I was travelling on the VS046 on Sunday night from JFK. About a week before the aircraft type in MMB changed from a 747 to an A346
4 of us from work were all travelling in PE on this flight (all booked separately). We had all been reallocated seats on the A346 layout, which was still fine at OCLI. When dropping bags I asked if there were any bulkhead seats available. None - all seats are allocated with the exception of one centre seat.
All four of us were having a bite to eat & drink so joined the departure gate about 20 mins after boarding started. We could see the gate from where we were sitting so weren't delaying things as there were others left still boarding.
First of the group went through OK, my turn next - BEEP red light. Ah you've been given an upgrade sir - please go to the desk. Next one in the group BEEP same thing and last one BEEP same thing.
So 3 out of the four of us got an upgrade and one didn't. However he politely protested that we were travelling together and it seemed unfair. Staff at JFK were understanding, said unlikely there was any seats but would try. They made a call and said yes no problem and upgraded him too.
We were debating the criteria - I was the only one amongst us with FC Gold so was likely higher up the list. Another one has Silver. Of the remaining two they are both red - one has 6 tier points the other has none as the last of his just expired in December. The zero tier point was the one that didn't automatically get the upgrade, so we figuired it might be that. Likely?
We also wondered if not boarding in the first batch helped our chances here or would the upgrade plans be worked out earlier? Clearly after bag drop though as there was no mention then.
We did note that the PE seat that was due to be occupied by the person that didnt get the automatic upgrade was actually occupied during the flight so they must have still needed that extra PE seat. PE was full. UC had one spare seat
They allocated me 7K so not facing another seat - all of the others had seats closer to the bar facing another seat.
We were all very happy of course! The flight was great - hardly any turbulence and managed to get loads of comfortable sleep. Now to book another VS46 that changes from a 747 to an A346....
4 of us from work were all travelling in PE on this flight (all booked separately). We had all been reallocated seats on the A346 layout, which was still fine at OCLI. When dropping bags I asked if there were any bulkhead seats available. None - all seats are allocated with the exception of one centre seat.
All four of us were having a bite to eat & drink so joined the departure gate about 20 mins after boarding started. We could see the gate from where we were sitting so weren't delaying things as there were others left still boarding.
First of the group went through OK, my turn next - BEEP red light. Ah you've been given an upgrade sir - please go to the desk. Next one in the group BEEP same thing and last one BEEP same thing.
So 3 out of the four of us got an upgrade and one didn't. However he politely protested that we were travelling together and it seemed unfair. Staff at JFK were understanding, said unlikely there was any seats but would try. They made a call and said yes no problem and upgraded him too.
We were debating the criteria - I was the only one amongst us with FC Gold so was likely higher up the list. Another one has Silver. Of the remaining two they are both red - one has 6 tier points the other has none as the last of his just expired in December. The zero tier point was the one that didn't automatically get the upgrade, so we figuired it might be that. Likely?
We also wondered if not boarding in the first batch helped our chances here or would the upgrade plans be worked out earlier? Clearly after bag drop though as there was no mention then.
We did note that the PE seat that was due to be occupied by the person that didnt get the automatic upgrade was actually occupied during the flight so they must have still needed that extra PE seat. PE was full. UC had one spare seat
They allocated me 7K so not facing another seat - all of the others had seats closer to the bar facing another seat.
We were all very happy of course! The flight was great - hardly any turbulence and managed to get loads of comfortable sleep. Now to book another VS46 that changes from a 747 to an A346....
) 
