Changing seats with another passenger from different class.

[maidmarion]

Hello,
Myself, husband a son are flying economy overseas.
Recently my son's girlfriend has decided to come to. I couldn't get a ticket in economy with us but was able to get one in Business.
This will be her first time flying overseas and she will be nervous and want to sit with my son.
My question is can I swap seats with her? Of course I'll be happy to sit in business!
But not sure of the process.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[drron]

Ask at checkin though you probably will be told to ask staff after boarding.
But once she sees the J seat she might decide to stay there!

 

[maidmarion]

Yes I was thinking that. She just might overcome the nerves!
Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF

Seat changes are at the discrestion of the CSM on board. They generally don't like people swapping back & forth, but a one for one swap should be ok.

Ask when first seated, The passengers will be required to sit in original seats for takeoff but a swap should be ok after seat belts come off.

 

[maidmarion]

Thank you RooFlyer, I'll definitely do that.

 

[Denali]

I couldn't get a ticket

So you paid for the ticket (points or $).... yeah, sorry girlfriend but up the back for you

 

[dajop]

Ask when first seated, The passengers will be required to sit in original seats for takeoff but a swap should be ok after seat belts come off.

If this happens once she gets into the nice business class seat and overcomes what is probably the second most nerve wracking parts of the flight (take off, with landing probably the most nerve wracking), she might not want to move back, and find that business class is far more soothing of the nerves than her boyfriend.

On a more serious note, which airline is it?

 

[eric2011]

Just take the boarding pass prior to entering the plane and assume the role of the girlfriend. On entering the plane the hostie doesnt need photo ID or to check your name details. They only check th BP to ensure you are on the correct flight. Just sit down and keep quiet

 

[flyingfan]

Echoing RooFlyer, check with the main flight attendant. Once you’re in business, don’t try to do swaps with the girlfriend - it will be frowned upon if she tries to visit you in business or do more swaps. But you can visit her in economy as many times as you like

You can also let the economy flight attendants know it’s her first time overseas and they might give her some more words of assurance.

 

[maidmarion]

I couldn't get a ticket

So you paid for the ticket (points or $).... yeah, sorry girlfriend but up the back for you

Yes I paid for the ticket, so I'm sure she won't mind swapping.

 

[maidmarion]

If this happens once she gets into the nice business class seat and overcomes what is probably the second most nerve wracking parts of the flight (take off, with landing probably the most nerve wracking), she might not want to move back, and find that business class is far more soothing of the nerves than her boyfriend.

On a more serious note, which airline is it?

If this happens once she gets into the nice business class seat and overcomes what is probably the second most nerve wracking parts of the flight (take off, with landing probably the most nerve wracking), she might not want to move back, and find that business class is far more soothing of the nerves than her boyfriend.

On a more serious note, which airline is it?

It's with AirNZ, we are going to Rarotonga.

 

[featheast]

I did this once with my wife while we flew back from Hawaii on a QF flight. We booked economy with separate tickets, and I was able to secure an upgrade before the flight. We checked in normal, and only when entering the aircraft, I let the attendant know that even though my name is on the J seat, I will be sitting in the back but let my wife sitting in the front.
I don't think it's a problem to swap seats before the flight, however, I don't think it will be good to swap seats in the middle the flight.

 

[Denali]

Can you imagine if girlfriend says, nah - this is my seat, and turns left.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes I paid for the ticket, so I'm sure she won't mind swapping.

If that's the case, then eric2011's advice is the way to go!

 

[maidmarion]

I did this once with my wife while we flew back from Hawaii on a QF flight. We booked economy with separate tickets, and I was able to secure an upgrade before the flight. We checked in normal, and only when entering the aircraft, I let the attendant know that even though my name is on the J seat, I will be sitting in the back but let my wife sitting in the front.
I don't think it's a problem to swap seats before the flight, however, I don't think it will be good to swap seats in the middle the flight.

I'll try that , thanks.

 

[Denali]

It doesnt have to be cloak and daggers.

Board and say to the FA, this is my sons girlfriend. I paid for her ticket but only J was available so shes going to sit in economy with my son and Im going to J because hello, I paid for the ticket. Can we swap now or after take off? Shes a nervous flyer (and smile).

 

[kookaburra75]

Echoing RooFlyer, check with the main flight attendant. Once you’re in business, don’t try to do swaps with the girlfriend - it will be frowned upon if she tries to visit you in business or do more swaps. But you can visit her in economy as many times as you like
You can also let the economy flight attendants know it’s her first time overseas and they might give her some more words of assurance.

I did this just recently when we headed to a family wedding - flying from Brisbane to SIngapore with Qantas. While MrsK and I were in Bus (courtesy of points), my parents had booked in economy. After takeoff I checked with the Cabin Service Manager and asked if it was ok to swap with Mum (she didn't know about it) - and there were no problems. The only issue was Mum coming back to her old seat a few times and saying I could swap back if I wanted - but I kept sending her back up the front - much to the amusement of the other passengers. One lady behind us said if mum didn't want the bus class seat, she would take it

 

[dajop]

It's with AirNZ, we are going to Rarotonga.

Not entirely sure, but AirNZ should be OK. Some airlines can be sticklers for the rules, but I suspect on AirNZ you will be fine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I did this once with my wife while we flew back from Hawaii on a QF flight. We booked economy with separate tickets, and I was able to secure an upgrade before the flight. We checked in normal, and only when entering the aircraft, I let the attendant know that even though my name is on the J seat, I will be sitting in the back but let my wife sitting in the front.
I don't think it's a problem to swap seats before the flight, however, I don't think it will be good to swap seats in the middle the flight.

This is the cleanest and simplest way of doing it.

Make the swap immediately on boarding. And inform the crew you are doing it otherwise they will keep addressing you with the girlfriend's name.

Don't wait until after take-off to do the swap, and there's no real reason to explain in too much detail why you want to do the swap (the crew won't really care).

Swaps are really only a problem if changing between adult and child seats (which you can't do because the fare paid is different), and swapping at a later point in flight can mean you are rejected because the airline is giving 2x all the benefits (which is unfair to other pax).

I see swapping of pax mid-flight as a small security issue (things go missing from cabin baggage in the overhead lockers), and potentially disturbing to passengers who might be snoozing in the cabin while a swap takes place.

 

[RooFlyer]

Make the swap immediately on boarding. And inform the crew you are doing it otherwise they will keep addressing you with the girlfriend's name.

The problem in attempting this is that ( on most airlines) your are instructed to take your assigned seat. Now, on a jet I guess this is mostly Pro forma, but should the swap be detected somehow, an issue may arise. If they tell the crew they are doing it, they will be told to take their assigned seats and may generate ill-will for not getting 'permission'.