Hi Everyone, I wanted to give you a first look at a new program we’ll be introducing later this month. On Mar. 17 we’ll begin offering the option at check-in to purchase Economy Class seats with extra legroom. For now, this means exit row seats on Continental, Continental Micronesia, and Continental Express flights – specifically those that offer at least 7 extra inches of legroom.
Here are some of the key details:
- Our Elite members will still have complimentary access to these seats. Our OnePass Elite customers will continue to have access to these seats on a first come first served basis at check-in. Additionally, if you’re a Platinum or Gold Elite, you’ll be able to pre-assign exit row seats as you do today at no charge. The same shall apply for United Airlines Elite members once our reciprocal upgrade benefits take effect later this year (the exact date for which is still TBD). The complimentary access will not, however, extend to any of our other partners’ Elite members
- Elite Travel companions in the same reservation are covered. Travel companions that are in the same reservation will enjoy the same extra legroom benefits as the Elite member
- The price of these seats will vary. The pricing for extra legroom seats will vary depending on a number of factors, including the length of the flight and market. A lower price may also apply for extra legroom seats with limited or no recline
- Extra legroom really means extra legroom. The seats that we’ll be selling have at least 7 inches of extra legroom. Specifically, our mainline aircraft will offer 10-12 extra inches on average, whereas our Continental Express aircraft will be closer to 7 extra inches
- Exit row seats not branded as “Extra Legroom” will still be open to everyone. For now, flights operating as Continental Connection will be excluded from this program, as will exit row seats that do not offer any material increase in legroom. Pre-assignment of these particular exit row seats will still be limited to Platinum and Gold Elite members, but at check-in, they’ll be available for all at no charge
In short, this means that our best Economy Class seats will no longer be a free-for-all at check-in time, but instead will be reserved for our Elite members, and for customers who value the space and comfort of these seats enough to pay for it. Aside from the revenue, what we like about this new program is that it enables us to make the most of our best seats, while improving upon an important benefit for our Elite members. We hope you’ll agree, and I look forward to your feedback.
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