Seat reservation changed [Moved from Paid Exit seats ($360 all up)]

Status
Not open for further replies.
Just wanted to note that it sounds like the ticket was sold in the UK, not Australia. Not sure if that makes a difference.



Actually, it is 27kg. Seat Selection Conditions | Qantas

But considering the flight will be either on an A380 or possibly a 747 (with the broken A380) I have to question the applicability of this requirement. In any case, 15kg is not an issue if we consider that they will most likely be travelling with that weight in luggage. 27kg ain't that much more.

Ex UK the contract law side will be the same, and they have broadly similar consumer protection laws. I don't know the best avenues for the latter - in Australia it's a simple call to your local state Consumer Affairs office.

Emergency exit doors on the 747 are power assisted in the event of an emergency. Not 100% certain about the A380 (I suspect they will be as well?).

In the event power assist fails, plenty of people, crew and [perfectly able] passengers alike, would struggle opening a big door with the slide attached to the aircraft.
 
I agree. But that doesn't really come into it for an emergency when the choice might be stay and die, or lift 27 kg.

Agree.

But making passengers agree to being able to lift that amount or not be able to sit there is just - strange.
 
I agree. But that doesn't really come into it for an emergency when the choice might be stay and die, or lift 27 kg.

medhead, please be real. An exit row is where it all happens when things go bad. Do you think that to have this row populated by 70+ year olds is ideal?????
 
None of this stuff about being considered unsuitable for an exit row weeks before the flight is irrelevant - as per the t&c's cited above any such decision is made at the airport, not before:
Qantas has the sole discretion, at check-in or boarding, to determine whether a passenger meets the requirements to sit in an Exit Row Seat. If the passenger does not meet the requirements, they will be assigned a different seat.
I smell, as they say on FT, SHENAnigans ...
 
Just like to say - we are aged 70 & 72 and we are both very fit - we always travel with Qantas in exit row seats were available and our fitness has never been an issue. However, I do agree in principle that there perhaps should be an age restriction. That being said, we would not have minded if that were the reason but we should have been informed. Qantas have not contacted us AT ALL in any of this, I have had to do all the running. Regarding the refund, the procedure is apparently, that we fill out a refund application form after the flight.
 
medhead, please be real. An exit row is where it all happens when things go bad. Do you think that to have this row populated by 70+ year olds is ideal?????

A fit, active, and healthy 70 year old may be much better equipped than a 27 year old who's overweight, had a heavy night out, and is hungover the next for their flight.

It's an outdated proposition to suggest age 70 (in 2015) is reason alone, without any other impairment, to ban someone from an exit row.

I'd rather have a 70 year old former (or still serving!!) cabin crew member, or just-retired commerical airline pilot sitting at an exit door than some younger pot-smoking couch potato.
 
medhead, please be real. An exit row is where it all happens when things go bad. Do you think that to have this row populated by 70+ year olds is ideal?????

I need to get real? Your comment doesn't even related to my quoted post. You also didn't raise age as an issue. You raised lifting 15kg. So what do you wish to debate lifting weight or having people of a certain age in an exit row?

I'm also waiting to hear how either issue is a reason to defend Qantas' failure of customer service in this case.

Personally, I realise that all people are individuals and I'm happy to accept the OPs word that he has no problem meeting the requirements. I've met a few people during my life who confirm that a 70 year can be capable of lift 27kg. A 70-80 year who I shared a train trip to cairns who could nimble up to the top bunk on a triple berth cabin. SWMBO's grandfather, who left us this year at 93, who could've lifted significant weight. He hung in a tree all night after breaking his back during an emergency exit from an aircraft. I've known 50 to 60 year olds who could sling a 50kg machine gun onto their shoulder. I've even fireman's carried someone who has half a foot on me and who weighted at least 130 kg.
 
Just like to say - we are aged 70 & 72 and we are both very fit - we always travel with Qantas in exit row seats were available and our fitness has never been an issue. However, I do agree in principle that there perhaps should be an age restriction. That being said, we would not have minded if that were the reason but we should have been informed. Qantas have not contacted us AT ALL in any of this, I have had to do all the running. Regarding the refund, the procedure is apparently, that we fill out a refund application form after the flight.

Just because qantas 'says' you have to fill in a refund form after the flight doesn't mean that that has the firmest of legal legs to stand on.

A company can't take money for services, at some point in time make a decision to refuse to provide those services (though no fault of the passenger), and then refuse a refund until the company decides it is convenient for it.

