mw wrote:
    > You can't do it, at least on AA. On a recent flight to France we
    > wanted to move up to two vacant seats because of a cold blast of air
    > from the AC vent. The attendant said we couldn't because the vacant
    > seats were business class and we were coach("main cabin nowadays, and
    > two frequent flyer to boot) and the people in business class might
    > object because they paid boucoup d'argent more than we did. Said ok and
    > sat down and enjoyed the flight.

That's a pretty different scenario. What's being discussed here is the case
where there are two people, one of whom holds a first-class ticket, one
economy, and they want to swap midway through the flight.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world:
http://travel.u.nu
New mini photo-feature: Life in DC:
http://travel.u.nu/dc/

"vmkng2" wrote in message news:...
    > Hi: lets consider the following arrangement.
    > On a long (overseas) flight, two people flying together buy two tickets -
    > one first class and one economy. They do this because they cannot afford
    > both first class tickets and they cannot endure the inconvenience of the
    > economy class for the whole duration of a long flight. They intend to switch
    > seats during the flight so each of them has a chance to get some rest in the
    > first class seat.
    > Would the airline allow them to switch seats between "classes" during
    > flight?
    > Just curious.

So am I. All that free booze and canapes. I'll have my fill and then
signal by waving a napkin to my friend travelling with the riff-raff
behind. He too can then come and sample the complimentary delights of
first class. I'm sure the airline won't mind treating us both to a
belly-full ?
Dave

Hello?

"mw" wrote in message
news:3DAC77CE.EB2F7FBE@academicplan-
et.com...
    > You can't do it, at least on AA. On a recent flight to France we
    > wanted to move up to two vacant seats because of a cold blast of air
    > from the AC vent. The attendant said we couldn't because the vacant
    > seats were business class and we were coach("main cabin nowadays, and
    > two frequent flyer to boot) and the people in business class might
    > object because they paid boucoup d'argent more than we did. Said ok and
    > sat down and enjoyed the flight.
    > Binyamin Dissen wrote:
    > >
    > > On Tue, 15 Oct 2002 05:31:09 +0000 (UTC) "Ben Martinez"

    > > wrote:
    > >
    > > :>"vmkng2" wrote in message
    > > :>news:[email protected]
    > > :>ws.com
    > >
    > > :>> Would the airline allow them to switch seats between "classes"
during
    > > :>> flight?
    > > :>> Just curious.
    > >
    > > I would not expect a problem as long as you don't ask for a second FC
meal. I
    > > would let the FA know.
    > >
    > > :>Good question. The boarding pass has a name and seat assigned to it.
    > > :>They just might insist that the name match the seat.Perhaps you might
    > > :>ask after the plane gets to cruising altitude and not risk the
    > > :>embarrassment of one of you being told to get back "where you belong".
    > >
    > > I always wonder about people who are so easily embarrassed. What causes
such a
    > > lack of self confidence?
    > >
    > > --
    > > Binyamin Dissen
    > > http://www.dissensoftware.com

"vmkng2" wrote in message news:...
    > Hi: lets consider the following arrangement....

I absolutely agree with those who cite the discretion afforded the
cabin crew. But I think company policy (marketing and pricing
departments) is against sharing. Cabin crews are encouraged by airline
policy to enforce "the mystery of the polyester curtain" and use
post-9/11 "security" restrictions to bar passengers from passing from
one class of service to another even tho those curtains must now
remain open for all to see. You pay, you enjoy. You don't pay, you
suffer. Otherwise, other passengers might get ideas.

On the SFO-LHR route, I knew someone who tried to carry her first
class Ben & Jerry's ice cream dessert back to economy to a friend,
only to be stopped by the crew and told to return to her seat and eat
her ice cream. Really.

and people wonder why I'm
Cranky

Hilary wrote:
    > > On a long (overseas) flight, two people flying together buy two tickets -
    > > one first class and one economy. They do this because they cannot afford
    > > both first class tickets and they cannot endure the inconvenience of the
    > > economy class for the whole duration of a long flight. They intend to switch
    > > seats during the flight so each of them has a chance to get some rest in the
    > > first class seat.
    > It would be better to buy two business class seats for the same money.

