Does anyone know what the chances of getting bumped from two bulk head seats might be for a December 17-January 1 flight from SFO to CDG on Air France (purchased via Delta)? We always fly from JFK to CDG on Delta Comfort-Plus which suits us fine given that I am claustrophobic and cannot tolerate a cramped seat but the Air France flight from SFO-CDG doesn't offer Comfort-Plus so we thought we'd try the bulkhead seats. The premium and higher end seats are a tad out of our budget. However the two bulkhead seats come with a caveat that we may be bumped if other people might need it, which we are assuming would be travelers with a baby, etc. This will be my first 11-hour long haul flight and given my claustrophobia (I already take Ativan to fly), it is important to me that I have a seat with a comfortable amount of space. I'm thinking that maybe I should consider another airline that might have the equivalent of Delta's Comfort-Plus seats but I wanted to check on this forum first about other travelers experience with bulkhead seats. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3265 posts
It’s impossible to know what the odds are of losing the seat. If the bulkhead seats are a must for you and the airline has a caveat— you have no guarantee that other passengers will not be put in those seats.
Particularly during the hectic holiday season which is your timeframe.
If it’s a must for you, you probably should book with another airline— at least with one that is not flashing warning signs in advance.
Posted by
1434 posts
The sad truth is what is important to you isn't really important to the airlines; you can't out guess them or know what will happen. Throw in the holiday season and it's extra grinchy.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6186 posts
I would not count on those seats, particularly since you are traveling over the Christmas / New Year holidays. Holiday periods are when flights tend to be full and families with infants are more likely to be traveling home for the holidays.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2823 posts
We had this happen to us when they changed aircraft. Two of our group (6 total) lost their bulkhead seats (which they paid extra for). The people seated there did not have kids.
Posted by
Indianapolis, IN
392 posts
I am also just a bit claustrophobic in planes. I had never selected a bulkhead seat, but got assigned to one when I had to change my flight at the last minute. While it did have more leg room, having that wall right in front of me really triggered my latent claustrophobic tendencies. Just a thought for your consideration.
Posted by
W. Washington
56 posts
Delta seems to be going through something at the moment. I follow Delta forums and I've seen lots of complaints about seat changes, equipment changes, weird seating arrangements in the last few months.
It has me nervous enough I'm watching my flights for August just about daily so I have a chance to catch any changes I don't like. If you can find a more secure seat assignment it's probably worth it.
(I also don't like the switch to AF/KLM with their eliminating C+ and the planes with 2x3x2 seating. Plus way too many flight changes in Atl/jfk if you don't want to fly the partners. I'm starting to reconsider my loyalty)
Posted by
la la land...
1259 posts
Air France will confiscate those seats for families with babies and young children. It happened to us about 10 years ago when our strategy was to book bulkhead seats on long flights to Europe and Asia. Around that time we changed our strategy and moved up to premium economy, but the price bump for the "better" seats was pretty minimal for years, but no longer is that true, particularly in the return to travel in the post pandemic era when people dug deeper into their pockets for any increase in personal space on planes afforded by the roomier cabins.
Posted by
1309 posts
What about an Exit Row seat? Next best for claustrophobia would be an aisle seat. I know someone who is claustrophobic who always chooses a window seat and leaves the window shade up although that's chancy on a redeye. For many, being in the window seat would cause worse claustrophobia. . .
Posted by
WestCentral MN
408 posts
We stopped selecting bulkhead seats after being bumped twice. The airline will take the seat from you for anyone who needs it for a medical condition or someone with a baby/small child. If you want the extra legroom, try the exit row seats.
Posted by
Amsterdam
588 posts
I was bumped twice for "families". The first "family" was a bunch of work associates. I was seated behind them. I could hear their conversations.
The second time my seat was given to a woman who was supposed to be with the father and special needs child across the aisle. She never looked up. Not once. I don't see what the point was in given her my seat.
Not that this helps Adrienne. My point is getting bumped can be very arbitrary.
Posted by
3664 posts
It seems to me that your need for bulk head seating is just as valid as anyone's. Is it possible to let Air France know that you actually need those seats?
Posted by
Los Angeles
1655 posts
...but the Air France flight from SFO-CDG doesn't offer Comfort-Plus
Go onto the Air France website, log into your flight, then seat selection, and see if you can purchase extra legroom seats - it should be equivalent to Delta Comfort+. I did this on KLM LAX to AMS last year.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
287 posts
Thank you everyone for your input! I took your advice and found four exit row seats in economy (two pairs on each side of the plane in row 39) and booked two of them. What relief although we had to confirm that we were able to help open the door in case of an emergency. We're both in our mid-70's so it's good thing that we go the gym regularly. : ) Unfortunately the exit row seats weren't available on the January 1 flight so we'll be flying home early on December 30 instead. New Year's Eve in Paris will have to wait for some other time. Many thanks all. I appreciate each comment and wish everyone happy travels.