The single most in-demand “asset” on an airplane is personal space, and there are all kinds of methods people use to try to maximize the amount of space they have. That includes trying to use strategies to maximize the odds of having an empty seat next to you.
An OMAAT reader asked me a question specifically about the concept of booking an aisle and window seat (in planes with clusters of three seats), and hoping the middle seat stays empty. I’d like to address that more broadly — is that a smart strategy? What are the odds of it actually working? And is this inconsiderate toward fellow passengers?
In this post:
There’s nothing wrong with using the aisle & window seat hack
As you’d expect, passengers typically prefer an aisle or window seat, with middle seats being considered the least desirable. If you’re traveling as a couple (or pair of friends, or whatever) in economy, the ideal situation is to have an aisle and window seat, with an empty middle seat.
Now, of course there’s no way to guarantee the middle seat is empty (unless you pay for it), though the play is generally twofold:
- The hope is that there’s some empty seats on the plane, and that one of those empty seats is the middle seat next to you
- Worst case scenario you can either keep your aisle and window seat, or swap with the person in the middle, who will almost always be willing to trade, since that’s a more-than-fair seat swap request
So, is employing the aisle and window seat strategy smart, and is it considerate toward others?
Regarding the first point, yes, I’d argue that it does make sense, assuming you’re not paying a huge premium for the aisle and window seats (unless you actually want to keep those). With how airline seats are monetized nowadays, there’s nothing wrong with selecting a great seat (especially via elite status), and then being willing to give someone that better seat once onboard.
Of course it pays to be strategic, and I’ve written in the past about the best ways to secure an empty seat next to you (book as far back as you can within the section you’re seated, since seats are typically filled front to back).
So I don’t view this as inconsiderate or unethical. Ultimately you’re maximizing your odds of getting an empty middle seat, and worst case scenario, you’re offering someone else a better seat.
Now, of course big picture it’s worth acknowledging that if enough couples employ this strategy and actually want to sit next to one another, it does at some point skew seating charts, and just complicate things for everyone. But I think that falls a little too much in the “if everyone did X, then…” category.
However, don’t be a jerk to the middle seat passenger
As I see it, there’s only one aspect of this strategy that’s potentially objectionable. If you do book a window and aisle seat, and if you don’t actually plan on swapping seats with the person in the middle, you owe it to them to be considerate.
The person in the aisle and window seat shouldn’t be passing stuff back and forth, talking constantly, etc. The person in the middle seat already doesn’t have enough space, and the last thing they deserve is to feel like they’re sandwiched between two people who are acting as if they’re seated next to one another in terms of interactions.
I witnessed this on a flight recently, where a couple was in the aisle and window. The person in the middle asked if they wanted to sit together, and they said they didn’t… but then once at cruising altitude, they carried on having an extended conversation, with the person in the middle just sort of leaning forward so they could talk. He was an absolute saint, to the point that I was about to tell him to stop being so nice.
Bottom line
It’s common to see travelers booking an aisle and window seat in planes with sets of three seats, in hopes of the middle seat staying empty. Given how airplane seats are monetized, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this strategy. Best case scenario, you get an empty seat between you. Worst case scenario, you can either keep your preferred seats, or swap with the person in the middle.
I think the only point at which this becomes an issue is if you do keep the aisle and window seat, and then proceed to talk a lot, pass stuff over the person in the middle seat, etc.
Where do you stand on the concept of selecting an aisle and window seat, in hopes of having an empty middle?
When traveling with my son when he was a teen, I'd always book an aisle and a window. If someone showed up for the middle, we'd offer them the window. One time a woman showed up and we offered her the window and she said she'd take the aisle. I told her that wasn't on offer. So, she spent the flight in the middle. Granted, my son is the world's best airplane sleeper... from before...
