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A Reddit user posted a picture that Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Medallion members should find somewhat concerning.
The image — which the poster, “2180miles” confirmed was taken from seat 10A in Comfort+ — shows several open First Class seats.
2180miles snarked, “(Atlanta) gate agents yet again proving their commitment to customer satisfaction… DL1100 leaving with 5 open (First Class) seats and 50 on the (upgrade) list. Keep Climbing!”
ATL gate agents yet again proving their commitment to customer satisfaction… DL1100 leaving with 5 open FC seats and 50 on the UG list. Keep Climbing!
byu/2180miles indelta
Five?
To be fair, we don’t know if some other duties got in the gate agent’s way. Perhaps there wasn’t time for them to clear upgrades. (I’ll probably get harangued in the Comments section; stay tuned.)
But upgrades are a significant reason people pursue elite status. It’s not a good look when efforts aren’t even made — or appear not to be — to fulfill those benefits.
What Can You Do?
This isn’t exactly the first time First Class seats have gone out empty.
“I’ve seen way too many (First Class) seats fly vacant when I’m first on the list and it’s a long flight,” writes ltg8r. “And that’s even included where a (Regional Upgrade Certificate) was applied to one leg and not the longer one (usually when they’re about to expire).”
We’ve also written about other instances.
So, what are your chances of maybe getting one of those First Class seats?
Be Proactive
Keep tabs on your spot on the upgrade list if you have a realistic shot of getting upgraded. A Delta gate agent once decided my family shouldn’t be upgraded — even though I held Diamond status and my wife and I were numbers 1 and 2 on the upgrade list.
If upgrades aren’t clearing a few minutes before boarding, I’m not shy about approaching the gate agent and pleasantly saying something like, “Hi! I’m number (whatever) on the First Class upgrade list. When do you think the computer will start clearing upgrades?” (Always blame “the computer” — not them.)
Never once has a gate agent replied with a big smile and a “We’ll get your upgrade processed as soon as possible, thanks!”
Nope.
I usually receive an apathetic look (or worse) and words to the effect of “In a minute.”
I thank them and that’s that. The upgrades usually clear within a few minutes.
I don’t feel bad about politely inquiring. Why? I’m a loyal customer (although five empty First Class seats and crazy SkyMiles changes…). Upgrades are a published benefit of Medallion status.
#TeamBoardLast
You forfeit your spot on the upgrade list once you board a Delta flight.
Sometimes, the gate agent may board the plane just before the door closes and give some lucky passengers what are colloquially known as “battlefield upgrades.” Those are when the gate agent (presumably) takes the upgrade list — even with the people who already boarded — and moves them up to First Class.
But gate agents have a lot going on just before a flight leaves. You can’t depend on battlefield upgrades.
Another tactic is something known as #TeamBoardLast.
My colleague René puts it this way: “…the last elites standing at the gate just before the door is closed get that open 1st class seat that was not filled by someone who did not make the flight (but was checked-in).”
Basically, you hang out until boarding is all but finished — then ask the gate agent if First Class boarded full. If it didn’t, show them you’re on the upgrade list and politely ask if there’s any chance you might be able to occupy one of those First Class seats.
Keep in mind we’re asking if First Class boarded full. That’s way different than “checked in” full. Gate agents sometimes say, “First Class checked in full” — sort of a Don’t wait around, board when your zone is called. I’ve also heard the occasional “First Class boarded full” as I’ve waited for my zone to be called.
I rarely play the TeamBoardLast game. If you wait too long to board and First Class is full, you might not have enough room for your carry-ons (if you didn’t check your luggage beforehand). That said, I know people who love playing the TeamBoardLast game — and occasionally have some good success with it.
Final Approach
A Reddit user posted an image of five Delta First Class seats purportedly going empty before the flight left. Upgrades are a major reason people pursue elite status. Loyalty needs to be a two-way street.
That said, there are some more important duties gate agents may have to fulfill before upgrades get processed.
Remember to ask about upgrades proactively — you are the customer — or play #TeamBoardLast.
What are your thoughts?
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Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
The only way to fix this is for Delta mgmt to penalize/reward GAs based on a %Completion KPI – their data shows exactly how many on List vs Filled.
I think this situation is getting worse…..over the last few weeks I have had several flights go out with empty FC seats (kinda nice when its the seat next to me), never before (since COVID time when seats were blocked) did I see FC seats go out empty with an extensive upgrade list. I also haven’t seen an agent come on a plane to upgrade anyone in quite some time……just sad and to be fair it seems the ATL agents are the worst.
Probably happened to me 5 or six times over the past two years or so. 95% of my connections are through ATL. I’ll be first or second on the UG list and we will depart with 1 or more empty FC seats. But I have also had the GA come get me after I had already been seated and moved me to FC. I’ve also been told to hold on prior to boarding because there might be a seat opened if I was willing to wait.
Nothing irritates me more than to see a FC seat go unused though.
A friend that works at the airlines told me that sometimes flights are payload optimized which means they need more weight in the rear of the plane so they do not upgrade anyone
Interesting point. Thanks to you and your friend!
Maybe it was because it is a small airport but last week going FCA-SLC after I was settled in my C+ seat the gate agent ran onboard and handed me a boarding pass to Seat 1A in FC. I was thrilled!
When I was starting my initial climb towards status (and routinely flying coach), I received a few complimentary Delta upgrades. Some of these were even on TATC / TPACs. Mind you, this was the 90s/early 2000s. It was enough to give me a taste of the good life.
As I flew more, I went through about a ten year period where I hit a 100% upgrade rate, flying 75-100 segments a year on Delta.
After that, I stopped playing the upgrade game, started flying less and simply purchasing the seats I want.
Now, on the rare short flights or last minute purchases, I’m routinely in the top three to five for upgrades. I am more often than not shut out.
Seeing people standing at the gate reloading the upgrade list always makes me chuckle.
If you want first, just buy it. Now with Delta peddling upgrades via miles and at time of check-in when sting of initial purchase price has warm off, expect availability to decrease even further. Chasing status for the hope of getting an upgrade when everyone’s elite is a waste of time, especially when there will ALWAYS be someone more elite than you vying for that last FC seat.
Set yourself free from the madness.
Most airports agents try to accommodate Delta FF on the upgrade list. The only time I’ve encountered vacant 1st class seats would be in Atlanta. I’m not sure if it’s due to too few agents to work the flight or poor customer service. What upsets me more, and it only happens in Atlanta, would be the gate agent giving away the 1st class seats to non-revenue (Crew/employees) when you have 30-50 FF on the upgrade list.
Delta needs to improve the customer service with it’s gate agents in Atlanta or at least staff more people to work a flight, including Red Coats.