the capacity, necessary fuel, etc. It all factors in.
Ernie S. says
Entitlement has been rising for 2 decades and every year has been worse than the previous. Give thanks for this to the Parents, Teachers, Coaches and everyone else that gave out Trophies for Losing, for Participating. Those who gave Passing Grades for “Trying” despite being Wrong, It has now come back to Haunt Society.