When traveling with my son when he was a teen, I'd always book an aisle and a window. If someone showed up for the middle, we'd offer them the window. One time a woman showed up and we offered her the window and she said she'd take the aisle. I told her that wasn't on offer. So, she spent the flight in the middle. Granted, my son is the world's best airplane sleeper... from before the door closes to after we land unless there's food. So, there wasn't a lot of discussion across her, but I did think she cut off her nose to spite her face.
Two aisles a better idea.
We were introduced to this idea by a kerbside check-in agent at SEA in 2005.
We do it where the online system allows.
We then sit in aisle and middle.
If somebody does arrive then I say "You have been upgraded to the window".
Have never had anybody object to that.
Although I prefer aisle or window, I have found that when I’m in the middle I soon forget about it once I start to watch a movie or other entertainment.
We do it often when in economy, but only a handful of times has the middle seat been left empty. My wife needs the aisle seat so I usually take that choice middle and the stranger takes the window.
Or just don’t be poor and book a first class seat. Sheesh!
I usually fly with my wife who needs help getting seated and stowing luggage (I'm 6'3". -190cm)
She needs her window and I appreciate the aisle. In around a dozen flights since Sept I think we had 2 or 3 empty middle seats.
Passengers in our middle usually are polite and offer to unite us but, sadly, I decline.
Also, I've had UAL separate us for inexplicable reasons (last week we paid and...
I usually fly with my wife who needs help getting seated and stowing luggage (I'm 6'3". -190cm)
She needs her window and I appreciate the aisle. In around a dozen flights since Sept I think we had 2 or 3 empty middle seats.
Passengers in our middle usually are polite and offer to unite us but, sadly, I decline.
Also, I've had UAL separate us for inexplicable reasons (last week we paid and checked in for 10D,F but an hour behore boarding we were moved to 9F,10F on a similar but larger aircraft i.e. max8 to 739 . What's the logic here?
On our Alaska Airline flights to Hawaii, my wife and I alway book Premium Seats, aisle/window. The strategy is successful about 30% of the time. We always offer the aisle seat to whomever has selected the middle seat. Aisle/Aisle is fine, except that on Alaska Air, the aisle seats do no have the same room under the seat for a backpack and stretching your legs.
On our Alaska Airline flights to Hawaii, my wife and I alway book Premium Seats, aisle/window. The strategy is successful about 30% of the time. We always offer the aisle seat to whomever has selected the middle seat. Aisle/Aisle is fine, except that on Alaska Air, the aisle seats do no have the same room under the seat for a backpack and stretching your legs.
We've done this for years and the person assigned to the middle is always, always happy to switch and get the aisle seat! Three weeks ago we had an empty middle seat on 3 of 4 flights to Mexico and back. My wife prefers the window and I don't mind the middle seat if someone is assigned to it. I don't get the reasoning why an airline would prohibited this strategy. If no one pays for that seat, why not let 2 family members enjoy the extra room?
AFKL does not allow you to select seats like that, if there are two people in one booking. As soon as you put one person in the window seat, the aisle seat in that row will not be available for selection or the other way around.
You do not have to sit together, for example you can select two windows behind each other, but you cannot play that game with the middle seat between...
AFKL does not allow you to select seats like that, if there are two people in one booking. As soon as you put one person in the window seat, the aisle seat in that row will not be available for selection or the other way around.
You do not have to sit together, for example you can select two windows behind each other, but you cannot play that game with the middle seat between you.
And they do it for a reason, because this kind of behaviour is inconsiderate. It is frustrating when all you see as a single traveler is available middle seats and obviously you wouldn’t know if you will be able to swap or not, when you pick one.
Yes, I found this on AFKL last year.
So I made two separate bookings ...
Don't understand why all airlines simply block passengers travelling on one booking being able to book an aosle and window seat, absolutely fine for aisle seats across from each other, but other then that one booking you sit next to each other.
If a couple travel on two seperate bookings then fair enough, the ability to be able to book an aisle and a window seat can potentially create a situation and cause confrontations...
Don't understand why all airlines simply block passengers travelling on one booking being able to book an aosle and window seat, absolutely fine for aisle seats across from each other, but other then that one booking you sit next to each other.
