Virgin Atlantic & Air France ZEDs

Does VS or AF seat ZEDs in first class, if available?

I know ZEDs are lowest priority, but four flights a day LAX-LHR ... I could stand around for that. ;-)

Thanks.

Generally it depends on who you work for. I'm with UA, and while we don't have agreements in F for either airline (for that matter, I'm not sure if we have agreements with Virgin at all, I know we don't with AF) we do with many Star Alliance carriers. But I think outside of that ecosystem, it's quite rare.

Bottom line: look where you order a ZED fare. If you can't get a ticket in first or business, you probably can't sit there. But if you're lucky, they may upgrade a revenue passenger to make room for you in Y. I've heard that is official policy for Lufthansa, for example.

Very few airlines have zed or ID agreements for First Class (think this was discussed before) But we also need to distinguish between first and business class especially on long haul international flights. VS for example does not have a first class. Their highest class of service is business class which they cheekily market as "Upper Class" Many legacy carriers are slowly phasing out first class service and cabins alltogether. For us staff passengers flying zed on another carrier, it all depends on the agreement. Mainly among alliance partners there's the option to purchase business class, and fingers crossed and even more prayers than normal, you sit up front. Of course the tickets are more expensive. As sponge said UA and LH as founding members of Star Alliance perhaps, give their employees that option on each other's metal.

If you purchase your tickets via myidtravel you see clearly with whom you may purchase the business class zeds. Its divided into columns C ( for biz) and Y (economy class) then with low, medium or high price bracket

I just flew AF (A330) and despite all the empty first class seats, I sat in coach, as is policy w/them. I did have a nice seat row 4. Plenty of leg room (no bulkhead wall) but that darned heavy curtain hanging around my legs was annoying. Hey, what do I want for $42? Hardly, long-haul--my flt was 1 1/2 hrs. I think the longest haul was around CDG getting to a gate.

With Delta's agreements, ZED on VS and AF is hilariously cheap! Wishing for first/business class is just greedy, I guess. But I do not repent.
We're looking at going back to Zambia again and I'm scouting alternate routes and carriers. That's how this came up.
Does anybody use FlightStats to check carriers on specific routes - it's a great resource. It has limits on future outlook - usually only 3 or 4 days, but it gives you a snapshot that you can verify on a scheduling website (carrier, Kayak, etc.).

Thanks for the intel. FOMTS (Father Of My Three Sons)

FOMTS--zed lows for DL nonrevs are excellent. I haven't done any VS yet. I go back and forth between itamatrix and idtravel to get ideas/schedules. I start w/moving map for DL/codeshare options, then sort thru the other sites. Love any resourceful nonrevs--you know how to work it, dad!

The days of automitcally putting staff in the free seats up front are long gone unfortunately. DL used to be quite generous, regardless of priority or carrier you worked for.

Out of curiosity, addressing this to other forum members, can you purchase ZED business class on OAL carriers. Such as those in your alliance. Or co-operation and joint venture partners? Eg, DL and VS. Or within Skyteam etc.

At Star Alliance, LH and UA, as well LH and Thai, TAP, Avianca and quite some others. We can purchase and fly in business class.

frapos--I think it came from the merger--there are only so many nonrevs vying for seats on their own carrier. One we added all the extended family members... When you have multiple connection lines + mainline emps/rets/nondeps, there are only so many seats on ANY flight. Times have changed and that's how things go now. Great points, frapos!

Flown AF 4 times and no upgrade
Flown VS 7 times and was put up front once(SFO-LHR)