....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
"miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.
    > --
    > Hilary

mw wrote:
    > You can't do it, at least on AA. On a recent flight to France we
    > wanted to move up to two vacant seats because of a cold blast of air
    > from the AC vent. The attendant said we couldn't because the vacant
    > seats were business class and we were coach("main cabin nowadays, and
    > two frequent flyer to boot) and the people in business class might
    > object because they paid boucoup d'argent more than we did. Said ok and
    > sat down and enjoyed the flight.

But the OP was asking a different question - not about two
passengers both booking economy, then moving up to first
class! I can see the rationale behind requiring passengers
to be in their assigned seats for takeoff and landing (much
easier to identify the remains, in case of a crash), but if
one passenger has a first class ticket and one has a coach
ticket, and they agree between themselves to exchange seats
for part of the flight, I don't see why the flight atendants
should object.

that is absolutely incredible. i would write to the airline and complain at
the least.

"Judy" a écrit dans le message de news:
[email protected]...
    > "vmkng2" wrote in message
news:...
    > > Hi: lets consider the following arrangement....
    > I absolutely agree with those who cite the discretion afforded the
    > cabin crew. But I think company policy (marketing and pricing
    > departments) is against sharing. Cabin crews are encouraged by airline
    > policy to enforce "the mystery of the polyester curtain" and use
    > post-9/11 "security" restrictions to bar passengers from passing from
    > one class of service to another even tho those curtains must now
    > remain open for all to see. You pay, you enjoy. You don't pay, you
    > suffer. Otherwise, other passengers might get ideas.
    > On the SFO-LHR route, I knew someone who tried to carry her first
    > class Ben & Jerry's ice cream dessert back to economy to a friend,
    > only to be stopped by the crew and told to return to her seat and eat
    > her ice cream. Really.
    > and people wonder why I'm
    > Cranky

"Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)" wrote:

    > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
    > instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
    > "miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
    > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.
What airlines no you normally travel on? BA transatlantic flights are MUCH
more comfortable in business than in coach, and Contintental's
BusinessFirst is also very much better than their coach. Icelandair is
only a little bit better, but their business class is generally cheaper
than the majors.

"Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)" schrieb im
Newsbeitrag news:3DACEC68.68EDE2EC@earth-
link.net...
    > Hilary wrote:
    > >
    > > > On a long (overseas) flight, two people flying together buy two
tickets -
    > > > one first class and one economy. They do this because they cannot
afford
    > > > both first class tickets and they cannot endure the inconvenience of
the
    > > > economy class for the whole duration of a long flight. They intend to
switch
    > > > seats during the flight so each of them has a chance to get some rest
in the
    > > > first class seat.
    > >
    > > It would be better to buy two business class seats for the same money.
    > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
    > instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
    > "miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
    > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.
    > >

Have a look at these to pictures and then think again of the similarity of a
coach and a biz seat.

http://www.ual.com/images/seat_-
prods/econ.jpg

http://www.ual.com/images/seat_p-
rods/bus.jpg


Chris

    > > > On a long (overseas) flight, two people flying together buy two tickets -
    > > > one first class and one economy. They do this because they cannot afford
    > > > both first class tickets and they cannot endure the inconvenience of the
    > > > economy class for the whole duration of a long flight. They intend to switch
    > > > seats during the flight so each of them has a chance to get some rest in the
    > > > first class seat.
    > >
    > > It would be better to buy two business class seats for the same money.
    > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way, instead of
    > trading off between "comfortable" and "miserable", so neither has to
    > suffer for the entire trip? I fail to see where "business class" is
    > that much better than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not
    > sure about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier than
    > coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a higher fare.
    > Aside from the meal service (and airline food is still airline food)
    > even first class doesn't look all that luxurious any more, but the seats
    > ARE wider.

