BEWARE! Air Canada changing aircraft without notification = seats re-assigned

[luckbamboo]

This has happened to me twice during the past year. Perhaps due to the economy, possibly depending on how many people end up booking a certain flight, Air Canada seems to change their aircraft accordingly without notification.

I got Tango Plus tickets in both cases where I could choose my seats to sit together with my better half whose Aeroplan preference was an aisle. The first time, we only found out the aircraft change when we checked in at the airport and found out our seats were different from the ones we booked. We were both assigned separate window seats near the back of the plane. Luckily we got there relatively early and managed to get seats together at the gate (as the check-in person said that they could not do anything). A lot of couples on our plane ended up separated.

It happened a second time again a few months later but this time, I found out about the change when I periodically checked the flight availability online. We got re-assigned in the last 2 rows, both window seats again! I tried to change my seats online as it allowed me to select that option (Tango Plus) but came back with an error that I couldn't proceed and needed to call reservations. Finally made the change over the phone.

Just beware of aircraft changes these days and check in advance especially if you are traveling with family as they do not notify you of aircraft changes and seat re-assignments and you will certainly end up separated on the flight (unless you want to ).

[Pete_Coach]

Not sure why you are surprised. Changing aircraft happens regularly. Depends on delays, where the aircraft are, need for a larger aircraft or a smaller one. Crew issues and on and on. If you book far in advance, chances of a different aircraft are even greater.
I have often had a change in aircraft types but very seldom have had a seat issue. I am unsure what you do to encounter such problems. You can get a boarding pass and get a seat 24 hours in advance, online. I have never been told by a check in clerk that they cannot give me my seats unless I have been very late and they already gave it away.
Me thinks thou doth protest too much

[HighFlyer]

I've had many cases of aircraft switches taking place even up to the last minute, but usually have been accomodated in the same seat (ie 19A on 319 for 19A on E90, or 36A on 333 for 36A on 77L).

[nalababe]

This happens on all airlines...nothing new.

[chestnut]

Happens all the time. I rather be lifting off then being delayed.

[Jay1234]

This has happened to me twice during the past year. Perhaps due to the economy, possibly depending on how many people end up booking a certain flight, Air Canada seems to change their aircraft accordingly without notification.

I got Tango Plus tickets in both cases where I could choose my seats to sit together with my better half whose Aeroplan preference was an aisle. The first time, we only found out the aircraft change when we checked in at the airport and found out our seats were different from the ones we booked. We were both assigned separate window seats near the back of the plane. Luckily we got there relatively early and managed to get seats together at the gate (as the check-in person said that they could not do anything). A lot of couples on our plane ended up separated.

It happened a second time again a few months later but this time, I found out about the change when I periodically checked the flight availability online. We got re-assigned in the last 2 rows, both window seats again! I tried to change my seats online as it allowed me to select that option (Tango Plus) but came back with an error that I couldn't proceed and needed to call reservations. Finally made the change over the phone.

Just beware of aircraft changes these days and check in advance especially if you are traveling with family as they do not notify you of aircraft changes and seat re-assignments and you will certainly end up separated on the flight (unless you want to ).

Where the tickets booked together or seperate, usually if they are booked together, you will still be seated together when the plane changes.

As others said, this happens all the time regardless of the economic conditions, you should not be surprised, case in point, I have an upcoming vacation in July that we booked last year, the aircraft has already changed twice, but both times we got notified.

Jay

[Hairball]

This has happened to me last year, I got changed from a Boeing 777 to an old Airbus 340-300, I wasn't thrilled about that (no AVOD), but what can you do.

[Mother of Three]

All other airlines do that as well. On a recent flight from Hong Kong on United Airlines (early Feb.), we were told that there was a plane change and we (family of 5 - three kids ages 10,8, and 9.5months) would have to split up. By the time we got to the gate, it changed again and we were closer together (one row behind each other).

Airlines have a gazillion reasons for such changes and there's really no point in getting upset - or they might kick you off the plane altogether.