If a couple travel on two seperate bookings then fair enough, the ability to be able to book an aisle and a window seat can potentially create a situation and cause confrontations on an aircraft which has unfortunately become more common, it would become more avoidable if this practice was stopped which it should be
We usually book economy seats with points, then pay to upgrade to extra-comfort seats (as far back in the plane as we can, per Ben's strategy). We reserve the aisle and window, and cross our fingers that the middle seat will be empty.
I can't remember which airline it was, but recently, on an international flight, the system wouldn't let us book non-adjacent seats. Perplexed, I was ready to accept sitting together, but then I...
We usually book economy seats with points, then pay to upgrade to extra-comfort seats (as far back in the plane as we can, per Ben's strategy). We reserve the aisle and window, and cross our fingers that the middle seat will be empty.
I can't remember which airline it was, but recently, on an international flight, the system wouldn't let us book non-adjacent seats. Perplexed, I was ready to accept sitting together, but then I tried one new strategy. On separate computers, I logged in and went to the screen where you choose seats. On computer one, I indicated an aisle seat, and on computer two, I indicated the window seat in the same row. With a bit of coordination, I hit both confirmation buttons at the exact same time, and voila, it worked! Not sure how long this trick will work before the airlines "fix" it, but I felt like I had achieved a minor technology miracle.
@Paul Gilmour and others who "disapprove".... My wife and I often travel together and, if flying in Economy on an A320 or Boeing 737 (i.e.: 3-3 seating), almost always book an aisle & window seat. If the middle seat is booked/assigned, on a MORNING flight, I know my wife is going to fall asleep so I offer to take the middle seat and give up my aisle seat. If it's an AFTERNOON or early EVENING...
@Paul Gilmour and others who "disapprove".... My wife and I often travel together and, if flying in Economy on an A320 or Boeing 737 (i.e.: 3-3 seating), almost always book an aisle & window seat. If the middle seat is booked/assigned, on a MORNING flight, I know my wife is going to fall asleep so I offer to take the middle seat and give up my aisle seat. If it's an AFTERNOON or early EVENING flight, my wife will offer up the window seat and she'll sit in the middle.
I know not every couple does this but -- honestly -- who wants to chat back and forth over the person in the middle? You don't want to swap seats? Book two aisle seats....
I hate it
I travel solo and always ending up with middle seat sucks just because others are being selfish
Seat next to each other please!!
No, you're being selfish. However, I will be happy to give you the aisle seat if we meet up on a future flight!
Start flying with someone. Problem solved.
If you're flying for work, your issue is with your employer, have them buy you a better seat.
Paul, you have the option to choose your seat. If you cannot be bothered, don’t begrudge the smart people who book seats ahead.
Ben, how about booking a seat next to me on a flexible ticket and then cancelling it once boarding starts…?
Legal? Illegal? Morally okay?
Ben, how about booking a seat next to me on a flexible ticket and then cancelling it once boarding starts…?
Legal? Illegal? Morally okay?
legal, but morally wrong and if you do it repeatedly the airline will probably figure you out.
Aegean on the other hand seems to put basic economy passengers on empty middle seats.
I checked in online using the trick and within minutes, the middle seat was taken.
So I moved us one row back…and again it was taken.
Did that for a couple of times and then gave up.
The result was that the first 8 or so rows only had the middle seat occupied (thanks to me I...
Aegean on the other hand seems to put basic economy passengers on empty middle seats.
I checked in online using the trick and within minutes, the middle seat was taken.
So I moved us one row back…and again it was taken.
Did that for a couple of times and then gave up.
The result was that the first 8 or so rows only had the middle seat occupied (thanks to me I guess). Well, I guess that can be considered rude towards other couples who supposedly couldn’t assign seats next to each other…
„ book as far back“
No, not necessarily. Some (most?) airlines charge more for seats in the front and a lot of passengers are not willing to pay for that. So chances are that some seats in the front remain empty while the back is full.
