Copa Airlines' over-engineered seat selection charges

[Mattg]

I'm flying with Copa Airlines today and wanted to select a seat.

As I have a basic economy ticket there is a charge to select any seat. Now that in alone isn't surprising, but I was surprised to find that there is a different price for every single seat on the plane!

I've seen many airlines charging more for extra legroom or seats in the first few rows, for example. I've even seen some airlines charge more for window/aisle seats compared to middle seats. But it seems Copa has used some sort of algorithm to dynamically price every single seat based on its desirability. E.g. a window seat in row 27 costs around 40 cents more than a window seat in row 28, but less than a middle seat in row 20... and so on.

Seats closer to the front are generally more expensive, as are window and aisle seats.

I thought the baggage charges on North American airlines were complicated, but this takes it to the next level!

 

[levelnine]

With JetBlue introducing offpeak/peak pricing for baggage, it's only a matter of time before everything is dynamically priced. The final hold out will be food bought in flight on low cost carriers, but even that'll occur — $100 for the last sandwich on board at meal time dropping to 50c if you buy it at the top of descent!

 

[SYD]

I'm flying with Copa Airlines today and wanted to select a seat.

As I have a basic economy ticket there is a charge to select any seat. Now that in alone isn't surprising, but I was surprised to find that there is a different price for every single seat on the plane!

I've seen many airlines charging more for extra legroom or seats in the first few rows, for example. I've even seen some airlines charge more for window/aisle seats compared to middle seats. But it seems Copa has used some sort of algorithm to dynamically price every single seat based on its desirability. E.g. a window seat in row 27 costs around 40 cents more than a window seat in row 28, but less than a middle seat in row 20... and so on.

Seats closer to the front are generally more expensive, as are window and aisle seats.

I thought the baggage charges on North American airlines were complicated, but this takes it to the next level!

and nothing free for being A*G?

 

[dajop]

With JetBlue introducing offpeak/peak pricing for baggage,

That’s still very simple.

In Europe, Easyjet and Ryanair yield manage their luggage - both carry on (except small item) and checked luggage charges. So considerable variation in the charges. Sometimes it’s cheaper to check luggage than carry on.

 

[Mattg]

and nothing free for being A*G?

Nope. Did get two free checked bags though.