Do you always select the seat if available?

[Pleb Status]

I was booking a few VA Happy Hour fares this afternoon (at a saving of $431 or 47% off the prevailing QF pricing for the same flights) and when it came to select my seats, I preallocated my usual 3D in YX.

I normally preallocate and travel in 3D on the 73H and 1K on the 332. Experience has shown that these seats are probably the best on those particular aircraft and although I had effectively had the whole aircraft to choose from this afternoon, I just not see the need to deviate from the seat I normally sit in.

Do others always sit in the same seat if available or do you mix it up?

Mods: If you could edit the title to say 'the same seat' it would be appreciated as that is what I meant to post...

 

[serfty]

I select the best available seat to suit my desires on booking.

If there a better but allocated seat, I set an expertflyer seat alert.

 

[Hvr]

I always choose the best seat available and check often and at appropriate times to see if there is a better seat.

 

[serfty]

Even more ... I have chosen one flight
over another due to specific seat availability.

. . . but that's generally been long haul.

 

[Sdtravel]

I always choose the best seat available and check often and at appropriate times to see if there is a better seat.

Pretty much describes how i do it.

For upcoming flights i booked months ago i have been checking roughly every week. Its getting to be every few days now and we are about 2 weeks away.

 

[Archipelago]

I fly frequent short-haul flights around SE Asia. First criteria is time of day, then price, so I do switch airlines depending on who has what available (we are spoiled for choice up here, unlike back in Oz)
Once I have settled on the flight, then I will usually try to get the same seat, forward row window.
If its not available I will choose the nearest, then get to the airport early and see if they can change it at check in. On the routes I fly, they tend to block the first one or two rows from seat allocation, so asking nicely on arrival to airport tends to get me what I want.

 

[eric2011]

No matter what plane type its always the window on the right side of the craft and as far to the front as my class will allow (usually business), only exception is when on a 1-2 seating will I take the left side so both mrs eric2011 and I can get a window

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Economy only for me sadly. Aisle on the right side of the plane, if flying a Virgin 737 it is usually near row 27 for ease of disembarkation. If flying Qantas long haul then I like just in front of the crew rest area on the A330.

 

[Mattg]

I have a few favourite seats (e.g. 4C on the QF 737) but do mix it up. If it's a day flight under 2 hours then I'll almost always choose the window. If it's a route I'm not familiar with I'll plug the route into GC Mapper to check which side of the aircraft is likely to have better views before choosing the seat.

Anything longer (especially overnight flights) I'll always choose an aisle seat.

 

[Flying Fox]

I like to select my own seats but I have been called OCD before.

I don't like to leave it to the check-in staff!

 

[JohnK]

These days I choose 6D on Qantas and 7D on Virgin and don't worry too much about improving the seat.

With Qantas if I remember at T-80 hours to check if 4D becomes available but I'm not sure that's a good thing as greater change of spare seat in 6D

 

[Matt_01]

I tend to sit in the same seats or in the general vicinity, just habit.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Most (>98%) of my flying is planned several months out so on QF I usually get my first choice immediately as a P1: 1A/K or 4C/D on the B737, 2A on the A330 and A380. EK is 1K on the B777 and 2K on the A380. BA is 2K on A380/B777.

ExpertFlyer alerts for when these are not available.

 

[ICUDr]

Sort of.. My basic rule is to fly on a window seat on the side of the plane away from the sun/sunrise. The risk of skin cancer due to higher amounts of UV lights bothers me

If flying northbound, flying with a bag pack only and if it’s an early morning flight I choose 1A or 3A. If flying with a carry on then (just to be polite and put the carry on above and my bag pack underneath the seat in front of me)

I do 60% of my flights on QF Link. So have to wait until online check in opens.

VA: Same rule applies. However I do prefer VA for longer domestic flights due to free Economy X (as a WP)

JQ: For a quick acces I choose the second last row. As the last row’s luggage area is always full of the cabin crew’s luggage

 

[ozbeachbabe]

As long as you allocate something. It's amazing how many pax (particularly WP's & SG's) don't pre-allocate anything at all thinking that having a generic request for an aisle or window seat in their profile is some kind of ironclad guarantee that they'll get it.

 

[kermatu]

I always allocate and yes, tend to stick to the same seats. Will only vary if it is a window seat and I want or don't want the sun on that particular flight (I always prefer to keep shades open).

I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with seats, but have chosen alternative flights within a couple of hours of preferred time if my favoured seats are not available (eg, row 4 on a QF 737 in Y)!

Given I fly a lot having a usual spot suits me. You know when you get served, what legroom or storage you have etc etc. Only downside is on a couple of occasions I have boarded a plane confident I'm in my usual seat for that aircraft, only to find someone in it, causing me to check my BP before making a scene (or fool of myself) and realise I'm sitting elsewhere.

 

[Himeno]

If I'm able to get in to the booking and select seats is available, I will always pick a seat.

I like window seats on long flights and aisle seats on short flights.

 

[MickC32]

I once started a crossword in the QF mag on a PER-ADL trip in 4A.......finished it on the way back (same seat, same aircraft, same mag!!) Made me think that I tend to choose the same seat a lot!

 

[Awesom Andy]

When I'm flying short-haul by myself these days, I have actually stopped choosing seats. It's no difference from catching a bus, really. With my +2s, it's either the bassinet if one is available, or anywhere that looks like there will be a spare seat if a bassinet isn't available.

 

[Bindibuys]

I always choose my seat. Not always in same location, as factors such as side the sun will be on and overhead storage are factors to be considered.