Had a couple of flights with Aer Lingus from IAD to DUB where the back was packed while i had an entire row for myself.
@Klaus
Not on any of my AA flights. Just the reverse as a matter of fact. I guess this has to do with the huge number of elites.
I’ve tried this many times and the problem is it rarely works.
9/10 someone ends up in the middle seat.
I always offer to swap though.
I do this all the time when travelling with my wife or kid, and I'd say the success rate is roughly 25 to 30%. With my wife, and kid from teen years on, we don't switch seats if someone ends up in the middle - it's their tough luck. But we are also polite - we might hand each other a sandwich during the flight, but we're not constantly passing stuff or even really talking...
I do this all the time when travelling with my wife or kid, and I'd say the success rate is roughly 25 to 30%. With my wife, and kid from teen years on, we don't switch seats if someone ends up in the middle - it's their tough luck. But we are also polite - we might hand each other a sandwich during the flight, but we're not constantly passing stuff or even really talking to each other. For my entire family, airplane time is a sort of sacred alone time when we get to read, watch or listen to whatever we want.
I know you mean that in good faith but it's kind of funny the only sacred alone time you get as a parent is when you're buried in an economy cabin with hundreds of people in the same 'room' as you
Are your wife and kid fat-a$$es? If not sit together.
What about when airlines allow you to buy a second seat for yourself (presumably if you’re disabled or plus sized) and you switch the extra seat from window to aisle? One step further would be what if you that, book non-basic economy, and cancel the extra seat at last minute you’re allowed, if you see the flight won’t be full, and take the flight credit and empty row? Although I assume if you buy two...
What about when airlines allow you to buy a second seat for yourself (presumably if you’re disabled or plus sized) and you switch the extra seat from window to aisle? One step further would be what if you that, book non-basic economy, and cancel the extra seat at last minute you’re allowed, if you see the flight won’t be full, and take the flight credit and empty row? Although I assume if you buy two seats they must be together but I’d imagine some airlines tech isn’t built to force it after purchasing…
Boy this strategy once blew up on my face big time. I placed my in-laws in an aisle and second middle seat on a 4-across middle economy row, leaving one empty middle seat between them. This was an 8-hr nonstop between Miami and Buenos Aires. The older gentleman who sat between them absolutely did not want to move from his middle seat to the aisle seat. Total head scratcher. He was pretty nice during the...
Boy this strategy once blew up on my face big time. I placed my in-laws in an aisle and second middle seat on a 4-across middle economy row, leaving one empty middle seat between them. This was an 8-hr nonstop between Miami and Buenos Aires. The older gentleman who sat between them absolutely did not want to move from his middle seat to the aisle seat. Total head scratcher. He was pretty nice during the flight and my in-laws chatted with him all the way. Not sure if it was superstition or he just felt uncomfortable not sitting on his assigned seat. I also asked the person on the other aisle seat to see if he was willing to move to the opposite aisle seat, but he declined because he had already put up his carry-on and taken stuff out to put on his seat. So they got stuck with one person in between them and were mad at me for naively trying to help them. Now I just put them wherever they want and leave it at that. If it's for us, I just buy out the middle seat to guarantee it goes empty, if it makes sense from a cost standpoint.
I had something similar happen to me on an overnight flight from TIJ to PVR a few years ago. I was traveling solo and was seated in 9A. Another single passenger sat in 9B. When the door closed, 9C was empty and I suggested to the woman in the middle seat to move over so we would have a little more room. She declined. Couldn't figure it out for the life of me. The entire...
I had something similar happen to me on an overnight flight from TIJ to PVR a few years ago. I was traveling solo and was seated in 9A. Another single passenger sat in 9B. When the door closed, 9C was empty and I suggested to the woman in the middle seat to move over so we would have a little more room. She declined. Couldn't figure it out for the life of me. The entire row behind us was empty, so I just got up and moved. She stayed in her middle seat the entire flight!
