It sure seems to me like on the whole people put more effort than ever before into airline seat selection. This isn't surprising for several reasons: -- We've seen more websites and guides dedicated to picking the best seats on planes -- With economy seats on average being about as uncomfortable as ever, people want…
Continue reading: United Airlines’ Awesome New Virtual Cabin Tours
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Super helpful as most airlines pictures of their cabins tend to be inaccurate.
Still can't touch their TATL "joint venture" partners' seat assignments, but good thing they spent the time creating a 3D version of SeatGuru!
Ben, can you consider researching an objective comparison of US carrier status tiers, looking at less well known but important considerations? i.e. JV partner seat assignments, minimum time to reach agent, online SDC/standby ability, etc.
Example: JV partner seat assignments
Delta Diamond: all Y seats (including priority) allocated free on KL/AF. Must call agent.
United 1K: all Y seats charged on LH, no fee waiver. LX seatmap blocked until 24 hour window if booked on UA stock, regardless of marketing carrier.
etc.
Winner: Delta
United Airlines definitely leads when it comes to IT and providing travelers with more information. I've always loved how their website and app show a seat map of the airplane and details about amenities. Many airlines only show you flight status and gate info.
I dont know. I feel UA wasted a potential advantage here. What would have been bad about filling the plane with something like 36" in economy? People would have preferred this I think.
This is great if it helps people, especially business class passengers, avoid surprises. It's often hard for casual flyers to keep up with all the different types of seats.
Air France has 3D views on Google Maps of their 777-300 planes.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C3z2QFyL4Fsbv9E4A
Virgin Australia did this with their 777 cabin updates years ago! Still nice when picking seats for that flight.
I think Eurowings is having this feature for their A320 for more than 2 years or so...
Online virtual "tours" of homes are now pretty common, so why not in airline cabins to help with seat selections? Just need some ceiling-based shots looking down, along with strategically place 360-deg floor-level shots (eg, from aisles) as well. All other major USA airlines should start to do this, as well!
What would have been bad about filling the plane with something lie flat aisle access for economy? People would have preferred this I think.
Airlines won't do it. It's crazy.
Cost and Price John, remember that.
And here is your objective comparison of US carrier status tiers.
For all flyers of US carrier with any status.
1. Try do it yourself online, if you can't.
2. Call agent, if they can't.
3. Hang up, call again, if still can't.
4. You can't, stop trying.
Your status would greatly affect call hold time and increase your chances of fulfilling your request.
I wonder if they have a feature so you could be virtually beaten and dragged off the overbooked plane.
Go United!
@Ivan -- "I wonder if they have a feature so you could be virtually beaten and dragged off the overbooked plane." --
Uh ... you do recall that the people who dragged the doctor off of that United flight were ORD security officers, who did not even have the proper jurisdiction to go aboard that aircraft, right? Chicago PD had the actual jurisdiction to handle that situation, but were not present! United personnel did not participate in that dragging operation!
So you should be blaming ORD Security for that incident, not United!
@Ivan The good Doctor could have avoided this if he complied. or any of the shocked passengers could have volunteered instead. Lots of blame to go around.