Economy X Row 3 - what is so good about it?

[ozstamps]

IMHO Row #3 in one of the remaining FEW benefits of Plat.

We always book 3A and 3C and mostly centre is left empty.

Why anyone would want to put their bag under seat above, and restrict their legroom when you get exclusive overhead bins is something a Psychiatric Thesis will be based on, one day!

 

[Harthagan]

IMHO Row #3 in one of the remaining FEW benefits of Plat.

We always book 3A and 3C and mostly centre is left empty.

Why anyone would want to put their bag under seat above, and restrict their legroom when you get exclusive overhead bins is something a Psychiatric Thesis will be based on, one day!

I think the poster cited the reason as prefering to have easy access to his things during the flight.

I know there have been occasions when i dont want my carry on to be out of my sight although that is admittedly rare.

 

[JohnK]

Why anyone would want to put their bag under seat above, and restrict their legroom when you get exclusive overhead bins is something a Psychiatric Thesis will be based on, one day!

I had quite a few VA flights where I was in row 3. Not once could I put laptop bag in overhead above row 3 as it was usually full of crew carry on luggage. And there's no way the crew allow you to store carry-on in empty business class overhead bins.

I try to avoid any sort of crew interaction on VA. Row 7 suits me just fine.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Even though the overhead bin above economy X is supposed to be solely for economy X and ideally, there would be enough space up there for everyone's bags, but truth be told, it can be stuffed full, even if the flight attendants don't have items there, as VA/VFF PS can have 2 carry on items, (I always only have 1), but have noticed that a lot of people do carry on 2 items, and if everyone in economy X does that, plus flight attendants items, of course overhead bins are going to be full.
And there are some pax who feel its their right to do rearranging up there of items.
Its a poor person's business class, thats what economy X is.

 

[Bagpuss]

Also to point out..
Row 3 has been in its current format since the VA branding was first rolled out to the B737's and at that time Economy X did not exist. Therefore row 3 was exclusive to platinum's and was available to Gold T-24 (I think).

With Economy X there is now the options of rows 4 or 5.

I would fall into the category of being "legacy" and sticking to row 3 and not really putting to much thought around rows 4 or 5. I imagine others may fall into this category of being a "Row 3 loyalist".

 

[Pleb Status]

I had quite a few VA flights where I was in row 3. Not once could I put laptop bag in overhead above row 3 as it was usually full of crew carry on luggage. And there's no way the crew allow you to store carry-on in empty business class overhead bins.

Crew baggage over row 3 used to be a bit of an issue (but no worse than over row 4 on QF) but I have not encountered crew baggage over row 3 since YX was introduced.

 

[Pleb Status]

.....category of being a "Row 3 loyalist".

All other rows are only there to separate row 3 from the toilets...

 

[serfty]

@JohnK - I believe that since the introduction of economy X, crew are not permitted to use the bins above those rows.

Other than that its never really been an issue for me.

I like the noone reclining into you facit mainly.

VA WP is easy to earn for a regular flyer and row 3 is a good domestic benefit.

 

[JohnK]

VA WP is easy to earn for a regular flyer and row 3 is a good domestic benefit.[/USER]

I used to think the same but changed to preferring QF row 6 and VA row 7 and my success with a shadow is much better than it was in first row of economy.

 

[serfty]

I don't care so much about a shadow - it's the row with no seat directly in front that is more my desire.

 

[Pleb Status]

The perfect seatmap on a relatively full flight thanks to YX....



I booked quite late so missed out on my preferred 3D (or 3C if desperate).

 

[Harthagan]

The perfect seatmap on a relatively full flight thanks to YX....

View attachment 151337

I booked quite late so missed out on my preferred 3D (or 3C if desperate).

Why is 3d preferable over 3c?

 

[kamchatsky]

I also prefer row 4 or 5 as I usually have a shadow next to me, and it becomes an almost Business Class seating.

 

[Pleb Status]

Why is 3d preferable over 3c?

You get a better indication of 'what is going on' at the door during delays etc from the right hand side of the aircraft.

It started during my Qcult days when I would select 4D over 4C (the J curtain was an added obstruction there) and now has become a habit which is strange to break.

I booked a couple of flights last night where I could select any seat in YX but went for 3D on both sectors. I have spent so much time in 3D (or 1K) it feels like the best place to be...

 

[Harthagan]

I think everyone would agree one of the most inconsiderate things is when the person in front of you reclines their seat back on a 1 hour flight lol.

It seems to happen a lot to me and quite often the person in front of me will be the only person on the whole plane who does it... I just have a little chuckle to myself and remind myself its first world problems.

For that reason I think i will definitely be a row 3 guy when i finally get that privledge in a few months

 

[ozstamps]

And there's no way the crew allow you to store carry-on in empty business class overhead bins.

I try to avoid any sort of crew interaction on VA. Row 7 suits me just fine.

Perhaps your post should have been worded -

''And there's no way the crew allows ME to store carry-on in empty business class overhead bins.''

Have never had an issue. Like most things in life, it generally comes down to how one does it. Another reason I always book Row 3.

 

[kyle]

Time for a little rant on my second flight as platinum.

Currently sitting in 5B SYD-MEL on one of the few planes with onboard wifi. Couldn't get row 3 as it was already booked.

Oversized person in 5C. Oversized to the extent that her arm has crossed the armrest. She was fast asleep at take off with constant snoring. Her left arm was totally on my seat. This is one of those occasions that the oversized person needs to buy two Y seats or a J. *sigh*

Luckily +1 in 5A so I can move the armrest.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Time for a little rant on my second flight as platinum.

Currently sitting in 5B SYD-MEL on one of the few planes with onboard wifi. Couldn't get row 3 as it was already booked.

Oversized person in 5C. Oversized to the extent that her arm has crossed the armrest. She was fast asleep at take off with constant snoring. Her left arm was totally on my seat. This is one of those occasions that the oversized person needs to buy two Y seats or a J. *sigh*

Luckily +1 in 5A so I can move the armrest.

Not a great way to spend Sunday. I have an upcoming flight OOL-MEL, got 3B/3C with the +1. But row 5 is empty, I am somewhat tempted to try it out, having usually stuck to row 3 out of preference to not have any overzealous recliners intrude on me...(as is their right to, but if I can reasonably avoid the possibility then I will...)

 

[Lemon_Party]

Flying last week I noticed that not all economy X is created equal. 4D on the way out was more spacious than on the return, perhaps an inch more legroom. The return plane was a much older 737 with the more square windows.

 

[kyle]

Currently sitting in 3B on MEL-BNE and I can see the appeal of row 3. Much more legroom compared to 5B where I sat last time.