Cheap airline seating

Pollycat

The_Jester wrote: »

I'm really disappointed with Emirates policy on this.

I've just booked my cousin and I to fly to SE Asia in Late October. I booked with Travel Trolley. I normally fly with Qatar or Etihad which you can book your seat free of charge. I just assumed all long haul flights were like this. I was disappointed to discover Emirates charge a fee for an aisle seat? It will cost us around £90 each in total which in my opinion is just wrong and a classic case of greed.

Travel Trolley want £200 to cancel even though they didn't make us aware there was an additional charge for seating. They said it's an optional extra. I would have had no argument if we had been told in advance but there's no mention of this in their website. I wouldn't have booked it if I had known.

My cousin and I are in our fifties and both have a degenerative disease in our hips and knees. I contacted Emirates via twitter to explain the circumstances but they're refusing to help. So Emirates are one of the airlines who ignore passengers needs or listen to them but at a cost.

2 things:
1: You were wrong to assume that all long haul flights had free seat bookings.
You may note from my earlier post that even Singapore Airlines charge for seat choice (it may depend on the class of ticket you book).

2: I'm not surprised that Emirates are refusing to help. Your contract is not with them, it is with Travel Trolley. That's what happens when you use a 3rd party booking agent. Why didn't you book direct with Emirates?

eDicky

I was able to select my (standard) seating in advance without fee on flights I took a few days ago, it was the cheapest available fare at the time of booking but perhaps an even cheaper fare would involve payment for seat selection.

I've noticed that when Singapore Airlines and Silkair show a fee for seat selection in advance, usually if you wait until two days before the flight the same selection becomes free of charge.

lisyloo

The_Jester wrote: »

My cousin and I are in our fifties and both have a degenerative disease in our hips and knees.

Are you saying your conditions are bad enough that you find it difficult to move sideways across the seats?

If this is the case then why on earth didn’t you check up front rather than assume?

Caz3121

The_Jester wrote: »

I I was disappointed to discover Emirates charge a fee for an aisle seat? It will cost us around £90 each in total which in my opinion is just wrong and a classic case of greed.

Travel Trolley want £200 to cancel even though they didn't make us aware there was an additional charge for seating. They said it's an optional extra.

It is optional, you can choose not to pay to select a seat in advance and instead select one for free at online checkin
If you’re flying in Economy Class, you can pay to select a seat in advance or enjoy complimentary seat selection when online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight.
more and more airlines have introduced this. Etihad started charging for seat selection on Economy Deal, Saver or Classic fares last July.
I would say free advance seat selection is more unusual now than ever

The_Jester

Pollycat wrote: »

2 things:
1: You were wrong to assume that all long haul flights had free seat bookings.
You may note from my earlier post that even Singapore Airlines charge for seat choice (it may depend on the class of ticket you book).

2: I'm not surprised that Emirates are refusing to help. Your contract is not with them, it is with Travel Trolley. That's what happens when you use a 3rd party booking agent. Why didn't you book direct with Emirates?

I know I was wrong to assume but when you fly regularly with Qatar and Etihad and seat booking is free I think it's reasonable to assume they are all the same.

I booked with Travel trolley to save money. They're mentioned on this site. I assume you are also on this site to save money or maybe gloat at people from your high perch

The_Jester

Caz3121 wrote: »

It is optional, you can choose not to pay to select a seat in advance and instead select one for free at online checkin
If you’re flying in Economy Class, you can pay to select a seat in advance or enjoy complimentary seat selection when online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight.
more and more airlines have introduced this. Etihad started charging for seat selection on Economy Deal, Saver or Classic fares last July.
I would say free advance seat selection is more unusual now than ever

Thanks I didn't realise Etihad have also jumped on the bandwagon. I flew with them Feb 2018 and they didn't charge. I think Qatar are the only ones left who don't charge.

For me it's just pure corporate greed.

The_Jester

lisyloo wrote: »

Are you saying your conditions are bad enough that you find it difficult to move sideways across the seats?

If this is the case then why on earth didn’t you check up front rather than assume?

Why would I want to move sideways across my seat?

I think it's fair to assume there was no charge. As stated I've flew with Qatar and Etihad for the past 5 years or so and I've never been charged to book a seat in advance. I think my assumption was reasonable and fair.

lisyloo

Why would I want to move sideways across my seat?

If window seat is A, middle is B and aisle is C, then you need to pass C and B to get to A. Most adults have to do this sideways if there is a row of seats in front.


I sympathise that you are not in perfect health, but it's not clear to me why you would need an aisle seat if you can get into the others.


I don't think it's reasonable to assume that nothing will ever change.
I would strongly advise you not to use that assumption with your house or car insurance because the onus is on you to check (that's a fact for insurance).


I don't think your argument has any legal basis but I can understand why you made that assumption.


My suspicion is that you can sit in all the seats but you have a preference for an aisle and your complaining that you didn't get your preference but it's not actually an esseential.
If something was essential (like a hoist) then you would not just assume it would be there.

Caz3121

The_Jester wrote: »

Thanks I didn't realise Etihad have also jumped on the bandwagon. I flew with them Feb 2018 and they didn't charge. I think Qatar are the only ones left who don't charge.

Emirates started charging for seat assignment in 2016, Etihad started July 2018....must only be a matter of time before Qatar do.

lisyloo

Emirates started charging for seat assignment in 2016

You mean in advance right?
I flew with Emirates in Feb 2019 and I was able to select my seat for free in economy when I checked in (48 hours before?).
There was loads of choice of good seats (if you were able to get on at the 48 hour point).


I didn't pay because there were 2 legs, so for a return it would have been 4 charges.