"Couldn't figure it out for the life of me." Or, she was a very crafty agent? She got the whole row, as you did, but you were the one who had to move.
I've forgotten the airline, but I tried this trick, that I always use, and their system wouldn't let me split our seats. The seats had to be together. I'm sure I could've called to split the pnr but it was a short flight. I've wondered why other airlines don't do this. We always book exit row seats, and pay for them, leaving the middle seat empty. A lot fewer people are going to pay to...
I've forgotten the airline, but I tried this trick, that I always use, and their system wouldn't let me split our seats. The seats had to be together. I'm sure I could've called to split the pnr but it was a short flight. I've wondered why other airlines don't do this. We always book exit row seats, and pay for them, leaving the middle seat empty. A lot fewer people are going to pay to sit in a middle seat, than an exit aisle or window seat, which means lost revenue for the airline.
even if travelling on the same booking, two persons don’t necessarily have to sit next to each other; two friends travelling together might prefer two window seats on the flight (e.g. 10A and 11A) instead; on an aircraft with 2 seats on the window side (say a 767 jet in 2-3-2 layout), a family of three might prefer the window+aisle bay of “2”, plus an aisle seat across the aisle (exactly what I family used to do years ago)
When traveling on Ethiopian Airlines as *G, the seat next to me is blocked anyway as a courtesy. So I have no choice but to pick a window-aisle combo with an empty middle when traveling with my wife. Then we have to swap with whoever gets assigned to the middle eventually.
This was quite annoying when traveling with my 8-year old nephew though, but fortunately the flight was relatively empty and we wound up with the empty middle seat anyway.
You know what’s better? Airlink. No middle seats. All E145/170/175/190, 2-2 in Economy. And, even for 1+ hour flight, light meal/snack. They’re doing thing right.
@1990 - Airlink doesn't operate any E145s. They have E135/140 but no 145s. As for middle seats, I actually cracked that joke when I hosted Rodger Foster on a panel discussion in Cape Town a few years ago - he chose a chair in the middle of the panel so I said that this must be a new experience for him!
Sean M., that's EPIC!!
I read about Airlink and am pretty excited to be flying them this summer! I hear it's a great airline! Sad I couldn't fly them on both legs of my trip due to pricing and the flight schedule. Flying SAA the other direction, so it'll nice to compare the two on a short-haul intra-Africa flight.
weekendsurfer, not to set expectations too high, but I think you'll enjoy Airlink.
SAA... should be interesting. *fingers crossed* (better than Comair Limited).
I flew SAA from MRS to JNB last year in Economy and was very impressed with their service including the hot meal.
While passengers may not select an empty middle seat, the automated seat assignment for basic economy tickets will just do that. They seemed to be programmed to assign the least desirable seats first, like the last row next to the toilet. It feels like a punitive measure to entice passengers to book regular and not basic economy fares.
Not gonna work from NY market or any major hub. All planes are full. Usually there is a line of standbys whether employees or buddy passes that get the planes full.
It will probably backfire with an idiot in the middle!
You have to be flying from a podunk airport to a smaller hub
MrChu, I’ve witnessed non-full flights into/outta JFK/LGA/EWR; no, not at peak times, holidays, etc., but it does happen.
It has worked for me out of NYC multiple times.
Worked for us on ATL SEA last week.
Ben, you nailed it! Nothing wrong with it so long as you respect the other passenger.
I occasionally travel with my adult daughter. She prefers the window. I prefer the aisle (on daytime flights). We book window and aisle and we do not talk to each other during the flight. Basically we act as strangers and do not talk over the middle seat passenger. If we get an empty middle it's a bonus. It's not...
Ben, you nailed it! Nothing wrong with it so long as you respect the other passenger.
I occasionally travel with my adult daughter. She prefers the window. I prefer the aisle (on daytime flights). We book window and aisle and we do not talk to each other during the flight. Basically we act as strangers and do not talk over the middle seat passenger. If we get an empty middle it's a bonus. It's not too common these days but it does happen maybe one out of four or five flights when not traveling at peak times.
