Can't select seats but they are empty when the plane takes off

[Rdarby]

I've searched on this and found similar discussions, but not quite this:

I go online and can select a seat as part of check in. Large parts of the plane often show up as not available.

However when I get on I find that many seats are not occupied.

I tried to work out a pattern, and it may be that middle seats are being automatically blocked out but I am not sure.

It can be annoying as often there are whole rows free or isle seats free that I wanted but could not actually select.

It's too many seats for it to be people not showing up.

Is there some sort of algorythm at play here?

Thanks

 

[MarkD]

First few rows are for Status Pax usually.
Main reason though I would think would be weight and balance. Basically, On lightly loaded flights, pax (weight) would need to be distributed throughout the aircraft, so it can be balanced properly, and able to be flown safely.
I dont know how the airline systems work, but I assume when you check in, get your bages weighed etc, the computer would be automatically doing the numbers, and allocating to assist in balance. I know airlines used to have load control, in the bowels of the terminal, who distributed the weight etc from there, but these days, I would think it would be all computerised

 

[under the radar]

yep..weight and balance (load control) is crucial to safely getting an aircraft off the ground..and cargo/pax need to be balanced to achieve this..and this is more of a 'balancing act' when a flight is lighty loaded...cargo also has various limitations/requirements attached to its loading...(its actually a complicated process)...hence you may find 'clumps' of pax throughout the aircraft for takeoff...and thats also why the requirement for pax to stay in their assigned seat for takeoff is important..its a blanket requirement because we all know if a pax sees another pax move seats (especially to the rear of the a/c) before takeoff..then everyone does it..and thats when the problems with weight distribution start..so if a flight attendant asks you to stay in your assigned seat for takeoff...dont give them a hard time...its for a reason! and yes..all cargo/pax data is computerised to achieve this 'balancing act'

 

[QF WP]

Consider that about 70% of the plane will have been allocated their preferred seating. Window & aisle taken first and then forward middle will be taken by those desperate to get off quickly and they'll accept the cramped situation particularly on short trunk routes). Then the seriously non-status fliers get a chance to allocate and will take whatever seats they can get (not always where they'd prefer to be).

As for algorithms, too advanced for me to contemplate trying to understand them.

There are always fliers that change plans (and planes) at last minute, leaving some really good seats sometimes available for allocation - some taken by those in the Club Lounges and sometimes downstairs at check-in.

 

[pshepvic]

On Virgin flights (well, domestic anyway) I think I've worked out the following are blocked:
- Row 3 & 4, all seats - blocked for Gold and Platinum
- Row 5-8 DEF seats (might even be a couple more rows, not sure) - most of the time blocked out for airport allocation (generally given to status pax who haven't selected a seat online or have booked late and are moved forward) - this was contained in a internal comms doc published on here at the time the DJ-NZ alliance kicked off - don't remember which thread it was in
- Rows 5-8 ABC (again, could be a couple more rows than that) - blocked for Silver, but Gold & Platinum can also select

So the best a non-status pax can select is at least a third of the way down the aircraft, but that also depends on how many status pax have preallocated as mentioned previously. The airport also frequently blocks seats next to status pax (especially Platinum).

 

[eastwest101]

On Virgin flights (well, domestic anyway) I think I've worked out the following are blocked:
......
So the best a non-status pax can select is at least a third of the way down the aircraft, but that also depends on how many status pax have preallocated as mentioned previously. The airport also frequently blocks seats next to status pax (especially Platinum).

Sound plausible to me on most of my narrow-body travels, but it is surprising on VA how often I end up in a full rows of 3 when there is a completely empty row opposite or immediately behind, I have noticed that VA flights are now getting more full, but the occasional empty one I see seems to have a lot of passenger "clumping" going on - compared to QF.

JQ load computers seem to like "clumping" people together as well.

 

[clarkkent]

- Rows 5-8 ABC (again, could be a couple more rows than that) - blocked for Silver, but Gold & Platinum can also select

I think it also depends on the fare: on a Saver, Silver is restricted to row 8 and up, but on a Flexi it's possible to choose row 5.

 

[LiamR]

On Virgin flights (well, domestic anyway) I think I've worked out the following are blocked:
- Row 3 & 4, all seats - blocked for Gold and Platinum
- Row 5-8 DEF seats (might even be a couple more rows, not sure) - most of the time blocked out for airport allocation (generally given to status pax who haven't selected a seat online or have booked late and are moved forward) - this was contained in a internal comms doc published on here at the time the DJ-NZ alliance kicked off - don't remember which thread it was in
- Rows 5-8 ABC (again, could be a couple more rows than that) - blocked for Silver, but Gold & Platinum can also select.

Summed it up perfectly.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Saw this from July last year (albeit for VA's trans-Tasman flights (then Pacific Blue), which may explain the seating availability a little more... of course, this may have changed somewhat (other than Business replacing PE), but may help to also explain why you aren't able to select certain rows and seats.

 

[pshepvic]

Saw this from July last year (albeit for VA's trans-Tasman flights (then Pacific Blue), which may explain the seating availability a little more... of course, this may have changed somewhat (other than Business replacing PE), but may help to also explain why you aren't able to select certain rows and seats. View attachment 6912

That's the one I was talking about!


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[ChrisFlyer]

That's the one I was talking about!

Ahh ok! It's in a PDF file located in the travel agent section on the Air NZ website... there's one there for Air NZ too! ... haven't been able to find one for the eJets, 330s or the ATRs though

 

[pshepvic]

I don't think there is one for the e-jets or A330 as it was only for trans-Tasman to show the alignment between Air NZ and Virgin.


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