Now if the refund isn't a pressing issue - you may choose to leave the process until after the flight.
 
Last edited:
...Qantas' failure of customer service in this case......

medhead, your comments are typical of someone who likes to throw stones but has no solution. What would you do? Would you, as an airline, accept a 99 year old person to man an exit row? How would you manage this issue? Stop throwing stones and explain what you think is correct.......
 
A fit, active, and healthy 70 year old may be much better equipped than a 27 year old who's overweight, had a heavy night out, and is hungover the next for their flight.

It's an outdated proposition to suggest age 70 (in 2015) is reason alone, without any other impairment, to ban someone from an exit row.

I'd rather have a 70 year old former (or still serving!!) cabin crew member, or just-retired commerical airline pilot sitting at an exit door than some younger pot-smoking couch potato.

And how is the airline meant to decide on this prior to departure????????
 
Elevate your business spending to first-class rewards! Sign up today with code AFF10 and process over $10,000 in business expenses within your first 30 days to unlock 10,000 Bonus PayRewards Points.
Join 30,000+ savvy business owners who:

✅ Pay suppliers who don’t accept Amex
✅ Max out credit card rewards—even on government payments
✅ Earn & transfer PayRewards Points to 10+ airline & hotel partners

Start earning today!
- Pay suppliers who don’t take Amex
- Max out credit card rewards—even on government payments
- Earn & Transfer PayRewards Points to 8+ top airline & hotel partners

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

I don't buy the age/health issue at all. If this were the case surely it would affect both directions of travel.
 
And how is the airline meant to decide on this prior to departure????????

The airline doesn't have to. The airline is only responsible for ensuring, at the time of take-off (and landing), that a person meets the exit row requirements.

There is no requirement for them to do this at any time before the passenger turns up at the airport and is given a boarding pass.

if the passenger knowingly fails to meet the requirements, they know the penalty... they will be moved. And it's a risk assumed by the passenger. Someone in a back office at an airline doesn't need to sit there with a crystal ball and work out in advance if someone isn't going to be suitable to sit there.
 
Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

while we're on the subject of being ageist... who particularly wants a 15 year old sitting at an exit assisting to open it etc etc?

is a 15 year old better equipped than a 70 year old to determine outside conditions? and to make a real time risk assessment based on years of life experience?
 
while we're on the subject of being ageist... who particularly wants a 15 year old sitting at an exit assisting to open it etc etc?

is a 15 year old better equipped than a 70 year old to determine outside conditions? and to make a real time risk assessment based on years of life experience?

I reckon so. People are told under what conditions to open the door or not open it. If it involved any personal judgement then really are most travellers equipped?
 
And how is the airline meant to decide on this prior to departure????????

It seems the airline has published where such decision is to be made:
Qantas has the sole discretion, at check-in or boarding, to determine whether a passenger meets the requirements to sit in an Exit Row Seat. If the passenger does not meet the requirements, they will be assigned a different seat.
 
medhead, your comments are typical of someone who likes to throw stones but has no solution. What would you do? Would you, as an airline, accept a 99 year old person to man an exit row? How would you manage this issue? Stop throwing stones and explain what you think is correct.......

You're confusing 2 separate issues. The short answer to your post has already been posted. The age issue has nothing to do with the poor service. I've also read part of the the solution in one of your posts in thread. Perhaps you might like to review those. Nothing more for me to write while you continue to conflate other matters with the poor service by qantas.

Whatever the issues re age/health etc I reckon we all agree it has been very poorly handled by Qantas.
 
As this has apparently been pointed to RedRoo, why don't we wait for her response. She can, after all, access the facts.

With regard to the door...none of you have ever opened one. 27kg may not be all that heavy when you try to pick it up in your garage, but it will not be in a reasonable position for you to grasp and hold it. It is, after all, the 'wall' of the aircraft. Additionally, you really need to be able to throw it out, and not let it come into the aircraft. If it falls back in, and you don't get rid of it immediately, you are in great danger of either blocking the exit, or being trapped in situ as everyone else charges out over the top of you.

But....as far as I can tell, these doors actually disappeared with the 767s.

With regard to who can sit at the door (any exit door, and this is only from my perspective)....able bodied people come in all ages and shapes. And so do people who will panic, get in the way, carry their luggage, and everything else that you can think of. A sensible teenager would be much more use than a panicky 35 year old.

If the slide assist fails, the door can be opened, slide notwithstanding, but you will need strong help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Currently Active Users

Back
Top