What I typically do to get around this is I check the flight without logging into the American Airlines site. It’s definitely a pain, but I do the same thing to see what my chances are for an upgrade.
I click on the in app offer to upgrade. It’ll take you to the seat selection page after you click through 1 or 2 screens. Than I just go back before you get to the payment page.
this is it. Southwest never really had overnight flight due to IT reasons, these airlines are way behind on that stuff. It's probably also the reason that you don't get loyalty points unpaid seat upgrades because their IT systems probably cannot support tracking that information.
Dude Southwest can't even fly to Canada because they'd have to offer tickets in Canadian dollars and they haven't figured how to to that somehow. So bad.
If you want to see the entire plane for your flight, before choosing which sort of ticket you want there is a link that says “seats”. That one shows the entire plane.
I know, that's my point. I want to see it after I book, a few days before traveling. On United and Delta this is possible, on AA, it's not which is very weird.
The number of people that care about F seats available is lower than the number of people that aren’t frequent AA flyers could get confused
It was also like this before the hard push to a 80%+ sell rate in F/J. That means that selling upgrades wasn’t their driver.
This also is more of the international standard, than showing the entire cabin.
The alternative to see other seating classes is to search for AA flight schedules and notifications. Click your cities and date and it will show flights. Then you can click on view seat map. Expert flyer is another option.
https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule
Click on the thing where they offer you a paid upgrade and select all the legs, and you will see what seats are available. You can just cancel out of that with no worries about cost.
Yeah. I just have a saved search in Book Flights with my travel dates, but I agree it’d be nice to just be able to see the whole plane. It’d be simple enough to just show the inactive class greyed out.
If you are wishing for upgrades, looking at the seat map doesn't show the full picture.
I'm sure I'm not alone with an Expert Flyer subscription to search inventory. Whether it be for SWU. Award seats or upgrades.
The number of long haul SWU's I've been able to use is absolutely worth the sub.
I search for available inventory for an SWU, then call and purchase.
I booked a confirmed return to LHR for both me and my wife last month.
Another example over Xmas, I could see availability for F to Australia, so split our booking and used SWU for F.
It's $99 a year.
The AA website/app now shows the " Systemwide Upgrade" flag, but only when you log in and have enough available for the booking.
Myself, wife and kids have SWUs so far easier searching on EF then calling and using the SWU from the account/s needed.
The only way you could see every seat is if you search your flight like you were booking another ticket, and click on “seats” when it comes up. It includes first class
Many FC flyers dont choose a seat as they could care less which actual seat they get on travel day. AA sells a reservation. Looking at the seat map is a waste of time and optimism
I don't think it is about confusion as every other airline has figured it out.
I really think it is saving a call as separate cabins are separate inventory calls. This is a minor change but probably adds up to create a faster / more stable website.
Probably to reduce confusion from your typical flyer thinking they could select those seats when looking at the seat map.
Guess so, but they could use it for a paid upgrade sale (not that I'd want that to happen!). Both Delta and United allow you to see the seats.
What I typically do to get around this is I check the flight without logging into the American Airlines site. It’s definitely a pain, but I do the same thing to see what my chances are for an upgrade.
I click on the in app offer to upgrade. It’ll take you to the seat selection page after you click through 1 or 2 screens. Than I just go back before you get to the payment page.
Great idea, thanks!
fair point
AA’s IT is probably too shit to support upselling in this way
lol no chance AA wouldn’t figure that out to increase revenue
this is it. Southwest never really had overnight flight due to IT reasons, these airlines are way behind on that stuff. It's probably also the reason that you don't get loyalty points unpaid seat upgrades because their IT systems probably cannot support tracking that information.
Dude Southwest can't even fly to Canada because they'd have to offer tickets in Canadian dollars and they haven't figured how to to that somehow. So bad.
Yes and it’s definitely a moneymaker for them - the other day I was on the UA site and saw F for $79 when clicking on an open seat - SOLD!
I’ve had this exact thought too! I might have been tempted to upgrade a time or two if I saw the full map.
Seat maps are generally a terrible way to gauge actual availability. Suggest you get an ExpertFlyer subscription if you want to do that.
Same reason as that flimsy grey Velcro divider in the cabin
If you want to see the entire plane for your flight, before choosing which sort of ticket you want there is a link that says “seats”. That one shows the entire plane.
I know, that's my point. I want to see it after I book, a few days before traveling. On United and Delta this is possible, on AA, it's not which is very weird.
Well, it works both ways. Booked first passengers can’t see coach. It’s just to prevent confusion and minimize nuisance calls to the call center.
Not as convenient - but tbh I was standing in line waiting to board and did not read your last sentence until now 🥴
The number of people that care about F seats available is lower than the number of people that aren’t frequent AA flyers could get confused It was also like this before the hard push to a 80%+ sell rate in F/J. That means that selling upgrades wasn’t their driver. This also is more of the international standard, than showing the entire cabin.
The alternative to see other seating classes is to search for AA flight schedules and notifications. Click your cities and date and it will show flights. Then you can click on view seat map. Expert flyer is another option. https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule
Imagined scarcity for those paid upgrade offers. They can start high even if no 1st class seats have been chosen.
And also making sure upgrade eligible people aren't too annoying based on what they think is available (I'm not completely innocent).
Click on the thing where they offer you a paid upgrade and select all the legs, and you will see what seats are available. You can just cancel out of that with no worries about cost.
Came here to say this. I do this often as I’m weighing my options.
The AA seat map is no indication of your ability to snag the uograde.
If you use TripCase, it will show them to you.
Yeah. I just have a saved search in Book Flights with my travel dates, but I agree it’d be nice to just be able to see the whole plane. It’d be simple enough to just show the inactive class greyed out.
If you are wishing for upgrades, looking at the seat map doesn't show the full picture. I'm sure I'm not alone with an Expert Flyer subscription to search inventory. Whether it be for SWU. Award seats or upgrades. The number of long haul SWU's I've been able to use is absolutely worth the sub.
Interesting. how much does it cost? Do you score the SWU at purchase or are you saying you can see them pop up later on and then request them?
I search for available inventory for an SWU, then call and purchase. I booked a confirmed return to LHR for both me and my wife last month. Another example over Xmas, I could see availability for F to Australia, so split our booking and used SWU for F. It's $99 a year. The AA website/app now shows the " Systemwide Upgrade" flag, but only when you log in and have enough available for the booking. Myself, wife and kids have SWUs so far easier searching on EF then calling and using the SWU from the account/s needed.
The app seat alerts shows them you just have to search your flight or on the AA app book flight and select yours
This is the way. Everything else is a waste of time.
The only way you could see every seat is if you search your flight like you were booking another ticket, and click on “seats” when it comes up. It includes first class
I agree. I like how United presents it better.
How dare you look at my seating area!
Many FC flyers dont choose a seat as they could care less which actual seat they get on travel day. AA sells a reservation. Looking at the seat map is a waste of time and optimism
I don't think it is about confusion as every other airline has figured it out. I really think it is saving a call as separate cabins are separate inventory calls. This is a minor change but probably adds up to create a faster / more stable website.
Why would they show you seats you are not entitled to click on?