Blocked seats on QF

[Erica E]

I recently flew ADL-MEL-PER in J. I booked the flight about three months prior to travelling using the Qantas website, and paid full price. However, from the time I made the booking, until the day I flew, all seats forward from row 3 on the ADL-PER 737 flight were blocked, so I chose 3A.

When I boarded the flight, a FA was seated beside me, and another was seated in 2F. Up until the morning of flying the website was still only showing seats free in row 3.

Why does a passengering FA get the better seat? Couldn't they have sat the two FA's together so at least I didn't have to watch someone enjoy a free meal when mine cost $600.00? I know that I'm only silver, but that's taken me a lot of flying, a lot of my dollars and blind loyalty to Qantas to achieve (I do not fly for work). I also faithfully pay my QC membership of almost five hundred dollars (!) each year.

There were a few more seats open on the MEL-PER A330 flight, but none further forward than row 4. Yet when we took off, there were seats forward of row 4 free.

I'm flying PER-DRW-PER in September (full fare J flights booked in February) and once again, all seats except row three are blocked. The same thing happened when we flew J PER-DRW-PER in April.

How does seat allocation work? I have read that it's all to do with status, and I know as QC silver I'm not high up on the list. I did think though that paying for a full fare might rank me a little higher than a Qantas employee.

 

[mannej]

It is about 80 hours before a flight where the seat map opens up.
This is when you need to check it to try and improve your seat allocation...

 

[Sprucegoose]

It is about 80 hours before a flight where the seat map opens up.
This is when you need to check it to try and improve your seat allocation...

We call it T-80, just to throw some intrique in!

 

[Travelqueen]

We call it T-80, just to throw some intrique in!

Hi,
is T-80 for both domestic and international seating?

TQ

 

[Joshua]

Domestic. WP should have access to the whole plane immediately after booking on international.

As for the original question, if you hadn't selected a seat you possibly wouldn't have ended up there! For J on a 73H it's nearly pointless. Row 1 CL/P1 can only preselect, row 2 WP can also select - everyone else row 3! Next time try at T-80 as mentioned or just try OLCI.

 

[Erica E]

Thanks Joshua. As you say, there are only twelve J seats on a 737 anyway. But I do check the seat map like a woman possessed before and after T minus 80; for my last six flights, all that's ever left are the last rows in J. Oh well, first world problem really.

I think I'm crosser about the FA's passengering in business.

 

[Hvr]

<snip>

I think I'm crosser about the FA's passengering in business.

Why would it be any of your business? You got a seat and as has been pointed out at T-80 (and T-48 and 24) you could've checked the seating again and possibly moved forward.

The seating arrangements of crew being moved to different locations is between them and their employer.

 

[Groundfeeder]

On my Dom flights I am always positioned around B738 row 17 upon booking. I have been generally successful in working my way up to my favoured 4A/F between T-80 and OLCI by constant monitoring.

 

[Rebekkap]

Domestic. WP should have access to the whole plane immediately after booking on international.

Not quite true. Everything but some of the bulkheads with bassinets. Which sometimes open up at T-24.

 

[eric2011]

Why would it be any of your business? You got a seat and as has been pointed out at T-80 (and T-48 and 24) you could've checked the seating again and possibly moved forward.

The seating arrangements of crew being moved to different locations is between them and their employer.

oops be a little bit gentle on the newbie LOL

 

[Pushka]

As silver even at T80 there are several rows still blocked as when I look in to my husband's account for that same PNR there are better seats to choose from than I can.

However, the seating arrangements for staff are none of my business. It isn't like they bump fare paying passengers. That would be completely different.

A friend of ours worked in catering and as part of their package they are allowed to book J class seats once a year to a holiday as long as the flight isn't full. So they do "pay" for it and if the staff are returning from somewhere else after their shift, well, they can sit wherever there are seats.

 

[JohnK]

I think I'm crosser about the FA's passengering in business.

This is what happens when the employer cares more about the award conditions of staff than paying customers.

Don't bring this subject up on AFF as you will be shot down in flames.

 

[mannej]

This is what happens when the employer cares more about the award conditions of staff than paying customers.

Don't bring this subject up on AFF as you will be shot down in flames.

Considering the stunts that the unions have pulled previously, don't you find it prudent that there are some benefits for the employees that work for QF? It's not as simple as what you make it out to be...

 

[equus]

It would seem call centre can allocate anywhere. As an SG had to call for the wonderful new JASA arrangement. As part of the booking, the consultant asked where we wanted to sit (on a 738) and was offering any row at all (all J seats available). Could have had row 1, but avoided due to equipment in lockers, but 2 of us happily allocated row 2 (SG and PS).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

It would seem call centre can allocate anywhere. As an SG had to call for the wonderful new JASA arrangement. As part of the booking, the consultant asked where we wanted to sit (on a 738) and was offering any row at all (all J seats available). Could have had row 1, but avoided due to equipment in lockers, but 2 of us happily allocated row 2 (SG and PS).

Never had any issue stowing fairly close to seat in row 1. I prefer it as its so much easier to get out of your seat with nobody reclining into you, especially from window seats which i prefer

 

[AWA2602]

Domestic. WP should have access to the whole plane immediately after booking on international.

As for the original question, if you hadn't selected a seat you possibly wouldn't have ended up there! For J on a 73H it's nearly pointless. Row 1 CL/P1 can only preselect, row 2 WP can also select - everyone else row 3! Next time try at T-80 as mentioned or just try OLCI.

My significant other (who routinely floats between QC Bronze & Silver) can only access seats from the middle to the back of whichever cabin we're travelling in if the booking is done through his FF login, so even as a WP1 being booked as the 2nd passenger on the itinerary we cant access seats any further forward than mid-cabin. But if we do it in reverse and book through my FF login with me as the first passenger then we can access seats in every row.

 

[OATEK]

T-80 worked for me today, I have moved from row 21 to row 10 so far. Will keep checking over next day or so, but this is a good start.

 

[Batesy]

Yep, moved myself from exit row on a QF 738 for this Friday to 4C.

 

[JohnK]

Considering the stunts that the unions have pulled previously, don't you find it prudent that there are some benefits for the employees that work for QF? It's not as simple as what you make it out to be...

Are we talking about Qantas office/management type employees or cabin crew?

Something does not quite sit right with me when I see the smug look of an FA sitting in business. It is worse when more than one of them are sitting in the business cabin and seated together. Perhaps they are saying it is now their turn to be pampered. I think it is arrogant and not a good look for business. Especially when the focus of the CSM is on the FA's and not the passengers.

As for normal Qantas employees I could not care any less what is written in their conditions. They should only ever have a cheap seat if there is absolutely no chance someone wants to upgrade or more importantly wants to pay for that seat. Want to go on holidays then pay the same as everyone else?

 

[MrJetset]

It is standard, across most carriers, that FAs who are non revving to or fro their station of work while fly in Business or First.

Frankly, as a pax, I have no problem with crew departing or arriving in a premium class on their way to or from work. This ensures they arrive to work fresh, alert and ready for a long sector. Equally so, after working possibly 9+ hours, I don't expect a FA or pilot to fly home in Y.