Re-seated on Emirates

[Syshan]

I recently travelled on Emirates A380 business class to Dubai for a conference.
I self-selected window (A) seats for both legs of the flights several weeks before I travelled because I knew that was the only way to get decent rest and on both occasions I was to asked to vacate my seats after boarding the plane, first for a 3-way swap so a couple could be seated together and second for a father who was separated by 2 rows from his sons.
On both occasions I was relocated to aisle seats with heavy traffic that was not conducive to any useful rest. I did not voice strong discontent during the flight for not wanting to displease other people.
My question, is there any point to make formal complaint to Emirates and what would I expect in the reply?
Thanks guys.

 

[Dave Noble]

To be fair, if you agreed to move then there isn't too much that I can see to complain about. You could have declined to have moved when asked. I wouldn't be really making a complaint. If it was involuntary relocation then I would consider complaining though doubt would get anything

Dave

 

[Mal]

I doubt a complaint will get you anywhere. The Emirates Conditions of Carriage (http://www.emirates.com/au/english/images/CoC-English 30DEC2009_tcm276-194795.pdf ) says

5.4 Seating
We will try to meet advance seating requests, but we cannot guarantee that you will be able to
sit in any particular seat. We can change your seat for a similar seat at any time, even after you
have boarded the aircraft.

Most airlines have a similar clause.

You could perhaps use the argument that a "similar" seat would be another window seat (rather than an aisle) - but I do think you'll be fobbed off and they'll claim "similar" means any other seat in the same cabin of service.

 

[NYCguy]

I did not voice strong discontent during the flight for not wanting to displease other people.

Yup, there's your problem. You should have stood your ground, very politely but very firmly. I'm sure there were other passengers they could have moved to the same effect. If a staffer presents you with a new boarding-pass there's probably not much that can be done, but if they're just batting their eyelids and saying pretty-please, you should have declined. It's not your problem that other passengers didn't reserve their seats in advance like you did.

 

[Syshan]

Well, there's you problem right there. You should have stood your ground, very politely but very firmly. I'm sure there were other passengers they could have moved to the same effect.

You're quite right, I'm a softy. To me, there is no difference with those requesting to be seated together and my requesting to be seated at window alone. The fact that I pre-selected my seats should mean something to them if their left hand is talking their right. After the return flight took off I saw an empty aisle seat right in front of that man's son's. I questioned the air hostess any they claim they had no knowledge that seat was going to be unoccupied which I found hard to believe.

 

[albatross710]

Syshan feel good knowing that there are two groups of travelers who had a better flight thanks to your kind heart.

Sorry you didn't get a useful rest.

 

[JohnK]

It is disappointing to be asked to move (due to people who could not be bothered to pre-allocate their desired seats) especially when you have taken the time to pre-allocate.

Personally I would not move (unless asked to move to a higher class cabin) for anyone unless I was forced to move. Not my problem people wanting to sit together could not be bothered to get seats pre-allocated together before the flight. And yes I have heard most of the excuses. Someone else can be their knight in shining armour and save the day for them....

 

[mannej]

Unfortunately most Airlines do not guarantee seating even after boarding a plane.

There is no recourse for this, and all I can see happening is that EK will send out a pre-written response stating the T&C's.

The majority of travelers that I know would know nothing about pre-allocating seats so it isn't an issue of apathy, more ignorance in most cases.

I guess it doesn't hurt to write to Emirates about your experience, but I wouldn't be expecting much back from them.

It is a pain, but it's life. (I do tend to get annoyed when people move my gear into another overhead locker let alone being asked to move seats). I guess you were the (un)lucky person selected...

 

[harvyk]

I would write something, but in the form of feedback rather than as a complaint. A complaint will get you no where as they will simply sprout their T&C's. But feedback (which mearly advises EK of your negative travel experience, but does not ask for any sort of compensation) may be noticed.

I would in write something along the lines of

"I travelled on flights EKxx_ and EKxx_. I pre-allocated a seat for each flight, and on each flight I was move to accomodate other passangers seating wishes who had not had the foresight to pre-allocate their seats. In each case I felt that the seat I was moved to was inferior to the ones I had originally requested. I am disappointed that Emirates did not honour the pre-allocation, and as such may chose to use other carriers in the future."

 

[Dave Noble]

"I travelled on flights EKxx_ and EKxx_. I pre-allocated a seat for each flight, and on each flight I was move to accomodate other passangers seating wishes who had not had the foresight to pre-allocate their seats. In each case I felt that the seat I was moved to was inferior to the ones I had originally requested. I am disappointed that Emirates did not honour the pre-allocation, and as such may chose to use other carriers in the future."

The issue with that wording is that the person wasn't just moved but they were asked if they would move and agreed to do so. If they had said no and were still moved then that sort of letter would be appropriate imo but as it stands, it was a voluntary move and the passenger could have declined

Dave

 

[harvyk]

The issue with that wording is that the person wasn't just moved but they were asked if they would move and agreed to do so. If they had said no and were still moved then that sort of letter would be appropriate imo but as it stands, it was a voluntary move and the passenger could have declined

Dave

Some people can't say no to requests, so (as I expect in the OP's case) they moved because they felt they had to keep the piece.

 

[anat0l]

Send in a complaint, if you wish, however if you voluntarily accepted a relocation, then I don't think you have any recourse. (That is, don't expect much in the way of compensation.)

If you were forcibly relocated, then you might have grounds for a case.

Preselection or not, sometimes even at the last minute you will need to be relocated. Of course, if it has to happen at the last minute, there ought to be a good reason for it, and perhaps an offer to move to a higher class or to a seat which is perhaps better.

You can be softy but at the same time be diplomatic.