https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/virgin-australia-middle-seat-lottery/index.html
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
It take a lot more than a lottery to get me in a middle seat IF the flight is longer than two hours. But -- if two flights in middle seat gets upgrade to business class or first on the third flight --- might consider it.
Posted by
Calgary
1740 posts
I'm an introvert, and the middle seat gives me the heebie jeebies. No thanks.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8965 posts
Hmmm. Sooner or later they'll figure out they could charge more for an aisle or window seat.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
Sooner or later they'll figure out they could charge more for an aisle or window seat.
Some airlines (maybe most) now charge for seat selection - and what seats do people select? You got it! So, yes, they have figured it out.
As to the lottery, give up an aisle or window seat for just a chance of winning some money? I don't think so. Now, a guaranteed discount on the ticket price, that I might consider.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16052 posts
From a marketing strategy point of view, if I owned an airline, I would increase all seat prices, but offer a discount to those who choose a middle seat.
That is the same as charging more for choosing a seat (i.e. charging more for choosing the window or aisle seat), but it would be more acceptable to consumers. A price discount sounds better than a price supplement.