When I travel with a friend we both prefer aisles and sit across the aisle from one another. We usually do not talk much during the flight but if we need to there is no one in between us.
Wife and I always book split seats like this. However, if the middle ends up filled, we don't care. We keep our respective seats and will see each other at the other end. No conversations across the middle and no handing things back and forth, etc.. For all intents and purposes, we're total strangers during the flight.
On flights upto 4 hrs, we book Window and middle or Aisle and Middle - I have ant aisle and my wife wants window. On longer flights we book 2 aisles.
At least on Delta, middle seats aren’t as bad as people make them out to be. Now, if you have a large seatmate then, whether you are in middle or aisle, you are going to be constrained by space anyway.
When I travel with my wife, I used to do that.
But in recent years it's no longer possible to make that type of reservation, at least not with Iberia, Air France, or KLM. You're required to book seats together.
Curious if any of you been "brave" and just booked the middle seat in the hopes of getting the row to yourself?
I've been on both sides of this. My wife and I used to book window/aisle, but seems like airlines are filling up all seats nowadays, so we've moved to just booking the two aisle seats across from each other. I was sick of always giving up my aisle seat to sit in the middle :)
On the other hand, I now hate when people use this "hack". It almost never works out given the fact...
I've been on both sides of this. My wife and I used to book window/aisle, but seems like airlines are filling up all seats nowadays, so we've moved to just booking the two aisle seats across from each other. I was sick of always giving up my aisle seat to sit in the middle :)
On the other hand, I now hate when people use this "hack". It almost never works out given the fact that planes from my airport are almost always full. As someone who travels a lot of work, but also often books last minute, I just choose the middle seat closest to the front. More often than not, it's a couple trying this "hack" and I've seen all three of the outcomes from this:
1) I get offered my choice of window or aisle
2) The couple has a strong preference for which seat they are going to "give up"
3) They refuse to move and I'm in the middle between them
I increasingly find it super annoying/inconsiderate. Mostly because increasingly these "hackers" act annoyed that someone booked the middle seat in between them.
I book 2 aisle seats across from one another. Less drama.
"Don't be a jerk" - this is very true. My favorite example of this is flying Air DO from Sapporo to Tokyo (right after COVID): two people (friends) took the aisle and window, and decided not to offer the middle person a seat swap. Then proceeded to carry on a conversation in English over the man's head from boarding to pushback (~30 min). Finally, the guy in the middle had to ask them to stop...
"Don't be a jerk" - this is very true. My favorite example of this is flying Air DO from Sapporo to Tokyo (right after COVID): two people (friends) took the aisle and window, and decided not to offer the middle person a seat swap. Then proceeded to carry on a conversation in English over the man's head from boarding to pushback (~30 min). Finally, the guy in the middle had to ask them to stop or switch seats with them. They actually chose to shut up instead of swapping seats. I guess the conversation is not worth the seat, but worth talking over someone's head over.
And you wonder why Japanese people are annoyed with foreign tourists? People need to have to have some feel, and frankly, these guys wouldn't do this back in the States to anyone, but for some reason, they found it acceptable in another country.
Most airlines will have standbys who are waiting at the gate for last minute open seat that is assigned to them by the gate agents. These standbys can be revenue standbys or “nonrevs”. They’ll take ANY seat. So to count on having the middle seat open is not the greatest strategy, IMO. It is really rude of the passengers who travel “together” but sitting purposefully in the isle and window seats by “spreading” themselves into...
