Compared to airlines in the rest of the world, the Gulf carriers are still pretty "full service" across the board. However, they're increasingly trying to cut costs and monetize their products, and that's true regardless of what cabin you're flying in. As of last October, Emirates began charging for seat assignments for those on many…
Continue reading: Emirates Increases Monetization Of Economy Seat Assignments
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No! My mom is handicapped and we fly emirates alot to see family. We need a seat in the front and now it's gonna cost us. I Wish I had a time machine.
i find it incredibly unsafe(?) or at least counter-productive to "sell" exit row seats.
The rows exist for a reason and should only be given out "on sight" at check in, to people who could actually handle the requirements in case of an emergency
@W - Learn the M&P game son. Never cram it in peasantry anymore. I guess I never fly Y because I live in MAA and we have even cheaper fares than CMB for many routes and CMB is just an hour away 😛
In my experience I've found it frustrating not being able to lock in an exit row/bulkhead beforehand but I have also had a very good success rate getting one for free by talking to an agent at the airport.
@Varun Susarla - I love with 4 people so it's hard to find award tickets not to mention the amount of points it requires for 4 people.
I'd imagine if you 'love with 4 people' you wouldn't have much time for travelling...
@W - You could look for cheap J or F tickets from a nearby city. Every place has its thing going - in Asia we are blessed with $1000-3000 RT fares to the US in J or F from many cities like CMB,CAI,MAA etc. In Europe and especially the UK ARB is nearby and premium tickets are cheaper from there. However we don't have any solid M&P cards here either in Europe or Asia. In America however the game is very different - M&P cards are much more lucrative but with a caviat - Tickets ex-US are Expensive AF.
Well that was the final nail in the coffin for Emirates with me. I am Gold and always book the twin seats in back of the 777. I will NOT pay for that. I can get back to the USA on Lufthansa, BA or Etihad....
I wonder if those travelling with infants will now need to pay for the bassinet seats? Bit harsh if that's the case.
I checked with Emirates before making a booking recently. There are exceptions; mothers with infants, people with special needs and group bookings do not pay for seat selections.
I'm not sure how traveling with an infant should give you an opportunity to get some seat selection free over another person...
I had been allocated the back "twin" seats on an Emirates 777 when I booked last November as a "Silver" member. I am now a Blue member as I used my points to upgrade to business for return.
They then took them off me earlier this year & left me unallocated. I was advised I'd have to pay for any new allocation. I complained (but paid!) . I then complained directly to their employee
who made my original reservation. He will now refund the fee I've paid, but cannot retrieve
the "twins" I had previously been allocated.
Emirates are going to lose custom if they continue to play these games. Qatar is looking good!!