Unknown Rider

Yep, that's what I meant. Seems like if you could show you jumpseated in they would have to agree that it's ok. I've thought about doing the same in Central America but am afraid the same thing might happen and would hate to have to buy a ticket home at the last minute.

Sniper

No 'jumpseat' per se on BA. You have to use non-rev benefits.

Last time I used BA internationally I bought a ZED fare for LHR-SEA, which is good on any carrier that accepts ZED's. Since LHR-SEA is the most 'zones', the ticket is actually essentially a ticket from London to anywhere in the US that's no further than SEA (so, pretty much anywhere). The downside is, if you fly a shorter flight (less zones), you don't get a refund of the difference. But ZED's are refundable if you don't use them, so, it is, all in all, still a cheaper option than buying a ticket.

You go to the BA non-rev travel desk, get in line, and list for the flight you want. You can only list for 1 BA flight @ a time, so, based on the #'s, you might want to have some flexibility, so you could take the LAX or SFO flight if the SEA flight leaves around the same time and isn't looking good, then make your way up to SEA with a domestic jumpseat.

BA releases the seats about 40 minutes b/f departure, and gives you an expedited security screening pass (a shorter line). I hurried to the gate, and then acted like a jumpseater, making sure I was listed @ the gate and then asking the crew if I could catch a ride. Myself and a gate agent from a major US carrier were boarded early and placed in the FA rest seats (middle row, back of coach) for T/O and landing by the F/A's, and then we were moved to two coach seats that were inop'd b/c the armrest in between them was busted during cruise. I'm not sure if all the premium seats were occupied. The flightdeck was unavailable for security reasons.

So, I never would have made the flight without some accommodation by BA's crew, but I would not necessarily make BA my first choice, since jumpseating costs less (just taxes and fees) and the US crews will usually offer a premium seat if available.

That's how it worked in 2005, at least. Good luck.

xjtguy

Yeah dude, I KNOW. Which is what I referenced in my post, that you quoted directly.

Auger In

Thanks Sniper. I appreciate the info.

supernaut

Occasionally I have run into agents that think you mean you want to ride on the flight deck when you tell them you want to jumpseat. On more than one occasion I have had to explain to them that I am riding in the back but using the jumpseat system in order to travel. At least twice I've actually had to get a supervisor involved to explain it to the agent. Surprisingly, one of the times it was at Frankfurt. You would have thought that a major airport like that would get so much action that all the agents would be familiar.