Most airlines will have standbys who are waiting at the gate for last minute open seat that is assigned to them by the gate agents. These standbys can be revenue standbys or “nonrevs”. They’ll take ANY seat. So to count on having the middle seat open is not the greatest strategy, IMO. It is really rude of the passengers who travel “together” but sitting purposefully in the isle and window seats by “spreading” themselves into the space of that who occupies the middle seat physically and/or verbally conducting conversations as if no one is between them. If they fly together and want to touch each other or carry on conversations that can’t cannot wait, then switch seats with the passenger in the middle. People are rude, manipulative and selfish when they travel these days.
it depends on the loading factor afterall, if the flight is poorly sold, there can still be empty seats after all standbys have boarded, especially on long haul flights or routes with multiple flights within a short interval; a flight might have 75% of flights actually sold, assuming standbys add up to 10% (that translates to 20 STBY pax on a flight with 200 economy seats), still 15% of seats will remain empty
My wife and I also do this. There is one other alternative that we tried (and did successfully). While waiting near the gate and realizing someone was in the middle seat, we approached the gate agent and asked if we could upgrade that person to the extra leg room section.... so rather than paying for two upgrades we paid for one and the agent shared with us she wouldn't fill that seat. While this may...
My wife and I also do this. There is one other alternative that we tried (and did successfully). While waiting near the gate and realizing someone was in the middle seat, we approached the gate agent and asked if we could upgrade that person to the extra leg room section.... so rather than paying for two upgrades we paid for one and the agent shared with us she wouldn't fill that seat. While this may not work every time, it seemed like a win win. In this instance the gate agent thought it was a great move and didn't even end up charging us for that upgrade.
My wife and I always do this when flying economy. If someone takes the middle seat we are ok waiting till the flight is over to carry on a conversation.
My Wife and I do this every time we are I. Economy. When our row mate arrives if they are a broad/large traveler, we will offer them the aisle seat so everyone is comfortable, if they are a small/narrow person they get their middle seat. In the last few years it has been only a couple of trips where we had an empty middle seat.
I have lifetime gold with BA. If you do this with them, and there is capacity, the middle seat will be blocked by the system. So there's zero risk. Great benefit.
More than likely that middle seat won't go unempty. IME the most likely empty seats are E+ as there would naturally be a resistance to paying top $$ for a middle seat when non MCE seats aisle and window seats might go for less.
won't go unempty
won't go empty
will go unempty
will go empty
【Just having fun :)】
Former airport staff here.
On empty flights (with an occupancy below 70-75%) we used to assign seats this way, and partially block middle seats, so people could have more space together.
Especially for elites or Y/B/M-class passengers. Families we would usually try to assign into one row.
Those "tactical" seat reservations, done around 24h prior departure, would lateron greatly reduce the actual work at checkin and gate.
On full flights we would...
Former airport staff here.
On empty flights (with an occupancy below 70-75%) we used to assign seats this way, and partially block middle seats, so people could have more space together.
Especially for elites or Y/B/M-class passengers. Families we would usually try to assign into one row.
Those "tactical" seat reservations, done around 24h prior departure, would lateron greatly reduce the actual work at checkin and gate.
On full flights we would also remove such "tactical" seat reservations. Surprisingly people usually did not complain about that.
I never thought this would seem inconsiderate - in both ways.
I have done this and had airline agents try to move us together which I tell them not to do.
It has worked to have an empty seat and we have ended up w/ someone in the middle seat.
Ben is right in his take on this. If you want to leave the other person in the middle seat, act like two separate travelers
Booking a seat for your alter ego doesn't count as two separate travelers.
You still talk about Delta to yourself in your middle seat.
Westjet no longer permits you to book window/aisle in the same row. You can book in separate rows. This also applies to Dreamliners, in the middle section, no more aisle/aisle. You can do it if you take aisle in the middle section and aisle on the side. Interestingly, I saw someone select the middle seat and leave the window and aisle open. Westjet claims they did this to allow better control when they are assigning seats.
Am I correct in assuming that doesn't apply when you're booking an entire row?
Westjet has changed its culture and not for the better. People are noticing. There is little choice in Canada but Porter is starting to become a desirable option if they fly to where you want to go to and even the dreaded Air Canada is better than Westjet in the opinion of many, a trend I thought I would never see.