Domestic Seat Selection - Good or Bad?

[Homer]

I'm sure this must have been asked before but I can't find it in a search. Please feel free to redirect me to a thread if there is already one for this question.

I've just booked four domestic flights for the first time since the advance seat selection was introduced. All flights are in Y. I've noticed that the front couple of rows of Y are marked as occupied, as are the exit rows that you normally see blocked out.

Is QF blocking "good" seats, in addition to the exit row seats that have always been blocked, for high status pax that don't happen to pre-select? If so, am I better off not selecting any seats and taking my chances at the airport? Is this whole advance seat selection thing a good idea or a bad idea for WPs?

 

[flyer4703]

I was wondering the same thing. I booked six flights yesterday and the best seat I could get was row six. Rows four and five were blocked for all flights.
Before advanced seat selection I could usually manage row four for 90% of my bookings.
I suppose you can try and change your seat when you check in online, that is what I will be trying to do, it will interesting to see if the other seats will open up.

 

[oz_mark]

As discussed on the other threads, it all changes at T-80 hours from your flight. At that point you may be able to snag the rows up front.

 

[pyffii]

According to the lovely girls at the WP desk CL have 100% choice of seating whilst WP have slightly less, hence WP unable to select rows 4 or 5...Point taken that this all changes at T-80

 

[Homer]

According to the lovely girls at the WP desk CL have 100% choice of seating whilst WP have slightly less, hence WP unable to select rows 4 or 5...Point taken that this all changes at T-80

Good to know, and that explains what I'm seeing. I wonder how they came up with 80 hours though? A neat 72 hours, for example, would have made it easier to work out when to get cracking on re-selecting those already selected seats...

 

[samh004]

I'm sure this must have been asked before but I can't find it in a search. Please feel free to redirect me to a thread if there is already one for this question.

You’ll find a lot of information here.

 

[oz_mark]

Good to know, and that explains what I'm seeing. I wonder how they came up with 80 hours though? A neat 72 hours, for example, would have made it easier to work out when to get cracking on re-selecting those already selected seats...

I can't explain why 80 hours, but at T-80 the flight moves into the departure control window, at which time profile preferences start to come into play.

 

[JohnK]

I wouldn't worry Homer.

Pre-select the best seat you can get at booking time and then at T-80 hours and onwards work your way to the front row of economy. Sometimes this require to check 3-4 or times before getting there but you need to play the game otherwise you will be left behind.

The other day I went ahead and preselected seats for all my booked flights. Row 25 (some are actually bulkhead or behind crew rest area) on 767-338's, row 26 (bulkhead) on 767-336's and row 6 on the 734's and 738's. Believe it or not on all my flights I was the only one to pre-select a seat at the front of the cabin.

 

[Homer]

The other day I went ahead and preselected seats for all my booked flights. Row 25 (some are actually bulkhead or behind crew rest area) on 767-338's, row 26 (bulkhead) on 767-336's and row 6 on the 734's and 738's. Believe it or not on all my flights I was the only one to pre-select a seat at the front of the cabin.

On a related topic, and since you mentioned it, soon I'm travelling from SYD-CNS on a 767-300 but I can't work out which type it is. I think it is the type 2 shown on SeatGuru. Rows 23 and 24 are in that little section behind J (which I can't select at this time), there is no row 25 and the first row I can select is 26. However SeatGuru says that the galley/bulkhead in front of the middle seats (and I need three seats) restricts the legroom. Currently I've selected row 27 but I'll feel like a goose if I get on and row 26 is actually a good row! Do you think I've got the right 763?

 

[serfty]

You would have the 'right' 763 (these are ex BA).

Row 23 on the ZX's have cut outs at the bottom so foot space is not an issue.

Row 26 is different and there is less foot space. 178cm or taller may find it a pain on longer domestic flights.

 

[Homer]

Thanks serfty. I'll hold out for row 23 during T-80 otherwise stick with row 27.

 

[JohnK]

I think row 23 on the ex-BA 767's is quite good.

You said there are three of you travelling so you try and get the 3 seats in the centre.

For single travellers be very careful pre-selecting 23AB, 23F, 24AB on the 767's. There may be a late aircraft change and you may end with the 767-338 international configuration and as these seats are missing who knows where you will end up sitting.

I have a flight this coming Friday BNE-SYD and it is a 767-336 with 23AB available and 23DEFJK taken so I chose 24D for now. Should be able to get first row by Friday.

 

[oz_mark]

I think row 23 on the ex-BA 767's is quite good.

Is anything good about those planes?

 

[JohnK]

Is anything good about those planes?

Yes apart from directional air vents.

Apparently, for all those keen on trivial news, Qantas has just renewed the lease on these aircraft so they are not being phased out just yet....