BTW - was it a long haul? It mostly happens to us during long haul flights, when airlines take on more/less passengers because they've combined flights with a sky partner/alliance member.

[almostfreeman]

BEWARE? As long as I get to where I'm going I think I could get over it unless they changed by plane seat to a bus seat.

[JCam]

All other airlines do that as well. On a recent flight from Hong Kong on United Airlines (early Feb.), we were told that there was a plane change and we (family of 5 - three kids ages 10,8, and 9.5months) would have to split up. By the time we got to the gate, it changed again and we were closer together (one row behind each other).

Airlines have a gazillion reasons for such changes and there's really no point in getting upset - or they might kick you off the plane altogether.

BTW - was it a long haul? It mostly happens to us during long haul flights, when airlines take on more/less passengers because they've combined flights with a sky partner/alliance member.

As far as I've seen in the past, airlines actually do try to keep families together (especially those with children). (I only note this as I've been asked to move by an FA or two in the past...)

[Genia11]

This happened to us when we were coming back to Canada from London, UK a few years back.

I didn't mind the plane change, what I did mind was that not only did they split my husband and I up, we lost our "checked-in" seats. We checked-in online (had to wake up early and find a computer with internet access) and were glad to get 3rd row seats in economy. But when we arrived to the airport to check in our luggage, the Air Canada counter people gave us our boarding pass with different seats than our printout. Needless to say, we were not happy. We were told that the plane was full and there was nothing they could do to acommodate us and have us sit together.

I was fuming!!! I questioned the point of online checking if they are just going to move us to wherever they wanted... and asked to speak to a manager at which time they offered us seats on the last row of the plane, by the washrooms... joy!!! Anyway, I filed a complaint with Air Canada when I came back but never heard back from them...

I have come to expect very little of airlines these days... better to have low expections than to be disappointed.

This has happened to me twice during the past year. Perhaps due to the economy, possibly depending on how many people end up booking a certain flight, Air Canada seems to change their aircraft accordingly without notification.

I got Tango Plus tickets in both cases where I could choose my seats to sit together with my better half whose Aeroplan preference was an aisle. The first time, we only found out the aircraft change when we checked in at the airport and found out our seats were different from the ones we booked. We were both assigned separate window seats near the back of the plane. Luckily we got there relatively early and managed to get seats together at the gate (as the check-in person said that they could not do anything). A lot of couples on our plane ended up separated.

It happened a second time again a few months later but this time, I found out about the change when I periodically checked the flight availability online. We got re-assigned in the last 2 rows, both window seats again! I tried to change my seats online as it allowed me to select that option (Tango Plus) but came back with an error that I couldn't proceed and needed to call reservations. Finally made the change over the phone.

Just beware of aircraft changes these days and check in advance especially if you are traveling with family as they do not notify you of aircraft changes and seat re-assignments and you will certainly end up separated on the flight (unless you want to ).

[gilboman]

This happened to us when we were coming back to Canada from London, UK a few years back.

I didn't mind the plane change, what I did mind was that not only did they split my husband and I up, we lost our "checked-in" seats. We checked-in online (had to wake up early and find a computer with internet access) and were glad to get 3rd row seats in economy. But when we arrived to the airport to check in our luggage, the Air Canada counter people gave us our boarding pass with different seats than our printout. Needless to say, we were not happy. We were told that the plane was full and there was nothing they could do to acommodate us and have us sit together.

I was fuming!!! I questioned the point of online checking if they are just going to move us to wherever they wanted... and asked to speak to a manager at which time they offered us seats on the last row of the plane, by the washrooms... joy!!! Anyway, I filed a complaint with Air Canada when I came back but never heard back from them...

I have come to expect very little of airlines these days... better to have low expections than to be disappointed.

its not low expectations as much as reasonable. not everybody can be accommodated to their own personal satisfaction unless you shell out money for your own private jet. they do what they can and thats that.