Could you please block out the seat next to me? VS Could you please block off the s

[B45]

Asking airline attendant:


Could you please block out the seat next to me?

VS

Could you please block off the seat next to me?

Are both the same?

 

[Rover_KE]

It depends what you mean by 'block off/out'.

 

[B45]

Leave the seat next to me empty so I can have the row to myself.

 

[Rover_KE]

Which 'airline attendant' do you mean? The clerk at check-in, or a cabin crew member?

 

[B45]

The clerk at check-in.

 

[Rover_KE]

She'd probably say 'Only if you're going to pay for it'.

 

[B45]

Yes, that's what she said, but is:


Asking airline attendant:

Could you please block out the seat next to me?

VS

Could you please block off the seat next to me?

Are they the same?

 

[Rover_KE]

I wouldn't use either version.

 

[Raymott]

No, you say, "I'd like to book two adjacent seats, please - both for me." or something like that. If you're going to pay for it and use it, there's no question of "blocking it off". And it's not "the seat next to me". It's one of your seats.

 

[B45]

If you're a frequent traveler, it's okay to request to have the seat next to you blocked out or blocked off. My question is which one is correct.

Please google for more information. It's too hard for me to explain.

 

[Raymott]

It seems that both terms are used by airlines. So, the attendant would probably understand both.
One site suggested that 'blocking off' such seats does happen rarely for preferred flyers in business and first-class seats.

Also, "Airlines will not 'block' out a seat on request so that you do not have to sit next to someone. Every seat on an aircraft is for sale. The airline is trying to make money."
http://www.airlineguru.com.au/planning-for-travel/seat-assignments

 

[SoothingDave]

I wouldn't ask for the seats next to my seat to be blocked, I would ask for a seat in a row without any other seats reserved.