'Shadow' tactics

[HeavyElectricity]

I'm curious to learn more about platinum 'shadows' / seat blocking that I often see mentioned here. I've read quite a few comments where it's stated in quite a confident tone that someone has had a 'shadow' assigned, or that their 'shadow' stuck.

I also happened to notice that this is actually mentioned on the Virgin Australia website - the first time I've actually seen it documented:

12hrs to departure - we release all unused seats in the preferred zones and, where we can, endeavour to provide a spare seat beside our Platinum Velocity members*.

I'm interested to know:

• How do you know when you have a 'shadow' - is this shown as a blocked seat, and is this shown differently in [tool/website] compared to regular occupied seats?
• At what point in time did you become aware of a 'shadow' next to you?
• When do you complete online check-in? Is it better to check-in sooner or later for your shadow to be assigned or to 'stick'?

I've been avoiding the online check-in for my flight tomorrow afternoon (the first time since 2013 I'm flying transcon in economy! ) so I can re-assign my seat (I've already done it a couple of times as the seat next to me started showing as occupied). Is this a good tactic, or am I making things worse for myself - could this occupied seat have actually been blocked for me? (note: it's only just under T-24h right now). Or are shadows likely only be assigned after check-in, in which case I should do that asap?

If anyone has any knowledge of how this works or any tips I'd be keen to hear!

Part of me has actually started wondering if maybe maybe for a platinum velocity member travelling in economy - is the 737 with an Economy X seat a better option than the A330 (in this case the 1 row of Economy X exit row seats were already occupied)?

 

[Lemon_Party]

In my experience spare seats/shadows just appear as empty seats in expertflyer or on VA checkin page, not as blocked or taken.

I’m not a huge fan of row 10 on the a330, the fixed armrest and table tray annoy me, but it’s a necessary compromise for the extra legroom.
If you are not in a hurry to get off 737 emergency exit rows have the best space for transcon and I’ll often sit there, particularly if it looks like there’ll be a shadow.

I tend to select a seat once flight is booked and 24-48 hours before flight check again and move if there’s a better looking option. Generally most seats will be assigned by then, but not always.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

In my experience spare seats/shadows just appear as empty seats in expertflyer or on VA checkin page, not as blocked or taken.

I’m not a huge fan of row 10 on the a330, the fixed armrest and table tray annoy me, but it’s a necessary compromise for the extra legroom.

Thanks - so does that mean there is nothing really stopping anyone else from choosing the 'shadow' seat at online check-in?

I was in Economy X exit row on the A330, but moved myself further forward as there were lots of aisle/window pairs which were empty - but they suddenly filled up quickly (and now the exit row is completely taken). I usually avoid the bulkheads too. I've ended up in row 12 middle aisle at the moment, and have now completed online check-in so am hoping the middle seat remains free .

Interestingly row 10/11 show as all taken on TripCase / CheckMyTrip, but have empty middle seats on ExpertFlyer. I'm guessing these might have been kept 'protected' for some lucky people, but for me in row 12 - no such luck.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Well just to report back - I asked when I arrived early to the lounge about how this works, and was told as a platinum I could request a "complimentary block" of the empty seat next to me on arrival at the lounge, and that this doesn't happen automatically. Also that it's a benefit that obviously is dependant on load and is not in anyway guaranteed.

Once blocked, the seat showed as occupied on the seat map tools. I was lucky and it stuck, and it ended up being one of the two free seats in the first few rows of economy that I noticed, so was very happy with that result!

 

[Pushka]

This is Qantas related but when my husband was WP and I was not, and we were on separate PNR’s, in my account I could not select the seat next to him (middle seat) but if the window seat was free (row of 3 seats) I could select that.

When I went into my husbands account he could select the aisle seat or the middle seat. Or the window if it was still available.

 

[Lemon_Party]

This is Qantas related but when my husband was WP and I was not, and we were on separate PNR’s, in my account I could not select the seat next to him (middle seat) but if the window seat was free (row of 3 seats) I could select that.

When I went into my husbands account he could select the aisle seat or the middle seat. Or the window if it was still available.

I assumed VA did something similar automatically based on how the platinum benefits read, interesting that’s it only on request. I’ll be asking for that a lot more!

 

[Pleb Status]

With the introduction of YX, my 'shadow' tactic on the 73H is pretty simple.

Select 3C or 3D and then wait for someone else to select either 3A or 3F (and hopefully not 3B and 3E as well). I will then stay put or move across the aisle to 'isolate' the empty 3B or 3E. 'Shadow' created.

I have yet to encounter a 'random' in the middle seat using the above tactic unless the flight is completely full...

On the 332, in the very rare instance I have to slum it in Y, I will always take the free exit row legroom over a shadow (if I cannot get both).

 

[HeavyElectricity]

On the 332, in the very rare instance I have to slum it in Y, I will always take the free exit row legroom over a shadow (if I cannot get both).

After my transcon last week, I'm of the same opinion. Whilst it was very nice to have the empty seat next to me, I could have really used that extra legroom.

 

[ozstamps]

I book seats when ticketing and am always travelling with a partner. I choose 3A/3C and near every time 3B stays empty even on pretty full flights.

When checking in (always via human agent) I always ask if the centre seat is taken. If answer is NO, I jokingly say "that is terrific perhaps you can note the file - "passengers with Asian Flu or Cholera or something" and chuckle, and they usually chuckle back, and say something like - "I'll see what I can do"

Like most things on airlines - if done with a smile, often one prevails.

 

[Lemon_Party]

I book seats when ticketing and am always travelling with a partner. I choose 3A/3C and near every time 3B stays empty even on pretty full flights.

On a 737 with middle seats empty I’ll pick 4 or 5 over 3 every time and transcon 13/14. Fixed solid armrests in 3 make me avoid, shadow in row 3 isn’t as big a plus as it is in other rows. Conversely if I’m booking late and things are full, row 3 is the first middle seat I’ll take.

 

[serfty]

A couple of years ago I did a fly ahead and requested a back row aisle seat (I knew the row was free from E/F). The VA agent proactively offered to block the seat beside me which I accepted. ✔

Interestingly, the blocked seat showed up on E/F as allocated, not just blocked (unlike with QF).

 

[blueturkey]

Last month flying back on VA24 i asked the Virgin staff in the LAX EK lounge if they could block the seat between the wife and I (WP). They said they don't block seats, but lucky on both VA23 and VA24 we had the middle seat free in row 27, and the rows behind us were chokers.

Maybe the local VA staff in EK lounge are not as familiar with rules and perks for WP members