Business class seats are generally wider and usually have a seat pitch of
around 50" as opposed to the standard 32" for economy. For many people
this is the main reason they fly in business. Good food is a bonus.

--
Hilary

We flew business class on the day flight last month to London. The seats
were alternately front and rear facing. The woman in front of me put her
seat into the completely prone position and she slept the entire flight. I
used the seat in several positions from nap to reading. It was a terrific
seat and far superior to coach. BA also has a World Traveler Plus section in
which the seats are slightly wider and have more space although no where
near business class. However, for more room in coach, AA has the best room
now that it has deleted rows.

"S Viemeister" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)" wrote:
    > > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
    > > instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
    > > "miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
    > > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.
    > >
    > What airlines no you normally travel on? BA transatlantic flights are
MUCH
    > more comfortable in business than in coach, and Contintental's
    > BusinessFirst is also very much better than their coach. Icelandair is
    > only a little bit better, but their business class is generally cheaper
    > than the majors.

    > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
    > instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
    > "miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
    > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.

Huh?? Business Class isn't much better than the seats in economy? On
BA, they make into beds - I consider that a whole lot better. Delta's
BusinessElite is amazing - seats almost recline fully. I don't know
of any transatlantic carrier where Business class isn't about 1 1/2
times the size & leg room of econ - minimum.

Most economy class seats are 3 5 3
Business 2 2 or 3 2
1st 2 2 or 2 1 2 or 2 2 2

How can that not be much better?

On Wed, 16 Oct 2002 04:34:48 GMT, Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)
wrote

-snip-

    > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.

I think the configurations have changed a lot since you last looked at
them, Evelyn.

My wife travelled business class from London to Boston on United last
December -- a bumped-upgrade thing. There were, I think, 4 or maybe 6
seats abreast on a 777 -- in the space that they fit 8 or 10 across in
economy.

--
Cheers,
Harvey

On Wed, 16 Oct 2002 21:36:25 GMT, Harvey V wrote
    > -snip-
    > My wife travelled business class from London to Boston on United
    > last December -- a bumped-upgrade thing. There were, I think, 4
    > or maybe 6 seats abreast on a 777 -- in the space that they fit 8
    > or 10 across in economy.


Further to which, this shows the seating she had on that flight:

http://www.ual.com/page/a-
rticle/0,1360,1935,00.html


--
Cheers,
Harvey

"Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
t...
    > Hilary wrote:
    > >
    > > > On a long (overseas) flight, two people flying together buy two
tickets -
    > > > one first class and one economy. They do this because they cannot
afford
    > > > both first class tickets and they cannot endure the inconvenience of
the
    > > > economy class for the whole duration of a long flight. They intend to
switch
    > > > seats during the flight so each of them has a chance to get some rest
in the
    > > > first class seat.
    > >
    > > It would be better to buy two business class seats for the same money.
    > ....And both be moderately uncomfortable the whole way,
    > instead of trading off between "comfortable" and
    > "miserable", so neither has to suffer for the entire trip?
    > I fail to see where "business class" is that much better
    > than coach. They may feed you better (although I'm not sure
    > about that), but the seats don't appear to be any roomier
    > than coach, which is the only reason I'd consider paying a
    > higher fare. Aside from the meal service (and airline food
    > is still airline food) even first class doesn't look all
    > that luxurious any more, but the seats ARE wider.

You're probably looking only at domestic US business/first class seats. On
international flights, business class seats are dramatically better than
coach -- much wider and recline much further. On airlines like CO, that do
only 2-class service internaionlly, business/first is truly spectacular --
seats that recline almost all the way, you can actually sleep on your side
if you are so inclined (pun intended). I've also found the food on CO's
international business/first to be far better than in coach.

The difference is so pronounced that, rather than use my FF miles for free
tickets, I now use them exclusively for international upgrades.


    > >
    > > --
    > > Hilary