Airline Trip

[Passenger]

Does airlines have to provide reasonable accommodation to people with temporary disability. For example I had a knee operation few months ago, and I requested a front seat on the American Airline plane so I can extend my leg when I purchased the ticket. When I got to the gate they did not give me the first row as I requested instead they gave me the second row ofcousre I objected. But the bottom line I had a five-hour flight that was very painful. I complained to the airline after the trip and that was a waste of a phone call. What are the legal responsibilities for the airline in this instance, Cause I'd like to get some pay back.
Thanks

 

[keeshy2]

As far as I know, they have no responsibility for this. I think the only accomodation they are required to give is assistance via wheelchair for people who have mobility problems. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis & they gave you what they had. They try to accomodate you, but they can only do so much. If those seats had already been assigned to someone who checked in before you, they don't have to move them to accomodate you.
In my opinion, EVERY seat in coach is uncomfortable for more than 1 hour. That's why I request exit rows - a little more leg room. But if they're full, I take what I can get.
United & I think American have changed their policies in the last few months so that the first few rows in coach go to their highest level of frequent flyers (aka the people who shell out $$$). I found this out on a cross-country trip when I was denied the Economy Plus on United - it is reserved EXCLUSIVELY for upper echelon frequent flyers.

I don't work for an airline either - I'm just a frequent traveler who knows some people in the airline industry... they work hard too.

 

[Passenger]

The only problem I see is that I did reserve a front row seat when I purchased the ticket. and they told me, they just took my seat a gave it to some one else.

 

[keeshy2]

This is unfair, but this is how the airlines work:

Until you have a boarding pass with a specific seat number, any seat you have been promised is not yours. What the reservation agent & what the ticket counter see are different - the ticketing agent probably did not see your request & therefore had given those seats to the first people who physically checked in & asked for them.
You can make reservations through a travel agent with confirmed seating, get to the counter in the airport, show them your ticket, & still not get that confirmed seat. I had this happen in June on a flight to Jamaica - we had confirmed seats together but since we didn't have the same last name, the airline assumed we weren't flying together & separated us to accomodate a family. Needless to say, I won't be flying Air Jamaica again...
I'm sorry you had to make that trip in an uncomfortable seat - I've done it too. I have a bad right knee. When I can't get a seat in the exit rows, I ask for an aisle seat on the left side of the plane and stick my leg in the aisle. If anyone bumps it I tell them to watch out & that I have a bad knee. I usually get moved to a seat with more legroom